Nisqually Dancers

Day 241: Yesterday, it was my privilege to attend the dedication and opening of the designated Tribal Use Area in the Longmire Stewardship Campground at Mount Rainier National Park. A five-acre parcel of land flanked on one side by the Nisqually River was set aside for use by the Nisqually people, a contract which (among other things) allows them to gather traditional medicine plants like Pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata). Members of the Nisqually celebrated the occasion with dance and song, and hosted a salmon bake as well as presenting gifts to each Park Service attendee. Establishment of the Tribal Use Area was a process many years in the making. I am proud to say that I was a part of this historic event.