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| sanjuan-proclamation.pdf |
SEE TEMPLATE EXAMPLE AT BOTTOM OF THE PRIORITY #1
MODIFY AS NEEDED
AND EMAIL: blm_or_sanjuanislandsnm@blm.gov
MODIFY AS NEEDED
AND EMAIL: blm_or_sanjuanislandsnm@blm.gov
SHARE YOUR COMMENTS AND CONCERNS ABOUT FUTURE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
The public is encouraged to submit comments through the internet, email, or postal mail:
Website: https://go.usa.gov/xRphc
Email: blm_or_sanjuanislandsnm@blm.gov
Postal: San Juan Islands National Monument
BLM Lopez Island Office
PO Box 3 Lopez, WA 98261
Bureau of Land Management Media Advisory
fy19nr_02_blm_sjinm_deis-rmp_meetings.pdf
Comment from Whiteswan Environmental: WE have been told to "DREAM BIG, DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE COST." On behalf of our 7th generation sustainability, please dream big for Coast Salish restoration.
This opportunity will give federal budget appropriation considerations over the next 15-20 years through the San Juan Island National Monument Resource Management Plan, RMP.
It is important to consider the impact such funding could have for the 7th generation of the Coast Salish People who were nearly erased from their ancestral territory. When WE first started bringing the youth and community to the ancestral homelands of San Juan Island, there was nothing to show our existence except for the clam middens and the dip in the land that said we had a 600-800 foot longhouse.
Today, the federal land managers are working hard to uphold their federal trust responsibilities and honor our rights as they steward these islands. Now we have our storyboards in the ancestral home of Pe'pi'ow'elh, English Camp, National Parks Service, NPS, our flag was raised and there is opportunity for so much more.
The 1,000 acres of lands stewarded by the National Monument is what this discussion is about. Both NPS and National Monument are federal land managers and WE have been engaging with them since 2014. WE have been working as volunteers, or as informal tribal liaisons to help ensure our Coast Salish youth and community members are present and engaged.
As stated from a Senator and Sovereignty Treaty Protection Officer, our presence is a measure of environmental protection through the transboundary intersect of our treaty rights, aboriginal title and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Our presence helps ensure ecological health protection and trust responsibilities to the American Indians are met, which is summarized by the Department of Interior's mission.
As stated in our HOME>VALUES page, WE understand the historical trauma of our people and this work has been a sacrifice. As volunteers, WE respect the formal, internal government to government engagement between the tribes and the land managers to PROTECT our ancestral lands and as a informal, external public representative, WE also see the value of protecting and "RESTORING objects and values relating to cultural and historical significance, including traditional use areas of the Coast Salish people."
If the public, tribal or non-tribal community members submit comments that are in alignment with the purpose and need for the San Juan Islands National Monument RMP as identified by former President Obama, there is an opportunity to restore objects/inherent birth rights such as:
WE hear the concerns of the Coast Salish people in regards to fear of exploitation, cultural appropriation, and violation of intellectual property and traditional base knowledge. WE understand there is a long history of mistrust that needs healing. A solution orientated approach would be for Coast Salish advocates to express their concerns, as WE understand the National Monument will remain consistent with the American Indian Religious Freedom Act and Treaty Rights.
Example:
Just like a federal grant that many tribal and non tribal governments receive, these items of PROTECTION and RESTORATION can be placed in the federal register for consideration. To rule out utilizing this opportunity is questionable to what hard dollars can provide for the 7 generations in front of us.
Together, the transboundary native or non-native public or tribal government entities who have an interest in the islands stewarded by the National Monument can comment by Email: blm_or_sanjuanislandsnm@blm.gov or comment forms found in the link below.
WE ask you to help us ensure the federal government uphold their sacred responsibilities, and support a living culture as this opportunity can help create spaces and places, restoration of resources, and community healing as our Coast Salish ancestors would have wanted for all children, past, present or future, or funding will to go towards i.e., lighthouses.
This opportunity will give federal budget appropriation considerations over the next 15-20 years through the San Juan Island National Monument Resource Management Plan, RMP.
It is important to consider the impact such funding could have for the 7th generation of the Coast Salish People who were nearly erased from their ancestral territory. When WE first started bringing the youth and community to the ancestral homelands of San Juan Island, there was nothing to show our existence except for the clam middens and the dip in the land that said we had a 600-800 foot longhouse.
Today, the federal land managers are working hard to uphold their federal trust responsibilities and honor our rights as they steward these islands. Now we have our storyboards in the ancestral home of Pe'pi'ow'elh, English Camp, National Parks Service, NPS, our flag was raised and there is opportunity for so much more.
The 1,000 acres of lands stewarded by the National Monument is what this discussion is about. Both NPS and National Monument are federal land managers and WE have been engaging with them since 2014. WE have been working as volunteers, or as informal tribal liaisons to help ensure our Coast Salish youth and community members are present and engaged.
As stated from a Senator and Sovereignty Treaty Protection Officer, our presence is a measure of environmental protection through the transboundary intersect of our treaty rights, aboriginal title and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Our presence helps ensure ecological health protection and trust responsibilities to the American Indians are met, which is summarized by the Department of Interior's mission.
As stated in our HOME>VALUES page, WE understand the historical trauma of our people and this work has been a sacrifice. As volunteers, WE respect the formal, internal government to government engagement between the tribes and the land managers to PROTECT our ancestral lands and as a informal, external public representative, WE also see the value of protecting and "RESTORING objects and values relating to cultural and historical significance, including traditional use areas of the Coast Salish people."
If the public, tribal or non-tribal community members submit comments that are in alignment with the purpose and need for the San Juan Islands National Monument RMP as identified by former President Obama, there is an opportunity to restore objects/inherent birth rights such as:
- Village sites (restoration to our sovereign territory through longhouses/houses of knowledge/houses of healing)
- Camps
- Processing sites (restoration of 13 Moon Food Sovereignty)
- Reef-net locations (resurgence of Strait Salish ancient fishing technology)
WE hear the concerns of the Coast Salish people in regards to fear of exploitation, cultural appropriation, and violation of intellectual property and traditional base knowledge. WE understand there is a long history of mistrust that needs healing. A solution orientated approach would be for Coast Salish advocates to express their concerns, as WE understand the National Monument will remain consistent with the American Indian Religious Freedom Act and Treaty Rights.
Example:
- The San Juan Islands are the unceded territory (inherent birth right) of the Coast Salish People and will remain consistent in such declaration.
- WE ask the National Monument to provide education to the common public through tribal use language on our rights to be placed on; beach front signs, interpretive signage, public and federal compositions.
- WE ask federal land managers receive training on cultural safety concerns and rights and become educators for the common public on these concerns.
- Per the HOME>VALUES page, WE ask that:
- Indigenous voices are at the table when making decisions that affect indigenous peoples.
- Access, use, and restore a transboundary relationship to our sovereign territory, food resources, and the environment.
- Ensure Indigenous history, culture, law, sovereignty, and psychospiritual orientations are being included in educational programming, community and regional planning sessions, and project development.
- Advocate Traditional Providers and Indigenous peoples to equitably lead, direct and staff programs within stakeholder organizations.
- Preserve Salishan language in oral and written forms such as signage.
Just like a federal grant that many tribal and non tribal governments receive, these items of PROTECTION and RESTORATION can be placed in the federal register for consideration. To rule out utilizing this opportunity is questionable to what hard dollars can provide for the 7 generations in front of us.
Together, the transboundary native or non-native public or tribal government entities who have an interest in the islands stewarded by the National Monument can comment by Email: blm_or_sanjuanislandsnm@blm.gov or comment forms found in the link below.
WE ask you to help us ensure the federal government uphold their sacred responsibilities, and support a living culture as this opportunity can help create spaces and places, restoration of resources, and community healing as our Coast Salish ancestors would have wanted for all children, past, present or future, or funding will to go towards i.e., lighthouses.
Islanders are very active and have provided many resources through their website. Monument Comment Forms and Guides
Here is their guide to cultural resources. Please see full list of recommendations here:
https://sanjuanislandsnmhome.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/guide-to-cultural-resources3.pdf
A few Islander recommendation for cultural resources:
Islanders supports the BLM’s statement (Draft RMP/EIS, pp. 216, 224) to collaboratively engage with tribal government partners to facilitate traditional uses and the exercise of treaty rights by:
• Developing opportunities for co-stewardship of plant communities and culturally important plant species;
• Engaging tribal youth and elders,
• Maintaining and improving access;
• Fostering programs to enrich opportunities for tribal cultural, spiritual and educational activities including restoration of camas gardens and interpretation including Salish place names within the Monument.
Islanders supports BLM utilizing these and other opportunities to build understanding and collaboration between the tribal and non-tribal communities.
ESTI-TEM-SUN - WE ARE DOING THE BEST WE CAN
Here is their guide to cultural resources. Please see full list of recommendations here:
https://sanjuanislandsnmhome.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/guide-to-cultural-resources3.pdf
A few Islander recommendation for cultural resources:
Islanders supports the BLM’s statement (Draft RMP/EIS, pp. 216, 224) to collaboratively engage with tribal government partners to facilitate traditional uses and the exercise of treaty rights by:
• Developing opportunities for co-stewardship of plant communities and culturally important plant species;
• Engaging tribal youth and elders,
• Maintaining and improving access;
• Fostering programs to enrich opportunities for tribal cultural, spiritual and educational activities including restoration of camas gardens and interpretation including Salish place names within the Monument.
Islanders supports BLM utilizing these and other opportunities to build understanding and collaboration between the tribal and non-tribal communities.
ESTI-TEM-SUN - WE ARE DOING THE BEST WE CAN
TEMPLATE EXAMPLE - MODIFY AS NEEDED AND EMAIL: blm_or_sanjuanislandsnm@blm.gov
My name is _________. I live in _________, ______ and would like to provide my comments on the development and maintenance of the San Jan Island National Monument.
As the proclamation states, these "islands are part of the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people" and I would like to make sure that in the final plan, the Monument be considered and treated with the ultimate respect possible. That means any and all activities within the monument should keep visitor impacts to as low as possible without prohibiting access to the island. For purposes of protecting and restoring the objects identified in the proclamation, I would like to ensure that the Coast Salish peoples’ presence on the island, historical and contemporary, are more than adequately represented in the development and maintenance of the Monument. This means working with Coast Salish communities in identifying, recording marking and protecting sacred sites on land and in the waters, understanding as noted in the proclamation "nothing shall be deemed to enlarge or diminish the jurisdiction of the State of Washington with respect to fish and wildlife management." It includes making certain that all visitors understand that the Monument is an unceded territory and viewed as Coast Salish territory, not the U.S. and that any development of the Monument from other agencies and organizations approach it from that perspective as well. It means ensuring Coast Salish voices are included in any development and maintenance plans of the Monument and that these voices are heard at the beginning phases of planning, not just the end. It would also mean the Coast Salish being allowed to participate in leadership and staff positions in all phases and aspect of the planning, development, and maintenance of the Monument.
I would like to ensure that public educational programming is made available not just the environmental priorities of the Monument, but its cultural significance as well. This would include markers, signs and other educational indicators throughout the Monument that would include Coast Salish perspectives, rights, and interpretations. I would like to ensure that other programming such as forums, workshops, educational programs, and public events also be designed and include Coast Salish culture and history relate to the Monument, too. This inclusion would also ensure Indigenous history, culture, law, sovereignty, and psychospiritual orientations are being included community and regional planning sessions, and project development. This would also include Coast Salish cultural sensitivity training for all Monument staff and volunteers, that will then be used for interactions with Coast Salish communities and groups and expressed to the public. This would also include the use of the Salishan language wherever possible, both in spoken and in written forms. This would also include using Coast Salish architectural and artwork designs for visitor centers, offices, trail signage, markers, etc. (e.g. long houses instead of western buildings).
I would like to ensure that the Monument give priority access and use by Coast Salish communities for cultural and restorative activities of the land, water, and other resources. This would include policies and procedures that would reserve the rights to access to the Coast Salish, set aside use and resources to support cultural activities, to work to restore the Monument to pre-contact condition with native plants and ecosystems, allow for food sovereignty in traditional ways both on land and in the waters, for ceremonies and traditional celebrations, community gatherings, etc.
I would like to see the restoration and protection of environmental aspects of the lands and waters. This would include the banning use of pesticides and herbicides and priority given to native species, particularly those with a history within the Monument. It would mean also taking into account the impacts of climate change, both on rising sea levels and changing weather patterns that would alter the plant and wildlife, land and seascapes. This would mean careful management of non-native and invasive species. No hard stabilization unless the island(s) itself or cultural sites are in imminent danger, soft stabilization is acceptable. This would also include the protection and restoration of wildlife and marine life a special emphasis on endangered or threatened species.
Other considerations:
My name is _________. I live in _________, ______ and would like to provide my comments on the development and maintenance of the San Jan Island National Monument.
As the proclamation states, these "islands are part of the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people" and I would like to make sure that in the final plan, the Monument be considered and treated with the ultimate respect possible. That means any and all activities within the monument should keep visitor impacts to as low as possible without prohibiting access to the island. For purposes of protecting and restoring the objects identified in the proclamation, I would like to ensure that the Coast Salish peoples’ presence on the island, historical and contemporary, are more than adequately represented in the development and maintenance of the Monument. This means working with Coast Salish communities in identifying, recording marking and protecting sacred sites on land and in the waters, understanding as noted in the proclamation "nothing shall be deemed to enlarge or diminish the jurisdiction of the State of Washington with respect to fish and wildlife management." It includes making certain that all visitors understand that the Monument is an unceded territory and viewed as Coast Salish territory, not the U.S. and that any development of the Monument from other agencies and organizations approach it from that perspective as well. It means ensuring Coast Salish voices are included in any development and maintenance plans of the Monument and that these voices are heard at the beginning phases of planning, not just the end. It would also mean the Coast Salish being allowed to participate in leadership and staff positions in all phases and aspect of the planning, development, and maintenance of the Monument.
I would like to ensure that public educational programming is made available not just the environmental priorities of the Monument, but its cultural significance as well. This would include markers, signs and other educational indicators throughout the Monument that would include Coast Salish perspectives, rights, and interpretations. I would like to ensure that other programming such as forums, workshops, educational programs, and public events also be designed and include Coast Salish culture and history relate to the Monument, too. This inclusion would also ensure Indigenous history, culture, law, sovereignty, and psychospiritual orientations are being included community and regional planning sessions, and project development. This would also include Coast Salish cultural sensitivity training for all Monument staff and volunteers, that will then be used for interactions with Coast Salish communities and groups and expressed to the public. This would also include the use of the Salishan language wherever possible, both in spoken and in written forms. This would also include using Coast Salish architectural and artwork designs for visitor centers, offices, trail signage, markers, etc. (e.g. long houses instead of western buildings).
I would like to ensure that the Monument give priority access and use by Coast Salish communities for cultural and restorative activities of the land, water, and other resources. This would include policies and procedures that would reserve the rights to access to the Coast Salish, set aside use and resources to support cultural activities, to work to restore the Monument to pre-contact condition with native plants and ecosystems, allow for food sovereignty in traditional ways both on land and in the waters, for ceremonies and traditional celebrations, community gatherings, etc.
I would like to see the restoration and protection of environmental aspects of the lands and waters. This would include the banning use of pesticides and herbicides and priority given to native species, particularly those with a history within the Monument. It would mean also taking into account the impacts of climate change, both on rising sea levels and changing weather patterns that would alter the plant and wildlife, land and seascapes. This would mean careful management of non-native and invasive species. No hard stabilization unless the island(s) itself or cultural sites are in imminent danger, soft stabilization is acceptable. This would also include the protection and restoration of wildlife and marine life a special emphasis on endangered or threatened species.
Other considerations:
- Prohibiting personal motorized water vehicles. Kayaks, canoes, and sailboats would be acceptable.
- Commercial motorized water vehicles to be limited to agencies working to maintain the Monument and to ferries in transporting visitors to and from sites.
- Severely restrict motorized vehicles and their access on land to campsites and other sites avoiding direct contact with sacred sites.
- Prohibit any kind of motorized recreational vehicles such as ATVs, etc.
- Severely restrict bicycle and horseback trails avoiding direct contact with sacred sites.
- Severely restrict hiking trails avoiding direct contact with sacred sites.
- Camping restricted to designated campsite areas (which should be limited in size and number) which would be outside sacred sites and by permit only (access for Tribal use would be unrestricted).
- No drones unless used by agency officials in monitoring the health of the Monument in those areas not accessible by other means.
- NO FIREARMS or fireworks.
- General public access to be restricted to designated areas, avoiding direct contact with sacred sites as determined by Coast Salish peoples.
- Keep priority of Monument as a preserve, not a public recreational site. Priority should be on restoration, preservation, and education. Recreational use should be limited to the lowest impact and monitored.
- As stated in the monument, "nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to enlarge or diminish the rights of any Indian tribe. The Secretary shall, in consultation with Indian tribes, ensure the protection of religious and cultural sites in the monument and provide access to the sites by members of Indian tribes for traditional 4 cultural and customary uses, consistent with the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. 1996) and Executive Order 13007 of May 24, 1996 (Indian Sacred Sites)."
Priority # 2 - Proclamation of Support for Truth and Reconciliation in Washington State
Read The Document and Sign the Petition Here
Read The Document and Sign the Petition Here
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