SpllyayTymoo
January 24,1983 Pag» 3
A prelude to a museum...
Artifacts displayed at Longhouse
TEEPEE DISPLAYED—This teepee was just one of the many items displayed at the Agency
Longhouse last week to show the community what types of artifacts have been collected for the
anticipated museum. M ost people were surprised at the number, age'and quality of things collected.
For many in Warm Springs,
preservation and collection of
tribal artifacts and heirlooms is
a most important endeavor. So
important is this mission, that
Tribal Council has appropri
ated, over the past nine or ten
years, nearly $400,000 for the
purchase of nearly 1,000 items.
These artifacts will one day, in
the not too distant future, be
placed in a museum proposed
to be located near Kah-Nee-Ta
lodge.
On January 19, hundreds of
the artifacts were displayed at
the Agency Longhouse to show
just how many and what types
of items have been collected
thus far. Cornhusk bags,
baskets—large and small,
beadwork ranging from dresses
to b a g s to b e lts , o ld
photographs and even a teepee
complete with hide flooring
and mannequins dressed in
Indian regalia filled the
lo n g h o u s e . M a n y w ere
surprised at just how many
items have been collected.
Most of the artifacts, up until
the display, had been stored in
a s m a ll r o o m a t th e
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n b u ild in g
previously used to store office
supplies.
Collection of the artifacts
began in the mid-1970s with the
inception of the Mid Oregon
Indian H istorical Society
(MOIHS). This non-profit
organization is incorporated
through the tribal constitution
and was charged, when they
sought their charter in 1974. to
s e c u r e , e i th e r th r o u g h
purchases or donations, and to
safeguard heirlo o m s and
historical artifacts of thé mid-
O re g o n In d ia n s , “ M id-
Oregon,” says board chairman
Nelson Wallulatum, “could go
as far east as Umatilla and as
far south as Burns.” Because
Warm Springs was known as a
trading people, some of the
artifacts come from western
states such as California and
Montana, says Wallulatum.
MOIHS has a seven-number
board of directors consisting of
chairman Wallulatum. Harold
Culpus is vice-chairman. Also
on the board are Lillie Heath,
Rudy Clements, Sam Johnson,
Dave W aldron and Roy
S am psel. T rib al C ouncil
secretary Juanita Bourland
serves as the board’s secretary/
treasurer.
According to Wallulatum,
all artifacts were purchased
from tribal members, except
for a piece or two. Often times,
these purchases have prevented
the loss of these artifacts
through sales to people off the
reservation. The board now has
$50,000 available to purchase
more items. Nearly $400,000
may have been spent on the
artifacts up until now, “but
their value is another thing,”
says Wallulatum. He estimates
the value near $1 million.
Another responsibility of the
M O IH S is in v e stig a tin g
archeological finds in the area.
Wallulatum says that the
remains of a find near Prinville
will be turned over to Warm
Springs in the near future. The
remains will be interred here in
Warm Springs.
Another very important duty
of the MOIHS is developing
and instituting a plan for a
m u se u m b u ild in g . T he
complex would also include a
c u ltu r a l, h is to r ic a l and
performing arts center. With
the complex having all four
aspects, Wallulatum feels it
would be a big drawing card for
the public. That’s why it is
tentatively planned to be
located at Kah-Nee-Ta, he
says.
To ensure the safekeeping of
the artifacts until the museum
is completed, a room on the
second floor of the day care
center was remodeled and
equipped with burglar alarm
Spilyay Tymoo
text
and
photos
by
Donna Behrend
BASKETS AND MORE BASKETS—Afany, many baskets were
displayed at the Longhouse. Though Tribal Council has
appropriated nearly $400,000 over the past nine or ten years for
the purchase o f artifacts, their value is estimated at approximately
$1 million.
ARTIFACTS VIEWED—Students from Warm Springs Elementary visited the display at the
Longhouse.
and a special fire alarm/sus
pension system. The fire
suppression system uses’ a
special gas to extinguish any
fire instead of water. Total cost
o f th e re m o d e lin g was
approximately $7,500.
Four public meetings are
planned throughout 1983 to
introduce tribal members to the
idea of the museum and
familiarize them with the ways
artifacts are exhibited and Some tribal funds will be used,
preserved. Indian museum also. Wallulatum says it will
reso u rce p eople will be take approximately $4 million
available to answer questions. to build the complex.
The first of these meetings is „ Now that Warm Springs is
scheduled for February 25 and on its way to having a real
26. Once building and site plans museum, people can be assured
are approved, fund raising will th a t trib a l artifacts and
begin. Prim ary thrust for historical herilooms will be
funding will be through preserved and kept for the
fo u n d atio n and co rp o rate enjoyment of many in the years
n the private sector. tpcqm e
’ - P
j r J r J c J r . J r . e & a f a i a t & t s r J&'J1
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