R. COLL.
CHASTA ' I 0
rKM(Fff? nTxnAfj (rap
ROGUE RIVER J) U II UiL& fO ) ii UJUlL! fci
A Publication of the Grand Ronde Tribe www.grandronde.org September 1, 2000 Y WfT.fi
By Brent Merrill
olors as varied as the
I brightest of yellows and
I oranges to the starkest
vJ blacks and whites bounced
and shook from the regalia of Tribal
dancers. Booming drums filled the
arena with an ancient rhythm and the
smell of frybread teased all.
The Confederated Tribes of the
Grand Ronde Community of Oregon
held their annual pow-wow August
18th through August 20th in Grand
Ronde. The 2000 Annual Contest
Pow-wow attracted visitors from
many Tribes throughout the Nation.
Visitors from many different ethnic
backgrounds made the trip to this
year's event.
The pow-wow is a community
celebration. ' ' .
"The pow-wow has always been a
community event," said Tribal Council
member Bob Mercier.
,?The more people we get out .here
from the community the more they see
what we do out here and what we are
trying to do."
"Our Tribe always has been commu
nity minded," agreed Tribal Council
member Val Grout. "To me, the
pow-wow is a coming home. You get
to see family and friends that you don't
normally get to see during the year.
It's like a family gathering."
The pow-wow started on Friday
evening with the Royalty Pageant.
Saturday's schedule started with
a parade in the morning. The parade
began at the Tribal cemetery and
finished at the pow-wow grounds.
This year's Grand Marshals were
Tribal Elders Verna Larsen, 84, and
Leonard Vivette, 87. Grand Marshals
were selected by the Elders' Committee.
Host drums were Seekaskootch and
Blackstone from Canada, Black Lodge
from Washington and Southern Cree .
from Montana.
This year's Master of Ceremonies was
Grand Ronde Tribal member Roy Track
and the arena director was Freddie Ike,
Jr. of Yakama and Warm Springs.
PHOTO: Grand Ronde Tribal member
Nathan Butler is all smiles as he
prepares to strut his stuff in the
dance arena.
Photo by Brent Merrill
Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde
Community of Oregon
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347
Address Service Requested
V ' JJ w
I :J- iVji
. : : . I" -1 v.. , V"1f v v,W,
"' " " "sr - " 's - .. -'s v.
-. : ' - , " jjf Smoke signals
I : , .. ."11 i"!
PRESORTED
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
SALEM, OR
PERMIT NO. 178
Serials Dert. - Knight Library
1239 UNIUERSITV OF OREGON
EUGENE OR 97403-1205
Dancers, Drummers and Visitors
come from across the Nation
to Celebrate Annual Pow-wow,
see pages 7-10