Acknowledgement of Territory and the Impact of White Privilege
We want to acknowledge that we live within the traditional territory of the Stoluck-wa-mish River Tribe, today called the Stillaguamish and part of the South Coast Salish group of indigenous people in the Pacific Northwest, a people that are still here, continuing to honor and bring to light their ancient heritage.
In 1855, the population resided on the main branch of the river, as well as the north and south forks. The name Stillaguamish, under various spellings, has been used since 1850 to refer to people who lived along the Stillaguamish River and camped along its tributaries.
They were a party to the treaty of Point Elliott of January 22, 1855, under the spelling Stoluck-wa-mish. No separate reservation was established for the Stoluck-wa-mish Indians. Some moved to the Tulalip Reservation, but the majority remained in the aboriginal area along the Stillaguamish River until they were granted federal recognition in 1976. For more information, learn about Esther Ross and her story.
Favorite Native authors
We also want to acknowledge the debt we owe to people of color. As we work toward building a more equitable society, we must consider our own past and acknowledge the role our heritage played since the arrival of Europeans to this land. Our ancestors perpetuated the atrocity of slavery and the repression of enslaved people, leading to systematic disadvantages that their descendants have endured for generations. We deeply regret and denounce these shameful aspects of our history, both known and unknown.
Interested in exploring more about racism in America? We recommend these books as starting points:
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
So you want to talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo
As acknowledgement of these debts, Arborea Falls is committed to providing reserved, free access to our grounds and forest to BIPOC individuals for communion with nature. To schedule a visit, contact us at owners(at)arboreafalls.com. We also offer discounts and priority for hosting public community events that support LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities.