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PAUL ANDERSON
Warrior up! A totem pole journey against big coal

The Lummi Nation’s annual Totem Pole Journey is taking a stand against coal and oil export in our region. Stand with them this week at events in Spokane, Olympia, Seattle and the San Juans!

Coal and oil extraction and export threaten the lands, waters, resources and human health of all of us, but none more so than the indigenous people who sit right in the path of destruction. The coal terminal proposed for Cherry Point, WA would sit right on the ancestral lands of the Lummi. The mining of that coal would destroy Northern Cheyenne lands in Montana, and transport by rail would harm the fishing and treaty rights of Native Americans all along the way. 

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JAMES LEDER

JAMES LEDER

The new pole on its journey

In protest against dirty and dangerous coal export and oil transport, Lummi carver Jewell James has created a new totem pole, which representatives from different tribes are taking on a journey from the Lummi ancestral home at Cherry Point to where the pole will be erected in the tar sands of Alberta. Along the way, tribal elders and community leaders will bless the totem pole.

Please take part in this important journey by attending one of these stops along the way:

  • Spokane: August 26th, 11-12:30pm at The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist 127 E 12th Ave (Info and RSVP)
  • Olympia (updated time!): Wednesday, August 27th, 5pm at Medicine Creek, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.  To RSVP for the event or for information on carpools from south of Olympia email  beth@climatesolutions.org
  • Seattle: Friday, August 29th, 11am-12:30 pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave East (Info and RSVP)
  • San Juan islands: Friday, August 29, 7-8 pm at San Juan Island National Historical Park "English Camp" on San Juan Island. (Info and RSVP)

In the testimony of Master Carver Jewell James, the totem pole itself is not sacred—it is only when it is touched and shared by many communities standing together that the totem becomes a lasting part of our memories and a symbol of our resistance.

By taking part, we can let the Lummi community know that we stand with them in the fight against fossil fuels,  and that we share the responsibility to protect the land, the waters, and the peoples of the Northwest.

For more information visit www.totempolejourney.org, like the Facebook page, or follow #totempolejourney on Twitter.

Author Bio

Beth Doglio

Senior Fellow, Climate Solutions

Beth Doglio is a former State Representative, community organizer, climate justice leader, and mother of two.

Serving in the Legislature from 2017 - 2021, Beth was one of Washington’s foremost leaders on clean energy and climate, housing and issues facing working families. She helped lead the passage of groundbreaking legislation to empower workers through higher wages and improved protections; to make Washington a leader in the fight against climate change; and to provide more resources to address homelessness.

As Vice Chair of the Capital Budget committee, she helped secure millions in funding for infrastructure projects, land preservation and recreation, housing, and clean energy. She also served on Transportation, Energy and Environment, Labor and Workforce Standards and the Technology and Economic Development Committees.

She is currently serving as the Vice-Chair of Quixote Communities, a non-profit providing housing units with a focus on Veterans and is a current member and co-founder of Win With Women, dedicated to electing progressive women to the state legislature. She is the Board Chair of the PARC (Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture) Foundation and a board member of her local YMCA.

After graduating from Indiana University with a degree in Political Science and Telecommunications, Beth moved to Washington state in 1987.

Beth’s environmental leadership in our state began three decades ago as the founding Executive Director of Washington Conservation Voters (WCV). Under Beth’s leadership, WCV became one of the state’s most prominent environmental organizations: developing 12 chapters, creating a robust voter education program, and playing a key role in shaping policy to protect Washington’s natural resources and environment.

Following her time at WCV, Beth worked in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, including at the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) and Audubon Washington, where she continued to fight for progressive, environmental, and community priorities.

Beth was a staff member at Climate Solutions from 2007-2020 working to pass federal, state and local climate policy and serving as the director of the Power Past Coal campaign. She currently serves as a consultant primarily on housing and climate issues. She enjoys backpacking, mountain biking, yoga, canoeing, and good food and laughter.

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