New documentary shares p'squosa perspectives on Icicle Creek, stewardship and return to nsíq̓əlt

LEAVENWORTH — As Icicle Creek faces growing environmental threats and resource demands, a new documentary examines the relationship between the river and its original stewards, emphasizing collaboration as a path toward a better future.

Icicle Creek, or nsíq̓əlt, flows through the ancestral homelands of the p’squosa (also known as the Wenatchi), where Leavenworth stands today. The Icicle Fishery, once a bountiful, major salmon fishery, carries spiritual and traditional significance to the p’squosa.

In “The Icicle Calls Us Back,” eleven p’squosa/Wenatchi descendants share their continued connection to their homelands, how the collaborative application of ancestral knowledge could help mitigate environmental threats, and what they hope to see for the future.

The local documentary debuted to the broader public at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts (ICCA) on May 30, followed by a Q&A panel with those featured in the film. 

“Nature is my family — the sky, the stars, the wind, the rain, the creeks, the rivers, the mountains, the trees, even bushes — all these things mean something to us as Indian people, because we've lived next to nature most of our lives,” said Elder John Dick during the panel. “We want to protect [the Icicle], because it's our sister…It is very sacred to us.”

The documentary is set in the context of the negotiations of the 1855 Walla Walla Treaty, in which p’squosa leaders requested and were granted the Icicle Fishery and six square miles of land surrounding the confluence of the Icicle and Wenatchee River as a reservation. The U.S. government delayed surveying the reservation, and ultimately prioritized the wishes of white settlers and the railroad. The p’squosa were forcibly removed from their homelands. 

Today, many descendants live on the Colville Reservation, where the Wenatchi are one of twelve confederated tribes. Though separated by distance, their cultural, spiritual and traditional ties to the upper valley endure.

Through interviews, the film examines the importance of returning to and protecting nsíq̓əlt for past, present, and future generations. To achieve this, its voices call for greater education, understanding and partnership across communities.

During the panel discussion, descendants featured in the film highlighted efforts to strengthen their physical presence in the valley, such as restoring fishing rights on Icicle Creek, purchasing land back near Peshastin and working with the Department of Natural Resources to preserve access to Camas Meadows for root digging. 

Nancy Lynn Palmanteer-Holder said the tribe hopes to continue to gain access to additional lands in the upper valley where it can share its history, cultural knowledge and longstanding connections to the area with not only Wenatchi people, but also the broader community.

“There's a lot of allies in the audience right now…so there's a movement in that direction, and in collaboration, I see that happening,” said Palmanteer-Holder. “I think all of us would say that that's one of our priorities and hopes, is that for future generations, we return back here.”

One example given was the Methow Conservancy’s return of over 320 acres of land along the Chewuch River to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in honor of Methow descendants, which now serves as a place for preserving and sharing ancestral knowledge, skills, and traditions as well as continuous stewardship of the land.

“Ultimately I hope that the vision that was set forth in the film about getting some land back, having a place for the Wenatchi-p’squosa people here in their homelands — that was meant to be a reservation but never happened — can come to fruition,” said filmmaker Claire Seaman.

The film project was completed under a research permit from the Colville Confederated Tribes as part of Seaman’s master’s thesis through the Department of Geography at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver B.C.

It was created in collaboration with the Wenatchi-p'squosa Advisory Group (WAG), which represents the Wenatchi Tribe of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. The group is in the process of becoming a 501c(3) nonprofit with a purpose is to ensure that future generations return and connect physically, culturally, and spiritually to their homeland.

WAG is currently fundraising for a Wenatchi Leadership and Cultural Event, with Wenatchee River Institute as a fiscal sponsor. An anonymous funder has offered to match two-to-one on donations received for WAG through June 30, up to $5,000. Donations can be made at bit.ly/donateWAG.

“The Icicle Calls Us Back” will screen again at 6:30 p.m. on June 26 at Faith Lutheran Church’s Fellowship Hall, 224 Benton Street, Leavenworth. No tickets or RSVP are needed for this event.

The filmmaker recommends watching “False Promises: The Lost Land of the Wenatchi” prior to the showing. This documentary, which can be found on the Colville Council’s YouTube channel, details the history of the Wenatshapam Fishery Reservation that was promised to the p’squosa people in Article X of the 1855 Walla Walla Treaty. 

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media