We call upon the mountains,
the Cascades and Olympics,
the high green valleys
and meadows full of wildflowers,
the snow that never melt,
the summits of intense silence,
and we ask that they teach us,
and show us the way.
We call upon the forests, the great trees
reaching strongly the sky,
with earth in theirs roots
and the heaven in their branches,
the fir and the pine and the cedar
and we ask that they teach us,
and show us the way.
Chinook Invocation. Quoted in Edward Goldsmith: The Way. 1992.
I went east from Portland along the Columbia river. I reached another country of forests and volcanos. The salmons are new friends.
After the emigrants conquered the country, they built dams. Many islands sunk which the indians used as their graveyard. Memaloose island is one of the last “islands of the death”. Most of the others are covered by the backwater of the dams. This monument was built in memory Victor Trevitt who was also a friend of the indians.
You find dams along the Columbia river which makes it difficult for the salmons to survive. They were the base of indian life and gave them 40% of their food. The dams were built during the depression and was thought of a good way to give people work. It was the believe that power gives a better life for all. .. shadows of grey… It would be so much easier if world is black or white.
Finally a tender tiger lily which is originally from here and crossed my way. I didn’t know that this is their home. For all who went before us.