Indigenous canoe building tradition revived in Macon by father and son from Seminole Tribe

"Canoe carving is a continuing tradition. We never stopped making dugout canoes, so we're really not trying to recreate history. We're continuing a tradition," Seminole Tribe of Florida member Pedro Zepeda said.

MACON, Georgia  (41NBC/WMGT) – For a father and son, building canoes is a family affair rooted in history.

“Canoe carving is a continuing tradition. We never stopped making dugout canoes, so we’re really not trying to recreate history. We’re continuing a tradition,” Seminole Tribe of Florida member Pedro Zepeda said.

This tradition is something that was passed down from his grandfather and father to him. He is now passing down the tradition to his 14-year-old son.

Canoe building has a rich history rooted in indigenous people building them as a method of transportation. The building and operating of the canoes is a religious experience – one that Zepeda still reflects on after all of these years.

Pedro and the rest of the team will be building the canoe the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park from August 6-16. They invite the public to stop by and learn some of the history. It’s free to do so, and when the canoe is finished, it will be donated to the City of Macon.