Page 4 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - March 2024

4
Ancestors get resting

GENERAL MANAGER UPDATE place on tribal lands

Taking positive Community rejoices
return after decades

steps forward away from home and There are still
complicated negotiations
a number of
By Bobbie Bush ancestors from the
On March 26, the Chehalis same site these
would like to take tribal community and members
this opportunity to from other local tribes gathered to ancestors were
I update you on the witness and recognize ancestors removed from in
progress of our Chehalis who were returned from two
Tribal Government in universities. the possession of
the first quarter of 2024. About 50 people assembled other universities.
Suggestion Box in the Community Center Gym
Program: Thank at 9 a.m. Tribal members from Consultation for
you to everyone Chehalis, Quileute, Colville and repatriation is
who participated in Skokomish paid their respects and
the Suggestion Box welcomed our ancestors home to already underway.
Program. We have their resting places. – CHEHALIS TRIBE
already received some The Native American CULTURAL RESOURCE
excellent suggestions, SPECIALIST
and the winner will be Graves and Repatriation Act WILLIAM THOMS
announced in the next (NAGPRA) required museums
edition of the newsletter. and universities to return our
Briarwood update: ancestors since its enactment.
We have taken over ownership of Briarwood and NAGPRA was signed into law
hired an external firm to supervise the demolition on Nov. 16, 1990.
process. Another company is also engaged in cleanup Thirty-four years later and group began the ride around the
and pest control, which has significantly sanitized the 73 years after an archaeologist Chehalis Reservation in procession,
property. from the University of Washington arriving at the cemetery.
Lewis County Opioid Summit: Last month, tribal displaced them from a ranch A special area was prepared for
leaders, staff and community members attended in Grays Harbor County, our the resting place.
an event hosted at Centralia College. It was an eye- ancestors have returned. The Chehalis Shaker Church
opening experience that gave attendees a grasp of Chehalis Tribe Cultural sang a song. People who wanted
the severity of the opioid crisis. It was emphasized Resource Specialist William to send an item or items with the
that this issue requires collaborative efforts from Thoms provided background ancestors placed them as they
various stakeholders, including government agencies, information on NAGPRA walked past.
healthcare providers, community organizations and and where the ancestors were This was the first time
individuals. before they were “inadvertently repatriation has happened since
Tiny homes road expansion: We have widened discovered by a farmer who NAGPRA and its amendments
the entrance approach to two full lanes, which allows plowed his field.” were enacted.
two vehicles to enter and exit smoothly. We also The field was at the The process to return the
have removed a tree identified near the entrance to Minard Ranch in 1947. A UW ancestors was complicated
eliminate potential visibility hazards with Highway 12. archaeologist surveyed the and took negotiation and
Additional lights will be installed on the existing light Washington coast and collected renegotiation to finally reach a
poles based on PUD schedules to improve safety and our ancestors. They were resolution.
visibility. cataloged and stored by the Burke When asked whether there
In conclusion, I am pleased with the progress we Museum. will be future events like this,
have made in the first quarter of 2024. As your general In 1974, one person’s remains Chehalis Tribe Cultural Resource
manager, it is an honor to serve for the greater common were transferred to Central Specialist William Thoms wrote,
good of our Chehalis community. Washington University’s “There are still a number of
Let me end with this quote from Chief Luther Department of Anthropology. ancestors from the same site
Standing Bear from the Lakota Sioux, “The elders were During the ceremony at the these ancestors were removed
wise. They know that man’s heart, away from nature, gym, Chehalis Tribe Historic from in the possession of other
becomes hard; they knew that lack of respect for Preservation Officer Dan Penn universities. Consultation for
growing, living things soon led to a lack of respect for asked everyone who wished to repatriation is already underway.
humans, too.” file past the cedar boxes and “Additionally, there are a
Thank you, flower arrangements to pay their number of possible objects of
cultural significance at other
respects and welcome the
Long Liu (Lee)
Chehalis Tribe General Manager ancestors home. museums and institutions
around the country that are
Afterward, a stick game song
brightened spirits and welcomed being investigated under the new
ancestors home. NAGPRA regulations that just
After the song finished, the went into effect,” he explained.