November is National American Indian Heritage Month. “It is a time to celebrate the rich cultural traditions and proud ancestry of American Indians and recognize …”the vital contributions that American Indians have made and continue to make to the strength, balance, tolerance, and diversity of our society.”

— E Hychka Siam Mulstimulth (Thank you, high-class/ uplifting people).

My name is Brian Frisina aka Raven Redbone, I host a weekly local First Peoples Radio program called “Make No Bones About It” on KAOS radio 89.3 FM here in the Whulge (or Whulj). I came to Olympia going on 12 year now.  When I got to this area, I was wondering why I do not see any First Peoples in Olympia. Then I began to ask the question, why? In doing so, I have found out many truths that I will not get into right now, but I would like to say it’s a common story amongst all the First Peoples of Earth. What I found out, and continue to find is not good.

I am observing in the First Peoples community, a healing happening to a deep wound. The last 8 years or so, a group of us have been gathering downtown in the area that the colonial folks call Heritage Park. In doing some research I have found that this location on the southernmost point of Whulge (or Whulj), the peninsula known as Olympia was “bus-chut-hwud” (pronunciation in Lushootseed) meaning (place of) black bears and Stci-hwun (in Chehalis) (Olympia) to the Coastal Salish who occupied the site for many generations before the American settlement was established.

I would like to add a disclaimer that I am not a Lushootseed speaking person, and knowing that the First Peoples are very diverse, I asked many native folks around if the name is correct. I was told it was.  For me, I would like to call a place the name it was given. Wouldn’t you? Here is some other information I came across.
The end of what we now know as Budd Inlet was a favorite shellfish gathering site for many First Nation Peoples, including the Chehalis, Nisqually, Duwamish, and Squaxin. Evidence exists that potlatches, the Northwest tribal custom in which tribal leaders shared their wealth with neighboring tribal groups, were held both east and west of the Inlet near Olympia. The falls of the Deschutes River at Tumwater called “Stehtsasamish” by the Nisqually Indians may have been occupied as a permanent village site for shellfish and salmon harvesting for 500 years or more before the coming of white settlers.

5 Nations

Chehalis  – “People of the Sand”

Nisqually   – Squally-Absch – ”People of the river, people of the grass”

Squaxin Island  – Noo-Seh-Chatl of Henderson Inlet, Steh Chass  and Stci-hwun (in Chehalis) of Budd Inlet, Squi-Aitl of Eld Inlet, Sawamish/T’Peeksin of Totten Inlet, Sa-Heh-Wa-Mish of Hammersley Inlet, Squawksin of Case Inlet and S’Hotle-Ma-Mish of Carr Inlet

Skokomish – SqWuqWu’b3sH – “People of the River”

Duwamish  – Dkhw’Duw’Absh – “The People of the Inside”

I am sharing this because after several years of gathering, and praying at bus-chut-hwud” (pronunciation in Lushootseed) meaning (place of) black bears, we are all here to be a part of the healing. In the celebration of American Indian Heritage Month, if we are not already a part of the healing, we now become a apart of the healing.   I would also like to take a moment to express for my family, and myself – thanks of gratitude to the First People for allowing us to live on this beautiful land. Thanks.

Brian Frisina, aka Raven Redbone

Host/producer of Make No Bones About It. Every Sunday from 4pm-6pm, only on KAOS radio 89.3 fm Olympia, WA   www.kaosradio.org

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“One day I will leave this world and Dream myself to Reality”
– Crazy Horse 1874

[Editor Note: Whulge is south Puget Sound]