Swinomish need our support

I found it concerning when I read the recent letters by Mr. O’Donnell on March 9 and by Mr. Elliott on March 16 about taxes paid by Shelter Bay.

Anyone buying a home here on leased land is clearly informed that we live here because the Swinomish Nation has granted us the privilege.

In any lease situation, we do not presume to tell our landlord how to use their income. But even more than that, a non-native living here should not be taking the same position (or taking the same for granted) as we would living on land that is solely part of the US.

I am learning what I can by observing and by reading the website (swinomish-nsn.gov). The Swinomish Reservation is a sovereign nation with a constitution and bylaws, a government that provides services to its citizens. Our lease payments and taxes go to this nation. We have been granted the choice of living in this beautiful area. The letters mentioned above showed misplaced outrage not shared by many of us and seem to be based on misunderstanding and privilege. It is beneficial to learn more about the culture, values and history of the Swinomish Nation, including what the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855 means and how the nation is moving forward today.

If we choose to live on Swinomish land, we should be supportive of that nation’s graciousness, community involvement and efforts to improve the environment. We have much to be thankful for, living in this beautiful place, and much to learn about residing in the Swinomish Nation.

Nancy Shimeall

La Conner