Native historian Randy Lewis to lead final WVMCC tour of 2024

WENATCHEE—The Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center (WVMCC) is taking registrations for its final public guided tour of the year, led by Randy Lewis, a Native P’Squosa Washingtonian and lifelong local historian. 

Born on the Colville Indian Reservation, Lewis grew up in the Central Washington area with his family, moving from town to town as the US government repeatedly displaced them through violent and illegal means. Spending his childhood in Methow, Vantage, and eventually finishing school at Wenatchee Heights, Lewis fostered an intimate web of connection and cultural understanding of the many Indigenous people who have lived in North Central Washington for thousands of years. 

Passed on to him by his grandparents and his deep community connections, Lewis holds a massive knowledge of historical and cultural information relating to Indigenous experiences in NCW. He is also a lifelong activist for Indigenous rights, helping to lead the famous Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1969 as well as forming the American Indian Student Union at Western Washington University. 

After fighting for Indigenous rights all across the country, Lewis returned to Washington and worked out of the Seattle area before settling back down in Wenatchee to help complete his grandfather’s dream of returning the face of the Indigenous people to the Wenatchee area. In doing so, Lewis now works with WVMCC to lead educational tours and record important videos about ongoing Indigenous experiences and histories of the local area. 

“Yeah, she kind of dragged me into a whole bucket list that she inherited from her father, my grandfather, Jerry Miller,” Lewis chuckled, thinking of his mother, who convinced him to continue his grandfather’s local dreams. “One of the key points on the bucket list was bringing the face of the Wenatchi (P’Squosa) back to Wenatchee, bringing the face of our people back here, since we were driven off here at the turn of the century.” 

Lewis’ upcoming tour starts at WVMCC at 8:45 am, September 14, and begins with a deep dive into the Wanapum Heritage Center, located along the Columbia River. At the Heritage Center, participants can immerse themselves in the rich cultures, stories, and experiences of the Wanapum people who continue to live on the Columbia River, their deeply rooted home for millennia. 

Following an insightful visit to the Wanapum Heritage Center, the tour stops at the nearby Ginkgo Petrified Forest to admire Washington’s ancient and complex geological beauty as Lewis shares his detailed knowledge of its history and cultural connections. 

Jamie Johnson, WVMCC Curator of Education and Programs, loves joining Lewis on his tours around NCW. 

“A tip for tour goers is to keep your eye on Randy,” Johnson shared. “Even if it’s break time, sometimes he’ll break into a story about his local family lore… you don’t want to miss those little nuggets along the way.”

Throughout the entire tour, Lewis imparts these impromptu nuggets of lore onto participants, revealing P’Squosa origin stories connected directly to iconic NCW landmarks like the Peshastin Pinnacles and the Stemilt Spires. 

WVMCC's program and Tour Coordinator, Jeff Becklund, takes great pleasure in working alongside Lewis and helping to plan his tours.

When asked about his favorite part about managing tours with Lewis, Becklund responded, “his wit, humor, and depth of knowledge of ancient culture… It’s a great opportunity, I wouldn’t pass it up.

This exciting September 14 tour begins at WVMCC at 8:45 am.

To register for the event and to learn more about future WVMCC events, visit their official website at wenatcheevalleymuseum.org. 

Will Nilles: (509) 731-3211 or will@ward.media