A Message from the Colville Reservation: Kaiser Canyon Fire
I'm reaching out today with some grim news and to request help for the Indigenous peoples of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. The Wenatchee River Institute is a proud partner with the šnp̍əšqʷáw̉šəxʷ (p'squosa or Wenatchi) people, and we want to share the message they wish to be spread to the public.
Currently, the Kaiser Canyon Fire is surrounding the Colville Reservation's major town and government hub, Nespelem, and is now nearly at 127,000 acres with only 16% containment.* This fire is catastrophic to those who live on the Colville Reservation, with over one thousand people evacuated and many homes already lost to the fire. In addition, the fire caused significant damage to two serving towers, making all power, internet, and fiber infrastructure not operational in Nespelem, the Kartar Valley, and the Colville Agency.
As you may now from our land acknowledgment, part of WRI's mission is to amplify the voices of the original inhabitants of this land. Right now, that means asking our community for help. We want to share some ways to help our Indigenous communities.
Lynn Palmanteer-Holder, the Executive Director of the Wenatchi-p'squosa Advisory Group, stated that "most of our Tribal members do not have insurance; many homes were multi-generational, we have witnessed many vehicles, trucks, and motor homes destroyed, thus, alternative homes are limited. It is my hope to engage on the ground with immediate support."
She has recommended that our resources could do the most good funneled through River Warriors Society, which is a fiscally sponsored project via xa?xa? Indigenous Birth Justice. They are experienced with this work, especially in the Colville and Spokane Reservations, and are working to provide the most effective and immediate types of donations to wildfire victims. They are working on the ground with an action plan to assist victims with basic needs while they are able to process the trauma, figure out options, and receive guidance for long-term planning.
You can donate to River Warriors Society through one of their main organizers, Faith Zacherle. You can donate via PayPal, CashApp ($FaithZacherle), or Venmo (@faithzacherle76). In the donation description, write "River Warriors Society." See the flyer below for more information and QR codes to PayPal and CashApp.
Another way to donate to the cause is through the Cedar Fund of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.
Please consider supporting our Indigenous communities during this traumatic time, as my family and I have. It's going to be a long rebuilding project and we should help where we can. Thank you for reading and supporting!
With gratitude,
Canuche Terranella (he/him)
Executive Director
Wenatchee River Institute
P.S. For those looking to support more communities in North Central Washington (NCW) affected by wildfires, the Community Foundation of NCW has a NCW Fire Relief Fund that also welcomes donations. Thank you!
*data accurate as of July 28th at 1:30pm via Watch Duty.
