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Auburn proclaims "Brandon Moller Day" after DNR locates logs for Marshallese canoe project
Summary
The City of Auburn recognized a Washington State Department of Natural Resources assistant regional manager for locating large logs that enabled a 24-foot traditional Marshallese sail canoe carving project intended to support area youth.
The Auburn City Council on May 19 proclaimed the day in honor of Brandon Moller after the Washington State Department of Natural Resources located and arranged transport of logs that made a 24-foot traditional Marshallese sail canoe possible.
The proclamation, read by Mayor Nancy Backus, said the Auburn Blue Ribbon Committee, Healthy Auburn for Life, and the Washington Marshallese Community Association had been searching for suitable logs "4 feet in diameter" for months and that Moller located "two possible 40-foot long logs" and helped coordinate transport to Auburn. The proclamation designated May 19, 2025, as "Brandon Moller Day" in Auburn.
The city cited the canoe project as a youth-focused effort to provide alternatives to gang involvement and to teach ancestral canoe-carving skills. "This is a positive learning experience that promotes friendship, teamwork, and mutual respect while learning canoe carving skills of their ancestors and life skills in their new country," the proclamation said.
Brandon Moller, assistant regional manager for the DNR’s South Puget Sound Region, told the council, "It's been a great opportunity, and thanks, Pat, for reaching out. It's great to be a part of the Marshallese community and helping with the city and the community." Pat Bailey, introduced at the dais by the mayor, was acknowledged repeatedly for her organizing work on the project.
Also introduced were Wilson Gemna, described at the meeting as president of the Marshallese community from Seattle to Tumwater, and Eric Parker, identified as a chemist with Weyerhaeuser who volunteers with the group and speaks Marshallese.
The council’s proclamation framed the project as cultural education and a prevention effort: the 24-foot canoe builds both traditional skills and "life skills in their new country," it said.
The mayor presented a framed proclamation to Moller and thanked volunteers and community partners for their work on the project.
The city did not discuss any budget appropriation or ongoing city funding for the carving project during the proclamation presentation.
