Amidst the enchanting beauty of clumps of emerald trees and lush, moss-covered hills in the countryside outside Seattle, Washington, lies a place of magic: Snoqualmie Falls, nestled between Snoqualmie and Fall City. Journeying along the winding, rugged country roads brought back nostalgic memories of the charming landscapes of my beloved homeland, Sri Lanka. Above all, the beauty of Snoqualmie Falls is unsurpassed by any other tropical waterfall of its kind.
This picturesque 268-foot waterfall cascades against a breathtaking natural forest landscape composed of long-lived, tall, moss-covered trees and lush vegetation. Wild berries and ferns add intricacies to the landscape. It is no wonder that this panoramic view serves as a scenic backdrop for the surrounding neighborhoods and attracts millions of tourists, making it a popular local and tourist destination. Trailheads, large parking lots, recreation areas, viewpoint decks, and steep, wide, zigzagging trails carved through the natural habitat have transformed this natural wonder into a recreational destination that charms a constant flow of visitors.
The modern development plan, which is consumer-driven and economic-centric, has harnessed the power of the Snoqualmie River by diverting a significant portion of its flow to generate electricity through two hydroelectric power plants. These power plants have faithfully served the neighboring cities for over a century. The first power plant, built by Puget Power in 1899, is said to be the “world’s first completely underground power plant.”
While this radical expansion around Snoqualmie has left a dramatic footprint on the Snoqualmie River basin, the waterfall, and the entire biome, changing its ecosystem and the native spirit of the place to serve the needs of the majority of mankind, myriad native flora and fauna still call this place home. While modern development has its pros and cons, these gigantic projects seem to have erased the original identity of this place and created a new meaning that keeps its authentic spirit silent.
Many visitors from around the world who travel to see this beautiful cascading waterfall may not know the importance of this land to the Snoqualmie Tribes, the original inhabitants of this sacred place. Behind this beautiful landmark lies a sad story: the plight of the Snoqualmie Tribes. According to the Snoqualmie Tribe’s educational materials (n.d.), Snoqualmie Falls is the birthplace of the Snoqualmie People. For generations, they lived in and cared for the beautiful Snoqualmie Valley and its resources as priceless gifts from their Creator, while respecting the land’s natural character. The valley has provided a rich abundance of native edible produce for the Snoqualmie people for thousands of years. Their deep spiritual connection to the Falls and Snoqualmie Valley has defined who they are for generations (Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, n.d.). Unfortunately, a substantial portion of their land and water was affected by large-scale development, creating a contested environment and disrupting their daily rituals. Without the mist and silence they needed, they found it difficult to continue their practices as before. As a result, the cultural identity and sacred meaning connected to these grounds may also begin to fade.
The same landscape has both provided power for modern communities and carried deep cultural meaning for the Snoqualmie Tribes. Therefore, this narrative calls for empathy and understanding toward the original users of a place, and for their calls for justice and fairness to be heard with compassion and respect. After all, Indigenous communities are among those who have been practicing sustainable and respectful ways of understanding and caring for the environment since the beginning.
Puget Sound Energy — Snoqualmie Falls
Reference:
Jay, M. (n.d.). Snoqualmie Falls: Sacred Grounds Transformed by the Power of Technology. Retrieved from https://sites.coloradocollege.edu/indigenoustraditions/sacred-lands/snoqualmie-falls-sacred-grounds-transformed-by-the-power-of-technology/
Stein, A. J. (1998, October 19). Snoqualmie Falls hydroelectric plant. HistoryLink. https://www.historylink.org/File/281
Snoqualmie Indian Tribe. (n.d.). Valley of the Snoqualmie map. https://snoqualmietribe.us/valley-of-the-snoqualmie-map/
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