Journey Through America’s Northwest

Change is hard. Economic recovery, infrastructure development, creating more equitable societies—these are all huge undertakings at a systems level. Could the action of one person affect change?

Arguably, yes. Systems are complex, but they are made up of people making decisions and taking actions. Leaders—through their words and their actions—drive systems change. 

Even though every place has its unique challenges and opportunities, one thing is constant: the leaders we met through RuraLead’s Pacific Northwest Journey are taking a holistic approach to create healthier, more sustainable, and equitable communities. It takes time, but it can be done. Here’s how.

Upcycle

When she spoke of upcycling, she was talking about her new enterprise. Upcycling means to take something used or discarded and to transform it into something that is beautiful and new. Danean described it as a way to create art, and as a grounding principal of her non-profit organization. To everyone listening, it was also a metaphor for how leaders have lifted up their communities into something of renewed value.

In a Complex World, Hope

In many places throughout the Northwest, rural and tribal people live adjacently, with different pasts but navigating a shared future.

Tribal members have had to learn to live in two worlds, reconciling an often brutal history dotted with unfair treaties. There are rural leaders who straddle the two worlds masterfully—and have led their communities towards innovation, investment, and healing.

Debra Whitefoot, of the Yakima Nation, explained that to secure housing for tribal members, she has to understand policies, laws, and procedures from two states, five counties, and dozens of tribal, and local entities. Even with all her professional experience and connections, it’s hard. It’s downright impossible for the very people who need help the most.

The way she gets through it is by finding shared hope. If she can rally different people around a common idea—for better health, stable housing, economic opportunities—then she can build partnerships. These collaborations help pave a less obstructed way forward.

Dave and JD Tovey agree. From their vantage point on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, people used to leave to make a living. As parents get older, some came back to offer care and to make a life on their ancestral lands. Over time, tribal members began to see more opportunity, even in the very treatises that have oppressed Native peoples for so long. Tribes are leveraging their fishing and commerce rights in new ways. Sustenance fishing became commercial fisheries. Selling baskets on the side of the road became successful resorts and casinos. With time, there’s an increase of business ideas, and with that, capital and investments into rural areas. 

Even in an impossibly complex world, leaders find hope. From there, they’ve shown how to create a better, more equitable future. 

Regeneration

For those who study economics, most of the Northwest industries are considered extractive. Historically, we have taken minerals from the land, timber from the forests, and fish from our waters. These natural resources provided for entire communities—until they no longer could. It’s oftentimes rural communities who suffer most when industries collapse.

Throughout the Northwest, you’ll find rural leaders who are revisioning extractive economies into regenerative ones. 

Salmon and timber is farmed not to the point of destruction for profit, but to be managed sustainably. Renewable practices benefit the species, the ecosystem, and the communities that depend on natural resources for their livelihood.

Far and Remote

Some rural communities are well developed and thriving. In other communities—especially far and remote communities—development continues to be a challenge. Things most Americans take for granted, like access to water, power, and Internet services, can be difficult. Health care, food, education, and other services are a formidable distance away. During a pandemic, this can be devastating. People who live in places like rural Alaska or Eastern Montana know all too well equitable development has a long way to go in America. 

Leaders in far and remote rural communities have their own unique brand of can-do attitude. But aside from geographic distance, leaders have reported that their work is often very isolating. Leaders in rural communities are often volunteers, taking on responsibilities without compensation, resources, or even adequate time to get things done. 

Rural leaders throughout the nation are seeking community. They need a support system. They ask for continual learning: what are promising models and best practices? They need help developing capacity in the next generation of leaders.

Change Takes Time

Whether tribal or rural, extremely remote or grappling with urban spread, every leader in the Pacific Northwest journey spoke eloquently about how the past shaped them, and how the future must lie in that same continuum.

Debra Whitefoot described it as an unwritten law: just as we benefited from the wisdom of our ancestors, every decision we make today needs to consider future generations.

Change takes time. Leadership takes time. Any investment into rural leadership must invest in the long-term health and well-being of not only the community, but especially of the leaders who work tirelessly to create a brighter tomorrow for all. 

About RDI

Rural Development Initiatives is a place-based organization working hand-in-hand with communities to strengthen rural people, places, and economies in the Pacific Northwest. RDI, along with its partners, created the RuraLEAD initiative.

The Northwest Journey was produced by Heidi Khokhar, Jennifer Groth, Freya Hendrickson, and Alison Cassin. Special thanks to Sarah Fox, host of Hear in the Gorge, for moderating the panel discussions with our rural leaders, and to Colton Clark for videography.