Thanks to Whom?

Today was the celebratory day for the purchase of Lily Point, the southeastern 90+ acres of Point Roberts, which is now the joint responsibility of the Whatcom Land Trust, Whatcom County and Washington State. An exquisite piece of land and waterfront is now safe from development. One of the speakers at the ceremony pointed out that the Lummi Indians had taken care of this land for 10,000 years and now it was the responsibility of the people of Washington to take care of it for the next 10,000 years. (There is a little in-between time there that we're not talking about that ended in somebody selling the area for $3 million and change, and I guess we can stipulate that for that price the 'owner' took good care of the land along his way.)

I try not to be too much of a cynic, but it does occur to me that nobody offered the Lummi a very good price for that land while it was in their hands. It's certainly possible that their cultural values would have resisted the sale of land that provided at least a major part of their food supply, but I'm not so sure that Washington citizens for the next 10,000 years will be able to resist the offer of big money given the many other things that they may be needing or wanting money for (Clean water? Energy resources? Clean air?). Especially given the fact that Point Roberts is no big food supplier for anyone and likely to be less so as the fish and shellfish go away. But let us hope for the best, and just settle for good outcomes for a century or two.

The celebration was set for today because today was the lowest tide for some long period and it was indeed impressive to see the extent of sandy shore that was uncovered. All the bald eagles in attendance, looking for a little seafood of their own, were also impressed. Whatcom County Parks staff provided guided walks around the trails and on the shore; and a spectacularly good lunch was served to all the attendees, some 150 or so people. On the other hand, the weather was less than desirable, being in the late 50 degrees, with a very gray sky, and light wind: weather designed to make you feel quite cold while standing for an hour or so in the gorgeous outdoors to watch and more or less listen to the 'ceremony.' (More or less because there was no amplification and most of the speakers did not have enough personal volume to be heard clearly beyond the first few rows of people standing around them. I got the general drift of what they were saying, but often not the specifics.)

Actually, it was a pretty stunning example of the inability of people of my tribe to produce anything like a ceremony. Elders from the Lummi tribe did their part to pull it off, offering tribal costumes, drumming, singing, and a few stories each about their experience of Lily Point from their personal and tribal past. When they spoke or sang or drummed, it was clear that they were trying to make a connection with the audience. They spoke of how lucky they felt that this land in which their ancestors were buried was now safe for them, as well as for those of us who were later arrivals on Point Roberts. The Lummi elders were followed by the 'new caretakers,' who went through a fairly endless routine of thanking themselves for their good work. I appreciate their good work, but who is it that thinks that repeatedly thanking yourself and your colleagues for your and their good work constitutes a ceremony? Well, to some extent I know the answer to that at this moment.

But welcome to Lily Point Park! If I had a sparkler, I would wave it in the sky as a ceremonial gesture. Since I don’t, here’s my imaginary sparkler saying, ‘Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Stay 10,000 years.’ (And thanks, too.)