author : Daisy Ouye
September 2008
by WIP News Service
1. The community doesn't want it. Written comments submitted to the Planning Commission and City Council have been running approximately 4 to 1 against the rezone.
2. Most of the supporters of the rezone seem to be financially motivated: About one-third of written comments to the Council and Planning Commission in favor of the rezone were from people in the construction business and another third were from downtown merchants and business owners.
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September 2008
by Daisy Ouye
Bernie Meyer portrays Gandhi to audiences the world over. First called the “American Gandhi” in 2005 by media in India, he stood up to their scrutiny. In traditional dhoti as the father of their country, he was relieved to receive their endorsement. Not only did they approve of Bernie’s interpretation of Gandhi’s teachings as applied to today's world, they seemed to understand the value, if not the necessity, of an “American Gandhi.”
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August 2008
by Daisy Ouye
“I couldn’t have planned this” Bernie laughed. In fact, it wasn’t even his idea. This hometown hero gone global had to be coaxed into his first portrayal of the Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi. He reveals a wonderfully rich life of contemplation and courage, as he tells his story in his new book The American Gandhi My Truth Seeking With Humanity At the Crossroads.
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August 2008
They will be installed on the wall as the leaves of the olive tree.
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February 2008
by Daisy Ouye
A partnership between Frank’s Landing Indian Community and Squaxin Island Tribe ended an eight-month government closure of a business that provided vital infrastructure to a community of many Native Tribes. On Jan. 18, the store got a new start as “The Skookum Creek Outlet at the Landing.” Under ownership and management of Squaxin Island Tribe, the smokeshop is in compliance with a 2001 cigarette excise tax compact legislated by the state of Washington.
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December 2007
by Daisy Ouye
In the 1991 invasion of Iraq, the US went in with weapons made from radioactive material called depleted uranium (DU). Internationally recognized scientists say DU, or so-called “depleted” uranium, has caused, and continues to cause a wide range of health problems in areas where these weapons are manufactured, tested and used in warfare.
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November 2007
by Daisy Ouye
Maiselle Bridges, Puyallup Tribal Elder, is a local living legend and visionary behind Wa He Lut Indian School. She and her daughters, Alison Gottfriedson and Suzette Bridges, are lifetime members of the school board at Wa He Lut, a state-aligned and accredited school. 120 students, K–8, from many native tribes, travel from as far as Skokomish, Squaxin, and McCleary for a quality education that includes their native history and culture.
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November 2007
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Totem Poles outside Wa He Lut school. The Traditional cedar totem pole on the right tells the story of women of the fishing struggle. (Photo by Daisy Ouye)
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November 2007
Maiselle Bridges and her daughter Alison Gottfriedson. (photo by Daisy Ouye)
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October 2007
by Daisy Ouye
October marks 62 years since the closing of Topaz Internment Camp. The site was recognized this year as a National Historic Landmark thanks to the diligence of the Topaz Museum Board and other supporters. They believe it is important that we remember the strength of the people interned, as well as injustices of former actions of the US federal government.
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September 2007
by Daisy Ouye
Frank’s Landing smoke shop in the Nisqually Valley has been temporarily closed since June. Federal Agents raided the smoke shop on May 15 and confiscated all of their tobacco stock and computers.
According to the Department of Revenue, their Deputy Director is supposed to act as Tribal Liaison to resolve issues with tribes and taxpayers. Instead, a business and the private home of its operators were invaded, accused of selling untaxed cigarettes to non-tribal members.
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September 2007
by Daisy Ouye
Once each year, on the first weekend in August, a World Peace flag waves a full 24 hours in front of the Capital building. The Community Meditation for Global Peace, sponsored by Interfaith Works draws a diverse crowd around Tivoli Fountain. In part, because it is a nonsecular/nonpolitical event.
”It’s a wonderful way to connect with everyone who wants peace,” a fellow member of Olympia Women In Black told me. The guest book tallied about 75 visitors this year, and just as many wishes of gratitude.
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July 2007
by Daisy Ouye
The purpose of a free press should be to create a well-informed public. Today so-called "mainstream" journalism has become far removed from that concept. Instead these publications often choose to print sensationally written stories that greedily grab attention however possible, pushing them into tabloid territory.
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June 2007
by Daisy Ouye
"I thought there must have been a murder down there or something." This was the response of a Nisqually Wildlife Refuge employee to the excessive number of police vehicles blocking the main road leading to Frank's Landing Smoke Shop. "I told my crew it must be something serious to use all those resources."
He, like many others familiar with the Frank's Landing Native Community, was angered to hear of the raid on the smoke shop located on tribal land in Nisqually. Even more upsetting was the home raid on the shop's owners, Hank and Alison Gottfriedson.
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May 2007
by Daisy Ouye
For me, 9/11, the death of Rachel Corrie, and the invasion of Iraq brought about an awakening. Up until then I knew little about Middle East history and culture. I realized I had a responsibility as an American to try to understand the circumstances surrounding and leading up to our nation's, and the world's current state. No small undertaking, to be sure.
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