Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2005)
8 DECEMBER 1, 2005 Smoke Signals DECEMBER 1, 2005 Smoke Signals 9 (3and fonde (Celebrates 22 Years Qf K estoration ' m -Miff ; i V4 iMi'V V.'. Nil li . a j pu v i ci be.- LeadingTheWay The Grand Ronde Honor Guard follows SiletzTriba member William Depoe (front, left) and Alaskan Native Wayne Chulik during the Grand Ronde Restoration Pow wow held at Spirit Mountain Casino on Sunday. November 20. By Ron Karten ribal member CeCe Kneeland started the Tribe's 22nd annual Res toration celebration this year with heartfelt advice to her daughter, Tribal member Nakoosa. "Sing for those who cannot sing and dance for those who cannot dance," she said. Beyond the walls of the Spirit Mountain Casino's bingo parlor, the sun was out. There was a cool breeze blowing. Red, orange and brown leaves were falling. It was a beautiful autumn day, nature in full accord with this Sunday, No vember 20th celebration of the Tribe's Restoration. Restoration falls on November 22 each year, a day off for the Tribe's 300 govern ment workers. "May you, too, hear the sound of the sacred when the storm comes to you," said Kneeland. Today in many ways, the Tribe is soaring, while many members con tinue to be in need. It has devel oped jobs for many Tribal members, though more jobs are needed. It is building homes for Tribal members, care facilities for Tribal Elders, though more homes are needed. Tribal culture is on the rise, not only in Grand Ronde but across the ( i 5; , i !(' ' if- - If state, and main stream journal ists across the country are starting to ask about the de tails of the American legacy toward Indians. Education and health care are now paramount for Tribal members and the Tribe is funding both. Natural Resources projects are taking care of the Tribe's timber stands as well as federal parcels, and in the pro cess, providing permanent jobs for Tribal members and summer jobs for Tribal youth. And in the last month, the Tribe passed the $30 1 ft fc.'L . v i. - . . .. - r wti v ' I f tmr- ' 7tl - I'll U Hp i Opening Ceremony Tribal youth dance in the middle of the pow-wow circle while the Honor Guard waits to post the colors. Northwest Connection opened Grand Entry. million mark in giving back to the local communities. "We're here as a Tribe and as a people," said Tribal member Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach, be fore performing with international recording artist Karen Therese, and the Rainbow Tribe Ensemble. "We're a strong people," he said. Hundreds filled the casino bingo hall to overflowing for the day long '7 f v A" -tit WW" 4 jtrf". Our People Are Our Pride Women traditional dancers stand in a single file line while making their way to the pow-wow arena during Grand Ronde 's 22nd Restoration Celebration held in Spirit Mountain Casino's bingo hall on Sunday, November 20. Photos by Toby McClary event, and were treated to a pork and salmon-led dinner, a Grand Entry at 3 p.m. followed by an in door pow-wow "Honoring our An cestors." Nick Sixkiller emceed. Behind the scenes, Sous Chef Rob ert Young took 50 minutes to carve a 300-pound block of ice into a Spirit Mountain logo. He used a chain saw for the rough work and a Makita dye grinder to do the letters. "This is one of the better Restora tion turnouts," said Tribal Elder Pat Allen who is also chairwoman of the Culture Committee. The day also honored old friends and renewed old friendships. Vet eran Gus Smoorenburg and his com panion, Marian Holm, were on hand, as they always are to honor the Tribe. "I love this," he said. "I always come." Tribal member Steve Ibabao and his wife, Caroline, came 180 miles from Cosmopolis, Washington to at tend the celebration. Tribal mem ber Chandra Nauma was visiting from Hawaii and taking education and job skills classes from the Tribe. And on sale near the back of the bingo hall were cakes, pies, drums, jewelry, dolls, shadow boxes, pillows, crocheted hats, wood cut puzzles, dream catchers, t-shirts, feathers, flutes all the usuals in the com merce department. , Tribal Elder Charlotte Gray of fered thanks to Tribal members Dakota Whitecloud and Jackie Pro vost for coordinating the vendors and the event itself. They "have been super," she said. Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle Kennedy remembered Elders and gave thanks for those, including Jackie Provost, Russ Leno, Merle Holmes, Marvin Kimsey and others, who were instrumental in making Restoration happen. And there was a reading of the names of those who have passed on, ending with Tribal member Marty George. The past continues to play a big 4 X v v A-- til ' f -y F"w . I- In The Mix Tribal member Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach performs at Grand Ronde 's Restoration Celebration. Reibach did a cover of Bob Dylan's Knockm' On Heaven's Door shortly before doing a traditional Dute concert. . - f v i ' f .V'CN J I - IJya "yip J ' Income vf V s y . ... .... .... ., . . rwr1 . .- -M - " J.,..,. i-.-,. 1-...T1ITf.nIfft1 Talent International recording artist Karen Therese and the Rainbow Tribe Ensemble opened the afternoon with a combination of pop and Native soul music. part in Restoration. Tribal member Perri McDaniel's Regalia once belonged to her cousin, she called her "Auntie" June Poitras (Klamath). "She got me and my sisters into dancing and making Regalia," she said. The Regalia had been put away 18 years ago when Poitras passed on, said McDaniel, until three years ago when McDaniel put it back to use. "It still belongs to the Poitras family," she said. It was made in "the traditional Chinook style" with old-style, smooth dentalia that used to be used for money, she said. McDaniel's mom, also long passed, made the moccasins she wore. "We think that if we just get that new car that things will be better," said Looking Wolf before he started his set. "This is heaven right here," he added. He strummed his guitar but it wasn't amplified. "They're doing it to us again," he laughed. "Look what they're doing to us," and then he found that the amplifier cord was unplugged. He plugged it in, strummed a few chords that echoed out into the audience and sailed into the Looking Wolf cover of Bob Dylan's Knockin' On Heaven's Door D A fancy shawl dancer performed as part of the Rainbow Tribe Ensemble. V 6 At i n .... '
