Uncle Sam billboard on I-5 goes from right-wing zingers to a statement of Native rights

Uncle Sam billboard on I-5 goes from right-wing zingers to a statement of Native rights Stephen Howie October 27, 2025 / 3:15 pm

The 70-year saga of the Uncle Sam billboard on I-5 south of Chehalis and its provocative, right-wing messaging took an abrupt turn this summer when the billboard and the 3.5 acres on which it sits was purchased by the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation.

After driving by messages ranging from “Where’s the birth certificate?” questioning the U.S. citizenship of President Barack Obama to a pandemic post that said, “Oh, no! A virus! Quick – burn the Bill of Rights,” many wondered what the Chehalis tribe would post now that they own the billboard.

The answer came last week, when this simple message appeared: “Native Land” and on the line below “