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Wanapum Elder Ernestine Conner gives students a close-up look at hand-woven textiles during Archaeology Days at the Wanapum Heritage Center at Priest Rapids Dam last October. The Wahluke Warriors will continue to use the Warrior moniker which was developed in cooperation with the Wanapum and is considered a celebration of Wanapum culture by the school district and nearby tribal leaders.

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The Warrior stands
February 8, 2023 1:30 a.m.

The Warrior stands

To the Wanapum, Yakama, Wahluke School District and Mattawa, iconic image is more than school mascot

MATTAWA — To the Wanapum, residents of Mattawa and the Wahluke School District, the Wahluke Warrior is a symbol of a longstanding and valuable relationship, one that goes beyond the school. Alyssa Buck of the Wanapum Interface Office said the ties between the Wanapum, the WSD and the town of Mattawa go back decades. “The school district has been consulting with the Wanapum. They were, I guess, collaborating with the Wanapum before the warrior was even selected. The Wanapum leader(ship) had a big part in that,” Buck said...