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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1992)
FAMILY FORUM If the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde is to main tain a strong sense of tribal unity, our history must be told and retold as was th e traditional way of the Indian. One story began 136 years ago this month. It was the time of the cold moon. In the Willamette Valley, chiefs from various Kalapuya tribes had been meeting frequently in council. The faces around the campfire were somber and speeches were long. They spoke of the many members of their families who had died from the new diseases brought by the Americans. They spoke of the game which had fled from their land leaving their children to hunger. They spoke of Joel Palmer, who the Great White Chief had sent to treaty with them for their land. Over the course of just a few seasons, hundreds of Americans had invaded their homes. From these White men, they learned more were on the way. Moreover, it was known that even while Joel Palmer talked of buying their land, other Americans talked of taking it and killing all Indians. Some said they should fight. Others said they must live in peace with the White man. In the end, it was decided they would sacrifice the Indian way of life to prolong the life blood of their people. Yatshaw, who became known on the Grand Ronde reserve as Wapato Dave, was at these councils and many more over the course of his lifetime. He was Chief of a Chehalem band of Kalapuya people who lived near Wapato Lake. He made many speeches to the United States government agents on behalf of his people. After each, it is said, Indians applauded him to show their respect for the man and for his leadership. Shelkeah, second Chief of the Kalapuya, was also part of these great councils. Later, when the Indian agent made everyone take new names, he would become Peter Selkey, husband of Louisa. He was a Yamhill man with a strong spirit power. His Under The Cold Moon people said his spirit power was thunder. When he became angry, thunder roared and rain poured in great quantities of water. His people also said he had as his personal spirit power the medicine of the deer. He used the gentleness of the deer and the power of thunder to find his centering place and the guidance of the Great Spirit. Shelkeah was an excellant hunter. Anytime his people wanted deer meat they would go to see him. There they could buy meat. Another of these great men was Joseph Sangaretta, who was Iroquois and phaned in 1835, he Jason Lee) he learned to wni t e . y ski ' a mm 1 1 V- " WW 1111 chief,buta AIM lHartlessre If I till r u:u II M Jill "uuiumu- II a i MM whov taken his place in council when this decision was He was not only a In 1914, William Joseph Sagaretta memories. He said Sangaretta always knew Kalapuya. Or- was raised at the Mission where read and English. As a young man, he became Chief of the Marysville band of Kalapuya and had made. shaman. called 3 hood was going to die; a man, a child, a woman, he always knew it first. Hartless told how Sangaretta had two spirit powers. One of them was a black man, the other an Indian like us. They came to him in his dreams. When they came to him, he always knew they were going to name someone in his village who was going to die or become ill. Sangaretta knew even as the medicine shaman doctored these people who would live and who would die. Chief Sangaretta rode south on January 22, 1855 to treaty with Joel Palmer. With him rode nine other Santiam Chiefes: First Chief Tow-ye-colla, Third Chief la-ham, Pul-i-can, Te-na, Pul-kup-ti-ma, Sal-laf, Hoip-ke-nek, Yep-tah, and Satinvose. It is said the Willamette River was frozen hard enough that year for a horse to walk on. So it must have been with their hearts as they rode toward Table Rock where they would rendezvous with Joel Palmer and place their marks on a paper which would alter forever the Indian way of life. This article is dedicated to all the tribal chiefs who struggled with a decision of such magnitude few have known or will ever know. It is dedicated to my mother, Marion Hallcr Davidson; my grandmother, Adeline Menard Haller; my great grandmother, Flora Ncal Menard; my great, great grandmother, Elizabeth Sangaretta Menard; my great, great, great grandmother, Nancy Pisk Sangaretta and to women of all tribes whose blood and tears have intermingled in their struggle to bring forth new life and raise their children in a world which has lost the harmony of former days. Courtesy of June Olson Tribal Member Editor's Note: Tins piece of history is told as it has been passed on for many years. Now that it is published, it will live forever as a reference to the history of the Confeder ated Tribes of Grand Ronde. If you have a piece of history or even a current story celebrating tribal history, customs, myths or legends, and would like to ensure future genera tions' access to them, send Own in to Smoke Signals for publication. Community Encourager's Report Community Council Selection The selection of the Community Council for the Community Decision Making process will be made by the end of January. After this group is formed we will have some orientation and training for them. Then we will have a town hall meeting to develop a list of priori ties for health care services for the new health clinic and Human Services Building. The Community Council members will also get together with their focus groups at this time. They will inform them as to what will be expected of them, how long the group will exist and a timeline for the steps of the process. We want to reach as much of the tribal community as possible with this process. If you have questions or suggestions concerning this project, once again, I encourage you to contact me at 1-800-422-0232. As with the Community Council member selection, we will have a name for the "Community Decision Making" process by the end of January. For those of you who will be submitting a name, I would like to thank you in advance for your participation. Michael J. Larsen Community Encourager Name That Clinic The "Community Decision Making Process" is a new project being implemented by the tribe. This is a clinic planning project which invites input from the tribal community. This project is currently discussed in the Community Encourager's Report. In order for the tribal community to associate the Community Decision Making Process with the planning of our new clinic, we invite you to name the project. So, we are having a contest to think of a name for the clinic planning project. This is an opportunity for the tribal community to become involved with our clinic planning. Rules for the contest: -This contest is open to all tribal members, youth and adult alike. -Contest entries must be turned in or postmarked no later than January 16, 1992. -Enter as many times as you like. The name should relate to the theme of "Community Based Planning for Health Care". The winner of the contest will receive a $50.00 gift certificate from Fred Meyers. So, come on tribal members! Let's be creative! Mail entries to: The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347, ATTN: Michael Larsen or drop them off at my office located in the Tribal Government building at the tribal offices. CHRISTMAS PARTY A SUCCESS The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde had a great turnout for the Christmas party on Dec. 15, 1991. It was held at the elementary school. Lunch was served to seniors and then to the children before Santa arrived with his red-nosed reindeer; Rudolf. Pictures were taken as little children spilled their heart out to Santa, games were played and songs echoed through the halls. It was a merry old time for everyone who came and enjoyed the season's spirit. We want to thank all that came and participated at the party and hope everyone had Happy Holidays.
