Brad Camp/Staff photo Virginia Cowling was honored Saturday along with late husband Bill for their contributions to conserve and preserve the lands along Miller Bay.

By Annie Tietje
SUQUAMISH — Fifteen years after selling 13 acres of her land at bargain prices and donating her house and the acre that it sits on, Virginia Cowling was formally recognized and thanked Saturday by the Suquamish Tribe.

The tribe has been the recipient of Cowling’s donations, and gladly honored her accomplishments and gifts to the community during a traditional salmon bake.

About 150 people attended the celebration, said Suquamish Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman.
“I think it’s a really unselfish act for Bill and Virginia to do this,” said Indianola resident Leslie Israelsky. “It’s absolutely incredible. I’m glad we’re out here celebrating them today.”

The crowd was full of family, friends and community members who expressed gratitude for the Cowlings’ work and donations.

“This is incredible,” said Poulsbo resident Mary Bradley of the event. “This is the pinnacle of a lifetime of work for Virginia.”

“I’ve know her for over 32 years,” added Indianola resident Cy Dassel. “She is the light of the world.”

Cowling and her husband Bill, who died in 1982, made a lasting impression on the Suquamish in 1978 when they entered into a hatchery lease agreement with the tribe. Since inking the contract, the couple has worked to make a difference, preserving natural habitats in the North End, Forsman said. Cowling continued to work as an environmentalist after her husband died.
In 1991, Cowling sold 13 acres to the tribe for half of its assessed value and entered into an agreement, stating that when she dies, her house and land will be donated for tribal use, said Suquamish Tribe’s Salmon Recovery Coordinator and fisheries biologist and Cowling’s good friend Paul Dorn.

It was for such donations that helped the tribe create a productive fish hatchery that Cowling was honored, Dorn said.“These two people have made such a difference in the world,” tribal council chairwoman Marilyn Wandrey said during the event. “I know that our ancestors are here with us today, helping us honor you.”

A group of teenagers and youth also gathered at the honoring, and Wandrey called on them to remember the day’s events, the agreement between Cowling and the tribe and to maintain the area of nature that had been preserved through her work.

Wandrey said she wanted to be clear that Cowling’s land was to remain preserved and used for the hatchery.

“I am happy to see you here today,” she said to the youngsters. “It is up to you to maintain this promise that has been made.”

Finally, after all the speeches had been made, Cowling, with the help of her family and friends, stepped forward to receive a Pendleton wool blanket from the tribe.

Cowling talked about her life, and how she ended up living off of Miller Bay Road. It seemed to be chance at the time, she said, after watching two of her houses become condemned to make way for expansion.

“This place should be a part of the area forever,” Cowling said, adding that it is important for everyone to remember that a little greenery is important to hang on to. “In the distant future, when our descendants will be colonizing Mars, I hope there will still be green patches here and there.”