Nisqually Valley News: Roy welcomes home salmon

The Nisqually Valley News covers the Roy Salmon Homecoming:

Sponsored by the Nisqually Tribe and the City of Roy, the event featured displays of salmon and salmon restoration, educational activities, and speakers from organizations involved in salmon restoration.

Before several people addressed the crowd, Nisqually Tribe elder Bob Sison kicked off the event by blessing Muck Creek and the salmon.

“Heavenly Father, creator of heaven and earth, grandfather, eagle spirts, all our ancestors — look upon us today and bless us, guide us … (to) restore these waterways for our salmon to return,” Sison said. “There has been troubles in the past for the salmon. Bring them back in abundance the way it was years ago.”

“Grandfather, look upon us,” he added. “Teach us the way it was, the way it must return.”

Muck Creek was fully restored in the fall of 1998 and the first Roy Salmon Homecoming was in January 1999. The Nisqually Tribe, Pierce Stream Team, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and other groups have collaborated on many restoration projects along Muck Creek.