PASSAGES
Agnes Baker-Pilgrim Honored at Indian
Art Northwest Celebration
by Selene Rilatos, Cultural Programs Coordinator
It was a great honor for Lisa Brown,
Terry McDowell, and myself to attend the
Third Annual Indian Art Northwest (IAN)
Celebration to see Agnes Baker-Pilgrim
receive the “Living Cultural Treasures Award”
from our tribe.
This celebration was held at the
Portland Art Museum on May 27,2000. IAN
does a superb job of honoring our most
prized gift - our tribal elders. I think this
award is a great idea and applaud IAN for
being the first to host such a ceremony.
Agnes Baker-Pilgrim (standing)
This award is given to tribal elders who
are recognized by their tribe as having a
Agnes has five children: Keith Taylor,
commitment to tradition, who keep our
cultures strong, who make it possible for Sonya Taylor, Nadine Martin, Mona Hudson,
other artists to keep traditions alive in their Tony Martin Jr., and the late Robert Taylor,
plus numerous grandchildren. She went to
communities, and who exemplify the
college at age 52, earned a bachelor’s
meaning of this prestigious recognition.
Agnes was honored along with eight degree in psychology and Native studies at
other awardees from different Northwest the College of the Redwoods, and is an
alumnus of Southern Oregon University.
tribes. Our Culture and Heritage Committee
Agnes enjoys giving lectures on culture
first nominated Agnes and our Tribal Council
for all ages, beadwork, pow-wowing, feather
endorsed her. Agnes represented herself,
dancing, making buckskin dresses,
her family, and her tribe at this great event.
traditional necklaces, belt making, traditional
Another tribal elder, Gladys Muschamp,
received this award in 1998 for her master cooking, tolepainting, sewing, and working
with abalone.
artistry in Siletz traditional basketweaving.
She also is the founder of the “Coming
Agnes has served on many tribal
Home Ceremony,” now the “Sacred Salmon
committees. She is a Rogue River Indian of
Ceremony,” held in our aboriginal homelands
the Takelma band, a registered elder of the
Confederated Tribes of Siletz, and the oldest in Ruch, Ore. The seventh annual gathering
was held on June 9-11,2000.
living member of the Takelma Indians.
Agnes is quite the lady and she says
She is the granddaughter of Chief
George Harney; the third youngest child of we should never complain about being tired,
worry about that when you get to the other
George and Eveline Lydia Harney-Baker,
side. “There is far too much work to be done
bom in Logsden, Ore. She graduated from
here while the creator gave you this good
eighth grade in Logsden, then graduated
from Taft High School in what is now gift of life - so live it good,” she adds.
Lincoln City.
Congratulations to Lisa Norton for
making the President’s List (3.75 or better
GPA) at Oregon Coast Community College.
Thanks to Alan K. for remembering me.
“May God bless.”
Gladys Bolton
Happy Birthday to my son, Bill Hudson,
June 30.
Love you, Mom G. Bolton
Thanks to Shirley Walker and her
daughter, Heather, for the lunches they
served the elders on our way home from
Idaho. They were delicious and saved us
time and energy.
Thanks again, Gladys Bolton
30
We’d like to wish Donna Kessinger a
Happy Belated 62nd Birthday! We love you,
mom/grandma.
Terrie, Steve and grandbabies
We’d also like to wish Vem Kessinger
a Happy Belated 64th Birthday! We love you,
dad/grandpa.
Terrie, Steve and grandbabies
Guess who’s 15?! Happy Birthday,
Tashina Leilani Burke. We love you, honey.
Mom, Dad, Stevie and Kelani
Hi, Grandma and Grandpa Kessinger.
I love you both.
Steven
mountain lion. Happy number 8-skate on...
Love, Rodney Wayne Tyron Jr., Ashley,
Mom, Grandma Marie, Joan, and
Godmother Pancho
Wedding Announcement
Miranda Elizabeth Williams and
Jack Mark Strong
July 16, 2000 @ 2 p.m.
Wesley United Methodist Church
1365 Oakway Road, Eugene, Ore.
Reception to follow
Adam’s Place
30 East Broadway, Eugene, Ore.
Uncle Pat, may the Great Spirit
strengthen your shield in your times of need.
And the winds of wisdom guide your path of
life. Happy Birthday on June 29.
From - Nelson, Daniel, Cha-met and
Miss Lydia
Congratulations to our son, Bobby
Brandt, for compietion of his high school
graduation endeavor! We’re so very proud
of you.
Much love, Mom and Dan, the Rilatos,
Brandt and Lynch clans