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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 1999)
Smoke Signals 4 Grandfather drum caiai ixnusniDGHiiiaTr When we're singing we're heping out The people out there are praying and we're helping them carry their prayers" Dustin Harmon Continued from front page They are on the road most weekends and consider it to be one of the best ben efits of the beat. In addition to drumming the timeless base-beats that meter steps of tribe and tradition, they trek the pow-wow trail having fun, honing skills and making friends. "You make a lot of family and meet a lot of friends," insists Mercier, who also praises the "clean and sober" nature of the events. "It'll take you places." Whether Eagle Beak is invited as guest sing ers, shows up at open festivities or enters regional contests, the group travels the pow-wow circuit at events as close as their own Grand Ronde back yard or as far-off as Canada and California. In May the group traveled to Merritt, British Co lumbia to enter their third drumming contest ever. Although Harmon says, "we're just now getting the feel of it," the group took third place out of 23 contestants. ) , Most events only pay from $50 to $100 which, if the group is lucky, will barely cover travel ex penses. But they say the real pay can not be mea sured in dollars and cents. "The money is the bread and butter but the real thing is having our people come up to us and say 'that was really good,"' says Dustin Harmon. "When we're singing we're helping out. The people out there are praying and we're helping them carry their prayers," he adds. "There are different levels of being a warrior and you have to find your own definition, but for me it's help ing people." Eagle Beak began helping people with their songs in 1995. Many of the core members had been drumming and singing with other groups for years bu,t four years ago they decided it was time to dance to the beat of their own drum. "We had our own songs and we had different styles so we wanted to go on our own," says Mer cier. Since then the group has developed their own distinct sound along with a repertoire of standard and original songs to choose from. They say their songs are either handed down to them by Elders; given by composers, dancers or other singers at pow-wows; or composed by the group themselves. "I remember a long time ago I was told by an old champion that there are singers and song makers," explains Shane Harmon. "And there are some who have both gifts." While most members focus on their gift of sing ing, a few such as Mercier and the Harmons, bring both gifts to the group. While Harmon says his inspiration, "comes from Grandfather," he says others such as Mercier are just naturally "great at making fast songs." "I've seen him sit down and think about his 18-month-old daughter and sing," he recalls with ad miration. "It just comes to him." 2.. fl EAGLE BEAK SINGERS. Standing: Dustin Harmon, Bobby Mercier, and Richard SoHappy. Kneeling: Shane Harmon, Joe Hostler, and Anthony Quinelle. Photo by Dale Peterson Photography Mercier says that by envisioning his daughter a few years older in full regalia at a pow-wow, he composes the music he sees her dancing to. "Either way," he adds, "it all comes from the Cre ator." By the time a new song is composed, however, everyone agrees the finished product is entirely an Eagle Beak group effort. "Sometimes you bring a song to the group and we all put it together," explains Quinelle. "It's not just one person's idea," adds Dustin Harmon. "We want everyone to get the credit." This single-minded approach to making songs shows a rare bond Eagle Beak members have de veloped along the pow-wow trail. It is a closeness whose roots seem deeper than mere friendship. "We can get mad and not talk to each other but when pow-wow time comes we're right back to gether," says Dustin Harmon. "I love these guys the closeness that comes from Grandfather just keeps us together." Many group members tell a similar story about what eventually brought them together an inner calling they felt as youths to 'sit down' with Grandfather drum. But like Quinelle, the youngest in the group, virtually everyone warmly remembers the first time they were asked to sit in with a group of singers and how it made them feel. "I've been dancing since I was little. Then I was invited by the group to sit in," recalls the 17-year-old. "These guys kept inviting me back. It made me feel good. It's a love affair with the sound of the drum and the voices." The attention the group gives youths is as much a part of their tradition as traveling the pow-wow circuit. Group members show that just as the older youths of their adolescence noticed them, they are also looking to see if any other young hearts beat with a desire to sing. "We watch these youths throughout the years," Shane Harmon says, as if challenging Raymond Duran and Josh Holmes to rise to the occasion. The two youths were invited to join the group's rehearsal. 'That's why we asked them to sit down with us today. We know they have it in their hearts." Tribal Council seeks your input Greetings to all adult tribal members, The Tribal Council is seeking input from tribal members regarding their interest in tax deferral on two different tribal benefits that are taxable. The first is the Elder Pension Benefit, which is already being paid to adult members age 55 and over. The second is the distribution of a portion of the net revenues from Spirit Mountain Casino. Some members have indicated an interest in such a deferral. However, deferral programs bring with them significant administrative burdens. The Tribal Council wishes to keep the cost of administration down so that em phasis is placed on programs that have more direct benefits to tribal members. Prior to con sidering tax deferral options, the Tribal Coun cil wants to be sure a program to justify the administrative burden and costs involved. If you have no interest in deferring ben efits from either of these programs for tax purposes, you may simply disregard this letter. However, if you believe that you would have interest in deferring benefits from either of these programs, the Tribal Council asks that you respond by checking the appropriate box on the response form below and mail it back no later than September 15, 1999. The Tribal Council will examine responses to determine the level of interest, and may or may not pur sue the development of deferral options. Very Best Wishes, Kathryn Harrison, Tribal Council Chair Yes. I would be very interested in having the Tribal Council consider adoption of a deferred payment program for the Tribal Elders' Retirement Benefit Program. Yes. I would be very interested in having the Tribal Council consider adoption of a deferred payment program for the member dis tribution of portions of the net revenues of gam ing and other corporate ventures. Comments: Your Name: Enrollment : Return this form by September 15, 1999 to: The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon Attn: Bob Saunders 9615 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347
