I think the plaques idea is very good. In only one park I have seen is there a plaque that basically says this was the winter campground (I think) of this particular tribe, which I forget which one it was..but it is the Lewis and Clark park near Chehalis, Washington. I think these should at least be in all public lands. Now, Nahcotta, WA does have a plaque that says this was the summer camp of Chief Nahcotta.

There was, if not slavery, a form of indenture by Hudson's Bay of Hawaiaan people at Ft. Vancouver The King of Hawaii worked out a deal where his people would work for the fort and eventually be freed..many stayed on..hence the names Kalama WA and Aloha OR. They are excavating the Kanaka Village at Ft. Vancouver. More Hawaiaans than any other ethnic group worked there. Off the subject..a whole lot of Metis were on the original Lewis and Clark journey but you don't hear about it much.

More could be done on the plaques..not only recognizing the African Americans who built the buildings..but the Irish who carried the bricks and the Italians who carved the Frescoes..with their actual names if known. mg