Earth Day coming later this month

The Colville Tribes will hold their 10th annual Earth Day celebration at the Nespelem powwow grounds on April 19 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The event will include over 50 interactive and informational booths concerning things like recycling, natural energy, forestry, plant life, health and nutrition, and more.

A raffle at the event has “more prizes than ever,” according to Joaquin Bustamante, who heads the tribes’ recycling program.

“Loepps donated a stove, a microwave, and a twin bed,” Bustamante said. “Coulee Hardware donated a Traeger [grill].”

A free barbecued hot dog lunch will also be offered at the event.

Last year an estimated 1,500 people attended from all around Washington state.

A flier for the event highlights environmental factors such as bees (“One third of the food we eat would not be available if not for bees.”) and endangered species (“The number of animals living on the land has fallen by 40% since 1970.”, “It is estimated that humans have modified more than 50% of Earth’s land surface, which has affected many ecosystems.”)

“The Colville Tribes Earth Day Committee depends on a commitment from our Tribal Programs [and] surrounding communities, including local schools, businesses, and vendors, to share knowledge on how to become good stewards to the environment,” a notice from the Earth Day Committee says. “This task is serious as we face issues of climate change, including devastation to natural resources, while providing protection to wildlife. It is a responsibility we all must share as we find ways to resolve these issues and make changes in our lives to lessen the impact to the environment.”

The Colville Tribes Earth Day Committee is composed of Joaquin Bustamante from Colville Tribal Recycling, and Kathy Moses and Shelly Clark, from the tribes’ Environmental Trust program.