Page 7 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - November, 2018

7

DNR knowledge with the community. his job and the people he works sss
In addition to supporting the
with. They are working on a
From page 6 Historic Preservation Office in restoration site on the Tribe’s CONTACT US
CULTURAL RESOURCES its compliance efforts, Thoms’ Brown property. Gillie is a part Stop by the office at 28 Nied-
primary role is in the curation
of a project to plant a 150-foot
SPECIALIST WILLIAM THOMS and conservation of the tribe’s riparian buffer on the main stem erman Road in Oakville or call
Chehalis tribal member shared material history. of the Chehalis River. 360-709-1851 for questions
William Thoms is a descendant In addition to his work on the about DNR programs.
of the Secena and Sanders TRIBAL HISTORIC restoration project, he also sits
Indians. PRESERVATION OFFICER on the ASRP Steering Committee
Thoms is a lifelong student DAN PENN for the tribe. Gillie has a 5-year- watershed and bringing people
and lover of the arts who fully Began working for the old son who also is an enrolled together to talk about how to
embraced the irony of moving Historic Preservation Office in member of the Chehalis Tribe. better manage water resources.
1,500 miles to learn about his 2012 and previously worked for Prior to arriving at the
own backyard. Graduating the Chehalis Language Program WATERSHED COORDINATOR Chehalis Tribe, she worked
with the highest honors from for five years before that. FOR THE CHEHALIS BASIN in a variety of sectors on
the Institute of American KIRSTEN HARMA water resource management,
Indian Arts in 2016, Thoms’ RESTORATION COORDINATOR Harma is responsible for environmental conservation and
renewed cultural curiosity JASON GILLIE coordinating efforts to restore scientific research in the Pacific
led him back home where he Gillie has been with DNR for and protect salmon habitat Northwest, Canada and Central
hopes to share his passion and almost three years and enjoys throughout the Chehalis Basin America.

For most who oppose
There were a number of
MEETING sss additional questions and issues this project or similar dam
From page 1 raised. The tribe worries about constructions on the Chehalis
INFORMATION the release of flood water and River, it’s not just about the
Programs Manager Colleen
Suter represented the tribe. To learn more or for a copy of how it will impact their lands source of food. The methods
They provided information documents, please contact like it did in recent years. and teachings of food gathering
regarding the scoping aspect of Chehalis Tribal Department Everyone at the meeting are an important cultural value
the proposed project and asked of Natural Resources Director agreed that flooding has to natives. They are deeply
for feedback and input. Glen Connelly at 360-709- happened for many years and concerned that building on
The public forum discussed 1854 or gconnelly@chehalis that man-made improvements the river will disrupt how they
the need for communication tribe.org, or Environmental have caused many severe maintain and preserve their
between tribal departments Programs Manager Colleen flooding events for the cities of cultural identity.
and the tribal community to Suter at 360-709-1858 or Centralia and Chehalis, as well They still harvest fish and eels
create a better understanding of csuter@chehalistribe.org. as the reservation low lands. today, but if the proposed water
the process and the amount of For more information about Questions were raised on retention site is successfully built
involvement the tribe has on the the Chehalis River Basin Flood how thoroughly government- on the river, the tribal people
project. conducted studies have shown are uneasy about what could to
The tribe has sustained its Damage Reduction Project, the impacts flooding has on the happen to fish spawning grounds.
way of life by relying on the go to chehalisbasinstrategy. reservation. It’s believed that Chairman Harry Pickernell
waterways for centuries. Aspects com/strategy. building this dam might affect Sr. closed the meeting with his
of the conversation proved to tribal families – present and own comments on transparency
be emotional and thought- future – with their ability to fish and his willingness to be more
provoking. the Chehalis Reservation and have access to their water. involved in the processes.
Several people voiced their significantly contributed to Tribal people explained how Tribal members provided seven
concerns on how the proposed depleted fish runs. Tribal their ancestors harvested fish handwritten sheets with specific
project could potentially affect members are concerned with a and lamprey eels for generations. comments to incorporate into
the livelihood of tribal members potential dam – even a diversion- The traditional way of living has a final letter that was signed
and the impacts the dam would style one. They fear it will greatly carried on in numerous tribal by Chairman Pickernell and
have on tribal fisheries. impact fisheries on the Chehalis families for centuries. submitted to the state on Oct. 29.
Representatives from DNR River and want to know how the
explained that this is an initial tribe will be compensated for
step in the process and the destruction or disaster.
meeting was held to better Dams historically have proven
inform community members. to have a detrimental impact on
With the need to move all species in the area, including
forward with this portion of the fish, eels, amphibians and all
process, the environmental staff sorts of land animals that provide
requested tribal members write sustenance to tribal families.
down their concerns about how a They discussed the potential SANTA BREAKFAST
dam could cause environmental threat that installing a dam
problems. The information will could pose on tribal members’ You are cordially invited to dine
be compiled and used to submit drinking water. One of the main with Mr. Claus at 9 a.m. Dec. 15 at
a formal letter to Ecology and concerns addressed by a tribal
USACE as soon as possible. elder during the meeting is that Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound
In years past, logging, native people are stewards of the
floods and other activities in land and it’s their duty to stand * Northwest Territories Ballroom
the watershed upstream from up and speak for it.