Activity Report Explorer

Rio Grande Valley Broadband • Entered by Susan Ostlie on June 29, 2021

Red Road to DC – Totem Pole Travelers

May 25, 2021 – June 25, 2021

Key Issue: Multiple apply
Activity Type: Relationship Building with non-white and/or frontline communities (relational meetings, attending events, community support, etc.)
Key Partners: National Great Old Broads for Wilderness and local BB’s; Lummi Nation House of Tears carvers

Short Description of Activity

5/25 and 6/25 zoom meetings:
May webinar: This Summer, the House of Tears Carvers of the Lummi Nation will carve and transport a 24-foot totem pole from Washington State to Washington DC.
As the pole travels it will visit many sacred and cultural places to draw lines of connection — honoring, uniting and empowering communities working to protect all sacred places. It carries the spirit of the lands it visits and the power and prayers of communities along the way — ultimately delivering these prayers, power, and demands to the Biden-Harris Administration and Congress in Washington DC. – 1 hour + 7 hours follow up to set up lodging and and event in Albuquerque in June.
June webinar – further information on the plans for the tour to DC, including a Chaco Canyon event in July. No events in Albuquerque, however.

Reflection/Evaluation

It was pretty stressful trying to set up connections for lodging and an event time and space with the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Isleta Pueblo and Casino for the group. I did get commitments from the IPCC for June, but the travelers did not come to Albuquerque, in June, and also for the final trip in July, but again, they will not be going through Albuquerque after Chaco Canyon. I wish them well, but communication was difficult.