February 18, 2019 Newsletter
We look forward to the opportunity this Sunday, February 24th from 1-4pm at Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation to dive in and share in detail about our working groups with the theme Solidarity in Action. As Ellany Kayce mentioned in her recent presentation on How to Be An Ally to Indigenous People, some prefer the term "accomplice" to "ally" because of the implied action. We invite you in this time to learn more about our ongoing projects and explore ways in which you can deepen your relationship to the work of supporting tribes of the South Salish Sea.
Next month's Gathering on March 24th will feature the Canoe Journey Herbalists. Karen Capuder will be joining us at a later date. Please see link below for the introduction of her captivating dissertation, which beautifully weaves together personal narrative and history.
Click here for link to Introduction to Karen Capuder's dissertation, Forked Tongues at Sequalitchew: A Critical Indigenist Anthropology of Place in Nisqually Territory.
Read further for upcoming events and news:
Remembering Chief Leschi
On Tuesday February 19th, we remember the honorable life and legacy of Chief Leschi, as it was on this date in 1858 that he was unjustly hung for crimes he did not commit.
On the memorial stone over his grave are these words:
This is a memorial to Chief Leschi, 1818-1858. An Arbitrator of His People.
On the back of the stone are the words:
Judicially murdered, February 19, 1858, owing to a misunderstanding of Treaty of 1854-55. Serving his people by his death. Sacrificed to a principle. A martyr to liberty, honor and the rights of people of his native land. Erected by those he died to serve.
To learn more about Leschi's life and story, please take time to read Cecelia Svinth Carpenter's article:Washington Biography: Leschi, Last Chief of the Nisquallies.
IN THE NEWS:
In an amazing turn of events, construction on the Coastal GasLink pipeline in traditional Wet'suwet'en lands has been stopped by the finding of archeological artifacts. Click here to read article from Vancouver's The Star: Coastal GasLink stops pipeline work after artifacts found on Wet'suwet'en territory.
The Puyallup Water Warriors are drawing attention to a recent move by the City of Tacoma and the US Army Corps of Engineers to work to dredge, widen and greatly expand the Blair Waterway to allow for larger vessels, including super freighter tankers into the Port of Tacoma. Click here to read their update: They're at it Again - Let's Flood the Army Corps with Letters!
The recent reference to the Wounded Knee Massacre and the Battle of Little Bighorn as part of a political attack has sparked anger and widespread criticism of our current president. Click here to read article: National Congress of American Indians Denounces President Trump's Invoking of Wounded Knee Massacre and Battle of Little Bighorn in Political Attack.
Have you been following the Green New Deal in the news? Indian Country Today released this article about the impact on Native American Indians: The Green New Deal: What does it mean for Indian Country?
"And Now We Know: Indigenous Artists Write the World"
The Gallery at Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts
South Puget Sound Community College
February 7th to March 8th
Curated by artist Asia Tail, the exhibition features Indigenous artists of the Pacific Northwest, working across media at the intersection of literary and visual arts. The Gallery will also host a library with a selection of publications by local Native writers.
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