Smoke Signals 3
DECEMBER 1, 2004
Circle Of Weaving
0
WEAVING continued
from page 1
with the various basketry tech
niques of our ancestors and to get
them interested in carrying on the
tradition," said LaBonte.
About 100 people were in atten-
7 ... '
f r -; '
V
U- J ,
New Skill Tribal member Reina Nelson holds up an
almost finished cedar hat that she spent the weekend
learning how to make. Nisqually-Chehalis Tribal Elder,
Evelyn Penn, instructed the Cedar Bark Hat Class.
dance to teach and learn the many
techniques of basket weaving. It
was estimated that about 70 per
cent of those in attendance were
Grand Ronde Tribal members.
"It feels so good to be able to come
home and learn these things," said
Tribal member Carol Logan, who
was the Spiritual Advisor for this
event. "This has been a wonder
ful gathering
and a very heal
ing time for our
people."
There were
many types of
basket weaving
techniques
taught over the
weekend. Some
of these included
roots and shoots,
tule-cattail,
beargrass braid
ing, juncus, ce
dar bark hats
and wool and
hemp. Each
class was taught
by somebody
different includ
ing two Grand
Ronde Tribal
members, Sam
Ilenny and
Connie Graves.
Ilenny taught
the wool and
hemp session at
the gathering.
She began weaving about nine
years ago and explained that she
-rf'
I " SM-" . ...
Display Traditional baskets were brought for display by several people at the
gathering. This collection is made up of mostly cedar bark and was brought by
Nisqually-Chehalis Tribal Elder Evelyn Penn.
learned to make up for a shortage
of teachers in the Grand Ronde
area. She said that there were
about 15 or 20 people in her ses
sion ranging from age six all the
way up to Elder status.
"All of the people I taught were
extremely receptive," said Ilenny.
"I would like the Grand Ronde
people to see that there is an art in
weaving. People put so much time
and spirit into it that weaving truly
becomes an art."
There were more attractions to the
Circle of Weaving gathering than
basket weaving. On Friday and Sat
urday there was a dinner for all in
attendance and on Saturday and
Sunday there was a breakfast served.
The Grand Ronde Honor Guard
was there on Friday evening to post
the colors and some Tribal Council
members were there to welcome ev
eryone. Jan Michael Riebach
played the Native flute and Tribal
Elder Minerva Soucie was there to
give a lecture on the philosophies
in basket weaving. There was also
an exhibit of finished baskets on dis
play for all to view.
There were many Tribes from
across Oregon in attendance at the
gathering. In fact, when the
Chehalis Tribe called at the last
minute and wanted to send 30
members from their Tribe, there
was only room for five. They opted
to not send anyone rather than
choose who could go.
Beginning in January, 2005 there
will be a series of basket weaving
classes being offered once a month.
The focus of these classes will be
gathering, processing, weaving and
the history of basket weaving.
"I believe this gathering was a
huge success," said LaBonte. "It
was great to see so many Elders
working side by side with young
people. I am certain that our an
cestors were smiling down on us
over the weekend."
A.
Ik.
Appreciation On Wednesday, November 3, the Spirit Mountain Casino's
Tribal employees were introduced to Tribal member and new Interim General
Manager Mike Larsen. The reason for the meeting was to give appreciation
and show recognition to all of the Tribal member employees. "The directors,
the board of directors, Tribal Council and I should honor and recognize the
success and promotions of Tribal members employed here at Spirit Mountain
Casino,' 'said Larsen.
VtY,
Elder Aerobics Class
1 i
Let's Dance Tribal Elders Judy McKnight, left, and Claudia Leno,
right, participate with Dee West in Elder aerobics class that is held three
times a week in the Grand Ronde Community Center. West is the wife of
Tribal Council member Wesley "Buddy" West.
Discussion Tribal member Dave Brummit of Portland questions the
Tribal Council at the Portland Tribal Community Potluck, held on Saturday,
November 20. Brummit and other Portland area Tribal members explained to the
Tribal Council members present that they would like to be better informed. They
also stressed the need for better communication between the council and the
membership. More meetings are planned in the near future as a forum for such
concerns.