Yakama Nation, Yakima Chief Hops team up for community clean up in Wapato

WAPATO, Wash. — Yakama Nation tribal members teamed up with volunteers from Yakima Chief Hops to celebrate Earth Day with a community clean in the area of Donald Bridge in Wapato.

“This started with an idea that came in birth from someone who is not here with us today," Yakima Chief Hops Chief People Officer Lisa Garcia said.

For the past three years, the groups have worked together to beautify areas around the Yakama Reservation in desperate need of cleanup.

Yakama Nation Deputy Director of Culture Jerry Meninick said much of the garbage scattered around these areas is left by people living in encampments along the Yakima River.

"There’s no garbage containers or anything, you know, so they just leave the things there," Meninick said.  “We see the scars of the invasion down there.”

Meninick said it was important to clean this particular area along the river because of its cultural significance, as it's where their ancestors used to live.

“Hopefully, people will begin to understand that this land does belong to us and hopefully avoid going back there and trashing the place," Meninick said.

Yakima Chief Hops officials said they’re hoping to eventually do cleanups like this multiple times a year.

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