About 120 people gathered at the Northern Plains Resource Council building in Billings last Friday to dedicate a totem pole carved by members of the Lummi Nation in Washington state.
The totem pole is a gift from the Lummi to members of the Northern Cheyenne in southeast Montana as a symbol of solidarity between two tribes whose homelands are threatened by proposed coal export projects. The 22-foot western cedar totem pole, which sports animals and symbols important to the Northern Cheyenne, will stand at the Northern Plains and WORC office on 27th Street and 3rdAvenue South until a more permanent home is found on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.
Otto Braided Hair, the Northern Cheyenne steward of the totem pole, told the crowd how the pole came to be: “When we first crossed paths with Jewell James and Lummi tribal members, we prayed for more strength, more protection, more guidance, and more help.” James, the carver who made the pole, consulted Braided Hair for the designs to include in the pole before he began the carving.
Jeanie Alderson, who ranches near Birney, spoke on behalf of Northern Plains at the dedication.
“Northern Plains is honored to host this symbol of solidarity from people working so hard to protect their homes and livelihoods,” said Alderson, “Today we honor the Lummi and their fight to protect their treaty rights. We honor the Northern Cheyenne who have been one of our longest and closest allies in standing up for places like the Tongue River, Otter Creek, and Rosebud valleys. The totem pole gathers us in solidarity. It calls us to be our best selves. It calls us to remember our children.”
The totem pole made its way to southeast Montana from the Lummi reservation in northwest Washington on a tour that stopped for ceremonies and prayers at churches, synagogues, and with tribes in British Columbia, Washington, and Montana. Though he could not be at the dedication in person, the totem pole’s carver, Jewell James, sent a statement that was read aloud at the gathering:
“The transport of dangerous fossil fuels across our territories is, and will forever remain, unacceptable to tribes across the Pacific Northwest and Canada,” Jewell wrote. “The totem pole is a symbol of our partnership with you. As you gather at the totem pole please understand we are there with you: in heart, mind and spirit.”
The Lummi oppose construction of a proposed coal export terminal on the west coast of Washington. The proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal would receive 48 million tons per year of coal via train from Montana and Wyoming, which would then load be loaded onto ocean-going ships bound for China and other Asian markets. In May 2015, the Lummi sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asserting that the project threatens the tribe’s treaty-protected fishing grounds. The Corps has yet to respond to the letter.