After more than 15 years of legal battles, the U.S. government has agreed to assist in the restoration of a sacred Native American site on Oregon’s Mount Hood. Court documents reveal that the site, which was destroyed during highway construction, holds significant religious and cultural importance for the tribes.
In a settlement filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, the Department of Transportation and other federal agencies have committed to replanting trees and supporting the rebuilding of an altar. The site, known as the Place of Big Big Trees, was home to a burial ground, historic campground, medicinal plants, old-growth Douglas Firs, and a stone altar.
The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde have fought tirelessly to protect this site since a 2008 highway project caused its destruction. Now, with this settlement, they hope to prevent similar incidents in the future, preserving Native American heritage and sacred lands.
“Our sacred places may not look like the buildings where most Americans worship, but they deserve the same protection, dignity, and respect,” said Carol Logan, an elder and member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in a statement shared by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represented the plaintiffs in their lawsuit.
The Federal Highway Administration, Department of the Interior, and Advisory Council on Historic Preservation were all named as defendants in a recent lawsuit. The case involved the destruction of a sacred site, deeply significant to Logan and Wilbur Slockish of the Yakama Nation.
Alleging violations of their religious freedom and the National Historic Preservation Act, the Slockish brothers expressed their disappointment at the loss of a location where they had long prayed, gathered sacred plants, and honored their ancestors.
In a settlement reached after years of legal proceedings, the government has agreed to take several steps to rectify the damage done. This includes planting and maintaining nearly 30 trees on the site, as well as restoring a stone altar and providing cultural access to the surrounding area for the Slockish brothers.
Additionally, the government will install a sign explaining the site’s importance to Native Americans, ensuring its significance is recognized by all who visit.
Source: The Trucker
