Image provided by: The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Warm Springs, OR
About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 1991)
Warm Springs, Oregon October 18, 1991 PAGE 3 Cultural materials found at nearby excavation site The old days 5 The column this week contains the report of Agent Smith or the month of May, 1880. It contains an interesting reference to one of . -vr the original Warm Springs Scouts, Umslick. Umslick appears in the U.S. Muster Role for the Modoc War, although he was listed as only being 33 years old in 1873 when the war took place. Warm Springs Agency Oregon June 1' 1880 SriLYAY Tymoo Sir "v. ;'-:v-:X Archaeological field technician Ruth A test excavation bordering thedcpthandhorizontalextcntofthc Highway 26 south of the Warm site. Field technicians, digging rect Springs Chevron station showed angular shaped pits approximately signs of ancient inhabitants. Projcc- 18 inches deep, removed dirt and tiles (arrowheads) and flake stones sifted through it hoping to find mate Crocks formed with tools or used as rials that would indicate occupancy tools) provided evidence that the area of the area. They discovered projec may once have been a campsite. tiles as well as flakes. The survey followed procedure The presence of these formed established by the state which calls stones and other evidence suggests for an archaeological survey to take inhabitation of the area 2500 to 4S00 place before roadwork is started. yearsago.accordingtoJenkins.There Because planned widening of the are also indications that the area could highway will soon begin, archae- have been the location of households ologists from the Oregon State Mu- which, over time .have been covered scum of Anthropology in Eugene by silts, were contracted to survey the area The materials found at the site, which involves examining the tribal archaeologist Scott Stuemke grounds to see if the surface reveals relates, will provide information any cultural materials. Materials were about its former inhabitants. Using found and archaeologists proceeded various tests archaeologists can learn ;to phase, II, which was recently much. A hydration test can give a completed. Dr. Den the activiti Dr. Dennis Jenkins coordinated the activities of this phase which involve a test excavation to determine Bags from Columbia, Snake rivers to be displayed at museum "Woven in Time," an exhibit of highly decorated cornhusk bags and other related Native American artifacts from the Columbia River Plateau will be on view at The High Desert Museum beginning Octo ber 26, 1991, and running through May 11, 1992. The exhibit consists of a variety of twined bags overlayed with dyed cornhusks and other materials, an art form unique to the tribes of the Columbia and Snake River Pla teau. The bags have been selected from the Museum's Doris Swayze Bounds Collection. "These beautiful and useful bags represent the work of generations of native women," says Curator of Exhibits Susan Harless. "Grand mothers patiently taught grand daughters the traditional art of twining, passing on the skill to new, younger hands for the benefit of all." Originally, the type of bag on display in "Woven in Time" was Me I am the only "me" I've got. I am unique. There are two major parts of me. There is the inside "me" and the outside "me." The outside me is what you see. The way I act, the image I portray, the way I look and the things I do. The outside me is very important. It is my messenger to the world and much of my outside me is what communicates with you I value what I have done, the way I look, and what I share with you. The inside "me" knows all my feelings, my secret ideas, and my many hopes and dreams. Sometimes I let you know a little bit about the inside "me" and sometimes it's a very private part of myself. Even though there are an enormous number of people in this world, no one is exactly like "me". I take full responsibility for "me" and the more I learn about myself, the more responsibility I am going to take. You see, my "me" is my responsibility. As I know myself more and more, I find out that I am an OK person. I've done some good things in life because I am a good person. I have accomplished some things in my life because I am a competent person. I know some special people because I am worth knowing. I celebrate the many things I have done for myself. I've also made some mistakes. I can learn from them. I have also known some people who did not appreciate me. I do not need to keep those people in my life. I've wasted some precious time. I can make new choices now. As long as I can see, hear, feel, think, change, grow and behave, I have great possibility. I'm going to take those risks and those possibilities, and I am going to grow and love and be and celebrate. I am worth it. .ti- Woodcook looks for cultural materials relative date ot the materials. A "chemical fingerprint" to determine the source of the materials can be Continued on page 8 made from Indian hemp and used to gather roots and other food items. Later, the bags were made from materials brought to the region by settlers. They soon gained a more decorative and ceremonial significance. "Although we call them cornhusk bags," says Curator Caryn Talbot Throop, in strumental in developing the ex hibit, "for several thousand years before cornhusks were around, they were Indian hemp bags and were twined and decorated with native fibers." The High Desert Museum, located six miles south of Bend, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except New Year's, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, and $2.50 for children 5-12. Meticulously designed and crafted, the twine food storage bags of the Columbia River Pla- (A W7 V during tesUxcavation of area bordering Highway 26 near Warm Springs. .... .t s ! ' -tw, - i i f , u -'-tft . 1 1.-'. - ' - J ; - r "'rs; i . I- hi . .. .!. ,WMlt,, il ' A.t.-'. .... .... . . y Biface found near Highway 26 provides evidence that ancient people once inhabited the area. teau Native American tribes retlect a weaving technique that dates as far back as 9,000 years. Primarily a woman's art, twining has been passed on from grandmother to granddaughter through the millen nia. The overlay decorated twining found in this indigenous Sahaptain textile art is unique in the world. Gatherers, fishers and hunters who made seasonal rounds to gather ripening foods, the Plateau people needed flexible, strong containers to collect, carry and store their for aged roots, berries, fish and meats. Each fall, before the rains began, stalks of Indian hemp, called "tax'ux" by the Nez Perce, also known as dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum), were selected and gathered near low-lying springs or seeps along the steep basalt rims of the Columbia Plateau. Women cured dried stems and peeled the strong inner bark fibers, then spun the fiber into two-ply cordage between their fingers and knees.. From higher elevations in the mountainous areas, beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax) was also gathered and dried. Some leaves were dried in the shade to retain their pale green color, while others were allowed to sun bleach, result ing in a soft yellow-white color. After the lengths of hemp twine were prepared, the bag was finger woven in the weaver's lap. Each row in a large bag took up to an hour to tightly twine in place. A large bag has more than 200 rows Striving toward The Alliance for a Drug-Free Central Oregon's Drug-Free Work place Task Force is gearing up for a major campaign in January 1992 to encourage all workplaces in Central Oregon to implement a drug-free workplace policy. A Drug-Free Workplace Month is planned for February, 1992. The Alliance for a Drug-Free Central Oregon is aware that as more and more Central Oregon businesses implement drug-free workplace policies, all other community seg ments must be prepared to respond in a region-wide, innovate, coordinated and cooperative manner. Toward this end. The Alliance has invited about 40 business persons and 40 public service representati ves from all segments of the region to ." t ' - of twining. These woven bags were not simply utilitarian. They were used to carry gifts of roots for a young bride's new home, for example. The beautiful bags thus passed from one woman's hand to anoth er's home through memorials, giveaways and other ceremonies. In the early 1800s, EuroAmeri cans began to settle the region, bringing their own crops, including corn. As the softer, more malleable husks of these early varieties of corn became available, Indian women used them instead of native grasses for decorating the storage bags. These cornhusks easily took the native dyes from lichens, bark and berries, providing brilliant, colorful designs. A different patt ern was made on each side of the bag. In recent times, changes in cultu ral traditions have seen the bags used as women's and children's handbags. Traditional hemp warp has gradually been replaced with cotton string and jute. The corn husks, which were used as decora tive materials, have also given way to colorful yarns, the earliest of which were unraveled from blank ets and trade cloth. Hats, horse gear, wall pockets, armbands, belts, and headbands were also fashioned from this flexible native art form. Today, the colorful twined root storage bag of the Pla teau has evolved into a beautiful handbag carried for ceremonies and special occasions. drug-free CO come together in a regional action conference to develop a unified, co ordinated response to this challenge. The day-long conference was held at Kah-Nee-Ta October 10. Participants from a wide range of business industries, chambers of commerce, community action plan ning groups, citizen advisory groups, children and youth commissions, medical providers, schools, govern ment, the judiciary and prevention, treatment and corrections agencies form throughout the region will be present to represent their and agen cies. Innovative, creative and open thinking are being stressed with a critical eye toward maximizing present resources, avoiding duplica tion and open communication be tween all participants. I have the honor to transmit herewith the reports of my Physician and Teacher for the month ending May 31" 1880, and submit the following as my own Present The total number of Indians is There are not as many Indians owing to a good many having Salmon fisheries. The crops are Indians at home are sufficient in the same. Food are very limited Nearly all of exhausted, hence the Indians will until the harvest upon. Births There have been three births and is unchanged in numbers. One old man, named Umslick, was Reservation being upwards of 90 years of age. Was a boy, and was a( the Dalles or landing r,ow called Celilo, when Lewis & Clark came down the Columbia in 1805 Remembered them and the negro they had with them. Was a very brave man. Was with Gen Crooks in the Snake war, and was wounded in the breast with an arrow. Was also in the Modoc war as mention and a suitable grave stone should be placed to mark his last resting place. Sickness and Fifty two cases have been treated, out of which forty two are reported recovered. A number of cases of measles have been treated, and there may be many more, as it is likely to spread. The School Has been in session during the school days. The attendance has been quite good and regular. The boarding department has been successfully conducted by the Matron, an Indian woman. The Police Have had but little to do in the or stolen property. Have been required oj them. The Apprentices have been on hand to do all that done. One or two have been quite sick, and unable to work all the time. The The grist mill has been run a portion of the time and has ground all the grain brought to it. The saw crankshaft broken a few days sawn. Crimes and But few arrests and convictions before the Indian council have been made. In last months sic report mention was made of the death of an Indian, believed to have been caused by drinking poisoned liquor, and that the case had been reported to the US Dist Atty. Subsequently a Dept US Marshal was sent up, who summoned three of our Indians as witnesses, to the selling of liquor to the Indian who died, and also the man Elijah Earhart was arrested and all were taken to Portland, where Earhart confessed his guilt and was fined a nominal sum, as I have returned home without being called yet be made, as there is no doubt are selling liquor to Indians. The New The plans have been drawn, and last come, the work on the mill possible. Employees The Clerk has had his time fully Teacher, though has not put any assisted and has a general oversight. The Supt of Farming and Miller have been busy in the shops, and mills, doing the more skillful jobs of work, and overseeing the one trip to the Dalles after supplies and has looked after the Department animals & fields. The laborer for the Piutes, has been assisting his people. Several have been sick, and he has had the care of them under the Physicians guidance. Moral and These have both been kept up, made. The Sabbath services have During the present month of stock, and procuring supplies of Indians time. To The Commissioner of Indian Affairs Washington DC InformationforThe Old Days column attorney Jim Noteboom. report for the same month. Population given the same as in (he April report. in the Reservation as in that month been granted passes to go to the all sown, and gardens put in. The numbers to watch and take care of Supplies last years grain and other crops are have to depend upon fish roots etc and Deaths three deaths, so that the population Piute member and one Wasco, a very considered the oldest Indian on (he a Scout He deserves honorable No recovered entire month consisting of twentyone way of makins arrests recovering lost prompt to perform all that was was in the shops and mills to be Mills mill is out of repair, and the main ago, so that but little lumber was Misdemeanors been informed. The witnesses on to testify. Other arrests may but what some person or persons, Saw Mill now the favorable weather has at will be pushed right along as fast as occupied. Has had to act as one full day in school, but has apprentices. The sawyer has made religious work and satisfactory progress has been been very well attended. the care of gardens, and hunting salmon, will take up most of the Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt US Indian Agent is provided by Warm Springs tribal k t