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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 7, 2024)
Spilyay Tymoo, Warm Springs, Oregon August 7, 2024 Page 3 Celilo Falls: Historic photos document what was lost (from page 1) Aja DeCoteau, CRITFC executive director, expressed deep gratitude for the gift. She spoke of showing the pre-release copy of the book series earlier at the CRITFC commission meeting, and the profound impact the photos had on tribal com- missioners and elders. “The interest and excite- ment were incredible,” Ms. DeCoteau shared. “Seeing themselves or their relatives in these photos spurred memories and emotions, al- lowing them to relive those precious moments and share their stories.” Gene Maltzeff, the son of one of Raymond’s fed- eral co-workers and a sub- ject in several of the photo- graphs, also attended the ceremony. He added personal anec- dotes about his time spent at Celilo Falls with his father. Maltzeff described the falls as the “eighth wonder of the world,” and the “lungs of the Columbia River,” em- phasizing the loss felt by many when the area was flooded. The way of life The Matheny family’s gift is a significant addition to CRITFC’s archives, offering a rare glimpse into a way of life that was profoundly al- tered by the dam’s construc- tion. These photos, now pre- served for future genera- tions, serve as a historical record of obstacles the tribes have worked to over- come and thrive in spite of. Jeremy FiveCrows notes the unique value of Matheny’s work. “Raymond saw the fish- ers as people, not just as part of the scenery. He inter- acted with them, got their names, and took detailed notes, making these photos incredibly special.” Donella Miller, CRITFC Community notes... The Warm Springs Thurs- day Market is from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. under the Cam- pus Pavilion. Vendors are wel- come to set up. Contact KWSO for more informa- tion: kwso@wstribes.org Or call 541-553-1968. Warm Springs Behavioral Health is now taking applica- tions for the Per manent Supportive Housing pro- gram. This program provides affordable housing with ten- ant support services to mem- bers of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs who are experiencing chronic homelessness, limited income, and mental or physical health issues, disabilities or substance use disorder. The Warm Springs Com- munity Action Team is host- ing the financial education series ‘Pathways Home: A Native Homeownership Course,’ via Zoom. The course starts Thurs- day, August 15; and then meets every Thursday through September from 5:30-7:30 online. This course is required for anyone in the IDA program for home ownership. To sign up, email to: mallory@wscat.org The falls disappeared nearly three-quarters of a century ago. It is still an emotional subject, particularly for those elders who were on the riverbanks that day... Fishery Science manager, reflects on the importance of the collection: “It means so much to us as tribal members to see how our ancestors lived. These photos are a connec- tion to our past, and they help us remember and honor those who came be- fore us. Many of them never left and continue to live this way to this day.” Ms. Miller also noted the inclusion of other fishing sites near Celilo Village. She said: “I appreciated the books also included other sur- rounding fishing areas such as Spearfish and Big Rapids. Pictures of those sites are far less common than Celilo.” Attention to detail Raymond Matheny’s 1952 article, shared by the These Raymond Matheny photos, of tribal fishing at Celilo Falls, are courtesy of the Matheny family, and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. Matheny family with the digi- tal photos in 2007, vividly described the significance of the Celilo Falls fishery, de- tailing the traditional fishing methods used by the tribes and still used by fishers to- day: “They use nets sewn around an iron ring attached to a wooden or aluminum pole of varying length. Fish- ing is done from wooden plat- forms weighted down with rocks and natural dipping places or rocky ledges.” Raymond also expressed the cultural and economic impact of the fishery: “The Indians fish by themselves or frequently in companies, dividing the money resulting from the fish sold. It is a ruling set up and enforced by the various tribal councils that the Indian who is fishing must wear a safety rope around his waist. “Many Indian fishermen have drowned at Celilo by slipping into the swiftly flow- ing Columbia River.” Raymond’s attention to detail regarding the fishery and tribal life were reflected in the notes he kept for each photo, many of which he knew by name. His dedication to docu- menting this historically sig- nificant period before the in- undation of the falls has left the tribal fishers and their de- scendants with an invaluable gift. Raymond Matheny’s photos of Celilo Falls in the early 50’s were treasured by his children and family. It was his wish, his children said, that the collection be gifted to those tribes the photos depicted. Despite the fact that the falls disappeared nearly three-quarters of a century ago, it is still an emotional subject, particularly for those elders who were on the riverbanks that day. The som- ber event and historic was foreshadowed in Raymond’s writing as well. His relationship with the falls and its community mem- bers is illustrated in his ar- ticle, shared with CRITFC by his family. Reflecting on the impend- ing changes three years be- fore the inundation, he wrote, “The construction of The Dalles Dam will eventually flood all the present fishing sites. These historic grounds will be covered by 75-80 feet of backwater from another one of the ‘White Man’s’ dams.” The slide collection will be securely stored at CRITFC’s Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Library. After it is fully cataloged, the library plans to make a searchable database of the images available for viewing on its website. The images will be used to help educate current and future generations about life at Celilo Falls. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a Pendleton blanket and other gifts to the Matheny family, symbolizing the deep appre- ciation and respect from CRITFC and the tribes. This article is courtesy of the Columbia River Inter- Tribal Fish Commission.
