Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 1992)
OR. COLL. .06 I THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE GRAND RONDE COMMUNITY OF OREGON ft February 1992 I f - ;:-!' fu::d , A box social is tci Jed for the March General Council Meetirg - tentatively set for March 1, the f r:t n: '- z t: i 5 r :! J b the new tribal Commu ' '""' -3 ccr:r-y v.a follow , ' : J frcr 'l ? soc;-J will go -' ' " : - "''Itf :s homer. -Js coc!.i:s, homemade chili and cornbread, , etc; anything goes. The goal is to raise money for ' the powwow. - . ' ' T' tv5 1-r.ch is auctioned off to the honest -I " ' r. A: 1 the L;!.y person g;ts to eat lunch with -' " -5 old f ::'y rcclfcs and see v : " -. ' ' ; -ch v ".I i:'J for. Ee sure to , t:s t'- r '. : . J, n cr;; your buyer just . , crr.r.ct : : c - cf your delectable delights. : Most importantly, come prepared to be awed by the results of hard work and determination; now ; our new community center. ' ' You are guaranteed to enjoy good old fashioned food, f.:i crJ ccr.vcr;:;cn. " This is the one General Council Meeting you will notv.ar.ttambj! - - Tcr mcrs ir.forr.::!c.i call Ivanetta Cook at 879- Tribal Member Gains New Perspective on Tribes History GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING GRAND RONDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Feb. 2, 1992 11:30AM Meal Provided Council Members are: MarkMercier Raymond McKnlght Kathryn Harrison Merle Holmes Candy Robertson Bob Mercler Margaret Provost Val Grout Leon Tom 'Si O lM t ! k h imi "My goal is to eventu ally get into the outback to teach and experience the Aboriginal people," Tribal member Tracy Cooney said. University of Oregon Librar Hece i ved on : 0 1 -309 Urnoke signals Tribal member, Tracy Cooney, gained a new perspective on how Native American Indians were viewed about 50 to 60 years ago when she visited Australia. Visiting friends Billy Gollin and Joyce Wilson in Newcastle, on the northeastern shore of Australia, during her Christmas vacation was an eye-opening experience for Tracy. An education major pursuing an Elementary Teaching Certificate at Portland State University, Tracy would like to teach the Aboriginal children of Australia when she completes her degree. "The people were friendly and helpful over there," Tracy said. "The difference in Australian culture was fascinating to me; the way they speak, what they eat and how they dress." The most surprising aspect of Tracy's trip was the fact that the Australian people, in general, were very curious about the Native American Indian Culture. "They are fascinated by our culture," she said. "Yet they have a different culture similar to ours in their own back yard." One day during her visit, she dressed up in her traditional regalia for friends and the local newspaper, the Newcastle Herald, to give a presentation on Northwest Indian tribes. "Everyone was in awe of all the colors and bead work," Tracy said. "They couldn't believe the amount of work that went into making it" She said some of the people in Australia were amazed at the beauty of her regalia and of the Indian flute music she brought with her. Tracy said many of the Australian people look down on their Native Aboriginees the same way Americans looked down on Indians in the past. Aboriginees in Australia are referred to by many as lazy, dirty and not self-sufficient. "I can see the parallel because Indians are no different than the Aboriginal people," Tracy said. "It showed be how vital education is to a culture and, also, how important it is not to judge people because everyone is human." "My goal is to eventually get into the outback of Australia and teach and experience the Aboriginal culture," she said. Education is the way to change, but a White person can't do it for them, they need to do it for themselves, Tracy said. It was a real privilege to learn of the Australian culture and to represent the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Thanks Tracy for helping establish and educational relationship and representing your tribe in a way that makes a difference.
