1. What is the Homestream Park Stewardship Campaign?

This campaign is dedicated to securing the park’s enduring legacy by raising funds for its ongoing stewardship, educational programs, and community events. This Stewardship Fund will stay with the Park in-perpetuity. We are honored by the gift of Homestream Park and recognize the need to be responsible stewards of this place, far into the future.

Therefore we commit to raising $200,000 for a Stewardship Fund that will support land management, education, events, and public use of Homestream Park in-perpetuity.  Cathy and Phil Davis have generously seeded the fund with $100,000 and are hoping that our community will be inspired to match that.

2. Why is this campaign important?

Homestream Park, which stands as a testament to salmon, the Methow People, public education, and art, holds a unique place in the Methow Valley. Your support is crucial to the long-term stewardship of this place because the Stewardship Fund will serve as a cornerstone for ensuring the Park’s continued maintenance, preservation, and public accessibility. The Stewardship Fund will travel along with ownership of Homestream Park into the future.

Our intention is to gift Homestream Park and the Stewardship Fund to the original stewards of this place, the Methow People, when an Indigenous organization led by Methow People is formed and they are willing to accept this gift.

3. How can I donate to the campaign?

You can make a donation by clicking here (or clicking the “Donate Today” button on the campaign website). Your contribution, of any size, is important and makes a huge difference.

4. What is the goal of the campaign?

Our goal is to raise $200,000 by May 1, 2024. Cathy and Phil Davis have already seeded the fund with $100,000 and are hoping that our community will be inspired to match that.

5. Can I make a recurring donation?

Yes, on the donation page you have the option to make a one-time donation or set up a recurring donation to continue supporting the Homestream Park Stewardship Fund into the future.

6. Is my donation tax-deductible?

Yes, your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. You will receive a card in the mail with tax information after making a donation.

7. Where can I learn more about Homestream Park?

To discover more about Homestream Park’s history and significance, please visit the Homestream Park website.

8. How can I stay updated on the campaign’s progress?

You can track our campaign progress on the Homestream Park Stewardship Campaign page. Additionally, follow us on social media and sign up for our email list for regular updates and announcements.

9. Can I volunteer or get involved in other ways besides donating?

Certainly! We appreciate volunteers and community involvement. Contact us through the “Contact Us” page to learn more about volunteer opportunities and other ways to support our cause. You can also volunteer through The Methow Conservancy who is one of our key Stewardship Partners.

10. Who can I contact if I have more questions?

For additional inquiries or information not covered in our FAQ section, please reach out to us at mvinterpretivecenter@gmail.com or call our Executive Director, David LaFever, at 509-919-0686. We are happy to assist you.

11. What are your plans for Homestream Park, and how will you ensure long-term stewardship of this place?

As soon as we reach our fundraising goal for the Stewardship Fund, we will be putting together a Stewardship Council made up of local stakeholders. This Council will be made up of representatives from MVIC, the Methow People, The Methow Conservancy, Little Star School, and Community at-large members. It will be the Stewardship Council’s role to advise and organize the ongoing care of the park and plant for annual maintenance, care and community events. We will ensure on-going funding for Park maintenance, insurance, taxes, education programs, community events, and unforeseen needs by prudently managing the Stewardship Fund. This Fund will be established with the Community Foundation of North-central Washington through an Agency Fund ensuring professional investment management and oversight.

We will continue to organize volunteer work parties as needed and will offer educational programs and community events such as our annual Coming Home Celebration.

12. What was on the land or what was it used for before it was Homestream park? 

Before Cathy and Phil Davis purchased the land and turned it into what it is today (which was in 2019), the 2-acre lot was used for horses. There was once a house on the property that burned down in the 1940’s.

13. How do local tribal peoples use Homestream Park today?

Homestream Park is open to everyone! Local tribal people, including descendants of the Methow Tribe, regularly use the park as a place to connect with the land and waters of the Methow Valley, the place of their ancestors. It is also used as a place for ceremony, celebration and quiet contemplation.

14. How does this differ from Tribal land?

The vision for Homestream Park is that it will be held ‘in trust’ for the Methow People, who are one of the twelves bands that make up the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. We do not envision the park becoming part of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation but will remain with Methow Indigenous-led organization who will steward this place long into the future.

15. Where will the money be held?

The money will be held in a Stewardship Fund by that will be established with the Community Foundation of North-central Washington through an Agency Fund ensuring professional investment management and oversight. A responsible and prudent spending plan will be set up to ensure long-term viability of the Stewardship Fund.

16. Have you ever owned land before?

No but we are confident that we can responsibly own and manage Homestream Park through prudent actions such as establishing a Stewardship Fund and a guiding Stewardship Council.

17. Why can’t the land be given to the Methow People right now?

The land is being held ‘in-trust’ for the Methow people for now because a formal Methow descendants’ organization, which could potentially be able to take the land does not currently exist (although one is being formed). In the future, should this group decide that they are willing and able to take over the Park, MVIC has committed to transfer the Park to this organization.