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Our
History
In
May 2001 the news spread quickly in the North Kitsap
area that Chief Seattle’s grave had been desecrated. The cross
at the top of the monument had been pushed over and broken, and
garbage had been left at the grave site. |
A number of us who live on the Port Madison Reservation and in
surrounding communities were
appalled when we learned of the crime. We wanted to communicate in
the strongest possible terms that this sort of behavior is
unacceptable.
We called our friends, pastors,
colleagues, and neighbors, and about 60 of us gathered at the
United Church of Christ in Suquamish to see how we could respond.
We
raised money to contribute to the Suquamish Tribe’s repair fund
for the gravesite. We wrote letters to the newspaper and
attended the rededication of Chief Seattle’s grave, offering a statement of regret and hope for healing.
And we
thought hard together about what we might do to build a stronger
community over the long run. We held two community potlucks,
participated in Chief Seattle Days and the 150 year pilgrimage.
Out
of these activities, the Suquamish
Olalla Neighbors was born. By the end of the
year, we had drawn up by laws and opened a checking
account.
Our first
full year was a busy one. |
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.
. . we got letters . . . |
"I
received your email this morning regarding the statement for
the rededication of Chief Sealth’s grave on Saturday. You
did a wonderful job in capturing the message and meaning of
what we all want.”
Washington State
Representative Beverly Woods |
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