[Information provided by the City of North Bend]
Dahlgren Family Park now offers visitors a deeper look into the heritage of the Snoqualmie Tribe with new interpretive signs recently installed at the park, located at 44120 SE North Bend Way.
The signs share the Tribe’s history and connection to the Snoqualmie River, the role of canoes in Tribal life, and how the community can help restore and protect river habitats.
“Working alongside the Snoqualmie Tribe, we are creating space that celebrates their history and stewardship, inspiring all who visit to value and protect the Snoqualmie River and this land we call home,” commented North Bend Mayor Mary Miller.
Adding to the experience, the park includes a canoe play structure painted with Tribal imagery by Snoqualmie Tribal Artist Bethany Fackrell.
“This project is a good example of how parks and public spaces can be enriched through Indigenous storytelling. The City of North Bend, through partnership with and learning from the Snoqualmie Tribe, was able to share accurate, culturally relevant information with all visitors,” shared Snoqualmie Tribal Chairman Robert de los Angeles. He continued, “The Snoqualmie River watershed needs us all to be a part of protecting and restoring the river with the respect we would give to any member of the community.”
For another way to explore Snoqualmie culture, Tennant Trailhead Park features trail names in the Lushootseed language, along with a kiosk that provides a pronunciation guide and information about the Tribe’s ancestral lands.
More details about the new signage at Dahlgren Family Park are available at snoqualmietribe.us/dahlgren-park. Information about North Bend and Si View Metropolitan Park District parks and trails can be found at northbendwa.gov/142/Parks-Trails.
[Featured Image courtesy of the Snoqualmie Tribe.]
