Spilyay Tymoo
Warm Springs, Oregon
October 21, 1988 PAGE 3
Museum referendum set for Thursday, October 27
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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."
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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.