Treaty Tree Dedication in Pacific Northwest Is Bittersweet Story-Date: 12:30 a.m. PST Tuesday , April 28, 1998 ------------------------------------------------------------ Treaty Tree Dedication in Pacific Northwest Is Bittersweet By Pat Provo, Indian Country Today, Rapid City, S.D. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News LACEY, Wash.--Apr. 27--An 80-foot, sun-bleached tree "snag" still marks the site where some historians believe the 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty was signed between the Nisqually, Puyallup and Squaxin Island Indians, and Washington Territory Governor Isaac Stevens. The "Treaty Tree" died in 1979 as a result of old age and the changed water table from the construction of nearby Interstate 5. Three decades ago, Bill Melton, a former landscape architect for the Washington State Department of Transportation, suspected the fir tree was in trouble. That is when he began gathering seeds for posterity. On Arbor Day, one of the legendary tree's seedlings was dubbed a "living landmark" by the DOT during a dedication ceremony for its new home at the recently built Lacey Community Center. "It was a bittersweet event," said Charlene Poste, Squaxin Island spokeswoman. "I did thank Bill Melton for having the foresight to save the seedlings because they have a lot of symbolism for us," she said. But they also mark a moment in time that "really changed our world," Ms. Poste said. "I also pointed out that although 700 tribal members came together to negotiate the treaty, the language that was used was not our own," she said. It was Chinook, an unfamiliar barter language that was limited to about 200 words. "We must remember the generosity of our ancestors who were willing to defend their future generations, so that by the abundance of the gifts offered up by the land, we may live spiritually rich and healthy lives," David Whitener Sr., Squaxin Island tribal chairman stated in a written address to the DOT. A plaque was placed in front of the tree stating the importance of the treaty. "Many people today don't understand that importance," Ms. Poste said. People think it was the U.S. who gave something to tribes, she said. ----- Visit Indian Country Today on the World Wide Web at http://www.indiancountry.com/ ----- (c) 1998, Indian Country Today, Rapid City, S.D. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. ------------------------------------------------------------