More has been stolen than Point Elliot Treaty plaque

Published 1:30 am Sunday, September 11, 2022

Thank you to The Herald journalists for reporting about the replacement of Point Elliott plaque with details from many voices (“Mukilteo restores stolen plaque at site of fateful Point Elliot Treaty,” The Herald, Sept. 8).

Is it clear to anyone else that yet another serious insult is about to be thrust on the future?

This is an opportunity to use facts and repair at least the false written “history” many now realize were assaults to this whole region and its Indigenous inhabitants.

It is disappointing that Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine did not honorably consult with all interested parties, and his City Council, for input, as the former mayor states had been happening, and was the intention before replacing this plaque. It’s also worth considering what money is really being saved when a plaque with incorrect information, insulting and correctable facts is printed out of state “to save money.”

Finally, Mayor Marine is quoted as believing, “It was stolen, and we need to put it back the way it was.” If that is truth then obviously there is much more to return to the Tribes then a bronze plaque! At the very least 4,000 years of verifiable, now known facts should mean more to all of us who were miseducated through the centuries, than a 1930s tourist memorial.

Please either remove that insulting plaque again or immediately get an addendum bronze plaque created with the local Tribal communities’ chosen update of the story. There are no sides in healing. Only do no MORE harm!

Rèse Beck Bourdeau

Steve Paul Hersch

Arlington