Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (March 11, 2015)
Wallowa County Chieftain wallowa.com News March 11, 2015 A3 First Gentleman recounts time in area By Steve Tool Wallowa County Chieftain Kate Brown’s ascension to the Oregon governor’s chair on Feb. 18 created a link between the Wallowa Valley and the governor’s RI¿FH 'XULQJ WKH WLPH WKH ³)LUVW *HQWOHPDQ´ 'DQ /LW- tle, worked in the Wallowa Valley for the U.S. Forest Service as an information manager, the couple began their relationship, ultimately marrying in 1996. When the Chieftain learned of the couple’s con- nection to the Wallowa Val- ley, we contacted the gov- HUQRU¶V RI¿FH DV ZHOO DV 0U /LWWOHWRJHWPRUHLQGHSWKLQ- formation about the couple’s WLPHKHUHDQGKRZLW¿JXUHG into their relationship. Mr. /LWWOH SURYLGHG ZULWWHQ DQ- swers to a submitted list of questions, and the Chieftain here presents his responses verbatim. Chieftain: What year did you and the governor marry? Little: We were married at the old roller skating rink by the tram at Wallowa Lake on October 11, 1996 (Colum- bus Day Weekend). We were hoping for one of those nice sunny, warm fall weekends and decorated the hall with tiny white holiday lights and ÀRZHUV IULHQGV KDG GULHG DOO Courtesy photo/Dan Little Then-Oregon State Senator Kate Brown and husband, Dan Little, take a turn around the dance floor during their Oct. 11, 1996 wedding, held at the old roller rink building near the Wallowa Lake Tramway. fall. Unfortunately, unsea- sonably cold weather moved into the area and we were left VFUDPEOLQJ WR ¿QG SURSDQH heaters to heat that big very cold, drafty hall. Snow start- ed falling soon after the cere- mony ended and it turned out to be one of those magical nights spent with family and friends enjoying music and good food. Chieftain: Did you meet the governor while you were working here (or how did you meet)? Little : We met through mutual friends of my parents while we were attending col- lege in Colorado. She was studying Environmental Con- servation at the University of Colorado and I was attend- ing Colorado State Universi- ty studying Forestry. Chieftain: What was your USFS position while you worked here? Little: I was the Infor- mation Manager (GIS Co- ordinator) for the Wallowa Mountains Zone on the Wallowa Whitman Nation- al Forest from 1991-1998. Previously I had worked in John Day and Grants Pass, 2UHJRQ DV D ¿HOG IRUHVWHU The Chieftain actually did an article on the work I was doing sometime around 1985 or ’86. Don’t remember the exact date.... Chieftain: What was the governor’s government po- sition at the time? Little: She was serving in the Oregon Senate represent- ing southeast Portland. Chieftain: Was the gov- ernor familiar with the area before you met? Little: Kate had been to Pendleton and La Grande EHIRUH EXW KHU ¿UVW YLVLW WR Wallowa County was to visit me. Chieftain: Was yours a “long-distance” relation- ship for a time? Little: Kate knew I was living in eastern Oregon and called me in the spring of 1996 for a campaign con- tribution. I asked her if she was interested in visiting Enterprise to do some hiking and skiing so we planned a trip for her to visit on Saint Patrick’s Day weekend. Un- beknownst to her, someone broke into the backseat of her car during a stop on way and stole a bag with all her clothes and sleeping bag. +HU¿UVWVKRSSLQJDGYHQWXUH was to visit the Enterpriser Clothing Store to replen- ish for the weekend. Unlike many people who live togeth- er, then get married, we did the opposite. We spent a year commuting between Portland and Enterprise, got married, and then spent another year doing the same commute until I moved to Portland in 1998. Chieftain: Do the two of you ever return to visit the area? Little: We have very fond memories of Enterprise and still have many good friends in eastern Oregon so peri- odically get back there to do some biking, hiking and ski- ing but we have not been to Enterprise for a while. Chieftain: What did you and the governor like best about the Wallowa Valley, and what kind of recreational activities did you and governor enjoy doing while here? Little: We really enjoy trekking in the area and have hiked everywhere from the Lower Imnaha Riv- er Trail to climbing Ruby Peak, plus numerous hikes up the Lostine and the Wal- lowa River trails. We’ve also done some cross-coun- try skiing and overnight trips at the Wing Ridge Ski Huts. Joseph of course is al- ways fun to visit for the art and bronze foundries. Chieftain: Do you two plan on returning to visit the area in the future? Little: As you can imag- ine, our plans have changed quite a bit lately! I’m sure we’ll make it back to Wal- lowa County at some point. We both love to travel around Oregon, and she has been doing much more of it over the last several years as part of her pre- vious role as Secretary of State. My birthday present from her this year was a gift certificate to attend one of the Fishtrap Writers’ Con- ferences at Wallowa Lake, so there will definitely be a trip there in the next couple of years! Statues panel recommends Chief Joseph for U.S. Capitol with the tribe on Sept. 30 at what is now called Bear Paw %DWWOH¿HOG QHDU &KLQRRN Oregon’s Statuary Hall Mont., just 40 miles from the Study Commission selected Canadian border. After sever- the Wallowa Valley’s most al days of siege, Joseph, the famous past resident, Nez only tribal leader left, sur- Perce leader (“young”) Chief UHQGHUHG ZLWK D PDJQL¿FHQW Joseph (Heinmot Tooyal- speech on Oct. 5, 1877. akekt), as one of two statues Contrary to press reports to possibly represent Oregon at the time, Joseph was not a in the National Statuary Hall war leader or strategist, but Collection housed in the U.S. rather a human resources/ Capitol Building. The com- camp manager. mission also selected wom- 'HVSLWHSURPLVHVWKHWULEH en’s suffragist Abigail Scott could return to the reserva- 'XQLZD\ WR UHSUHVHQW WKH Young Chief Joseph tion in Clearwater, the gov- state. The commission made HUQPHQWSODFHGWKHWULEH¿UVW the March 4 announcement at settlers led to the deaths of DW )W /HDYHQZRUWK .DQ several settlers. Fearing re- and later moved it to Okla- the Oregon State Capitol. The commission’s selec- SHUFXVVLRQV WKH WULEH ÀHG homa Indian Territory. As the tions still need approval by eventually setting course spokesman for the tribe, and the state legislature for the for the sanctuary of Canada. a national celebrity, Chief project to move forward. The U.S. Cavalry caught up Joseph worked tirelessly to Former Governor John Kitzhaber ordered the cre- ation of the nine-member commission in August of 2014 to investigate whether or not to replace the current two statues representing the state at the U.S. Capitol, as well as selecting the possible replacements. Starting with 10 nominees, the commission QDUURZHGWKH¿HOGWRIRXULQ 'HFHPEHU)RUPHU866HQ- DWRU 0DUN +DW¿HOG DQG IRU- mer Governor Tom McCall ZHUHWKHRWKHU¿QDOLVWV Chief Joseph (1840–1904) served as one of the leaders of the Wallowa Band of the Teacher Thursday Happy Hour 4-7 Nez Perce tribe. In 1877 the March Madness Big Screen TV U.S. government ordered the tribe out of the Wallowa Val- Open 11am-10pm, Wed-Sun ley and to take up residence HIGHWAY 82, LOSTINE DWWKH/DSZDL5HVHUYDWLRQLQ 541-569-2246 Clearwater, Idaho. While on Stay Connected On Facebook the journey to Clearwater, a dispute with white Idaho By Steve Tool Wallowa County Chieftain relocate the Nez Perce back WR WKH 3DFL¿F 1RUWKZHVW ,Q 1885, the government al- lowed some tribal members EDFN WR WKH /DSZDL 5HV- ervation. The government sent Joseph and others who were probably closely allied with him to a reservation in Colville, Wash., probably to placate Idaho whites who feared another Indian war. For the remainder of his life, Joseph continued lobby- ing the government to allow his people to return to the Wallowa Valley. With gov- Get Ready for Spring! lacy jackets fun vests flirty tops ernment permission, Joseph returned to the Wallowa Val- ley along with a government inspector with the under- standing he could buy land if anyone wished to sell to him. A large gathering of settlers jeered Joseph’s request and refused to sell him land. He UHWXUQHGWRWKH&ROYLOOH5HV- ervation where he died in 1904. Thank You The family of Bettie Ann Goebel would like to thank everyone who supported us during this time of loss. We appreciate the food, cards, donations, prayers and kindness from each and every one of you. Special thanks to Doctor Helen Carlson at Wallowa Mountain Medical and Lucy Lattin at Home Health for your kindness and understanding of Bettie's wishes and for support to family and caregivers. Special thanks also to Elsie Evans, Karen Tanzy and Debbie Hafer for providing loving care for Bettie. Also thanks to her friends who attended the celebration of life and all who helped in providing a delicious meal that day. Overwhelmed? Is the weight of day to day stress getting too much to bear? Hurry for best selection! Are your work and family relationships suffering? Open Daily 10 am – 5 pm I can help! A few sessions can make a big difference. Jeff Harman, MA., LPC Professional Counseling In A Private Setting www.jharmancounseling.com Uptown Clothing & Accessories in Downtown Joseph 12 S. Main St. • 541-432-9653 To schedule an appointment call Jeff Harman (541) 426-3067 Preferred Provider for Regence Blue Cross, ODS, Cascade Centers and many other private insurance and employee assistance programs. Gambling Problem? Signs & Symptoms • Deterioration of work performance • Problems in concentration • Missing deadlines and important activities • Frequently borrowing money • Gambling to escape boredom, pain or loneliness • Lying to loved ones about gambling • Trying to win back money lost If you or someone you care about is experiencing a gambling problem, HELP IS AVAILABLE It's Free – It's Confidential – It Works. Call today: Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness 541-426-4524 • Or 1-877-My-Limit (24 hour Helpline) 207 SW 1st, Enterprise, OR 97828