Squaxin Island and Olympia community celebrate ‘Unity’ installation
In the spirit of togetherness, members of the Squaxin Island Tribe and Olympia community gathered to celebrate the installation of Squaxin Island Tribal member Andrea Wilbur-Sigo’s “Unity” Saturday in Watershed Park.
The renowned carver’s piece includes two 10-foot cedar house posts — carved, painted wooden beams that tell a story and traditionally mark Salish homes — installed on either side of the Eastside Street Art Crossing, which links the Eastside neighborhood and Indian Creek neighborhood across Interstate 5.
The house posts represent the Tree People — the first teachers — and the People of the Water — keepers of the underwater world, symbolizing the contentedness of land and water.
“Together is the only way things work. Without one another, we would not be whole. We need each other — the Tree People and the People of the Water. The same as the neighborhoods together. We are a community. And apart — we stand alone. Together — we stand strong,” Wilbur-Sigo wrote in her dedication to the piece.
“Unity is the perfect theme for this moment in history. We can’t and we shouldn’t erase 150 years of history, but we can commit to showing respect, offering dignity and honoring the wisdom of the Squaixn Island people and our other Indigenous neighbors,” Olympia Mayor Pro Tem Clark Gilman said.
In October, the city of Olympia signed an accord with the Squaxin Island Tribe committing to work together on several long-term actions, including supporting economic and infrastructure opportunities, responding to climate change and promoting a healthy exchange of cultures through public art and community service. The Tribe’s flag is now a permanent part of the City Hall’s flag display.
Squaxin Island Tribal Chairman Kris Peters said the piece further strengthens the bond between the city’s community and the Tribe.
“Things like this are a reminder,” he said. “Our people were here, they were stewards... We’re still here.”
“Unity” is part of the Olympia Arts Commission and Olympia Planning Commission’s master plan for placing unique public art at eight major gateways throughout the city. Since 2018, the Arts Commission has set aside $75,000 per year in its budget for the installations, each expected to cost between $50,000 and $100,000.
“Guardians: Fighter and Watcher” by artists Lin McJunkin and Milo White was the first of the installations to be completed and was dedicated earlier this year.
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Natasha Brennan covers Washington state tribes’ impact on our local communities, environment and politics, as well as traditions, culture and equity issues, for McClatchy media companies in Bellingham, Olympia, Tacoma and Tri-Cities.
She joins us in partnership with Report for America, which pays a portion of reporters’ salaries. You can help support this reporting at bellinghamherald.com/donate. Donations are tax-deductible through Journalism Funding Partners.
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This story was originally published December 7, 2021 at 9:59 AM with the headline "Squaxin Island and Olympia community celebrate ‘Unity’ installation."
