Snoqualmie Tribe acquires 12,000 acres of this ancestral forestland
The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe has acquired approximately 12,000 acres of forestlands in the Tolt River Watershed, marking the largest acquisition of ancestral lands in the Tribe’s modern history.
The lands, located in King County, are near lands originally promised, but never delivered, to the Tribe as its reservation by the federal government in the 1930s, according to the Tribe’s news release. They hold significant cultural, historic, environmental and economic value to the Tribe.
“Because of this purchase, roughly 12,000 acres of the ancestral lands of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe are being returned to the People who have loved, cared for, cultivated, and protected them since the beginning of time, and who dearly felt their loss for over a century,” said Snoqualmie Tribal Chairman Robert de los Angeles in a news release.
Now named the Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Forest, the land previously managed for industrial timber purposes for over a century will be used for continued sustainable timber harvests as part of a larger holistic plan to manage key ecosystems and build upon the Tribe’s cultural heritage and ancient connection to the site.
The acquisition was aided by nonprofit environmental group Forterra and managed by Campbell Global LLC on behalf of the undisclosed landowner.
“We have great respect for the people of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe. They are committed to their heritage. It is an honor to be a part of the forestlands now being under their stewardship. We are looking forward to have the Snoqualmie Tribe as a neighbor and deepening our existing relationship,” Campbell Global Chairman and CEO John Gilleland stated in the news release.
“I congratulate the Snoqualmie Tribe on a major land acquisition and victory for conservation in our region,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine in a news release. “The Snoqualmie Tribe has provided leadership on important economic and cultural challenges, including the emergency work to restore the Lake Sammamish Kokanee. Today’s bold action affirms the Tribe’s strong commitment to protecting water quality and restoring habitat, contributing to the collective action we’re taking throughout local watersheds.”
In 2019, the Tribe acquired the Salish Lodge and Spa and the surrounding lands adjacent to Snoqualmie Falls — the Tribe’s most sacred site — for $125 million. The Tribe does not own the falls itself.
“Going forward, our Tribe will sustainably manage these lands to produce revenue for our Tribe while we steward the functioning ecosystems and thriving wildlife populations that have shared these lands with our People since time immemorial,” de los Angeles said. “Caring for these lands is the sacred duty given to our Tribe by the Creator, and no one can do it better.”
This story was originally published February 3, 2022 at 4:10 PM.
