Nisqually Indian Tribe responds to threats related to its quarantine site

Chairman Willie Frank III speaks directly to those who have concerns about Brighton Creek facility

Willie Frank III discusses threats to the Nisqually Indian Tribe property by people opposed to its COVID-19 quarantine site for its members.
Courtesy of Nisqually Indian Tribe
Posted

A new banner that reads “Nisqually ACTIVE COVID Quarantine Site” has frightened some anti-vaccination neighbors and generated calls and comments from as far away as New Mexico in recent days.

Last week the tribe placed the banner on the front gate of its Brighton Creek Healing and Retreat Center, which has been used by the Nisqually Tribe for the past 18 months to serve members who have or have been exposed to COVID-19 and need a safe place to quarantine.  The site is in rural Pierce County, not far from the Nisqually Indian Reservation near Yelm.  

Yesterday as many as 15 cars per hour were slowing down to take photos of the new sign, according to a tribal spokesperson. At one point approximately 20 people showed up together, to challenge the property’s caretaker, prompting him to call law enforcement.  

The concern expressed by people who are opposed to the facility is their belief that governments are creating quarantine “camps” to which they will exile people who are not vaccinated.     

Online comments have included:

“Unless they’re lying and it’s really just a place to house illegal aliens…”

“Also a great place to put homeless ppl from Seattle & Olympia to ballot harvest in a deep red county.”

“One of the most blatant use of boot on the neck threat outside of China. This is classic totalitarianism. Resist these bastards.”

A 45-second video posted on Twitter by “M!ssRepresentU” has been viewed by 10,400 people since it was posted at 10:48 a.m. on Monday. The video’s narrator talks about trees logged and a gate installed and ends with “everybody needs to see this. They’re doing it.”

Nisqually Tribe Responds

In an 89-second video issued today, Nisqually Indian Tribe Chairman Willie Frank III said, “The tribe owns the property, and it is a place for healing.”  He added “tribes are used to racism disguised as falsehoods,” and “we will not tolerate threats being made against our tribal members, health staff or any other staff, either in person or on the phone.  These falsehoods are very dangerous and very misleading. Please, please, listen to the facts.”

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