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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 1992)
Smoke Signals June 1992 Page 5 Indian Youth Practicum Indian teenagers will learn about tribal government and natural resources, as they take part in the First Annual Northwest Inter-Tribal Youth Practicum, June 14 through June 30 at the Canby Grove Conference Center. The Practicum is co-sponsored by the Mt. Hood National Forest, the Ochoco National Forest and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The purpose of the practicum is to subject students to natural resources, the significance of natural resource management planning, career opportuni ties and educational requirements. Its an opportu nity for the participants to learn about other tribal cultures, the development of leadership, communi cation and problem solving skills. This inspires and encourages American Indian youth to consider natural resources as a career opportunity," Regional Forester John Butruille commented, "therefore creating potential pools of applicants for future employment." The practicum will cover a wide range of topics, including field trips covering range and wildlife, . watershed and fisheries, minerals and geology, forestry, civil engineering, recreation, and cultural resources. Seminars are scheduled on tribal govern ment and "Mystic Mountain natural resource management exercises. The practicum will feature sue "Mystical Tribes", with participants divided into six groups. Their responsibility is to design their own tribal govern ments and manage normal governmental functions. Six tribal governmental consultants and six natural resource coordinators will act as advisors for the six groups. .Plans call for each participating reservations to send tribal chaperons. The chaperons will provide guidance and assist in group leadership interaction between students. Elders are being asked to help in teach the youth cultural values. Tribe will provide information and expertise b areas of tribal government operations though employees who are helping with the practicum. Michele Nix, American Indian Program Manager for the Mt. Hood National Forest, said, "While the objectives of the practicum deal primarily with natural resources and tribal government, emphasis is also being placed on cultural heritage, student talent, and learning about other tribal cultures." A talent show will be held during the practicum and activities will conclude with a Pow Wow. To be part of these two events, students should bring their regalia, as well as any accompaniment needed for participation in the talent show. Michele Nix and Tina Kline are representing the Mt. Hood National Forest as American Indian Program mangers. Cecelia Sawyer holds the same position for the Ochoco National Forest and Fritz Miller is the coordinator for the Confederated Tribes. Approximately 65 students are expected to attend, representing tribes from around the Northwest. Indian youth from Portland and Eugene areas are also encouraged to attend. Interested youth can contact Sharlayne Garcia in Warm Springs at (503) 553-3548 to find out more about the program and the registra tion fee. . DANCE CLASSES BEGIN III ft. W 'Vi'l w i ,P 1 1 Aw . , ik f I, hm rff fii i W Aim k 7 f . V lam i i mm J ;ti,lii' Dance and Craft classes will be held at the Grand Ronde Community Center on Monday nitftis from 6:30 to 9Mpjru Reebok and American Indian Firm join forces to produce beaded collection Grant from Reebok Foundation to Fuel Economic Development Among American Indian Families. Stoughton, MA In what may be one of the most culturally significant initiatives launched by an Ameri can company, Reebok International Ltd. made history in the athletic shoe and apparel industry when their President and Chief Executive Officer, John Duerden, signed the company's first American Indian business contract with Melody Lightfeather, President of American Indian Designer Collection, (AIDC). The company will design and produce the Reebok Lightfeather Collection, an exclusive line of beaded footwear and apparel The Reebok-Lightfeather Collection will be hand beaded and sewn by over 100 American Indian families living on and off reservations in the south western United States and will reflect a number of traditional American Indian designs. Each product will be an original, taking anywhere from two to eight weeks to complete. The beaded Reebok was first conceived by Lightfeather, an award-winning artist, as a wearable artform which blends both comfort and culture. When photographs of Lightfeather in her footwear appeared in national and international press, she attracted Reebok's attention as well as a following which includes such celebrities as Linda Grey, Goldie Hawn, Wayne Newton and First Lady Barbara Bush. Recog nizing the opportunity to bring a unique product to market and jobs to a community where the unemploy ment rate can, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, often reach as high as 70 percent, Reebok and Lightfeather agreed to join forces. "The Reebok-Lightfeather association is more than a minority business venture," said John Duerdon, during the signing. "It is a socio-economic project that has the potential to educate and employ hundreds of Native American families." Through its Foundation, Reebok has also donated $10,000 to the Native American Arts Foundation, Inc. The grant will establish an educational program for American Indian entrepreneurs to market their craft; develop cooperative ventures and cottage industries as well as encourage economic development and self sufficiency among American Indians on reservations. "This partnership is history in the making," Lightfeather said. "There has never been a major corporation in the United States to lend its hand both educationally and in business for the economic devel opment of Indian people on and off the reservation." Also present at the contract signing was John R. Winston, National Assistant Director Office of Exter nal Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce. He said: "Native American businesses have been seriously overlooked. Reebok has taken the first step towards creating a positive attitude and a new consciousness of thinking for Native American products in the corpo rate world." The Reebok-Lightfeather Collection will make its debut in June in the company's retail store in Santa Monica, Calif. Reebok stores in Boston and New York City will also carry the line.
