Indigenous youth departed on a three-day canoe journey Tuesday morning.

The second annual event is a combined effort between the First Nations Friendship Centre and Okanagan Indian Band.

The paddlers started at the south end of Wood Lake and will spend three days working towards the head of Kalamalka Lake, with overnight stops in Kaloya and Kekuli parks.

“I haven’t done this before, but I am actually looking forward to missing three days of school to go canoeing,” said Delaney Marchand.

The lake and canoes were honoured before the travellers went on their way.

“It’s about building that relationship that will carry on in the future,” said Const. Darwin Robbins.

The first leg will take about two hours, and more students are expected to join on Wednesday.