Moving Beyond Land Acknowledgements: Building Trust and Partnership with Tribes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2025
 

Contact: Angela Morris, CDLT Associate Director, [email protected] or Joshua Schaub, WRI Community Program Manager, [email protected]. 

Moving Beyond Land Acknowledgements: Building Trust and Partnership with Tribes

WENATCHEE & LEAVENWORTH, WA- The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) and Wenatchee River Institute (WRI), in collaboration with Tribal leaders, hosted a two-day immersive retreat designed to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities. Held November 4–5, 2025, at Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort—near the confluence of the Wenatchee and Icicle (na-sik-elt) Rivers—the Moving Beyond Land Acknowledgements retreat brought together 60 leaders from local nonprofits, school districts, agencies, and municipalities across the upper and lower Wenatchee Valley.

Through workshops, films, panel discussions, and shared dialogue, participants explored how to foster trust-based relationships, promote inclusive leadership, and advance Indigenous-led initiatives. The retreat’s goals centered on bridging gaps between organizations and Tribes, cultivating cultural humility, and equipping leaders with practical tools for deeper engagement.

Facilitated by Lynn Palmanteer-Holder, a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the event featured trainers John Sirois (CDLT Board Member & CCT Traditional Territories Advisor), Darnell Sam, and Kiana Sam of CCT Traditional Territories.

The retreat deepened understanding of Indigenous perspectives and reaffirmed a collective commitment to authentic partnership in North Central Washington.

 

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