June 20, 2009, what a day, what a crowd.  Long, warm and full of meaning for the over 250 people who gathered to share the unveiling of what is the world's first human figure sundial. It was also the first time Don Johnstad's song, The Healing Waters Calling was played, and the first time in over thirty years a large contingent of Colville tribal members gathered at the lake to share special memories with their anglo neighbors.

Raymond Gravelle kept all parts stitched together with his fabulous job of Master of Ceremonies.  And what a ceremony it was, including a presentation of flags by the American Legion and a heartfelt acknowledgment of veterans by Vietnam Vet Randy Downing.

Artists David Govedare and Keith Powell shared their experiences working on the project and conveyed their deep appreciation to the Colville tribal members who shared the days events. 

Guest speaker George Sharp from the Washington State Community Trade and Economic Development Department was downright eloquent with his four T's.  See the video for the first two.

The Colville tribal members were gracious, generous in comments and goodwill, and they made a great memory even better with their  friendship dance at the end of the event.

Wayne Hovde read a proclamation declaring the Solstice to be forever remembered the day of the calling of the healing waters.  Watching Wayne and Dorothy Downing cut the ribbon in front of the statue was priceless.  The video captures the highlights.

There is one notable happenstance that Saturday afternoon which lingers, and for me, is the quintessential take-away of the event, of the day and of Soap Lake. It unfolds like a story that will be told and retold by those who witnessed it.  It will resonate in the retelling as it did in the unfolding.  It is the story of illusion, imagination and hope.  It is the story of the great bald eagle who landed in a tree high above the crowd.  In the presence of so many indigenous people how could it not happen? Even the tribal councilman at the podium remarked on the great bird and referred to how it had protected him when he was a soldier.  Many in the crowd had  heard the whispered announcement that there was a bald eagle looking down from on high.

And lo, it came to pass that the visage of the great American icon was not winged, it was not warm-blooded, nor was it even a bird.  It really doesn't matter what it was, because for a short time it captured the imagination and spirited hopes of all who believed what they thought it was.  A perfect case to illustrate the vast difference between an adult who must see to believe and a child who simply believes because he/she imagines it so.

The subtext signified by the illusory bald eagle underpin the extraordinary history and nature of the lake and the town, and the ever hopeful resilient people who live here.