Greenville, Maine — On Thursday, July 24, West Cove in Greenville Junction was the site of a stirring cultural gathering as the 19th Annual Thoreau-Wabanaki Birch Bark Canoe Flotilla took place on the waters of Moosehead Lake. A crowd gathered at the Greenville Junction Wharf to witness the birch bark canoes — paddled by individuals from across Maine and Canada — move gracefully through the cove in a powerful celebration of history, tradition, and connection to the land and water.

The air was filled with the sound of drums as The Burnurwurbskek Drummers performed, adding depth and spirit to an already unforgettable day.

Moosehead Lake, the largest mountain lake in the eastern United States, stretches over 40 miles and remains a place of deep historical and cultural significance. Events like the Thoreau-Wabanaki Flotilla serve as reminders of the enduring legacy of Wabanaki peoples and the importance of honoring Indigenous traditions.

As the canoes floated and paddled around the wharf, the moment was made even more meaningful by the presence of the Youth Sailing Program just offshore, the steamboat Katahdin passing by, and recreational boaters and jet skis respectfully pausing to witness the gathering. It was one of those rare and beautiful times when the past and present melded seamlessly on the waters of Moosehead — a shared moment of reverence, celebration, and unity.