The pole was raised beside Arrow Lake. Families who lost loved ones on Sepember 11 were invited to attend. Arrow Park was chosen partly for its proximity to Sterling Forest State Park, and being just one hour north of Manhattan. The location had significance because the Lummis have been involved with groups that worked to preserve Sterling Forest. It is a connection that evolved with similar activities to preserve Arlecho Creek Forest near their reservation, located one hour north of Seattle in Washington State.

Arrow Park was also deemed an appropriate site for the healing pole because programs for the bereaved have been held there both before and after the World Trade Center attacks. Arrow Park has long been a place of retreat for firefighters, first responders, police forces, caregivers, memorial and heritage groups, numerous other organizations and individual families. 

During the ceremonies of the day, white pine trees were planted in Arrow Park in memory of the victims with family members participating. And, the Lummi Indians held a ceremony with members of other American Indian tribes to dedicate the healing pole. Two additional Healing Poles were also carved by the Lummi Tribe honoring the victims of the New York Tragedy. In 2003, they delivered an Honoring Pole to the Shanksville, PA site where United Flight 93 crashed after the passengers tried to take control of the hijacked plane from terrorists. A third, actually a series of totems, Liberty and Freedom Poles, were received at the Pentagon in 2004. It now resides in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC.