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
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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.