— by Margie Doyle —
Christopher and Mona Evans (foreground) sing with the Lummi visitors at the Odd Fellows Hall
Lummi leaders came again to Orcas to thank supporters for their help in opposing the expansion of the Cherry Point Coal Terminal.
They thanked those who came to the Odd Fellows Hall on Friday, April 18 for “standing strong to protect what you have -– the Homeland and Lifeway of the Lummi Nation.”
Following an opening song and prayer, a Lummi elder gave “a little understanding of who we are,” by telling a Noah-type story of the early days when animals gave their lives so that their human brothers and sisters might live.
The Elders and Lummi Nation officials repeated their messages:
- It is time to move forward
- We must all act together
Newly-elected council woman Shasta Lewis first paid homage to her parents and grandparents, “as is the way in our culture.” She then spoke of the Cultural Arts Association and its efforts to reduce poverty among the Lummi Nation. Spiritual and cultural poverty, must be addressed as well as economic issues, she said. “The answers to problems rest with the dreamkeepers, the artists.”
Lummi singers celebrate their kinship with Orcas Island
She announced a 3-day art event on Orcas at the end of August to bring about more awareness. She concluded her presentation with a powerful song of her own composition, with a repetitive, chanty-like chorus, “This is the Way We Roll.”
Respect your elders
Stay in stroke
Put your head down
Harvesters of the sea
Vision comes to meThis is the way we roll
Jewell “Praying Wolf” James totem pole carver, spoke in ringing tones of the constitution by which the Lummi Nation governs itself and its independence from federal U.S. governance. “Never make us one of you because we’re a tribal nation; we owe allegiance to the tribe.”
In spite of that, he recited the history of U.S. government and Christian Church oversight of Indian affairs. James spoke of disrespect and humiliation to Lummis that continues, specifically in the 1980s, and of the apology issued by the U.S. and of the work of the work of Washington State Senator Warren “Maggie” Magnuson.
An island newcomer apologized for camping at Madrona Point.
Janet Alderton asked if the legislation Magnuson had pushed through could be enforced in protection of Cherry Point.
County councilman Rick Hughes invited the Lummi Nation elders to speak before the County Council.
Joy Hughes invited them to attend the San Juans Renewable Energy conference May 16-19 in the islands.
Michael Riordan thanked the Lummi Nation representatives for returning to their Orcas homes again, and said that their presentation spoke to the reverence in which we all hold the Lummi home and lifeways.
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Thank you, Margie for reporting on this important presentation, as many people could not attend (myself included). It is hoped that the Lummi Nation and we on Orcas can continue to co-operate on issues that affect us all, lending our energies in a common purpose.