Know Where You Row

Respecting water, history and people.

Know Where You Row (KWYR) is a campaign across the US & Canada. The spaces and places where we row have been and continue to be the lands of the native peoples who, for centuries, have stewarded them. 

KWYR encourages rowing clubs to connect with the history of the waterways and land that they use through research and collaboration. We also recognize those clubs that have started doing the work of acknowledgement and reparations, sharing resources to help others do the same. 

KWYR understands we all may be at different points on the journey of connecting to our histories, having varying perspectives and resources at hand. Still, we are all on native lands and there is an opportunity for understanding, celebration and even reparation.

What can you do?

• Start the conversation at your club - at the team level and the leadership level.

• Use the hashtag #knowwhereyourow as well as those of the tribes associated with your location. 

• Follow us on social media:

  • • Instagram: @knowwhereyourow

• If you are interested in being a regional ambassador for this project, please email us.

What can rowing clubs do?

• Partner with Know Where You Row (KWYR) to understand the why and resources available.

• Research the history of the lands and waterways that you use

• Land acknowledgement on websites and social media

• Land acknowledgements at the beginning of events

• Boat-naming for tribes at your location, historically

• Contact your local tribes to start a conversation

• Host learn-to-row events in conjunction with tribes, especially youth

• Work with a tribal artist to complete a mural at your site

• Complete our survey

• Please email us with questions

Resources & Inspiration

• Look up the tribes in your area at native-land.ca

• Read about Asa Shenandoah's work in the article Bringing Our People Back to the Waters With Our Indigenous Crew

• A Puyallup Tribe yard sign project 

MEET THE TEAM

Tara Morgan first started thinking about water and land names during a race at Lake Stevens in Washington. The lake is named for Washington's first governor who had a violent and racist record. Tara is the founder of Seize the Oar Foundation and co-host of the Steady State Podcast. Tara began rowing in 1986 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and has lived in the Pacific Northwest for nearly 30 years.

Julia Gonzalez-Wolf is a 2023 graduate of Pacific Lutheran University where she was a member of the Women's Rowing program. Julia is from Bonney Lake, WA and majored in Marketing. 

Dave Harvey is the founder of Tacoma Rowing, whose mission is empowering youth and building community through rowing. Dave is a former high school and collegiate coach. Dave learned to row on Lake Quinsigamond on Agawam and Nipmuck lands while attending Saint John's High School in Massachusetts.