Page 3 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - July-August 2025

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to other structures we have built,
that cost estimate is in about the
middle.”
Chehalis Tribe Business
Committee members spoke next.

Sheilah Bray
Chehalis Tribe
Vice Chairwoman
“Hello
everybody, I am
Sheilah Bray,
Chehalis Tribe’s
Vice Chairwoman.
I am not here alone. I am here
with our 5th Council and Treasurer
from our Business Committee, and
I ask them to come up here with
me just so you can see that we take
this very seriously. We heard that
this great event was happening, we
had the invite and we said we are
not missing this. Unfortunately,
our chairman is coming back from This map shows plans for a crucial wildlife overcrossing at milepost 92.8 on Interstate-5.
the airport Friday afternoon. We
don’t expect to see him for a few how we have cut off that pathway here. I look forward to our work in go. I am not a spiritual person,
hours. Our secretary is working for the animals and how we undo the future. It’s the third crossing but sometimes things just fall in
with the youth program and could that. I wouldn’t want to cross I-5 in Washington state. It’s a very place. We hosted a summit about
not get away. Otherwise, we would on foot to get food. It’s a really beautiful thing – the first across a year ago at Great Wolf Lodge,
all be here. I want to thank you all scary thing. Vehicles are coming I-5. I think if we can continue and there is Janice Erickson, and
for giving us the opportunity to very quickly. So when this idea on the path that we are on, we we became acquainted. She loved
be invited to come here and listen was first presented to us from the are doing good things we need to what we were doing and described
to all the great information you Tribe’s point of view, we could not do protect the animals and the this property. We are working
shared on why this is such a good be more excited that this idea was Earth.” together to do this. Here are
the pieces – these 90 acres here
project that we need to get off the not just a pipe dream but all these
ground. To be good stewards of different agencies and governments Mitch Friedman where we are standing today. It’s
the land is so important. I hope coming together to say, “Are we Executive Director amazing. It’s intact.”
everyone realizes that most Tribes in this together? Who is here to As Mitch described the
have done that for centuries – help?” Sheilah concluded, “I want of Conservation serendipitous meeting and how
taking care of the land and taking you to know that Chehalis Tribe is Northwest things sometimes just align
care of the animals on the land. very committed to this project. We themselves to resolve challenges,
If you take care of them, they will are honored to be invited to this “There were his voice cracked a little with
take care of you. We are not here luncheon.” many years where emotion. He wrote in an email,
on this Earth by ourselves. We have my staff would promote the idea “The property is 95 acres. The
to take care of those who cannot Thomas Trott of trying to keep the Cascades plan is for the Tribe to purchase
help themselves. That would be our Chehalis Tribe 5th and Olympics connected, and it at fully appraised market value,
animals. Everything here is for us I was a skeptic. The interstate with Conservation Northwest
to use – the fruit on the trees, the Council member is here with all the associated providing the funding.”
animals. Let’s not abuse it. Let’s “It’s very development with it, you know. I Voice recordings of speakers
make sure we can come together beautiful out here. had to be sold on the idea. Initial for quotes were shared from Jacob
and do this better. I am really glad Thank you for the research was encouraging. It was Moore of The Chronicle. Thank
to hear all the information about opportunity to be an opportunity, so we gave it a you, Jacob.

Marla LeFevre and Janice Erickson Salmon cooked the traditional way by Chehalis Tribal Fisheries.