A Look Back – Squaxin Park

Arguably one of the highlights of this year was how Olympia renamed a park on East Bay Drive to acknowledge its history and try to mend ties with its people.

Called Priest Point Park by white settlers, the location now called Squaxin Park has historically been where American Indians, particularly the Steh-Chass people who originally lived in what is now Olympia, and the Squaxin tribe in general, went for their livelihood.

The place was originally named after the French Oblate missionaries led by Father Pascal Richard, who settled and founded a mission for the local Tribes in an effort to convert them. It became a park with the efforts of local contemporary city leaders when the mission was dissolved in 1893.

Earlier this year, the City of Olympia began efforts to change the name of the place to reflect its deeper history and become "a reminder of the Steh-Chass people who lived in the park prior to the arrival of white settlers here,” as Olympia put it in a press statement.

The renaming was put in motion after a request was made to the city by the Squaxin Island Tribal Council.

“A Native name for the park will reflect its deeper history and enduring cultural significance, and appropriately acknowledge the Tribe’s continued and valued presence in our community," it furthered.

When The JOLT covered the news last March, several commenters had various opinions and suggestions about the move. Some opined that it was a futile gesture, others suggesting leaving the place as it was and putting up a totem pole in city hall instead. Still, others suggested other names such as “Settlers’ Cove Park” and “Cheet-Woot Park.”

The city’s Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee held a public hearing on March 17 about the renaming, with several members showing up, particularly tribal leaders, to show their support.

“We still carry the stories, the legends, the history that's associated to the area,” said Squaxin Island Tribal Council Vice Chairperson Charlene Krise, who is also director of the Squaxin Island Museum, Library & Research Center, as she shared the place’s history from the tribe’s perspective.

Some attendees suggested that the city go one step further and return the park to the Squaxin Island Tribe.

“Please begin the process of exploring returning stewardship of Squaxin Park back to the Squaxin tribe,” asked Rev. Corey Parsons of the Community for Interfaith Celebration. “And may the renaming of this park be both a celebration and a reminder of the unfinished work of reparation.”

Olympia finalized the name change during the city’s council meeting on April 25.

“While the City of Olympia recognizes the historical efforts by the Catholic priests who established the mission at what subsequently became known as Priest Point Park,” said the city in its resolution, “it is important to rename Priest Point Park to serve as a reminder that the land on which the park is located was home to the Steh‐Chass people long before it served as a mission or became a park.”

“… a native name for the park will reflect its deeper history and enduring cultural significance, and appropriately acknowledge the Squaxin Island Tribe’s continued and valued presence in our community,” the city added.

Leaders of the Squaxin tribal community were present during the announcement and showed their gratitude.

“Thank you for the partnership that we have forged over the years. We have done so much great work being stewards of this land,” said Squaxin Island Tribe Council Chairman Kris Peters.

“We never stopped loving the land because it is one of the greatest teachers. Whenever you step out in the great outdoors, you are stepping into the greatest classroom the Creator has ever given to all mankind,” said Charlene Krise, who also attended.

Recently, Olympia released a video showcasing the park, featuring city council members and tribal leaders sharing their thoughts on the park.

“We need to make sure that they (Native Americans) feel welcomed here, they feel seen here, they feel represented here in Olympia,” says Mayor Cheryl Selby in the video.