What began with the Heiltsuk First Nation's building of a canoe-the first in over 150 years-and paddling it to Vancouver for EXPO '86 has become a movement reviving the ocean-going canoe tradition on the West Coast. In 1993, the Heiltsuk's Qatuwas Festival journey saw 14 canoes paddle to Bella Bella. Enthusiasm has grown and now there are annual tribal journeys in the the Pacific Northwest. In the spirit of "qatuwas" which means "people gathering together," these tribal journeys bring together people of all ages and reconnect them on the water with the traditional ways of their ancestors. The journeys can take several weeks and build fortitude, stamina, identity and self-esteem for participants.