Dugout canoe on Lake LaBarge near Whitehorse, Yukon awaits their “invite”

Ann Smith and Clarissa Rizal will dress in their regalia to be a part of the welcoming ceremony of the canoe arrival to shore

Welcoming song for the canoe to come ashore – the ritual is symbolic of the visitors (in this case, the visitors are the council of First Nations’ annual meeting for a week from all across Canada this year held in Whitehorse) being welcomed ashore by the people of the Kwaanlin Dun Nation.

Canoe goes ashore amongst the reeds and grasses to find a natural “port.”

Photograph of the long dock after the ceremony

A fine feathered friend’s life has ended in the powerfully, beautiful landscape of Lake LaBarge