APRIL 15, 1999
9
WMJISMS m ancestral FOOTSTEPS
Continued from page 6-7 '
once were used by our people for
trade and hunting. For tribal mem
bers they are a connection to the
past. They provide an important
sense of who we are as tribal people
besides contributing to our under
standing of the life ways of our
people hundreds of years ago."
The Cultural Protection program
works with other agencies on and off
the reservation to identify and pre
serve traditional sites relating to the
Grand Ronde Tribe and its history.
"Many of these sites show no vis
ible evidence of Native American use.
Spirit Mountain is a good example of
this kind of site. Under federal law,
it is enough that Native American
people say the place is significant to
their way of life for the site to qualify
for additional protection."
Members of the Cultural Resources
team research and identify culturally
significant sites then collaborate
with agencies whose projects might
endanger them such as construction
firms, state road builders or loggers
to develop more site-friendly ways to
complete the projects.
Olson and fellow cultural special
ist, Lindy Trolan, are currently
working with the Tribe's Natural
Resource Division to preserve rem
nants of the Hebo Mountain Trail
that runs through two proposed tim
ber sale sites.
"This year we've come in early in
the planning stages of the timber
sales to minimize any potential dam
age to the trails so that there would
be no danger of an impact on the tim
ber sales or the trails," says Olson.
"We have the flexibility to brain
storm alternatives to protect the site
and consider a number of different
logging options when we are in
volved at the early stages of the plan
ning process," explains Trolan.
However, the challenge to preserv
ing the historic trails is finding them,
according to Natural Resource Divi
sion Manager, Cliff Adams.
He says in the past the Tribe's for
esters have outlined a buffer of
about 75 feet of area to remain un
disturbed on either side of trails run
ning through a timber sale.
Since the overgrown foot trails are
not easily distinguishable from old
logging roads or even animal trails
it takes an expert to identify them.
Foresters will collaborate with the
Cultural Protection program to bring
in an archeologist that can help
identify Grand Ronde Indian trails.
Together the two tribal programs
hope to preserve the valuable rem
nant of Grand Ronde history.
But Trolan, Olson and Adams say
they have more in mind than just
preserving a section of the old trail.
Traces of the Hebo Trail run north
ward through the center of the Tribe's
timber reservation and were once
part of hiking trails in the present day
Siuslaw National Forest.
"We've been working with the
Hebo Ranger District because the
trail extends on their area," Trolan
says. "They've already cleared the
trail on their land and we're work
ing on getting the two trails to meet."
"We want to keep our practice on
line with theirs to preserve the trail,"
adds Olson. "We could potentially
have recreational activities on our
trail, including hiking and horseback
riding."
fteathers are important to Native Americans, particularly from birds
Vp honored by their tribe, and birds that carry messages for individuals.
i You will see feathers everywhere at a pow-wow, and on everything,
especially the regalia of the dancers. Feathers are used in ceremonies and
are favored items for a giveaway. They are beautifully wrapped and deco
rated with beading, fringe and other things that are special to the person
doing the wrapping. ;
From the earliest of times, feathers have been given as a symbol of honor
and respect. Young people were often given an eagle feather when they
completed their first vision quest. When you see old photographs of Native
Americans holding the long lance with many feathers hanging down from
them (coup sticks), and wearing feathers in their hair, or wearing the awe
some full feather headdresses, keep in mind that each one of those feathers
was earned by its owner. Each feather represents an outstanding deed of
kindness or contribution to the village or tribe, or outstanding bravery (such
as fighting a wild animal), or distinguishing oneself in the hunt, or in battle.
Horses were also honored with feathers. The nations took great care of
their horses, for they knew that their lives depended upon the speed and
dependability of the horse. Horses gave them freedom of movement and
allowed them to track their enemies and find their food. They painted their
horses with sign language and outfitted them with fancy blankets and
beadwork. A horse could earn its own feathers which were carefully tied
into the mane and tail.
Many of the feather headdresses and other feather decorations you see
on regalia have been handed down through the generations, and some have
a value that cannot be measured. Here are some of the most commonly
seen feathers, and the meanings they have to many Native nations.
EAGLE FEATHERS
Eagle feathers are the most prized
feather of all. The eagle is man's mes
spntrer who flies closest to the Great
-"--"D f
Spirit and who carries man's thoughts and prayers. The eagle is a warrior
bird who will fight for food and protect its young. He represents clear vision
and keeping the mind and eyes open for the big picture without becoming
opinionated or developing tunnel vision.
The bald eagle is a fishing bird who is found near the oceans, lakes and
large streams where fish are plentiful. The tail feathers of the adult bald
eagle are white.
The most sought after eagle feather is from the golden eagle sometimes
called the spotted eagle because the young birds have white tail feathers
with markings of dark brown, or dark grey, or black. Once the bird ma
tures, its tail feathers match the rest of its body, a warm golden brown. It is
a hunting bird found where there is a plentiful supply of snakes, gophers,
rabbits and other small game.
"S
THE OWL
The poor owl has gotten a bad rap,
for some people look upon it as a bad
luck omen. Truth is, the great major
ity of Native nations honor the owl, and only a very few tribes consider it a
signal of impending death. Those who fear it believe that when an owl is
seen or heard, someone is about to die. They say the owl comes to carry the
soul of the recently deceased safely to the Great Spirit.
Owls range in size from the very small ones that live inside desert cactus,
to the very large and mighty Great Horned Owl. They are considered by
some tribes to be a symbol of wisdom and the ability to see into a situation to
find the truth; they are a sign of strong intuition and the courage to follow
that intuition, and are seen as being alert and aware of what is around
them.
THE HAWK
The hawk is the messenger, the car
rier of signs and messages from the
Great Spirit. Hawks remind us to pay
close attention to details of what is
around us and to be aware of the consequences of what we do. They also
are a messenger in our thoughts, words and actions. The shrill scream of
the hawk is a reminder to be alert and to experience the wonder of the
people and things in our lives.
Hawks live among us and have the ability to survive in the cities, subur
ban areas, as well as the country. Are they telling us to look at what we are
doing to the earth and to ourselves? A tail feather of the great Red Tailed
Hawk is a prized possession and is truly beautiful.
THE CROW
In some Native beliefs the crow is a
powerful creature, for it is the keeper
of the Sacred Laws of the Universe. It has the power to blend darkness and
light, and sees the past, present and future, along with both inner and
outer reality. It is the sign of change.
The crow is also a great trader. They love bright, shiny objects, and if one
takes something, it will often leave something in exchange. Of course, you
might not like what it leaves, but it has traded with you!
-Reprinted from The Pow-wow Trail, by Julia C. White. Illustrations by Diana E. Stanley.
-- WJ
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