Page 12 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - June 2024

CHEHALIS TRIBAL NEWSLETTER

The Confederated Tribes NEWSLETTER STAFF
of the Chehalis Reservation, Communications Specialist
‘People of the Sands’ Frazier Myer, Communications

Articles and opinions expressed Specialist Trainee Bobbie Bush,
are not necessarily those of this Designer Audra J. Hill and the
publication or the Chehalis Tribal Information Technology Team
Business Committee. TRIBAL CENTER

SUBMISSIONS Main line: 360-273-5911
Tribal members are encouraged Address: 420 Howanut Road BUSINESS COMMITTEE © copyright 2024
to submit birthday and anniversary Oakville, WA 98568
wishes, letters, articles, photos Office: 360-709-1726 Chairman: Dustin Klatush The Chehalis Tribal
and drawings to be considered Fax: 360-273-5914 Vice Chairman: Leroy Boyd Newsletter is a
for publication in the newsletter Treasurer: Sheilah Bray publication of the
(materials are subject to editing). VISION STATEMENT Secretary: Charlotte Lopez Confederated Tribes
Contributing writers, artists and To be a thriving, self-sufficient, Fifth Council Member: of the Chehalis
photographers include Chehalis sovereign people, honoring our Rachelle Wells-Ferguson Reservation
tribal community members/staff. past and serving current and future generations.

12

ANNIVERSARY

From page 1
Trudy Marcellay explained
that in the 1860s, the U.S.
Government was having
treaty negotiations with
regional tribes in the Pacific
Northwest. They wanted to
move the Chehalis natives
off their traditional lands
into Quinault territory near
the Pacific Ocean. The tribe
refused to sign that treaty,
and that’s when the executive
order was drafted and
authorized. Chehalis tribal members celebrated 160 years of federal
Rodney Youckton also recognition on July 8.
spoke during the event.
He wanted to express how
important it is for the
tribal community to have
knowledge of the history of
the Chehalis people. He said
that at one time, the Chehalis
people roamed the land from
Southwest Washington all the
way down to the Columbia
River. This territory was
lost as settlers moved in and
eventually pushed the tribal
people onto reservations
spanning only 1,440 acres.
Although the history can
be uneasy to think about,
Youckton said, “Our people
persevered, we fought and we
never gave up.”
Chairman Dustin Klatush
gave thanks to those who
helped put the event together
and expressed how glad he
was to see so many people in
attendance. “It’s a good day to
be Chehalis,” he said.