Hundreds sat in the bleachers at Chief Leschi School’s gymnasium below dozens of flags of Indian tribes from around the country. Elders from the Nisqually Tribe stood near the half-court circle, eulogized the chief and recalled memories about Indian culture. Dozens stood in a circle and sang during a drumming ceremony.

It was the final ceremony of the inaugural, daylong “Honor & Celebration of Brothers,” which pays tribute to the lives of Chief Leschi of the Nisqally Tribe and his half-brother, Quiemuth.

Leschi was executed 150 years ago Tuesday after a conviction that proved controversial at the time and has since been vacated. Quiemuth was killed while in protective custody.

The festivities prove that much the times have changed, one participant said.

“To me, it’s phenomenal that we’ve reached a point that a Native American who was executed is honored and recognized,” John LaPointe said. “In the most elementary sense, he was a true American – fighting for freedom, fighting for democracy, fighting for his people.”

About 100 people met Tuesday morning at a marker in Lakewood erected in honor of Leschi. Three hundred yards away, the engraving reads, the chief was hanged 150 years ago today. They ran a 12½-mile course from the marker to Chief Leschi School.

Others participated in “unity walks” from Grandview Early Learning Center near Roosevelt Park to Leschi’s grave near the Church of the Indian Fellowship to Chief Leschi School in Puyallup.

At the grave, participants listened to speeches and offered a prayer for the chief. The walkers heading toward Chief Leschi School strode down the shoulder of Pioneer Way wearing bright yellow T-shirts bearing stenciled images of Leschi and Quiemuth between a drawing of Mount Rainier and writing in English and the Nisqually language.

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The folks who want to keep Faith Dairy in Summit-Waller have taken their battle online.

SaveFaithDairy.org provides background information and gives visitors a chance to help the cause.

The dairy at 3509 72nd St. E. closed last year. Its future hinges on what vision of the dairy and its property – 100 acres in Summit-Waller and 300 acres in Roy – survives. Sid Mensonides, who owns just over 50 percent of the company, wants to develop the 30 acres into a subdivision that would hold 16 housing units. His brother John, who owns the minority stake, wants to preserve the land and reopen the dairy with a new business plan.

The brothers aren’t talking directly anymore.

"Our current plan is to gather a consortium of conservation groups and private equity to invest in re-opening the dairy, preserving the land permanently, and putting together a non-profit to manage other activities on the land, such as educational opportunities, cultural activities, etc.," wrote organizer Andrew Bacon in an e-mail. "The possibilities are endless, but first, we need community support!

"We're collecting individual signatures and pledges from businesses which sell dairy products to support the idea that it is desired by the community as a whole and that the idea is an economically viable business."

Joggers jumped in place to stay warm in the cool, foggy elements. A tribal elder shared the despair of the past and hope for the future. Schoolchildren warbled songs in the Nisqually language to drumming.

It was the opening ceremony of “Honor & Celebration of Brothers,” which fêtes the lives of Chief Leschi of the Nisqally Tribe and his half-brother, Quiemuth.

“To me, it’s phenomenal that we’ve reached a point that a Native American who was executed is honored and recognized,” said John LaPointe before preparing to run 12½ miles from Lakewood to Chief Leschi School in Puyallup. “In the most elementary sense, he was a true American – fighting for freedom, fighting for democracy, fighting for his people.”

A group of about 100 people met in Lakewood near a marker erected in honor of Leschi. Three hundred yards away, the engraving reads, the chief was hanged 150 years ago today.

The celebrations will continue later today with a series of runs to places significant to the Nisqually Tribe and ending at Chief Leschi School. There, organizers will service lunch and present speeches and drumming ceremonies.

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I’ve reported an the closure Murray Morgan Bridge and its impact on local businesses, and Tom Rogers of Commencement Bay Marine Services e-mailed me over the weekend to voice his opinion:

The closure of the bridge has had multiple ramifications on our side. First the infrastructure is not designed to handle the increased traffic load, second all maps still show the bridge open, access to our business is difficult and finally the closure relegates the east side to second class citizenship.

The tragedy is the east side is a vital part of Tacoma with good paying jobs paying living wages. But we have a difficult time getting to and from there.

Portland Avenue is our main access route, but it is in disrepair. St Paul near the Foss Waterway has chuck holes in it, in which you could lose a car. Do not drive through the water puddles. East D Street is the main access to fuel farms which supply Tacoma’ service stations and “D” Street looks like a third world country road.

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The Rialto is hosting an Academy Awards party for all you movie buffs. The proceeds go to the Grand Cinema (can’t complain with that).

Here are the details:

What: Academy Awards Party
When: Sunday. Doors open at 4 p.m. Red carpet coverage begins at 5 p.m.
Price: $14 for members of the Grand and $17 for non-members.
Another reason why: Free food provided by Varsity Grill

More from the press release below:

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First stop for me today is the celebrations honoring Chief Leschi. Our story on it can be found here.

I’ll bring photos and updates from throughout the day.

Don’t wear yourself out voting today.