HomeMy WebLinkAboutDISCUSSION re Letter of Support Geographic Name Application - UPDATED p CoNssr Board of County Commissioners
4ws cO,c! 1820 Jefferson Street
w PO Box 1220
Port Townsend, WA 98368
9SHINGS.O Heather Dudley-Nollette,District 1 Heidi Eisenhour,District 2 Greg Brotherton,District 3
August 24, 2026
Department of Natural Resources
Washington State Committee on Geographic Names
950 Farman Avenue N
Enumclaw, WA 98022
Re: Jefferson County Support of Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe's Geographic Name Application
Dear Honorable Committee Members on Geographic Names,
On behalf of Jefferson County, we are submitting this letter of support for the Port Gamble
S'Klallam Tribe's Geographic Name Application proposing a culturally and historically appropriate
name for the island connected to Indian Island. We are writing to express strong support for official
use of the name, "Duck Net Island."
The island currently colloquially known as "Rat Island" is a small, low-lying, uninhabited island
located at the mouth of Scow Bay. Since time immemorial, the S'Klallam peoples have historically
called this island"sxwta?yagarnaya"or"Duck Net Island." It is a well-documented cultural resource
site and wildlife sanctuary. Historical evidence affirms that the S'Klallam Tribes regularly visited
for purposes of hunting waterfowl. The current informal name for the island has no documented
historical basis nor relationship to the island as it exists today and instead conveys a degrading
sentiment to our indigenous communities. A formal recognition of"Duck Net Island"!
"sxwta?yagamaya"would serve as an opportunity to raise awareness of the island's history and role
in local indigenous culture.
Jefferson County has maintained a long-standing relationship and connection with our tribal
partners. We are supportive of this application and ask that you consider the proposed name.
Sincerely,
Heather Dudley-Nollette, Dist. 1 Heidi Eisenhour, Dist. 2 Greg Brotherton, Dist. 3- Chair
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Phone (360) 385-9100 jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us