The Lummi Tribe, working alongside the Sterling Forest Partnership, Crown Pacific Limited Partnership, The Nature Conservancy of Washington, and the Native American Land Conservancy of California, has raised $5.5 million of the $7.1 million needed to acquire and preserve the Arlecho Creek forest. The acquisition of this old-growth forest by the Lummi Tribe, which must be completed this year, will benefit not only four species of salmon and other endangered wildlife, but will also bring healing to the Lummi community that uses the Arlecho forest as a spiritual sanctuary for traditional cultural practices. Once acquired, the forest will be used for healing and learning landscape programs jointly administered by Northwest Indian College, the Sterling Center of New York, and the Native American Land Conservancy, that connect people to the land and, through the land, to each other.

    The heart of the story, however, is not endangered species or imperiled cultures. Rather, the heart of the story is the spirit vested in the pole and represented in the partnerships that have made this coming together possible. The destiny and destination of the Healing Pole also communicates an important message to the world community that is experiencing conflict between diverse cultural groups. Significantly, the Healing Pole carries a message of hope for harmony and healing in all our relations that comes from America's First Peoples.  Mr. James has spent four weeks carving the 13 foot totem which is being transported across the United States. The Healing Pole's journey includes stops in a number of reservations where it is being blessed by the Native American community. It will then be placed in the Sterling Forest by Lummi tribal members in a ceremony that will be witnessed by representatives from the Native American community as well as by individuals, groups and organizations from across the United States.

Please see the Healing Pole Story that presents, in the carver's words, the vision of the Healing Pole.