On October 13, 2002, Pacific Region Chief of Refuges Carolyn Bohan, the Chinook Tribe's Honorary Chief Cliff Snider, Assistant Secretary of the Interior Craig Manson, and Congressman Brian Baird joined together to light the first public fire in a hearth on the future site of the plankhouse. Over 150 people attended the ceremony, which was followed by a tour to the archaeological site of Cathlapotle, led by Professor Ken Ames of Portland State University.

The ceremony was one of many activities that took place during the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge's Birdfest. The annual event is held the second weekend in October to celebrate the fall migration of thousands of waterfowl, shorebirds, and neotropical birds along the Pacific Flyway.

Many of those same species were so abundant -- and vociferous -- when Lewis and Clark camped near the Refuge's Post Office Lake on November 4, 1805, that Clark complained the racket kept him awake all night!

Foreground, left to right: Chief of Refuges Carolyn Bohan, Congressman Brian Baird, Chief Cliff Snider, and Assistant Secretary Craig Manson light the hearth fire. Photo by Susan Saul, USFWS.

Chief Cliff Snider welcomes the crowd to the traditional homeland of the Chinookan people. The 76-year old retired teacher has been an advocate for the plankhouse since its inception. He also serves as the Tribe's ambassador for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. Photo by Susan Saul, USFWS.