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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2009)
TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS ' _ V. 4 r Tribe Showcases Elders with Honor Day by Brent Merrill Norma Kentta and Jean Garrett (above) help sell raffle tickets at the Elder’s Honor Day celebration while Nick Sixkiller and Shirley Walker (below) confer about the day’s events. Sandcastles by the Sea was the theme of this year’s annual Elder’s Honor Day celebration on April 7 at Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City. Elders from Tribes throughout the Northwest made their way to the coast to participate in this gathering known as the Circle of Wisdom. Tribal Elders registered throughout ? the day as they arrived and received blood i pressure and blood sugar checks all morning and into the afternoon. The health checks ¿ were given by Community Health Advocate Sharon Mason and Darcy de la Rosa, case manager in the Diabetes Program. Siletz Tribal Elder and Elder’s Coun cil Chairman Shirley Walker welcomed one of the largest crowds ever to attend the Tribe’s Elder’s Honor Day ceremony. Nick Sixkiller acted as master of cer emonies and kept the day easygoing with his laid-back style and comical stories. Tribal Vice Chairman Bud Lane gave the welcoming invocation in the Athabas can language and Native Veteran Tony Molina led the Color Guard presentation. Tribal Royalty gave The Lord's Prayer and then all Veterans in attendance were honored as they introduced themselves and mentioned their time and place of service to the country. Many Tribal members took in the event at the craft and vending tables set up outside the main room. The Tribal Cultural Department pro vided many historic items for display, basket hats and carved elk spoons. Siletz Tribal Elder Calvin Van Pelt made the trip to Lincoln City from Portland with his family as did William “Chewescla” DePoe, who came all the way from Seattle for the event. Siletz Tribal Elder Ed Ben and his wife, Delores, came in from Salem. Grand Ronde Tribal Elder Herman Hudson Jr. led a delegation of Elders from Grand Ronde who made their way to the celebration and several Tribes from throughout the Northwest also gathered in Lincoln City for the celebration. After lunch, Tribal Chairman Delores Pigsley addressed the gathering and talked about the importance of honoring Elders. The big entertainment for the day was a group of Polynesian dancers and then Bingo was called by Joe Padilla. Many Tribal Elders were seen shop ping in local stores and eating in the res taurants after the event concluded around 4 p.m. Many discussed next year’s event and were making plans to get together then with family. We look forward to see ing you living treasures again next year. Tribal Elders Benefit from OSU Community Service Center by Bonnie Petersen On March 26, Ann Wright, Parks, Recreation and Environmental Director for Oregon State University’s Community Service Center, brought 14 OSU students to the Tribal Mill site in Toledo to split wood for the Tribal Elders. OSU’s Community Service Center provides community service learning experiences for college students and this year contacted the Tribe to see if there was a project on which they could work. I told them there was always a need to split wood for Elders, so a date and time was set. I greeted the students upon arrival, escorted them on a brief tour of the admin istration building and council chambers, and described some of the Tribe’s history and accomplishments to date. Natural Resources Director Mike Kennedy guided the students to the To ledo Mill site, where Natural Resources Crew Foreman Reggie Butler Jr. and Crew Member Tristen John were waiting to oversee the students’ work. For many students, this was their first time using an axe - let alone a hydraulic wood splitter - and they expressed some surprise and satisfaction at handling these tasks. Tristen estimated the students split about two-and-a-half cords of wood for the Elders or about five pickup loads. Pretty good for just a couple hours of work! The students went from the mill site to the Tribal Community Center to enjoy some food and learn about pow-wows. Several students joined me in the kitchen to heat up the elk stew and vegetable soup and learn to shape and cook fry bread dough. While the meal was readied, Tribal members Darin Rilatos and Fish Martinez talked to the students about pow-wow drumming, singing and dancing. Some Oregon State University students take part in an elders' woodcut, with many using such equipment as axes and hy draulic wood splitters for the first time. students sat in on the drum while the rest joined in some round dances. Fish also demonstrated different men’s styles of dance. He encouraged the students to attend the annual OSU pow wow and to visit in August for the Tribe's annual pow-wow. The students thanked their Tribal hosts for the food, drumming, singing and dancing. In turn, the students were thanked for the great service they pro vided to Tribal Elders. It was an enjoyable experience for both hosts and guests. May 2009 • Siletz News • 9
