Yəhow, Reinforcements Welcomed
by Darren Moore
Sunday, July 9, 2017. Tacoma, Washington. On a spiritually charged Sunday, the Protectors of the Salish Sea, an Indigenous-led coalition, made their momentous arrival on Puyallup tribal lands. About 100 or so people had committed themselves to a three-day trek from Seattle to Tacoma, a feat of physical and spiritual endurance, but one they considered a small price for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Puyallup Water Warriors. Their purpose was clear: to help oppose the looming specter of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant.
As they approached the port, coming from the northeast, the air itself seemed to change. Waiting on corner of 11th, before the final approach over the Hylebos were three women, Melinda James, Joanne Gutierrez, and Dana’e Marshall who filled the atmosphere with the harmonies of an empowering welcome song. In that instant, fatigue gave way to unity, and any lingering uncertainty was swept away by the force of community. The atmosphere was charged with unity as hugs and smiles were exchanged, followed by final briefings from the leaders to prepare for the meeting with members of the Puyallup Tribe.
Chelalakem, one of the group’s guiding spirits, elevated everyone’s gaze from the ground to the sky, saying, “We are the children of the changer, and we have the power to make change.” A rattle in her hand set the tempo to their march, its sound transcending mere noise, evolving into a mantra that galvanized the collective spirit. Here was a rallying cry, a sonic thread weaving the fabric of this makeshift family even tighter.
This had not been an easy journey; the physical toll was etched on their faces, mirrored in aching limbs. But now, awash in this tide of welcome, every step, every blister felt worth it. It was as if they had walked through a portal, out of the mundane world and into a moment that was so powerful, it will be remembered forever by those present.
When the Protectors of the Salish Sea and the Puyallup Tribe finally met face to face, the atmosphere was palpable with a sense of occasion that transcended the ordinary. Dakota, Patricia, and Deonna from the Puyallup side led a traditional greeting that struck deep chords of kinship, like an ancestral memory brought forth into the tangible present. This was followed by a moment so poignant, so electric, that it defied mere description: the two groups began to sing to each other. It wasn’t just an exchange of notes and lyrics as each song was a story and each melody, a prayer. The air quivered with jubilance, enveloping everyone in a sonic embrace that seemed to transcend the physical world. For those ten minutes, the world beyond ceased to exist, replaced by a cascading wall of sound that encapsulated years of struggle, tradition, and dreams for a better future. It was a cascade of song, relentless and beautiful, sweeping away all else in a torrent of collective joy and resolve.
It was a moment that should have commanded headlines and viral shares, a testament to the transcendent power of unity and tradition. But like many such Indigenous moments of import and beauty, it went largely unnoticed by mainstream society—an unintended consequence of Indigenous invisibility, perhaps, but a profound one nonetheless.
Among those who would echo this day’s significance was Paul Chiyokten Wagner, a flutist, activist, and staunch advocate for experiential learning and direct action and also the leader of the Protectors of the Salish Sea. Chiyokten orchestrated this pilgrimage as a visceral call to arms for Indigenous rights and environmental sanctity. His life’s work is a tapestry of advocacy and activism, woven with strands of respect for treaty rights, acknowledgment of unceded territories, and fidelity to natural laws.
As Chiyokten put it in a reflective interview, “The collective spirit of the people of the Salish Sea is rising.” His words conveyed a message that seemed to resonate with the very air around him, energized by that profound sense of responsibility. “We are motivated by something greater than ourselves—an unbreakable, ancestral promise to guard these cherished lands and waters for the sons and daughters of tomorrow.”
For Chiyokten, Chelalakem, and every dedicated protector who walked that taxing road, this was more than a march; it was an affirmation. It was a testament to the resilience of spirit, to the power of unity, and to the unyielding obligation to protect what is sacred—not just for themselves but for all those who would walk this earth in the years, decades, and centuries to come.
Additional Information: Link to Ancestral Waters Documentary
First appearing on July 9, 2017, this article is part of an ongoing series documenting the Indigenous-led campaign against the Tacoma LNG facility.
The article has since been edited to remove time-sensitive elements, such as calls to action, in order to serve as an historical and educational resource. You can also explore other related articles and resources on the Ancestral Waters page for a more contextual understanding of the issues and events.
While the full “Ancestral Waters” documentary is available for screenings, we invite you to watch the trailer for a glimpse into the comprehensive story of resiliency and activism told in the film.
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