{"id":22032,"date":"2026-06-16T05:56:48","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T00:26:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/a-native-naming-ceremony-welcomes-newly-discovered-spider-into-community-of-the-land\/"},"modified":"2026-06-16T05:56:48","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T00:26:48","slug":"a-native-naming-ceremony-welcomes-newly-discovered-spider-into-community-of-the-land","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/a-native-naming-ceremony-welcomes-newly-discovered-spider-into-community-of-the-land\/","title":{"rendered":"A Native naming ceremony welcomes newly discovered spider into community of the land"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p><iframe title=\"Everlit Audio Player\" src=\"https:\/\/everlit.audio\/embeds\/artl_1Po8xtlgnmQ?ui_title_intro=Listen+now%3A&amp;client=wp&amp;client_version=3.1.5\" width=\"100%\" height=\"136px\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>PORTLAND, Ore. \u200a(RNS and NPR) \u2014 A few years ago, Greta Binford was hiking in the Columbia River Gorge when she saw a spider that \u201clooked different from anything that I normally see when I roll over rocks and logs in this area,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>An evolutionary biologist at Lewis &amp; Clark College in Portland, Oregon, she thought the spider looked liked a Trogloraptor \u2014 a distinctive family of spiders that have a small extra hook on the end of their feet, which make them better at pouncing on and biting other spiders. The family only contained one known species, which lives about 350 miles away.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Over the next few years, Binford found more of these mystery spiders that her lab observed, analyzed and tested. It was, in fact, a Trogloraptor, but a new species. And when a new species is discovered, scientists get the honor of naming it, usually something that reflects the organism\u2019s characteristics or some source of inspiration. But Binford\u2019s lab decided to share it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe had an idea, really spearheaded by my student, Madeline Jones, who suggested, \u2018Why don\u2019t we reach out to the local tribes and see if they have an idea for a name?\u2019\u201d Binford said.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<hr\/>\n<p>Binford\u2019s lab reached out to the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, which coordinates management and fishery services for several Native tribes in the area, for help finding a name that would be significant to the tribes that traditionally lived in that area. The group connected the lab with Donella Miller, a biologist with the commission and a member of the Yakama Nation.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4264173\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 750px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4264173\" src=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming2.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming2-427x285.jpg 427w, https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming2-807x538.jpg 807w, https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming2-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming2-380x253.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\"\/> <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text edd-enabled\"><span class=\"caption\">Multiple samples of Trogloraptor tulishpun in the lab of Greta Binford on June 9, 2026. (Photo by Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America)<\/span><span class=\"credit\"\/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cI totally nerded out,\u201d Miller said, laughing\u200a. \u201cI thought it was the coolest thing in the world, right? A new species and being able to be a part of the naming of that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She added, \u201cHonestly, acknowledging the First People, the Indigenous people who live in that area, and bringing them into it, it kinda seems like this is what should\u2019ve been done all along.\u201d \u200a<\/p>\n<p>Miller helped the lab connect with Anthony Washines, an elder who grew up speaking Sahaptin, the native language traditionally spoken in that region. And after reflecting, Washines selected the name <a href=\"https:\/\/mapress.com\/zt\/article\/view\/zootaxa.5828.1.5\">Trogloraptor tulishpun,<\/a> which means cave predator, honoring the spider\u2019s role as a hunter.<\/p>\n<p>Binford\u2019s paper was accepted, and the spider was sent to the Smithsonian. But as Miller and Washines emailed back and forth about the name, Miller joked that because the spider was given a Native name it meant they would need to have a naming ceremony, referring to a formal bestowing of a name in Native traditions. It is seen as a way to welcome that individual and mark their place in the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u200a\u201dYou\u2019re introducing yourself to the land and to our people so that you\u2019ll be recognized,\u201d Miller explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<div class=\"rns-gallery-host\"><rns-gallery data-layout-style=\"embed\"><\/p>\n<p>\n                        <rns-gallery-slide data-attachment-id=\"4264187\" data-text-color=\"#ffffff\" data-background-color=\"#000000\" data-text-position=\"bottom-right-text\" data-type=\"image\" data-embed-src=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming8.jpg\" data-fullscreen-src=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming8.jpg\"><br \/>\n                        Donella Miller holds up a hand-painted image of Trogloraptor tulishpun that was given to Greta Binford on June 10, 2026. (Photo by Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America)<br \/>\n                        <\/rns-gallery-slide><\/p>\n<p>                        <rns-gallery-slide data-attachment-id=\"4264178\" data-text-color=\"#ffffff\" data-background-color=\"#000000\" data-text-position=\"bottom-right-text\" data-type=\"image\" data-embed-src=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming4.jpg\" data-fullscreen-src=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming4.jpg\" style=\"display: none\"><br \/>\n                        Greta Binford holds up samples of the spider species she discovered, Trogloraptor tulishpun, in her lab at Lewis and Clark College, June 9, 2026, in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America)<br \/>\n                        <\/rns-gallery-slide><\/p>\n<p>                        <rns-gallery-slide data-attachment-id=\"4264179\" data-text-color=\"#ffffff\" data-background-color=\"#000000\" data-text-position=\"bottom-right-text\" data-type=\"image\" data-embed-src=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming5.jpg\" data-fullscreen-src=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming5.jpg\" style=\"display: none\"><br \/>\n                        Attendees from the Trogloraptor tulispun\u2019s naming ceremony on June 10, 2026 at Herman Creek Campground in the Columbia River Gorge. The naming ceremony was complete with song, dance, gift giving and a light lunch. (Photo by Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America)<br \/>\n                        <\/rns-gallery-slide><\/p>\n<p>                        <rns-gallery-slide data-attachment-id=\"4264181\" data-text-color=\"#ffffff\" data-background-color=\"#000000\" data-text-position=\"bottom-right-text\" data-type=\"image\" data-embed-src=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming6.jpg\" data-fullscreen-src=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming6.jpg\" style=\"display: none\"><br \/>\n                        Yakama citizens Aleeyah McJoe, 12, from left, Ava McJoe, 11, and her sister, Toppenish Creek Jr. Queen Audrina McJoe, 12, pack gifts for naming ceremony attendees on June 10, 2026. Gift giving is an important part of Yakama naming ceremonies, said Donella Miller, Yakama, fish science manager at Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. (Photo by Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America)<br \/>\n                        <\/rns-gallery-slide><\/p>\n<p>                        <rns-gallery-slide data-attachment-id=\"4264182\" data-text-color=\"#ffffff\" data-background-color=\"#000000\" data-text-position=\"bottom-right-text\" data-type=\"image\" data-embed-src=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming7.jpg\" data-fullscreen-src=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming7.jpg\" style=\"display: none\"><br \/>\n                        A sample of Trogloraptor tulishpun, a new arachnid discovered by Greta Bindford in the Columbia River Gorge in 2021. (Photo by Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America)<br \/>\n                        <\/rns-gallery-slide>\n                    <\/p>\n<p><\/rns-gallery><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p>This past week, several dozen tribal members and scientists gathered under the hemlocks and fir trees near where Trogloraptor tulishpun was found for that ceremony. Washines led the ceremony honoring the scientists who found the spider, the tribes who have cared for the land and the spider itself. He led the group in a traditional naming song, a recitation of the name and a gifting to elders, scientists and all who were gathered to bear witness.<\/p>\n<p>A few spiders were gathered by Binford and local cavers to receive their name, and then returned back to the nearby caves.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<hr\/>\n<p>Washines said he knows people will see tulishpun as a small thing, but it\u2019s significant because not every creature has its place. This little spider has been in the same place even when Washines\u2019 people were not.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe were literally herded to a reservation,\u201d he said. \u201cUp in the high desert plateau, which was not our land. But he (the spider) stayed here, and remained. \u2026 He still took care of this land.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Usually the discovery of a new species is celebrated with a pizza party in a lab, maybe a nod from the college dean as an academic milestone. But for Trogloraptor tulishpun, the naming became a gathering of scientists and citizens, of human and animal, to name all those who make up the land and to honor the connections between them.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_4264176\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"width: 750px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4264176\" src=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming3.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming3-427x285.jpg 427w, https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming3-807x538.jpg 807w, https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming3-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/religionnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/webRNS-Spider-Native-Naming3-380x253.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\"\/> <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text edd-enabled\"><span class=\"caption\">Neil Marchington, caver and director for Western Cave Conservancy, from left, Yakama elder Tony Washines, Greta Binford, arachnologist, Madeline Jones, researcher and Finn Watson, researcher, stand before attendees at the spider naming ceremony at Herman Creek Campground on June 10, 2026, while Binford shares information about the Trogloraptor tulishpun. (Photo by Lyric Aquino, Underscore Native News + Report for America)<\/span><span class=\"credit\"\/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>This story was produced through a collaboration between NPR and RNS.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/06\/14\/nx-s1-5850326\/in-oregon-a-newly-discovered-species-of-spider-got-its-own-name-and-naming-ceremony\">Listen to the radio version of the story.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 1 -->\n        <\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/religionnews.com\/2026\/06\/15\/a-native-naming-ceremony-welcomes-newly-discovered-spider-into-community-of-the-land\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PORTLAND, Ore. \u200a(RNS and NPR) \u2014 A few years ago, Greta Binford was hiking in the Columbia River Gorge when she saw a spider that \u201clooked different from anything that I normally see when I roll over rocks and logs in this area,\u201d she said.\u00a0 An evolutionary biologist at Lewis &amp; Clark College in Portland, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22033,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22032","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22032","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22032"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22032\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22033"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22032"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22032"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22032"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}