Heritage Center exhibit opens April 24 in Legislative Building

“We’re Still Here” Exhibit highlights Native Americans

April 22, 2012 10:22 pm

 

A powerful new exhibit about Native Americans in Washington opens soon in the Office of Secretary of State’s front lobby at the Capitol.

The privately funded exhibit is called “We’re Still Here. The Survival of Washington Indians.” It was created by the Washington State Heritage Center, a part of the Office of Secretary of State.

The free exhibit’s launch will take place during a special program April 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda.

Gov. Chris Gregoire, Secretary of State Sam Reed, state Rep. John McCoy, and Nisqually tribal leader Billy Frank Jr. are among those speaking at the unveiling event. The Chehalis Canoe Family and Chief Leschi Schools Drum and Dance Group will perform.

“Washington’s history begins thousands of years ago,” Reed said. “Long before we became a territory, this land was home to Indian tribes – and their stories are fascinating. Native voices reveal a challenging and inspiring history long overdue at the Capitol Building.

“This is another very interesting exhibit created by our Heritage Center team,” Reed added. “The exhibit really captures the challenges and hardships experienced by Native tribes here since Washington’s territorial days, as well as how they managed to survive. Native culture is a major part of Washington and the Pacific Northwest, and I’m pleased and honored that this exhibit is being shown in my office.”

The exhibit, which features 12 panels and several artifacts, acknowledges the early and continuing story of Native Americans in four major themes: the struggle over land, the conflict over Native identity, the battle for treaty fishing rights, and the cultural revival of Indian customs and language in the world today.

Smart tags will be placed over images to allow people to visit these sections online on the Heritage Center’s website,www.HeritageCenter.wa.gov .

An education component about the exhibit will be available online at (add website here) when the exhibit formally opens. It includes:

  • Indian treaties signed by tribes and Superintendent of Indian Affairs Isaac Stevens;
  • the struggle over land;
  • the story and retreat of Nez Perce Chief Joseph;
  • fishing activist and Yakama Chief Meninock;
  • the impact of Native boarding schools on two different Indian women;
  • the effort to maintain and preserve tribal identity;
  • the importance of salmon;
  • the fascinating history of the Makah whale hunts;
  • the preservation of Native culture; and
  • the effort to pass along Native languages mastered only by a few elders.

 

The exhibit will be displayed until April 2013. For more information, e-mail info@heritagecenter.wa.gov or visit the Heritage Center’s website.

Previous exhibits displayed by the Heritage Center include Washington’s first Territorial Governor, Isaac Stevens; Washington’s First Women in Government; and First Washington Women in Law.