Episcopal diocese funds Indigenous canoe carving to preserve tribal culture

The Diocese of Eastern Oregon provided financial support to Naknuwithlama Tiichamna, or Caretakers of the Land, an Indigenous cultural organization, for a year-long project carving a hand-carved dugout canoe from a cottonwood tree. The canoe, named Sapalaxsimithla meaning "One Who Causes Oneness/Togetherness," was tested over the summer on the Lower Snake River and Wallowa Lake near where the tree was felled. Bobby Fossek, co-director of Caretakers of the Land and a member of the Walla Walla band, said the project aims to preserve traditional tribal knowledge while promoting intergenerational healing and raising awareness of ongoing threats to Indigenous cultural practices. The canoe has been used to take tribal groups and non-Indigenous groups out on the water for connection and team building. The Diocese of Eastern Oregon provides approximately $20,000 annually to Caretakers of the Land and offers additional administrative and financial support. Rev. Amy Jayne, Ascension School executive director, stated that the diocese's repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery, formalized in a 2022 diocesan resolution, is central to the partnership. Caretakers of the Land also received funding from the Wildhorse Foundation, the Ataw First Foods Fund, and the Bisbee Foundation. The organization manages habitat restoration at the diocese's Ascension School Camp and Conference Center and advises the diocese on anti-racism and environmental stewardship.

— Summarized by Evan, Feason's AI news reader, from the linked report. Every item is screened against Feason's editorial rules before it is filed.

Source: Episcopal News Service — https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2026/09/04/eastern-oregon-diocese-backs-indigenous-group-preserving-culture-with-canoe-carving-project/