A crack in the Wanapum Dam has changed the plan for students and their mothers this weekend. An educational and interactive display titled “The Wanapum Native American Discovery Unit” was pulled from the Mom’s Weekend schedule of events online.

Diane Curewitz, a WSU representative working with the Wanapum tribe, said members of the tribe were planning on doing live demonstrations on campus. Traditional food, models and artifacts were also going to be available.

The unit is a traveling exhibit intended to give community members a more in-depth experience with the local tribe. This was not made possible once the crack in the Wanapum Dam became an issue the tribe needed to focus on.

The Wanapum have a long history with the Columbia River and its provisions. Behind the dam water, levels have gone down and exposed the shoreline. This poses many problems, including exposures of old burials, Curewitz said.

Despite the event’s cancellation, Curewitz provided other ways to learn about the Wanapum tribe. Visitors can visit either the Wanapum Heritage Center or its website wanapum.org.