Some of the people who live here only come two days a year.

Cedar Waxwings Settling in for the Night on Their Way North, Okanagan Landing

Without them, it would not be this place. This is why Indian Reserves and fences were set up in the Columbia Plateau by the U.S. Army: to keep settlers from learning about similar human methods of social organization among the Yakima, Walla Walla, Wanapum, Wenatchi, Sylix, Umatilla, Nez Perce, Methow, Sinixt, Sinlahekin, Similkameen, Sanpoil, and Palus people and all their relations. It’s good that the birds are still teaching us a better way, as they taught them.