The Nisqually Indian Tribe has been the target of several threats regarding its Brighton Creek Healing and Retreat Center’s purpose, stemming from its new sign, which called the place an “active COVID quarantine site.”
Facebook comments about the center have called it “a concentration camp,” and folks have taken to social media and called the caretaker of the facility, threatening to burn the place down, according to Debbie Preston, information officer for the Tribe.
Due to the threats of arson, Preston said the caretaker of the facility was “obviously frightened for his family.”
Nisqually Chair Willie Frank III posted a YouTube video on Tuesday, Sept. 28 to “give folks an update in regards to a social media post” that occurred on Sept. 27, which included the arson threat.
“We here at the Nisqually Tribe are dismayed that lies and untruths are being spread about our COVID quarantine site at Brighton Creek Healing and Retreat Center, just outside of Roy,” Frank said in the video. “The Tribe owns the property and it is a place for healing.”
He said the Tribe made the center a COVID-19 quarantine site 18 months ago to give its members a place to quarantine if they could not do so at home.
“This is no fundamentally different than anyone quarantined in their own home,” Frank said.
Frank also referred to a history of misinformation regarding tribal practices, detailing the lengths the Nisqually Indian Tribe will go to protect its people.
“Tribes are used to racism disguised as falsehoods,” he said. “We will not tolerate threats being made against our tribal members, health staff or any other staff, either in person or by the phone. These are unlawful and we will pursue law enforcement actions against anyone who makes these threats.”
Preston said the center is a place for tribal members to go voluntarily.
In the video, Frank said all the misinformation is damaging to the Tribe and its people.
“Brighton Creek is a place of healing and these falsehoods are very dangerous and very misleading,” Frank said. “Please, please, listen to the facts. The Nisqually Tribe is here to work with our outside communities and we are here to protect our homelands.”
According to Preston, the center currently has small cabins with access to central bathrooms. Food is delivered to the users of the facility from a community kitchen.
The remainder of the site is currently being renovated for tribal retreats, with great emphasis on it being a place of healing and “for solace and communion with nature,” Preston said.
Renovation efforts will continue through the end of the year and will conclude in 2022, as long as there are no delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Ultimately, tribes are sovereign nations,” Preston said. “They can handle COVID as they see fit. Nisqually has led the way with vaccinating early and often, has offered vaccination to all of its own people and employees. And because they care about their older and younger generations, (they) want and need places to support those who want to protect others.”
A recent Nisqually newsletter listed the current renovation efforts in detail. They include upgrading and renovating the kitchen and dining room. An ADA bathroom as well as women’s and men’s bathroom will be added to meet code requirements and the Tribe plans to install a septic system for a planned RV Park.
Other renovations include repainting the exterior of the lodge, the installation of fencing around the perimeter of the facility, the evaluation of the well and water system for repairs and possible upgrades, and the construction of a carport for equipment.
In a statement provided to the Nisqually Valley News, Frank explained the purpose of the center further.
“The Tribe is developing our property to be a retreat center for our people, but because of COVID 18 months ago, and like all other tribes, we decided to designate a place where tribal members can go if they choose to the cabins and be supported while they are there.” Frank said. “The work being done is to create a multi-faceted healing center for our tribal members. Literally nothing has changed but the sign that a well-meaning (health care worker) thought should be added.”
Frank’s video can be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtdsIFSx12c.
