Sehome Hill Arboretum Board of Governors (SHABOG)

# Sehome Hill Arboretum Board of Governors Grapples with Name Changes and Indigenous Recognition ## Meeting Overview The Sehome Hill Arboretum Board of Governors convened on January 16, 2025, for what turned out to be a significant meeting addressing questions of indigenous recognition, naming conventions, and land acknowledgments. With Chair John presiding and members attending both in person and online (including Wayne via remote connection), the board tackled complex issues around the intersection of the arboretum's mission with ongoing construction of the longhouse and deeper questions about how the board represents its values through language and policy. The meeting revealed underlying tensions between procedural governance and meaningful reconciliation efforts, as board members worked through revisions to their land acknowledgment while grappling with what it means to truly honor indigenous presence rather than simply acknowledge it. ## Appointments Process Changes from the Mayor Steve delivered important news about changes to the city's boards and commissions appointment process. Under new direction from Mayor, the previous more informal reappointment system is being replaced with a standardized process requiring full reapplication for city-appointed positions when terms expire. "Different boards and commissions do have different protocols for filling their positions that are city appointed," Steve explained. "It's now changing to where, if you reapply, it's good. If there's a vacancy on the board, you're gonna have to reapply for it, and other positions or other people interested will be also considered." This change affects two city-appointed positions currently held by Kendra and Travis, while the at-large position selection remains with the board. Steve noted that board representatives could still participate in reviewing applicants, but the automatic renewal process has ended. The stated goals are to "increase opportunities for involvement, kind of diversify the board, make it more objective, increase consistency and equity across the city." ## The Longhouse Takes Shape Kendra provided updates on the longhouse construction, reporting the project remains on schedule and on budget. The main framing logs are now in place, giving visitors a clear sense of the structure's final appearance. A small ceremony marked the installation of the main framing logs last month, followed by a construction site tour. More significantly, Kendra shared a document from Laurel, the tribal liaison, addressing the naming of the House of Healing. The proposed indigenous name, pending confirmation through another tribal board, sounds approximately like "see how" — phonetically close to the current anglicized "Sehome." This revelation sparked immediate discussion about broader naming implications. As one board member observed: "Seeing that name makes me wonder about what the arboretum itself might be called in the future, whether, if that's the word that the house of healing has, if we want to think about adopting that spelling pronunciation as the formal name." The chair expressed willingness to begin conversations with Laurel about the possibility: "I vote for starting the conversation sooner than later. It's not like, oh, yeah, that's all bad. And then people start saying, oh, what's that new word that the house of healing is called. We're seeing it in the newspaper. We're seeing it in the announcements. Is that the same word as seahome? Oh, it is. Well, that's kind of weird. Like, let's get ahead of that a little bit." The longhouse is expected to be substantially complete by June, with an opening targeted for November 2025. ## Trail Maintenance: Jersey Street Needs Attention Steve reported on his outreach to the Washington Trails Association (WTA) regarding concerning conditions on the Jersey Street Trail. Arlen from WTA conducted a comprehensive volunteer assessment, identifying significant trail widening, mud accumulation, and drainage problems across the trail surface. "What it really comes down to is there's widening going on and a lot of mud and drainage across the trail. And he's recommending that we just need to scrape off the debris and there's a gravel base," Steve explained. The WTA assessment revealed a hard-packed gravel base beneath the organic debris, suggesting the trail had received professional maintenance at some point in the past, though Wayne noted this preceded his tenure by several years. The report also identified a failing retaining wall that's "actually splitting apart" in a section above homes on Ivy Street. Wayne and Steve committed to an on-site meeting to assess scope and equipment needs. The city's grounds team confirmed they could coordinate with Western Washington University's arborist crew for the work. Steve also announced the purchase of a trail counter camera that will be installed to gather usage data, with the Jersey Street Trail identified as an appropriate location for initial deployment. The city currently manages other gravel trails by regularly blowing off leaf litter to prevent the same mucky conditions, a practice that may need to be extended to this section if regular maintenance is established. ## Siberian Elm: A Substantial Invasive Challenge The chair presented a detailed analysis of Siberian elm invasion in a highly visible section of the arboretum, located approximately 200 yards uphill from the longhouse site along the main Arboretum Drive. The infestation shows active reproduction and establishment, with the canopy now "almost entirely elms." Research into Forest Service control methods revealed the challenge: root systems survive complete stem removal, requiring either girdling techniques or contact herbicides applied to cut stems. Evidence at the site shows previous cutting attempts resulted in vigorous stump resprouting. "Most of what we're looking at is, I think, under six inches" in diameter for the new growth, though original stumps reached 12-14 inches, suggesting this is a long-established problem requiring professional intervention. Steve indicated this scale of work would be appropriate for the city's arborist crew working with Western's Keith Duran and contracted specialists. The accessibility of the site along the road edge makes equipment access feasible for chipping operations. The project scope extends about 20-30 feet into the forest from the road edge, with the chair noting: "After that the forest is fine, and most of the reestablishment of smaller elms. My guess is it's because of that opening in the canopy created by the road itself that that's really what is allowing for substantial expansion." Post-removal replanting will likely be necessary since "the understory is almost entirely small items as well," presenting an appropriate volunteer work party project following the professional removal work. ## Land Acknowledgment: Beyond Recognition Toward Action The meeting's most substantial discussion centered on revising the board's land acknowledgment, with Travis and Wayne leading the effort. Their work revealed fundamental questions about the arboretum's purpose and the role of indigenous perspectives in governance. Travis framed the challenge: "As I was thinking about it, I thought, okay. We should figure out the land acknowledgement should be in alignment with the Arboretum's purpose like what's the purpose of the arboretum and soon realized that there wasn't really a clear purpose statement about why the operating exists and what it's for." Drawing inspiration from Aldo Leopold's land ethic — "A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community" — Travis and Wayne developed potential purpose language emphasizing the arboretum's role in supporting "learning, healing, and joyful recreation for all." However, Joan pushed back on the need for a new purpose statement: "I don't want to change the purpose statement. I think our purpose statement is fantastic. And it says what it needs to say. And I don't want to change it to accommodate the fact that we have a building in the park now." This tension between existing policy language and evolving mission sparked deeper discussion about the function of land acknowledgments themselves. Joan articulated a traditional view: "I guess I was thinking that the purpose of the land acknowledgement is to acknowledge the Native American you know history there and kind of to counteract some of the prevailing more colonial language that surrounded the management." But the chair identified critiques of this approach: "One critique I've heard of land acknowledgements is if that recognition doesn't necessarily go anywhere right that it's essentially a gesture limited to recognition and does not say involve additional steps for additional creating something different that is something different that is a new model, whether we call that reconciliation or or true shared governance." Travis expressed concern about the current language positioning: "When I read the current land acknowledgement it seems like it's coming from a position of non-Indigenous people. And I think maybe we can to say like we will take indigenous wisdom into consideration and personally, I'd love for there to be there for statement if we're going to make a statement that feels like it's coming from it's coming from a place of work genuinely representative diversity in all of the different peoples that are involved in the in the Arboretons stewardship and care and history." ## Working Toward New Language The board engaged in detailed wordsmithing of potential revisions. A key change involved removing the reference to "unceded territory," which former board member Steve Hollenhorst had identified as technically inaccurate given that treaties were signed, even if under disputed circumstances. However, concerns emerged about replacing it with "traditional and ancestral territory." Kendra raised important cautions: "When I was studying the hunting laws in alaska there's this you know phrase customary and traditional planting territory and all that and that customary and traditional really has been used to limit what indigenous people can do because somebody that's non-Indigenous will go to the meeting and say, well, it's not your tradition to use our outboard motors. And, you know, rifles in order to hunt ducks or sea lions so that's not so that's not a thing. So I've seen that traditional word used not to empower and acknowledge, but to limit people." The board worked through various grammatical constructions, ultimately developing draft language that would begin: "Sehome Hill is traditional ancestral territory of the Lochamish Lummi people and the nooksack people who live along the Salish Sea" (changing from "have lived" to present tense). The revised second sentence would read: "The arboretum has been cared for and shaped by indigenous cultures from time immemorial and continues to be a site of shared learning, healing, and care." Joan supported the revision direction: "I like that, John. There's no emojis, but this is a thumbs up for that." The discussion also touched on word choice nuances, with one member suggesting "stewarded" instead of "cared for," but Kendra noted pushback from indigenous friends who find "stewarded" to carry Judeo-Christian and Forest Service connotations of control rather than mutuality. ## Moving Forward: Consultation and Consensus The chair emphasized that this work represents "not as an end product, but as a conversation to have with laurel you know just to say hey these are some of our thoughts. You know. This is what are your thoughts on this? Just to make sure we haven't sort of veered off" from the original collaborative approach. The board granted consent for the chair to bring the draft language to Laurel for input, maintaining the collaborative process that shaped the original land acknowledgment. ## Policy Review: Tabled but Not Forgotten Discussion of broader policy document revisions was tabled, with the chair noting that questions of board membership — particularly around potentially adding a longhouse community representative — may take priority given the construction timeline. Joan requested clarity about which specific policy areas had been previously identified for updates, not wanting to "open up a proverbial can of worms with people taking parts of the policy to update kind of hodgepodge that we hadn't decided we were going to open up." The chair committed to providing a summary from previous meeting minutes to focus future revision efforts. ## Routine Business and Work Party Announcement The board approved November meeting minutes with minor corrections to names and dates. A volunteer work party was announced for February 15, 9 AM to 12 PM, coordinating with the Land Trust to plant and restore the old Southridge Trail section that Washington Trails Association had rerouted. Wayne also reported on an elaborate treehouse removal operation scheduled for the following Tuesday, noting the impressive construction quality of the 50-foot-high structure and the need for professional arborist involvement in safe removal. ## Closing: Work Continues The meeting demonstrated the board's commitment to moving beyond performative acknowledgment toward meaningful engagement with indigenous perspectives and community healing. While procedural questions about purpose statements and policy language created some tension, the overall direction pointed toward more authentic and collaborative relationships. The convergence of the longhouse opening timeline, potential naming changes, and land acknowledgment revision creates both opportunity and responsibility for the board to model what genuine shared stewardship might look like in practice. With Laurel's input on the draft language pending, and broader questions about board membership and indigenous representation ahead, the Sehome Hill Arboretum Board of Governors faces significant decisions that will shape how this public space embodies its values for years to come. The meeting adjourned with expressions of appreciation for the collaborative work, setting the stage for continued development of these important initiatives at future meetings.

## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE **Meeting ID:** BEL-SHA-2025-01-16 The Sehome Hill Arboretum Board of Governors met on January 16, 2025, to discuss ongoing projects including the Indigenous Longhouse construction, trail maintenance issues, and revisions to their land acknowledgment statement. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Sehome Hill Arboretum Board of Governors (SHABOG):** A joint board with representatives from both the City of Bellingham and Western Washington University that oversees the management and stewardship of Sehome Hill Arboretum, a forested area used for education, recreation, and research. **House of Healing/Longhouse:** A traditional Indigenous structure being built on the arboretum grounds through collaboration with the Lummi Nation. The building will serve educational and cultural purposes for both the university and broader community. **Land Acknowledgment:** A formal statement recognizing the Indigenous peoples who are the traditional stewards of the land. The board is revising theirs to be more concise and inclusive. **Siberian Elm:** An invasive tree species that has established a significant population in one area of the arboretum. The board is developing a management strategy to control its spread while preserving the forest ecosystem. **Jersey Street Trail:** A trail corridor connecting the Sehome neighborhood to Western Washington University campus that has developed drainage and widening issues requiring maintenance intervention. **Washington Conservation Corps (WCC):** A program that provides young adults with conservation work experience. The city uses WCC crews for various environmental restoration projects. **Trail Counter/Trail Cam:** Electronic devices used to count foot and bicycle traffic on trails to help inform management decisions about maintenance priorities and usage patterns. **Unceded Territory:** Land that was never formally given up by Indigenous peoples through treaties. The board discussed whether this term is technically accurate in their context, given that treaties were signed, though under disputed circumstances. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | John (Chair) | Board Chair | | Steve | City of Bellingham Parks & Recreation | | Wayne Galloway | Western Washington University Grounds (remote) | | Kendra | Board member, tribal liaison contact | | Travis | Board member | | Nick | Board member | | Joan Drinkwin | Board member (joined late) | | Kate | Meeting support/technology | | Laurel | Tribal liaison (referenced, not present) | | Arlen | Washington Trails Association volunteer | | Ryan Roby | Lead organizer for February volunteer work party | ### Background Context The Sehome Hill Arboretum represents a unique partnership between the City of Bellingham and Western Washington University, managing a forested area that serves multiple purposes: student research, community recreation, and now Indigenous cultural education through the House of Healing project. The board operates in a complex environment where they must balance environmental stewardship, educational access, and cultural sensitivity. The ongoing construction of the House of Healing represents a significant step in acknowledging the Indigenous history of the land and creating space for healing and learning. This project has prompted the board to reconsider how they frame their own role and purpose, leading to discussions about their land acknowledgment and potentially the name of the arboretum itself. The board faces practical challenges typical of managing public green space: invasive species control, trail maintenance, and balancing multiple uses while protecting the forest ecosystem. They also navigate the administrative complexity of joint city-university governance, including recent changes to how city-appointed board positions are filled. ### What Happened — The Short Version The meeting began with an important announcement about changes to city board appointments. Going forward, city-appointed positions will require a full reapplication process rather than automatic renewal, part of the mayor's effort to increase diversity and consistency across all city boards. The board received updates on several ongoing projects. The House of Healing construction is progressing well, with the main structural logs now in place and an anticipated opening in November 2025. There's been discussion about the building's Indigenous name and whether the arboretum itself should adopt the same terminology. Trail maintenance emerged as a significant issue. The Jersey Street Trail, which connects the Sehome neighborhood to campus, has developed serious drainage and erosion problems. A Washington Trails Association volunteer conducted a detailed assessment recommending removal of accumulated debris to expose the underlying gravel base. The board discussed coordinating between city and university staff to address these issues. The board spent considerable time revising their land acknowledgment statement, working to make it more concise while ensuring it reflects present-day Indigenous presence rather than just historical acknowledgment. They plan to have the tribal liaison review their proposed changes before finalizing them. Finally, they discussed strategy for controlling an invasive Siberian elm population that has established itself along the main arboretum drive, requiring coordination between city arborists and university grounds crews. ### What to Watch Next • The House of Healing is scheduled to open in November 2025 - watch for community ceremonies and educational programming • Trail maintenance work on Jersey Street Trail should begin once coordination between city and university crews is finalized • The revised land acknowledgment will be reviewed by the tribal liaison before adoption • February 15 volunteer work party will address restoration of the old Southridge Trail section ---

## MODULE S2: FLASH CARDS **Meeting ID:** BEL-SHA-2025-01-16 **Q:** What major change did the mayor announce regarding city board appointments? **A:** City-appointed board positions now require full reapplication rather than automatic renewal, aimed at increasing diversity and objectivity across all city boards. **Q:** When is the House of Healing/Longhouse expected to open? **A:** November 2025, after substantial construction completion in June and interior work through the fall. **Q:** What is the main problem with the Jersey Street Trail? **A:** Widening, mud accumulation, and drainage issues caused by leaf litter and debris covering the underlying gravel base. **Q:** Who conducted the trail assessment for Jersey Street Trail? **A:** Arlen from the Washington Trails Association, who provided a comprehensive volunteer assessment of the trail conditions. **Q:** What invasive species is the board planning to control? **A:** Siberian elm, which has established a significant population along the main arboretum drive with active reproduction occurring. **Q:** What are the two main treatment options for Siberian elm control? **A:** Girdling the trunk (removing bark) or applying contact herbicide to cut stems to kill the root system. **Q:** What is the purpose of the trail counter/trail cam being installed? **A:** To collect data on foot and bicycle traffic patterns to inform trail maintenance and management decisions. **Q:** Why is the board revising their land acknowledgment? **A:** To make it more concise while ensuring it reflects present-day Indigenous presence rather than just historical acknowledgment. **Q:** What concern was raised about using "traditional and ancestral territory" in the land acknowledgment? **A:** That these terms might point to the past rather than present, potentially limiting rather than empowering Indigenous people. **Q:** Who will review the revised land acknowledgment before it's finalized? **A:** Laurel, the tribal liaison, who previously reviewed and approved their current land acknowledgment. **Q:** What impressive unauthorized construction was discovered in the arboretum? **A:** A substantial treehouse built 50 feet up a tree with nailed steps, requiring professional arborist removal. **Q:** When is the next volunteer work party scheduled? **A:** February 15, 9 AM to 12 PM, focusing on planting and restoration of the old Southridge Trail section. **Q:** What was Steve Hollenhorst's concern about the current land acknowledgment? **A:** That referring to "unceded territory" is technically disputed since treaties were signed, even though under questionable circumstances. **Q:** What partnership manages the Sehome Hill Arboretum? **A:** Joint management between the City of Bellingham and Western Washington University. **Q:** Why might the arboretum's name itself be reconsidered in the future? **A:** If the House of Healing adopts the Indigenous pronunciation/spelling of "Sehome," the board may consider aligning the arboretum's name accordingly. **Q:** What type of crew does the city use for large-scale environmental work? **A:** Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) crews, though they're currently focused on wetland mitigation projects through September. **Q:** What diameter are the largest Siberian elm stems that need removal? **A:** The stumps from previously cut trees measure 12-14 inches in diameter, though new growth is generally under 6 inches. **Q:** What limits the size of the February volunteer work party? **A:** Space is limited to about 25 people due to tool availability and supply constraints. **Q:** What was Joan Drinkwin's position on changing the arboretum's purpose statement? **A:** She opposed changing it, stating the current purpose statement is "fantastic" and shouldn't be modified to accommodate new buildings. **Q:** What grammatical issue did the board identify with their proposed land acknowledgment revision? **A:** The phrase "since time immemorial" created grammatically incorrect sentences when combined with present tense verbs. ---