Members of Lummi Nation, the House of Tears Carvers, and the intertribal nonprofit Se’Si’Le invited the faith community to witness the Snake River to Salish Sea Spirit of the Waters Totem Pole Journey across the region this May. This journey focused on uplifting the Indigenous-led movement to honor the spirit of a free-flowing Lower Snake River and restore the health of salmon and orca. Witnessing these events was a beautiful experience in which we heard Native speakers share passionately about their connection to the land, water, air, and of course the salmon.
At ten events across the region, Native leaders including members of Lummi Nation, the Puyallup Tribe, Yakama Nation, the Nisqually Tribe, and Nimiipuu (the Nez Perce Tribe) spoke of their concerns, grief, and pain caused by generations of disregard for their people and ways of life. Those attending, including the staff and board of Earth Ministry/WAIPL and many of the faith communities connected to our organization, felt the resilience and the weariness of tribal leaders. We were reminded of our role to play in bringing healing and reform to our relationship with one another and our common home.
Earth Ministry/WAIPL was honored to serve as the nonprofit point of contact for the final stop of the journey. Over 200 gathered at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Tacoma to listen to Indigenous leaders, witness the ceremony, and bless the totem pole. We thank the faith community for respectfully showing up in support of this journey and its cause, and we will continue to strive toward solidarity to uphold treaties and recover abundant salmon and orca.
Participants were asked to take action in support of a free-flowing Lower Snake River. A comment period on a draft report looking at removing the four dams on the Lower Snake River is open now through July 11. Submit your comment today as a person of faith by using Earth Ministry/WAIPL’s comment form.
View Livestream Recordings:
See more about this Totem Pole Journey at www.spiritofthewaters.org
View photos from Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment documenting the entire journey here.
