LUMMI (Dec. 2, 2002) – “Cultural sites like these are non-renewable resources,” says Lummi Nation Timber, Fish and Wildlife Technician Tom Edwards, motioning with his hand across the expanse of a forest along Lake Whatcom.
Within a few acres from where Edwards is standing, Lummi tribal members have gathered tree bark for medicinal purposes and traditional regalia since before recorded history began. The ancient practice continues to this day on this same site.
But there are also economically valuable cedar trees here, as well as throughout the Lake Whatcom watershed, that local timber companies long to harvest. Balancing those desires with the fundamental cultural needs of treaty Indian tribes like the Lummi Nation is what the Timber Fish and Wildlife process is all about. The Lummi TFW staff strive to ensure that local economic development does not destroy invaluable cultural resources.
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