A10 NEWS Wallowa County Chieftain Wednesday, June 26, 2019 JOSEPH CELEBRATES NEW STATUE By Ellen Morris Bishop Wallowa County Chieftain More than 100 people from Wallowa County and beyond celebrated the com- pletion and installation of a new statue at the Jose- phy Center for Arts and Cul- ture on Saturday June 22. ‘etweyé·wise, which means “I return from a diffi cult jour- ney” now has taken its right- ful place in the front court- yard of the Josephy Center. It was more than an unveiling. It marked one more step in the Chief Joseph Band, the walama’s, homecoming journey. Nez Perce elders who are descen- dants of the walama band journeyed from the Lap- wai, Idaho, Colville, Wash- ington, and Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reser- vations to participate in cer- emonies to honor and con- secrate the work. Nez Perce Nation Drum and a Drum from Umatilla participated in the ceremony, includ- ing presenting a long-lost walama band song known as the Chief Joseph War Song. Barbara Rounsavell, the 1952 Chief Joseph Days Photos by Ellen Morris Bishop More than 100 people gathered for the unveiling of Doug Hyde’s statue ‘etweyé·wise (I return from a diffi cult journey) at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture. Rodeo queen, presented an unexpected gift to Ferris Pai- sano III, member of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Com- mittee — a stone mortar tool, found along the Snake River, that had been in her fam- ily for many years. It was a moving moment for all. Bobbie Connor, former chair of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla whose heritage includes walama Nez Perce, delivered a mov- ing tribute to the artwork, and its meaning. “This is a won- derful work of art,” she said. “It was done in the right way. Our art was always carefully and lovingly crafted, like this is. To make art, often we had to take a life, whether that was a deer for its skin, or mussels for their shells, or a basket woven of reeds which required us to remove the plants and their roots in the earth. And so art had to honor that life. Doing it the right way is the way we have made all things.” Con- nor went on to thank sculp- tor Doug Hyde for choosing a woman as his subject. “We are really appreciative that he chose a woman. In our culture, we all share respon- sibility equally.” Finally, Connor noted that the land Sculptor Doug Hyde (right) waits for the installation ceremony to begin with Ferris Paisano III, member of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee. Paisano accepted the mortar from Barbara Rounsavell on behalf of the Tribe. The ‘etweyé·wise sculpture stands behind them. itself was grateful for this presence of the walama, today and in the future. “It is not a place we visit,” she said. “It calls us. It acknowl- edges our presence. The land is happy that we are here.” The artwork, by renowned Native American artist Doug Hyde, is the only work by a Native American artist in Joseph’s pantheon of bronze statues—several of which depict the Nez Perce, includ- ing Chief Joseph. The new work’s name means “I return from a diffi cult journey.” The sculpture is a life-sized bronze of a Nez Perce woman who is walking back to the Wallowa homeland where she belongs—depicted by a slab of colorful granite with an outline of the woman and the profi le of the Wallowa Mountains on the top. Broncs and Bulls: Oregon bronc-buster Gabe McKay takes home the money Continued from Page A1 The next three riders, Cole Biggers of Sweet, Idaho, Caden McCarthy of Bridger, Montana, and Mike McBeth of Prineville, Oregon tied for second, third, and fourth, each with a score of 151 points for two rides, and headed home with more than just gas-money in their pockets—a check for $1160 each. Riley Warnock of Imnaha was the only local hand. He rode his big black bronc well, but came up short of 8 sec- onds when the horse headed for and slammed into the fence about 7.4 sec- onds into his ride. Reigning world cham- pion Chase Thrall of Kermit, Texas, notched a score of 149.5 points on two disappointing rides without much kick. On his last go-round, Thrall fanned his horse with his big 10 (maybe 20)-gallon hat in frustration after the eight-second buzzer sounded. The horse took that seriously, and Thrall had to be helped out of the arena. The bulls dominated the bull riders. Only one bull rider, Justin Ketzenburg of Yakima, Washington, hung on for the requisite eight seconds. And he did the deed twice, riding both his fi rst go-round bull and the championship round bull with commanding performances. The “hundred dollars the hard way” event usually attracts a crowd. This year only four contestants were willing to pluck the money—a strip of orange fl agging instead of the usual Ben Frank- lin-under-a-rubber-band—from a rodeo bull’s horn. Two were men. Two were women. The bull did his part by toss- ing each of the men into the air when they reached for the fl agging. The sec- ond contestant’s attempt to snatch the prize from the bull’s horn loosened the ribbon. It fl ew off, landed in the dirt, and was snagged in a dramatic diving catch by one of the women. “Now isn’t that just like life,” the announcer quipped. “Men do the work and the women take the money…..” All and all it was the best Mountain High Broncs and Bulls yet. You can catch it on The Cowboy Channel, a divi- sion of RFD TV, on Direct TV Channel 603, later this year. For schedules and other programs, go to thecowboychan- nel.com Photos by Ellen Morris Bishop A bull rider lands in a bad spot during the fi rst go-round. Juntura, Oregon, cowboy Gabe McKay scored a 76.5 aboard this bronc. McKay took the silver spurs and top prize money, winning the ranch saddle bronc event. Wallowa 4th of July Celebration Parade at 11 am (Parade Entries sign up or call City Hall by noon July 3rd) BBQ 12:00 at Fire Hall Hosted by Christian Church Hotdog Meal - $5 • Hamburger Meal $7 Dbl Hamburger Meal $8 Pie by the slice - FFA Wallowa 4th of July Parade 11:00 am 7/4/19 (Be at Cougar field by 10:15 am!) Parade Entry Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Division Child 12 & Under Adult Categories (Select as many as needed) Organization Horse Walking Unit Motor Bike Automobile Tractor Truck Other Number in group The David Gregory team from St Paul, Oregon, wrestle with their bronc in the wild horse race. BARGAINS OF THE MONTH ® While supplies last. $16.99 Sale ends July 31st, 2019 Homepointe® 16 in. Oscillating Stand Fan W 164 550 1 Please explain for Announcer Music by “No Boundaries” Vendors Welcome (FREE SPACE) Info Call Wallowa City Hall at 541-886-2422 M-F 8AM-6PM • SAT 8AM-5PM • SUN 9AM-3PM Drop off entry form at Wallowa City Hall by noon 7/3/19, or mail to: “Parade Entry” PO Box 487. Wallowa, OR 97885. Questions call 541-886-2422 fax 541-886-4215