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Tribal Elder's feature
Smoke Signals April 1991
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Wilma Butler .
By Brent Merrill
A chat with Tribal elder Wilma "Tuff' Butler is like
taking a gallop down memory lane. Her eyes sparkle as
she gives you a mischievous grin and begins to tell you
about her childhood.
"I was born February 20th, 1934 in Grand Ronde and
my parents were Amanda and Andrew Riggs. My
mother's maiden name was Jeffrey," said Wilma. Her
grandfather was Solomon Riggs who was the last Chief
of the Umpqua Tribe. Her grandmother was Jane
Riggs.
Wilma was the youngest of 21 children in her family.
"There are only two of us left out of all of us. I have a
sister living in Tumwater, Washington, her name is
Emma Summerlin."
Wilma recalls her childhood as being care free. "I can
remember when I went to school my oldest brother John
would walk me across the trestle bridge because he
didn't want me to fall into the river. He would always
come to get me when school was out." She said she
would hop a train when she got older. "Sometimes I
would ride the railroad train with Bill Lentz and Johnny
McPherson. They would stop the train and pick me up
and then let me off on the other side." She also remem-
Fish k Wildlife Library
- Book Review
All Season Hunting -By
Bob Gilsvik
By Brent Merrill
The Tribal Fish and Wildlife Program recently pur
chased a copy of Bob Gilsvik's "All Season Hunting, A
Guide to Early Season, Late Season and Winter Hunting
in America," for the Fish and Wildlife Library.
Gilsvik's book details how many hunter's miss out on
hunting time they could be enjoying because they only
go out on opening weekend. Gilsvik believes that
despite the fact that there are less animals to be hunted
after the opening weekend slaughter, the best hunting
can take place. Kills are more demanding after the
opening days but, the results, according to Gilsvik, can
be more satisfying.
Wilmadene Butler
bers having fun picking wild flowers and strawberries
and they would peel chitum and take it home.
When asked about her mother she smiles and put her
crochet needles down and begins to reminisce. "My
mom was a quiet person, she did a lot of baking and
made a lot of quilts. She took care of her family. She
remembers her father as being a good man. "He was
sweet. Anywhere I wanted to go he would take me
because I was his baby. I was the youngest and I was
spoiled." Wilma recalls only one spanking in her life
but, she doesn't remember what she did to deserve it.
"It must have been something bad."
As you listen to Wilma talk about her childhood you
can understand why she always sports that mischievous
smile of hers. "I remember one time my mom was
washing on the back porch and she had bought a bushel
of peaches. I wanted one and I had my eye of this big,
beautiful one but she said I couldn't have it. So, I stuck
my hand right through the wringer on the wash bucket.
I got my peach!"
When Wilma was 20 years old she met her husband
Jim Butler. They have a daughter Cindy and they
currently reside in Monmouth. Wilma said that her
family started getting involved with the happenings in
Grand Ronde about the same time as the Pow-Wows
began. "We would come and help out at the celebra
tions and then I got involved with the Cemetery Com
mittee and the Pow-Wow Committee," said Wilma.
"I'm still on the Pow-Wow Committee and I really
enjoyed working on the Tribal Council." Wilma served
on the Council during a few months in 1990 and was
grateful for the experience. "We had a lot of tough
decisions to make when I was on the Council but I
always did what I felt was right in my heart."
Wilma would like to see more Tribal members get
involved in the committees and make more of an effort
to see what's going on with Tribal operations. "Then
they would be able to see what it's really all about."
Wilma talks very proudly of her heritage and is happy
to have found a place among her people.
Gilsvik writes in his book that by hunting in the late
season an avid hunter will sharpen their skills and make
themselves better all-around hunters. This book will
help you develop a better understanding of game
animals through the detailing of their habits, preferences
and adaptations to different environmental conditions.
Hunting later in the season calls for special preparations
that are not needed early in the season. "All Season
Hunting" details those preparations that you will need to
be aware of for a successful hunt.
This information packed guide devotes special chapters
that outlines the different game animals available during
the winter hunting seasons. Grouse, pheasants, squir
rels, rabbits and deer are discussed as well as hunting in
different weather conditions. The book also goes into
detail about the types of clothing needed when hunting
during the winter months.
Bob Gilsvik is a free-lance writer who concentrates on
outdoor issues for both books and magazines. "All
season Hunting" is published by Stoeger Publishing
Company and is part of the Stoeger Sportsman's
Library.
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Corbin Harney, a Spiritual leader of the Western
Shoshone Nation, visited Grand Ronde earlier this year.
Video Review -"To
Protect Mother Earth"
By Brent Merrill
After viewing Joel Freedman's powerful film "To
Protect Mother Earth - Broken Treaty II", it's very easy
to become emotional and disenchanted with the United
States Government. From the tranquil opening scene
that shows the beauty of a lone wolf and wild horses to
the disturbing conclusion at the nuclear weapons test
site in Mercury, Nevada "Broken Treaty II" takes the
viewer on a cultural journey of disappointment, injustice
and stunning reality.
Robert Redford's narration of "Broken Treaty II" adds
credibility to a film that is laden with visual impacts and
provocative insights into the people of the Western
Shoshone Nation.
The film details the story of the Dann sisters Mary and
Carrie. The Dann's are fighting the United States
government to keep from having their home land taken
from them and to stop the nuclear weapons testing
currently being practiced in Nevada by our government.
Freedman's film is the sequel to his first account of the
Shoshone's ongoing battle with the government entitled
"Broken Treaty of Battle Mountain."
The issue first came to the attention of the nation when
the Bureau of Land Management notified the Dann
sisters that they were trespassing on the land that had
been in their family for five generations. The film
focuses on the Dann's fight with the government and
follows them to the United States Supreme Court where
they argue that the land was legally retained by the
Shoshones in the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley. Corbin
Harney, the spiritual leader of the Shoshone Nation, is
also showcased. Harney, recently toured the Grand
Ronde Reservation.
It become clear that treaties signed by the government
with Tribes were meant to be broken and this is just
another case of another broken treaty. Freedman's film
separates this case from others with brilliant insights
into the lives and cultural practices of the Shoshones.
The film brings to life to the strength and determination
shown by the Dann sisters on behalf of their people. A
portrait of these people is created that shows their
courage, sense of history and their conviction to protect
their sacred Mother Earth.
By taking the time to witness this film for yourself you
will be enlightened on this true American tragedy. See
it for yourself and make your own judgments.
This video was recently purchased by the Tribe's
Economic Development Program and is available to be
checked out. Contact Mitch Conley at the Forestry
Office for further information.
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