Hi All,

Excuse me if I've missed a post regarding Gene Hunn's move to California but
I do not see anything mentioning Gene's professional contributions. Gene was
Professor of Anthropology at the University of Washington for many years.
One of his important contributions in this field, was an in-depth study of
the Indians and their ties to the land, published in his memorable treatise
Nch'i-Wana, "The Big River" (Univ of WA. 1990). This book provides tons of
new insight into how the Yakamas and other peoples of the region utilized
their environment; From the Introduction: "The land through which the Big
River runs is in fact more than a stage; the land is protagonist.The Indian
people have always seen the land that way. They speak of the earth as their
Mother upon whose nurturing breast they rest. This is a powerful ecological
image. Euro-Americans view "Mother Nature" in a different light, as an enemy
to be contested: either we rule the land or are defeated in the
attempt...land is a power to be set in harness as the mighty Columbia River
has been tamed...the land is a commodity to be sold, an instrument for the
production of wealth."

Study of this book has greatly helped in in my understanding of the Columbia
Basin shrub-steppe and Cascade east-slopes environment. Get Nch'i-Wana for
the rest of the story.

Best wishes Gene; you're contributions, both to the World of Birds, and
professionally, will be remembered.

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA
steppie at nwinfo.net