New Year - New Skin
The Chinese Zodiac has provided some natural guidance in our new look. According to Chinese Zodiac 2025 is year of the Snake where it provides time to shed your old skin. Taking the time to inventory where you are in your journey and focus on what brings you to your main purpose. Our main purpose is to tell the story of Chief Leschi and Medicine Creek Treaty. In 2026 the Horse is at the forefront brining enthusiasm, fire and purpose. The Horse is fitting in so many ways for the future of L3 as we begin our deep dive into the history of horses at Nisqually. The Horse also ignites our fire to bring to life the resources you need to engage in this initiative.
That is exactly where Leschi Learning Legacy (L3) is today. We took the long road in our self reflection process and have attended to things in order to close out 2025 in a good way. That included our scholarship efforts. We were able to give scholarships to amazing Native American students since 2018 who were not eligible for tribal education dollars, however they were making a big mark in Indian Country with their work.
To everyone of the students we were able to support, we raise our hands to you! May you continue the excellent work you do for many more years in Indian Country. You make a difference.
Now, we light a new fire and we introduce a new look to our L3 website and bring a new energy that we hope will serve you. What is new?
Our logo: is focused on the image of Leschi. His image is so powerful and brings the message that he wanted his future generations to share. He wanted us all to know this story that L3 tells and apply the lessons that providing meaning for today.
Our look: new blue and yellow prominent colors create a new level of energy when viewing our pages and are intended to light your fire to learn more about the history of Leschi.
Drum Roll Please!!!!!
Our Digital Library! It is finally well underway. We are opening our new website with historical documents, photo’s, maps and video that are all related to the story of Leschi and Medicine Creek Treaty.
We are also including updated content created by Cynthia Iyall to include more current information on this topic including the exoneration of Chief Leschi.
It is a work in progress and we will continue to add to the library regularly.
This site is intended for educators, students, historians and all Washingtonians. Anyone interested in this history. We have done the work of gathering the resources for you. Why? Because we want you to learn this and share it. Just as Chief Leschi directed in his last words.
In addition, we provide interviews and personal consultations for your work in this subject.
Welcome to the New Skin of L3! Enjoy the content and please, engage with us on any level of your project. We would love to work with you.
Happy Browsing!
Cynthia Iyall
Executive Director of L3
7/7/2026
We Tell the Story
I have told the Leschi story to over 1400 people so far in 2026. The feedback I receive is always so endearing and positive. People want to know the history of where they live and breathe. It’s enlightening and told in a way that all can relate to it and apply the lessons of Leschi to their own lives.
Those who heard this story include all the North Thursday School District 7th graders for their Washington State History lessons. This is an important lesson that addresses the important of Since Time Immemorial teachings. (STI). It is a tremendous joy to tell this and talk with students. Also included are employees from Mount Rainer Parks, Northwest Trek and Nisqually Tribe. Future engagements include Pacific Lutheran University.
I’ve been telling this story for over twenty years now and it has definitely taken the long route to hone in the most important details. Tribal Historian Cecilia Carpenter told me that to tell this story properly these five pieces must be included to be clear as they follow the historical timelines of Nisqually and Leschi. Begin with the people, explorers and Land Donation Act; then be detailed in the Medicine Creek Treaty and Leschi pieces to complete.
After pairing up with Cecilia on the Leschi Exoneration (I was merely a runner for her getting what she needed to build this case) we were left with another story to tell. Cecilia challenged me to write the last Chapter on Leschi and tell the importance of her work. This is another project being developed in sync with the L3 digital library.
There is a dedicated section in the L3 digital library titled Cecilia Carpenter. Peruse this section to see her work and timelines. She dedicated her life to this work. We are so fortunate to have access to it.
Read On & Enjoy!!
Cynthia