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Annual paddling adventure helps build bridges between young aboriginals and uniformed authorities

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A canoeists from The Pulling Together journey blesses a canoe during a native smudging ceremony before leaving for the Ahousat, B.C. first nation.JOHN LEHMANN/The Globe and Mail

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One of the 19 groups of canoes from the Pulling Together journey stretch out before padding to their next stop in their journey as the canoeist prepare to leave Ahousat on their second day of their voyage. The Pulling Together canoe journeys began in 2001 to build relationships between police and first nations.JOHN LEHMANN

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A canoeists wears a traditional Ahousat, B.C. first nation woven hat on the beach at Ahousat.John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail

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One canoes from the Pulling Together journey makes their way down to the water. This year, 19 thirteen-person canoes are making the eight-day journey, visiting remote native villages between Tofino and Port Alberni.JOHN LEHMANN

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Canoeists from the Pulling Together journey take part in a prayer circle before leaving for the Ahousat, B.C. first nation.JOHN LEHMANN

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One of the 19 groups of canoes pray before the start of their journey July 3, 2011 as the canoeist prepare to leave Ahousat on their second day of their voyage.JOHN LEHMANN

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A canoeists from the Pulling Together journey blesses a canoe during a prayer circle before leaving for the Ahousat, B.C. first nation.JOHN LEHMANN

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Louis Joseph an elder with the Ahousat, B.C. first nation says a farewell prayer as canoeist from The Pulling Together journey leave the Ahousat beach on their second day of their voyage.JOHN LEHMANN

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