Feather Sams Huesties ’00: Blending of Cultures

Name: Feather Sams Huesties
Class Year: 2000
Current Job: Regional Development Officer at Business Oregon

Feather and I have been in touch this spring, and because of busy travel schedules, we conversed via email for this interview. Feather’s work keeps her in touch with a huge part of Oregon!

How are you involved in the Walla Walla Valley and in the community?

I live in northeastern Oregon, about 60 miles away from the Walla Walla community. I remain connected to the community through my work on the Whitman College President’s Advisory Board. This role allows me to engage with the college and the broader Walla Walla Valley, contributing to its growth and success. I am a gatherer with my sister and nieces for various first foods and medicines, and my husband and sons continue to harvest fish and game from these homelands.

What is something you’ve learned about this area that surprised you or that you weren’t expecting?

Walla Walla holds deep historical significance for me because my ancestors made their home in Frenchtown. Frenchtown families are a testament to the blending of cultures that shaped the Pacific Northwest, combining Indigenous, French and American influences into a unique community. One surprising thing I learned while in school was that Walla Walla, just 13 miles from Frenchtown, was once the largest city in the Pacific Northwest and even considered a potential capital of Washington Territory. In the mid-1800s, the area experienced a significant boom due to its strategic location as a trading post during the gold rushes in Idaho and Montana. By 1862, it had become the largest city in the region, surpassing both Seattle and Portland at that time.

How do skills that you learned at Whitman help you today?

Whitman taught me how to view the world through multiple perspectives, analyze written materials critically, and organize my thoughts effectively. It broadened my worldview, showing me that the world I knew was much larger and more diverse than I had imagined. Whitman also encouraged me to embrace other cultures and ideas and to find strength in those differences. Most importantly, I learned to be independent and at peace with the idea that differing perspectives can coexist—and that lasting friendships and bonds can still form despite those differences.

What is a way that Walla Walla is diverse?

For thousands of years, this region has been home to Indigenous peoples, including my ancestors. It later saw the influx of pioneers, the introduction of Christianity, and the signing of the Treaty of 1855 by tribal leaders. Walla Walla has grown into a place with a rich agricultural and industrial heritage. Over the last 25 years, I’ve watched Walla Walla transform into a vibrant community with a thriving downtown. The collaboration of civic leadership and private foundations has created a healthy economy with diverse employment opportunities in both public and private sectors. This region’s diversity is the culmination of decades of converging cultures—from Indigenous traditions to modern economic influences—and I’m confident that Walla Walla will continue to evolve as new ideas shape its future.

What should Whitman students know about our community that you haven’t mentioned yet?

This is a special place. Whether you choose to make your home here or are just passing through, please treat the land and its people with love and respect. Strive to leave it better than you found it. The history and culture of this region run deep, and being a part of it—even briefly—is a privilege.

What is your favorite thing about springtime in Walla Walla?

We are fortunate to experience all four seasons in this region, but there is something magical about spring. One of my favorite things is feeling the warmth of the day give way to the cool night. Spring is a time when the mountains and the valley come alive with renewed energy, and the beauty of the season is on full display. Recently, my sister and I stepped up to serve as cooks for the Root Feast gatherers—The Diggers. It is an honor to provide for those who open the land for the gathering season, carrying forward a tradition that brings life and connection to our homeland. This gathering is a powerful source of positive energy, and we warmly welcome Whitman students and staff to join us in celebrating the Root Feast.

Beyond the interview:

Feather Sams Huesties ’00 will be available for questions and further conversation this Wednesday, April 2, at noon in Reid Campus Center, Room 207. The Career and Community Engagement Center will provide lunch for the first 10 students in attendance. Questions or ideas or accommodation requests? Email Noah Leavitt at leavitns@whitman.edu.