Join the Nolumbeka Project, Connecticut River Conservancy, and Adventure East to celebrate Indigenous communities with a round-trip mishoon, canoe, and kayak paddle on the Connecticut River! We’ll kick off the day with a cookout lunch. Leading the procession paddling handcrafted traditional mishoonash (dug-out canoes) will be: Darius Coombs, Rashad Young, and Raheim Eleazer of the Aquinnah Wampanoag and Pequot tribes, and Andre Strongbearheart Gaines and Ite Santana of the Chaubunagungamaug band of Nipmuck Indians.

This is an intermediate paddle entailing three hours on water, paddling upstream and back. Conditions might include waves from boats, reversing currents due to hydro storage pumping, strong headwinds, and unmarked debris. Prior paddling experience is recommended.

The paddle is the kick-off to the 11th Annual Pocumtuck Homelands Festival: A Celebration of Native American Art, Music, and Cultures which runs Aug 3-4 at Unity Park, Turners Falls, MA.

This is a free event, but registration is required. Donations are welcome. Bring your own craft or borrow one, courtesy of Adventure East.

Schedule of the day

11:30am Check-in, cook-out lunch, gear outfitting (for those borrowing craft)

12:30pm Welcome & Opening ceremony

1pm Depart for paddle – start out upstream, explore the river, stop at Rod & Gun Club launch for snacks and conversation with excursion leaders. Option to continue upstream or return to Barton Cove.

2:30pm Return to Barton Cove

4pm Optional return to Barton Cove for those who paddled further upstream