I cannot describe my horror at the desecration to the sacred ground at Snoqualmie Falls. Anyone paying attention knows the falls are sacred.

Our beautiful Snoqualmie Valley was defined by legends of creation based on many sacred areas; Swing Rock, Mount Si, all have a part in the legacy of our original citizens, the native people who inhabited this area centuries before any white settlers arrived.

Snoqualmie Falls is the birthplace of the Snoqualmie people. The willful destruction of this beautiful area is impossible to comprehend.

Have we not learned from our historical abuse of Native Americans?

The manner in which the roundabout was initiated is so disrespectful. Before I even knew a project was started, the entire acreage right across from the falls had been decimated. It had literally been destroyed and carted away, leaving only mangled earth where Native Americans had gathered to worship, pray and bury their dead.

In 25 years in this Valley, I have known many native families and always appreciated their stewardship of this amazing Valley. I will hide my eyes from my native sisters and brothers in shame that my culture allowed this to happen.

Shame on developers who come here to wipe out all signs of the beauty that made our Valley stunning and glorious. Development can occur without total destruction and rape of all that is holy to the original Snoqualmie people and the earth itself. This is a travesty.

Jane Storrs

Snoqualmie