Successful appeal to keep hiking trail off burial ground disregarded by port district

by Terri C. Hansen
Environment Writer
News from Indian Country

Cathlamet, Wash.--Thirty years ago, the eternal resting place of the Chinook Chief Skamokawa was plundered.

Skamokawa was unearthed for the peace medal he received from Lewis and Clark. Other artifacts were stolen along with the medal.

Skamokawa's body, too, was stolen.

Circa 1805

Wahkiakum Indians waiting atop basalt cliffs
over Cathlamet, looking for the white men
they had heard were coming. When they spotted
Lewis and Clark's Corp's of Discovery they sent
out canoes to lead them to their village to trade.

The Chinook Nation fought Wahkiakum County Port District No. 2 to stop the trail from accessing the site, used by tribal members for religious ceremonies. And they prevailed.

Or so it had seemed.

In March, the state Shoreline's Hearing Board ordered the trail rerouted and shortened, if necessary, so that no point would come within 400 feet of the perimeter of the site, to be designated by an independent archaeologist hired by the port. Further, no access from the trail to the site would be permitted, and no signs allowed except for general information at the trailhead concerning the history of a site "in the area."

The port voted April 19 to move ahead with the trail without contracting for an independent archeological survey, as required by the Board's order, Tarabochia said. Instead, the Chinook Nation received a map from the port with a revised trail route allegedly allowing for the 400-foot buffer zone roughly marked in. Their revision is based on an old survey, leading the tribe to question how the port could determine the new trail route with no new information.

Carol Carver, a port commissioner, said that the port was undecided about hiring an independent archaeologist. The Commissioner suggested that the Chinook Nation should think about paying for the survey themselves. Carver said, “They,” the Chinook Tribe, “should think about paying part of the cost of any archaeological survey.”

But the port's latest plans for the trail are in violation of that order, says Chinook tribal spokesman Tim Tarabochia. "We feel the port hasn't met the conditions ordered by the Shoreline's Hearings Board," he says. "The tribe is opposed to the trail. It still provides access to the site."

Nez Perce return home

by Terri Crawford Hansen
News from Indian Country

Sometimes we do it right.

The month of June marked a right and momentous celebration for the Nez Perce, the people of Chief Joseph or "Hinmat'owyalaht'qit" — "Thunder Coming Up Over the Land," and his descendents.

Returning to their beloved Wallowa valley for the first time — many riding their famed Appaloosa horses — was more than a meaningful eloquent ride. This was a promise kept to Chief Joseph 120 years ago, after they were chased out by a 15-week attack by the U.S. Calvary.

The Nez Perce, who call themselves Nimipu, "The Real People, " received through the Trust for Public Land, over 10,000 lush acres into ownership of their native lands.

From here on in, the land will be known as Chief Joseph Ranch.

Celebrations began June 12, when the Nez Perce celebrated a name-giving ceremony. Other events included a pow-wow memorial, dancing, give-aways, and ended with a June 17 Memorial for those Nez Perce killed in the U.S.-Indian conflicts.

June 15 saw a dedication of the Wolf Education and Research Center, to commemorate the tribe's participation in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife reintroduction of gray wolves from Canada to Idaho .

"The Trust for Public Land has been saving land for people for 25 years," says Susan Ives, vice president and director of public affairs. They have worked with a number of Indian tribes in the past, she says, but this is their first transaction with the Nez Perce tribe.

The tribe plans to restore the mountainous land to wilderness with native elk, salmon, berries, roots and grasses.

No one is expected to live on the land except for a caretaker.