Shawnee Tribe Names 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
Monongahela National Forest announced today that the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree has been named “wa’feem’tekwi” by the Shawnee Tribe. The name means “bright tree” in the Shawnee language and is pronounced phonetically “wa thame tech we”.
“We are grateful for the strong relationship the Eastern Region of the Forest Service has with the Shawnee Tribe,” said Regional Forester Gina Owens. “And we deeply appreciate the name they have bestowed on the tree that will be harvested from Monongahela National Forest this holiday season.”
The tribe has also contributed handmade ornaments and messaging for the educational exhibit that will tour with the tree in November. After the holidays, the Shawnee Tribe will use wood from the tree at their ceremonial grounds in White Oak, Oklahoma.
The Forest Service invited the Shawnee Tribe to name the tree as part of the ongoing celebration of the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree initiative and to honor the agency’s unique nation-to-nation relationship with the Shawnee Tribe.
“On behalf of Monongahela National Forest, I’d like to thank the Shawnee Tribe for naming this special tree. Names are important and “wa’feem’tekwi” reminds us of our connection to the Shawnee Tribe and the importance of our mutual relationship,” said Shawn Cochran, forest supervisor for Monongahela National Forest. “This is the third time Monongahela National Forest has provided the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree from West Virginia.”
About the Shawnee Language Immersion Program
In 2020, almost immediately following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, Shawnee Tribe leadership declared a state of emergency for the Shawnee Language, and the Decade of Shawnee began. The Shawnee Language Immersion Program (SLIP) initially started with in-person classes in three Oklahoma communities but moved to virtual classes due to the dangers posed by the pandemic. SLIP is now able to reach all Shawnees across the continent and even the globe!
First language Shawnee speaker George Blanchard helps the language department by creating a curriculum true to Shawnee culture. SLIP focuses on auditory learning and prioritizes speaking Shawnee over reading and writing. The team has also developed an online dictionary and archive through the Indigenous Languages Digital Archive and continues adding words as the program grows. SLIP’s goal is for all Shawnees to have access to language resources to ensure Shawnee can be used in daily life again.
Learn more about the Shawnee Tribe and the Shawnee Language Immersion Program at https://www.shawnee-nsn.gov/. A spokesperson for the Shawnee Tribe is available for media inquiries at media@shawnee-tribe.com.
About the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
Since 1970, the Forest Service has been providing a tree harvested from a national forest to serve as the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. This year, the selected tree is a 63-foot Norway spruce located on the Greenbrier Ranger District in Randolph County, home to the Supervisor’s Office for Monongahela National Forest. This annual project is made possible with support from partners, including non-profit Choose Outdoors, along with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small, as well as volunteers locally and across America. We invite you to follow the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative at https://www.uscapitolchristmastree.com.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTERS
SAF represents forestry professionals and advances sustainable management of forest resources through science, education, and technology. Learn more at eforester.org.
The project was led by student Antwan Davis-Mccleary Jr. and took about two weeks including both design and construction. Ron Hartle, lead carpentry instructor, designed the trees, and the students built them. A base was also built to support each tree, and both displays were sealed with a protective coating.
Following the tree tour, the interactive exhibit will be used during conservation education programs in local schools. “The wooden trees will be used in various ways, including teaching about the importance of trees and their role in the environment and discussing the importance of forest management,” according to Amy Lovell, education specialist for Monongahela National Forest.
Werner was selected as the hauler for this year’s tree at the recommendation of Kenworth Truck Company and based on industry reputation, according to Bruce Ward, president of Choose Outdoors, the non-profit partner assisting the USDA Forest Service in coordinating the annual initiative. The tree will be harvested from the Monongahela National Forest in early November, followed by a journey with special events in communities throughout the state before being delivered to Washington, D.C. Werner Enterprises also will deliver thousands of handmade ornaments made by West Virginians along with smaller trees for military families stationed at Joint Base Andrews donated by presenting sponsor, 84 Lumber.
Werner is an asset-based logistics provider and the sixth-largest truckload carrier in the United States. Beginning with a single truck purchased by founder Clarence L. (CL) Werner in 1956, the company today delivers world-class supply chain solutions to the global marketplace responsibly and safely – operating nearly 8,300 tractors and 30,000 trailers, with the help of more than 14,000 associates across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Approximately 20 percent of Werner’s workforce are military veterans. Werner has offices and terminal locations throughout North America, with headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Since 2022, the company received more than 30 awards recognizing its efforts in making a difference through sustainability, safety, and serving local communities.
Jesus Davila joined Werner in 2018 and has more than 550,000 accident-free miles. As a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran of 12 years, he was deployed more than six times including during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraq Freedom. He received multiple awards in the military including and an Infantry Purple Heart with two personal decorations with valor and two combat action ribbons. He is part of Werner’s Operation Freedom Fleet for military veterans and connects with students in truck driving schools across the country. Jesus serves as an ATA America’s Road Team Captain, Werner Road Team Captain and Driver Leader. He also is part of the Dollar Elite Team and Leader Advisory Council at Werner, where he makes a positive impact on his fellow professional drivers. Jesus was also nominated by Werner for the Texas Driver of the Year Award and the TA Citizen Driver Award. When he is not on the road, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Michelle, and their children.
Tim Dean joined Werner in 1988 and become the second professional driver in Werner’s history to achieve five million accident-free miles. In 2009-2010 he served as an ATA America’s Road Team Captain and has been a Werner Road Team Captain and mentor since 2005. Tim has competed in the Nebraska Truck Driving Championships for 22 years, placing first in his class nine times and was Grand Champion two times in 2012 and 2018. He was awarded the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance IDEA (International Driver Excellence Award) in 2019. In addition, Tim was the Nebraska Trucking Association Driver of the year in 2019. When he is not on the road, he enjoys spending time with his family in Griswold, Iowa.
Gina Jones joined Werner in 2012 and has achieved more than one million accident-free miles. She serves as both an ATA America’s Road Team Captain and a Werner Road Team Captain. As a strong advocate for women in the trucking industry, Gina actively participates in Women in Motion, an initiative of the American Trucking Associations. Gina has also been named Team Driver of the Month at Werner and has received nominations for the company’s Acceleration Award along with the Women in Trucking Association’s Female Driver of the Year Award. In 2023, she was a finalist for the TA Citizen Driver Award. She and her husband, Steve, are team drivers and members of Werner’s Operation Freedom Fleet and connects with students in truck driving schools across the country. When she is not on the road, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and riding her Harley.
Steve Jones joined Werner in 2011 and has achieved more than one million accident-free miles. As a U.S. Army Veteran of seven years, he and his wife, Gina, are part of Werner’s Operation Freedom Fleet for military veterans and connects with students in truck driving schools across the country. Steve serves as a Werner Road Team Captain, Driver Leader and participates in various other committees throughout the company that positively impact professional drivers. He has also been named Team Driver of the Month at Werner and was nominated for the company’s Acceleration Award. When he is not on the road, he enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and riding his Harley.
