Each year, the Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) offers local artists an opportunity to display artwork in various terminals. This year’s (2024) selection is particularly special, as it comes from the Palus People of the Colville Tribes.
The artwork not only beautifies the airport, but each piece is a window into the culture and traditions of the Colville Tribes, showcasing a mix of historic and modern imagery, cultural touchpoints, and unforgettable vistas in the Tri-Cities region.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be able to share the stories of our people with all who pass through the Tri-Cities Airport. Through these beautiful billboards, we are able to showcase our culture – from the importance of food gathering to traditional regalia and the celebrations of the Colville people past and present.”
– Jarred-Michael Erickson, Chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Buck Taft, Director of Tri-Cities Airport, is equally enthusiastic about this partnership. “Once again, our Airport Art Committee has found an important regional partner with a compelling story to share,” he says. The displays are designed to engage traveling passengers, offering not just visual beauty but also informative content.
Since time immemorial, the Palus People have inhabited the lands of Eastern Washington: this is their home. The Palus People describe themselves as the Na-ha-um, or “The People of the River,” signifying the connection to the Snake and Palouse Rivers, which connect in their homeland and provide resources necessary for a thriving land.
The Palus People have long carefully tended to their sacred lands through practices of hunting, fishing and gathering. In fact, gathering of foods such as the little white camas (sweet bulbs that are roasted and used as sweetener), bitterroot, roots, and berries is often taught today to young children not only for sustenance, but also as a means of connecting to heritage and a reaffirmation of the responsibility of stewardship of land. Embroideries of these plants can even be found on wardrobes as a decoration.
The Palus People are members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, which is comprised of twelve Tribes: Palus Lakes, Colville, Okanogan, Moses-Columbia, Wenatchi, Entiat, Chelan, Methow, Nespelem, Sanpoil, and Chief Joseph Band of Nez Perce. The traditional territories of the Colville Tribes extend across eastern Washington and into portions of British Columbia, Oregon, and Idaho.
Given the vast expanse of the tribes, coming together is always a celebration. One of the great longstanding community traditions is the yearly Indian Relay Races, a family-friendly event showcasing not only the incredible athleticism of trained horses, but also the magnificent riders that raise them. The hard work of the riders and horses is celebrated by all.
As stewards of the land you are upon, the Palus People humbly welcome you to experience our rich history as well as the deeply rooted traditions that shape our future.
These traditions involve participation in cultural activities such as First Foods, Winter Dances, and intertribal Pow-Wows. Events help rejuvenate pride and connection to ancestors, as well as keep traditions alive for generations to come.
The Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) is the largest airport in the Southeastern Washington and Northeastern Oregon region and the third largest air carrier airport in the state of Washington.
