Methow descendant Mark Miller compared feet with a Little Star Montessori School student at Homestream Park. Participants left symbolic footprints in the park.
Mark Miller, a Methow descendant, recently met with more than 30 Little Star Montessori School students at Homestream Park in Winthrop to talk about the importance of learning from our ancestors.
“A long time ago when people were brand new to the world the salmon agreed to give up their lives so people could live, but the people must honor the salmon for their sacrifice. This park is about honoring salmon,” Miller told the students. “You are the ones who will take care of this place for years and years and years. My family has taken care of this place for 12,000 years … Your job is to take care of these plants these animals this earth.“
Symbolic footprint impressions were made in an arrow-shaped concrete form by Miller and a young student.
“The large footprint represents our ancestors,” Miller said. “They walked these lands for thousands of years, they learned to co-exist with the land, water, air, plants and animals. We welcome them back. The smaller footprint represents our future steps. May we apply the teachings of our ancestors as we continue on this path into the future.”
The footprint art piece was installed in the park, pointing to the eastern horizon: the direction of the future
