November is National Native American Heritage Month. From all of us at AWSP, Cispus, AWSL, and Outdoor Schools Washington, we thank you for sharing your stories and allowing us to embrace your culture.
Our AWSP/Foundation office is in Olympia on the territories of the Stl’pulmsh (Cowlitz), Nisqually, and Squaxin tribes. The recognized treaty is the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854. The language spoken is Twulshootsee (Lushootseed), Nisqually, and
Coast Salish.
AWSP and its members proudly oversee the outdoor Cispus Learning Center located in Randle, WA, on the lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians, Qwῡlh-hwai-pῡm (Klickitat), and Stl’pulmsh (Cowlitz). The Cession 458 Treaty
recognizes this location.
We, as an organization, have been honored to serve and learn from our tribal partners throughout Washington state. With principals in every school, we work to engage in every community of tribes across Washington. Honoring their culture and history, we
have more work to do and welcome shared opportunities.
Every year over the last decade, I’ve been invited to share in the annual Huckleberry events of the Nisqually and Puyallup tribes. They come to Cispus, allowing us to host their week-long traditions and include our team in the festivities.
The biggest thing I’ve learned with my co-workers is that taking time to listen to stories, share those stories with others, and give honor is essential. These acts are our way of reconciliation; for too long, tribes held close to their history
for fear of its acceptance and fear of the effort to erase it from others. To reverse that mindset and share about their past is difficult and uncomfortable but necessary. Hanford Mccloud from Nisqually told me that a new guard within the tribes
is coming across Washington. It is time for everyone to embrace together their story, and their language, before it is lost.
Curious about the Native lands of Washington? The Native Land app helps map indigenous territories, treaties, and languages across the globe. Check it out!
A Cedar Tree in the Forest
Photo by Chase Buffington.This photo shows the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Cispus Center, and Nisqually Tribe working to collect old-growth cedar for ceremonial carvings, creating canoes, paddles, and baskets. These classes occur for youth during the annual huckleberry camp
at the Cispus Center.
Pictured from left: Wayne Lloyd, Nisqually Building Director; Hanford Mccloud, Nisqually 6thCouncil Member; Keith Brent, Nisqually Senior Project Manager; and Nikia Hernandez, GPNF - Forest Ranger.