The 2012 Tribal Journey brought together the continents and some of the best canoe builders in the world. The west coast paddlers welcomed an eastern Woodlands birch bark canoe and Anishinabeg paddlers from Ontario, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. They also welcomed a Maori canoe family from New Zealand to paddle a unique outrigger canoe created by joining of canoes from two different nations-a Maori Waka (Watercraft) and a Skokomish dugout canoe from the west coast.

Ani Oriwia of the Maori canoe family discusses the common experiences shared by the Maori of New Zealand and the First Nations people of North America. Josephine Mandamin arrives with water from her water walk to mix with the west coast water as part of a spiritual ceremony and celebration of the sacredness of water shared by all Nations present. Sharing continued upon landing with the Maori canoe family performing traditional songs and dances in the Protocol tent.