For most of my life, and even as recently as only months ago, scientists have been suggesting that the Americas were populated by a single source of migrations, roughly 12,000 years ago.  But the Paisley caves find adds further evidence that the human origins in North America may be more diverse, and happened longer ago, than we ever imagined.

The assumption, too, has been that that a group of paleoindians called the Clovis people followed great herds of beasts across grassy Beringia.  But scientists are asking - how could these people have survived such treks across inhabitable terrain?  The Eskimos, who came to North America much later, are a different story, because they had long adapted technology and skills to survive the Arctic.

We are watching a new theory prevail, that the first Americans came by boat, along the coast of Beringia.  Migration by kayak meant continuous access to meat, as well as the land bounty of the coastal arctic – blueberries, crustaceans, nesting birds, small mammals.  Even in cold winters, patches of green would have existed between the snow and ice; comfortable places for kayakers to camp.

A land migration – a funnel through Canada and Colorado, would seem to have lasted hundreds of years.  Why does human evidence exist even at the very tips of South America? 

It’s got to be kayaks. And by kayak, Oregon is a natural route from Beringia.  There is another detail: the shores of Alaska, British Columbia are ripe with islands, an inner passage, quiet protected beaches.  But Oregon is a different geography altogether: it is a bleaker ocean, with few coastal protections and comforts.  Was it actually the Oregon coast which forced the first Americans up river? 

I think about this as I slowly wander back through the grasses by moonlight.  While I drink my Myer’s spiced rum under a full moon, I think about Kil’iii, who has taken the month of August to paddle the outside passage of Vancouver Island in a skin kayak he built by hand.

Kil'iii, who was one of the first strangers to offer me help on my Oregon Testament project three years ago, lives, teaches and practices Pacific Northwest native living. After paddling the entire outer passage of Vancouver Island, he explained his trip to me.