Hozomeen Event Press Release, August 4-09

For Immediate Release
August 4, 2009

First Time Gathering at Hozomeen to Celebrate over 9,000 Years of Human Use

HOPE – A first time gathering of Washington and BC Indigenous Nations, archaeologists, anthropologists and the interested public at International Point in the Skagit Valley on September 12 and 13 will celebrate over 9,000 years of (evidenced) tribal use of the Upper Skagit Watershed. This two-day event will focus on understanding and honouring the historical use of the area. There will be opportunities to exchange knowledge and stories about this unique mountain landscape.

Theme for the gathering at Hozomeen mountain will be “Sharing What We Know”. It begins on Saturday, September 12 at noon at Skagit Valley Provincial Park with a welcoming ceremony and afternoon program including demonstrations of traditional activities, tours on Ross Lake, interpretive walks and archaeological displays. Sunday, September 13 will kick off with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. and time for archaeologists and anthropologists to share some of the stories of their study in the Skagit.

Bob Mierendorf, Archaeologist of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex and his team have identified over 260 prehistoric sites in the Upper Skagit watershed, some dating beyond 9,000 years old. These studies combined with oral histories passed from generation to generation of Indigenous Nations confirm that the sub alpine landscape of the North Cascades made important contributions to Northwest Coast Indian economies.  The area provided regular travel routes for the movement of resources and people; mining sites; and hunting and gathering camps.

Participants of the gathering on September 12 and 13 will have the option of camping in the rustic campgrounds operated by BC Parks and the North Cascade National Park Service or arranging overnight accommodation in Hope BC.  A daily shuttle bus service will be provided from Hope to the event site at International Point.

Members of the public are invited to attend this free event but must pre-register at the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission website at www.skagiteec.org or by calling (604) 619-4311. (Additional information is also available at this number.)

The Gathering at Hozomeen is sponsored by the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission (SEEC) and its partners including BC Parks, National Park Service, North Cascades Institute, Seattle City Light and the Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning. SEEC has a unique mission to promote education, research, collaboration and cross-border stewardship of the Upper Skagit Watershed.

 
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Media Contact:
Rudy Kehler, SEEC Outreach
e.  rudy@hopebc.ca
p.  (604) 869-1026
 
Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission
< http://skagiteec.org >
North Cascades National Park Service:
< http://www.nps.gov/rola >
Skagit Valley Provincial Park:
< http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/skagit >