William Denison Layman, “River of Memory,” Columbia Magazine, Spring 2003: Vol. 17, Num. 1

The Wanapums, a small Native American band of about 100 people, live in a village by Priest Rapids as they have done since the time of the Ancients. Their lands once covered millions of acres; roots and salmon were plentiful. Their old tule mat village, P’na, stood alongside the rapids until the late fifties when it was flooded by the backwaters of Priest Rapids Dam. Lands for a newer village of modern homes and a well used long house were set aside at that time by Grant County Public Utility District as part of their ongoing commitment to promote and perpetuate Wanapum culture. While the dams have altered life immeasurably, many Wanapums work at Priest Rapids and Wanapum Dams, both licensed to Grant County PUD. In spite of enormous changes, Wanapums hold to their traditional ways and sacred teachings; their relationship to the river remains vitally strong.

According to Wanapum teaching, the world has gone through three major epochs. In each instance… Finish reading the River of Memory Article