**Last Updated:** 4 years ago | **AUTHOR:** Mina Vedder
Nestled near the majestic Mount Baker in Washington State, lies Arlecho Creek, a place of profound significance to the Lummi Nation. This old-growth forest is not merely a collection of trees; it’s a living tapestry woven with the threads of spirituality, cultural heritage, and the delicate balance of nature. For generations, the Lummi people have found solace, guidance, and connection to their ancestors within its verdant depths. But this sacred space has faced immense challenges, battling the relentless forces of deforestation and the urgent need for preservation.
Imagine a scene bathed in the golden light of a clear morning. The sun’s rays, fractured by the dense canopy above, paint dappled patterns on the forest floor. Tiny droplets of dew cling to the leaves of ferns and shrubs, shimmering like scattered jewels. A chorus of birdsong fills the air, a harmonious symphony that awakens the forest and its inhabitants. This is Arlecho Creek, home to ancient cedar, fir, and hemlock trees, some of which have stood sentinel for centuries. It’s also a vital habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, including the endangered marbled murrelet, a seabird that nests in the upper reaches of these old-growth giants.
Eight years prior to the time of the original publication, Arlecho Creek endured a devastating blow. The surrounding hills were scarred by clear-cut logging, leaving a patchwork of barren land where once stood a vibrant forest. In response, the Lummi tribe took a stand, enacting an informational blockade to prevent logging trucks from further encroaching upon the remaining old-growth areas. Tribal members peacefully handed loggers informational pamphlets, educating them about the ecological significance of the forest and its profound cultural importance to the Lummi people. This act of defiance, rooted in respect and knowledge, resonated far beyond the borders of the region, capturing the attention of regional and national news outlets, including CNN. The efforts of the Lummi Tribe brought the plight of this forest to national attention and brought the need for preservation into view.
The old-growth forest in **Symbol of Fortune** Arlecho Creek holds a deeply spiritual place for the Lummi tribe. It serves as a sanctuary for communion with Mother Nature, a place where the Lummi people can connect with the natural world on a profound level.
Xwomiksten, also known as Tom Edwards, a traditional healer and natural-resource biologist of the Lummi tribe, eloquently describes this connection: “We like to go to an area that is isolated, pure, where it’s never been touched, where there is no development going on so we can commune with Mother Nature. Mother Nature has a lot to offer us and a lot to teach us. She has many stories to tell from the leaves, the rocks, the trees, the plants, the wetlands, the water…”
Arlecho Creek serves as more than just a place of worship; it is a place of healing and learning. Within its tranquil embrace, the Lummi people find solace from the stresses and sorrows of everyday life. They seek guidance and wisdom from their ancestors, learning ancient songs and stories that have been passed down through generations. Families often spend extended periods, four to six days, immersed in the forest, teaching their children about Lummi heritage and fostering a deep respect for the natural world. Vision quests, a sacred practice of communicating with The Great Spirit through prayer and introspection, are also conducted within the forest’s secluded depths.
“We always pray for the elders first because they are the treasure holders of all the knowledge. They experienced what has happened in the past,” Xwomiksten explains. “I pray for the continued health of our elders so that they can continue to help us understand the old ways, so we can teach those teachings to the younger generation.”
The preservation of the old-growth areas in Arlecho Creek is therefore essential to maintaining the Lummi tribe’s cultural identity and connection to their heritage. If the remaining forest is lost to logging, a vital link to the past will be severed, and the Lummi tradition will be irrevocably diminished.
The very name of the endangered marbled murrelet, known as squok-quok in the Lummi language, carries profound meaning: **Symbol of Fortune**. It represents the “totem of the potlatch,” a traditional gathering where the community comes together to share food, stories, and knowledge. During the winter and summer seasons, the Lummi people gather for potlatches, bringing homemade dishes to share in a celebration of community and abundance.
Xwomiksten explains the historical significance of the potlatch: “In the old days, many Lummi didn’t make it past the second grade, so the potlatch was a place where people could come together, to learn from each other and learn about Mother Nature.” The potlatch served as a vital educational forum, transmitting knowledge and wisdom across generations.
The plight of the murrelet and the preservation of Arlecho Creek have united a diverse coalition of individuals and organizations, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries. The House of Tibet, the Paul Allen Foundation, Microsoft and its employees, Columbia University, The Nature Conservancy, Crown Pacific timber company, and many other groups have recognized the importance of safeguarding the cultural heritage of the Lummi tribe and protecting the endangered species that call Arlecho Creek home. These species include eagles, elk, salmon, bears, and a diverse array of plant life, all of which contribute to the intricate web of life within the forest ecosystem.
In a concerted effort to save what remains of Arlecho Creek, these organizations and individuals have collectively donated over $5.25 million. However, an additional $7.1 million was needed by December 2002 to purchase the remaining 2,000-acre area from Crown Pacific lumber company. This acquisition was crucial to ensuring the long-term protection of the forest and its invaluable resources.
Kurt Russo, director of the Arlecho Creek Forest Conservation Partnership, emphasizes the urgency of the situation: “Anything we don’t make a conscious effort to save over the next 40 years will be extinct. That includes biological species as well as languages and cultural ways of living. It’s all going to disappear. This particular area (Arlecho Creek) is a place of cultural importance to aboriginal people of this region. It is enormously important for biodiversity as it is a micro-problem of a global issue.”
The Lummi tribe, through its Natural Resources Department, is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing the remaining resources in Arlecho Creek for the benefit of future generations. This commitment is rooted in a holistic worldview that recognizes the interconnectedness of all living things.
“We look at everything as a whole: the land, the water, the earth, the game, the air,” Xwomiksten explains. “If you disrupt the system it causes a ripple effect making the whole system unbalanced.”
The Lummi tribe advocates for a complete halt to logging activities in the area to maintain the delicate balance of the ecosystem. They urge landowners and the Department of Natural Resources to respect their recommendations regarding Arlecho Creek, ensuring adequate protection of the treaty and inherent rights granted to them by their ancestors.
Xwomiksten points out a critical oversight in the state’s approach to resource management: “The state looks at fish, water and roads, but is leaving out several important factors: culture, archeological, historical and wildlife.” This highlights the need for a more comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach to conservation.
One might ask, why should the broader community care about Arlecho Creek when so few have ever heard of it?
Russo, who has worked closely with the Lummi tribe for over two decades, offers a poignant response: “It isn’t the kind of caring that puts food on your table; it isn’t the kind of caring that puts shoes on your children’s feet. To tribal members, the forest has put a song to their hearts to know that it is there.”
Following the anticipated purchase of Arlecho Creek, the Lummi tribe, in collaboration with Northwest Indian College, Western Washington University, and other educational institutions, plans to utilize the area for hands-on learning experiences. Students will have the opportunity to study the intricate functioning of the ecosystem and learn about the restoration of areas damaged by past logging practices. The tribe also envisions using the clear-cut areas to build tribal schools, further strengthening their commitment to education and cultural preservation.
“We want to open people’s eyes so they can see this project become a success, and maybe other people will jump on board and look at other areas,” Xwomiksten expresses. “If we don’t do anything now in protecting our culture and Mother Nature, we’re going to lose all the resources.”
Xwomiksten hopes that the purchase of the land will be a catalyst for community celebration and collaboration. He envisions people coming together at Arlecho Creek to work towards its preservation and restoration, recognizing its vital importance to the Lummi tribe, the endangered species that depend on it, and the broader community.
By preserving and restoring Arlecho Creek, the Lummi tribe can ensure the continuation of their cultural traditions, which are deeply rooted in the land and its resources. The conservation efforts in Arlecho are crucial to the survival of the marbled murrelet, salmon, elk, deer, and a diverse array of wildlife that call this area home. When local and national communities unite to save Arlecho Creek, it enriches the lives of the Lummi tribe and the communities **Symbol of Fortune** around them. Arlecho Creek, a **Symbol of Fortune**, represents a legacy to future generations.
**Symbol of Fortune** Arlecho Creek Conservation Partnership: (360) 733-5648
Arlecho Website: www.nwic.edu/arlecho