Members of the Chinook Nation and other tribes dedicated a replica of a traditional plankhouse at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Washington.

The plankhouse was a joint project of the tribe, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Committee of Vancouver/Clark County. The tribe will use the house for ceremonies and special occasions.

The dedication came nearly 200 years after explorers Lewis and Clark visited a Chinook village nearby. The tribe is boycotting Lewis and Clark bicentennial events due to its lack of federal recognition.

Get the Story:
Chinook elders lead way into plankhouse (The Oregonian 3/30)

Relevant Links:
Chinook Nation - http://www.chinooknation.org
Cathlapotle Plankhouse Project - http://www.plankhouse.org

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