Clear cutting timber ruining habitat
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Editor,
As an elder of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes, I am writing to let the tribal council know why I am against this clear-cutting of timber in many parts of our reservation. It’s ruining the bird and wildlife habitat, our huckleberries, wild strawberries, and all the Native plants our people have depended on for healing for hundreds of years.
I have noticed that the porcupine is extinct, when not so long ago, they were all over the reservation. The animal habitats are ruined because there’s no food, shelter, or any place for them to hide. The blue jay habitat is ruined, and this is our Salish medicine bird. The Kootenai’s mule deer habitat and shelter is also gone.
A lot of medicine bundles that our ancestors have put in trees and which have been there for many years are desecrated by cutting the trees down.
I respect the logger’s occupation, but they should select cut. Our little chickadees and the other animals in our fairytales and coyote stories are being destroyed by this clear-cutting. The food storage of the squirrels in the trees are also destroyed.
Plassie Stanger
Polson
