Image provided by: The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Warm Springs, OR
About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 1988)
Spilyay Tymoo Warm Springs, Oregon October 21, 1988 PAGE 3 Museum referendum set for Thursday, October 27 ,4::' Fronf Elevation On October 27, tribal members will have a chance to decide whether or not Warm Springs will have a tribal museum. Although the museum has been in the planning stages for over two decades, it is only now ready to be presented as a referendum measure, according to Warren R. Clements, Director of Public Relations. Over 400 absentee ballots were mailed to tribal members living off the reservation. There are 1,551 eligible voters among the tribal membership. REFERENDUM AMOUNT The total cost of the museum project will be about $4.5 million. The 27,000 square foot build ing will require about $2.5 million for construc tion. Site preparation and exhibitry will cost another $1 million with endowment and educa tional programming costing $1 million. Of the $4.5 million, $2.5 will come from the tribal referendum. The remaining $2 million will be raised during a major capital campaign. Several federal, state and private agencies have indicated interest in the project but are waiting the outcome of the refer endum before considering funding proposals. MUSEUM LOCATION Over the years, numerous potential sites have been evaluated by the Middle Oregon Indian His torical Society Board of Directors. A site on Highway 26, opposite the former Senior Citizen residences, has tentatively been selected. The three-acre site adjacent to Shitike Creek is owned by the Tribe and is currently leased for alfalfa production. The location meets the established criteria of proximity to the community and easy access from the highway. The site is large enough to permit room for expansion and outdoor inter pretive exhibits. Of the several sites examined, this one would be the least expensive to develop. In addition, the State of Oregon is examining the possibility of constructing a rest area adjacent to the museum site. To determine the suitability of the site, Century West Engineering of Bend was directed to study any potential problems. Although the site is only one foot below the 500-year flood plain, Century West recommended raising the surface of the construction area by three feet to ensure that flooding would not occur. The technical study by Century West has been submitted to the Tribal Land Use Committee for their review. The final decision on the museum site will be made by Tri bal Council. HISTORY OF ARTIFACT ACQUISITION The Tribe began acquiring artifacts for the Oregon Centennial in 1959. Following the Cen tennial, the artifacts were stored in inadeauate facilities and were eventually lost because of poor environmental conditions in the storage facilities. In addition to natural causes such as fires, flood ing, mildew and insects, tribal treasures were also being lost through the sale to outsiders. Recognizing that the artifacts needed to be pre served, Tribal Council founded the Middle Oreogn ! Indian Historical Society in 1974. The Society was given the responsibility of collecting tribal arti facts and planning the museum. Since the Society was founded, more than $600,000 has been expended for artifact purchases. "The collection is perhaps the most outstand ing assemblage of Indian artifacts not currently housed in a museum," says Dr. Duane King, MOIHS Executive Director. "The collection belongs to the people of the reservation," says Liz (Tewee) Cross, Museum Curator. "Unfortunately, we have no way for our people to enjoy the collection." , , -mi,' 'k' ' M ' , -.I Museum Proposed Floor Plan CAPITAL PROJECTS Ken Smith, economic consultant for the Tribe, has been assisting Tribal Council in the Tribes' overall financial planning, which includes capital projects. Several capital projects are being seriously considered, one of which is the museum, Smith says. The museum is being brought up first for a referendum for several reasons, according to Smith. One is that the museum has been in the planning process for more than two decades. Secondly, the museum will involve a capital cam paign to raise funds from outside sources which will require a commitment from the Tribe in order to ensure funding agencies that the museum will be a reality and that it is something that tribal members desire. Also, in 1987, the Board of Directors and Tribal Council concluded that plans for the museum should be expedited in order to complete it within the lifetimes of tribal elders who have contributed so much to the museum effort. "It is my understanding that the Early Child hood Education Centerand the new Health Clinic proposals are also ready for Tribal Council con sideration," adds Smith. "Our financial projec tions show that these three projects can be financed by the Tribe. These projects would be funded from a variety of sources including tribal, federal, state, grant and loan funds and private contributions," he concludes. EXPECTED REVENUE AND JOBS "It is anticipated that the museum will be self supporting," says King. "The revenue generated by the museum through gate receipts and gift shop sales is expected to exceed the operating costs." Currently more than 4,000 cars pass through Warm Springs daily on Highway 26. That number is expected to double in the next decade. Only two percent of the traveling public would have to stop at the museum in order to make the operation self-sufficient. Tribal members would not be charged to visit the museum. The reason for this is that tribal members will not only be the' owners of the museum, but they would serve as "ambassadors" of the museum as well. The museum will create between six and 12 full time positions including support staff as well as trained professionals. Other positions will include a curator, an education director, librarian, an archivist, cashier, gift shop manager and janitorial staff. Preference in hiring will be given to tribal members. One of the most frequently asked questions about the museum is, "Why has it taken so long?" Tribal Council Chairman Zane Jackson explained, "I realize that tribal members have been very patient with us on this project. However, I know they want a first-rate museum and I am satisfied that that is what we are going to have." If you are 21 years of age or married, you are eligible to vote in this referendum. Polls at the Community Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 517 voters are needed to make the election valid.