Blessing of the totem, photo by Kai McMurtry
In September, Sierra Club Oregon hosted the Portland stop on the Way of the Masks journey, a two-week, nine-stop mobilization that brought 1,500 people together across the Northwest to defend the Roadless Rule, and protect intact landscapes across the region. Coming right at the end of the administration's rushed 21-day comment period, this Indigenous-led campaign helped drive momentum for the 625,000+ comments submitted nationwide (including our 42,000+ from Sierra Club activists).
I would be hard-pressed to think of any single Indigenous-led environmental campaign in recent memory that could more than match the passion, alignment, collaboration, reach, and impact of xaalh and the Way of the Masks campaign. It brought together Native Nations, intertribal organizations, environmental groups, the faith community, artists and artisans, media influencers, and content creators to honor xaalh (“the sacred balance”).
- Dr. Kurt Russo, Executive Director
Si'Se'Le
Hosted by Se'Si'Le with Sierra Club coordinating logistics for the journey and hosting several stops, the journey featured Lummi Master Carver Jewell James traveling with a carved totem pole and seven cedar masks. His message was direct: "Time is working against us," but we must "exercise your first rights, gather, petition your grievances, speak out." The timing couldn't have been better, and as it became clear that proper Tribal consultation hadn't occurred on the Roadless repeal, Native Organizers Alliance and other groups jumped in, amplifying the message.
Angela Sondenaa (Siletz) receiving the journey's carved cedar mask
The nine events ranged from intimate gatherings to packed rallies where we had to scramble for extra chairs. Speakers and NGOs varied at each stop, and included Angela Sondenaa (Siletz), Ruben George (Tsleil-Waututh), and Kayeloni Scott (Nez Perce), alongside faith leaders, musicians, and partner organizations like Save Our Wild Salmon, Firefighters United For Safety Ethics and Ecology (FUSEE), and the Interfaith Peace and Justice Center.
In Portland we were fortunate to hear remarks from Rabbi Benjamin Barnett of Havurah Shalom, Madeline Cowen of Cascadia Wildlands, Angela Sondenaa of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Tim Ingalsbee of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, & Ecology, Kurt Russo of Se'Si'Le, and Lummi Nation master carver Jewell James.
Sierra Club Oregon's Kai McMurtry speaking at the Portland tour stop
What made this journey special was how it wove together Treaty rights, salmon recovery, healthy watersheds, climate resilience, and forest protection into one narrative, showing that the Roadless Rule sits at the nexus of all these issues. In the Pacific Northwest these areas include critical spawning habitat, sacred sites, and drinking water sources for millions. As one participant noted, gathering in community around these issues was the best antidote to burnout we could ask for.
What's Next
The Forest Service is reviewing the more than 600,000 Roadless Rule comments and must prepare an environmental impact statement. We expect that statement to be released in the first part of 2026 and a final decision on the Roadless Rule in late 2026. We know that this administration is hostile towards our public lands and together we will keep fighting to protect them.