Community Gathers for Special Ceremony and Tree Planting to Celebrate Renewal in the Area
This past Sunday, McKenzie River residents gathered under the shelter of Blue River’s old U.S. Forest Service gas station, joined by Native friends and community members.
The event offered a moment to remember and celebrate the land’s rich history, as local archaeologist Tim Fox (U.S. Forest Service) and cultural historian Margaret Beilharz shared maps, videos, and insights about the ancient Tribal Crossing at the confluence of Blue River and the McKenzie River.
Katherine K’iya Wilson, an Indigenous filmmaker and member of McKenzie Reel, shared how these efforts extend beyond restoring Blue River’s landscape after the catastrophic 2020 Holiday Farm Fire. They also honor the enduring presence and activities of Native communities who traveled through this region long before colonization.
Research indicates that various tribes historically traveled through this area on their way to the Oregon Coast or other destinations for hunting and trade.
The Kalapuya People, in particular, are believed to have had a lasting connection to the forest corridor before settlers arrived, reshaping the land and altering Indigenous ways of life.
The Upper McKenzie River area has long been shaped by fires. Before the recent 2020 blaze that burned over 173,000 acres, the area faced another wildfire in 1890. Back then, the McKenzie River Corridor was an open white oak savanna, a unique ecosystem shaped by both natural cycles and Indigenous land stewardship practices.
Sunday’s gathering was a celebration of this layered history, both ancient and recent, with a special blessing from Dietrich (“Dietz”) Peters of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde.
Dietz also offered tobacco and prayer to bless the oak trees that were a part of the giveaway.
The event reminded all present of the deep roots embedded in the McKenzie River landscape and the strength of its community as they move forward in recovery and remembrance.
Photos by Brittany Mason