OCTOBER 1,2006
Smoke Signals 5
Tribal member has a "Chained Reaction."
By Toby McClary
In a quiet, cozy home in Hebo, Or
egon, Tribal member Larry Risteen
lives with many different beings. He
lives with salmon and bear and even
a Grand Ronde Indian. Although
these figures are made of wood and
do not breathe, Risteen explains that
they are very much alive.
Risteen, in a business partnership
with his cousin and Spokane Tribal
member Don Kieffer, sells wood carv
ings from his home in Hebo. When
Kieffer has finished carving them,
Risteen then paints, stains, sands
and burns the wooden statues and
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prepares them for sale. More impor
tantly, Risteen bonds with them.
"Each one has its own personality,"
said Risteen. "I develop a relation
ship with each one of them."
When Risteen's wife, Tammy, had
a heart attack in 2004 she had to
quit her job. With a house payment
among other bills, Risteen was strug
gling and needed to find a second
source of income.
"We were used to two incomes,"
said Risteen. "We almost lost our
home."
Risteen found an opportunity for
a second source while having a con
versation with his cousin Kieffer.
Risteen explained that Kieffer came
to Hebo for a visit and offered to give
him a couple of statues to sell.
"He gave us a couple and we sold
them and it just took off from there,"
Risteen said. "A lot of Tribal mem
bers stepped up to the plate and
helped us out."
Risteen has sold many carved stat
ues to Tribal members and Tribal
Council members and offers his ap
preciation for the help.
"It was a nice gesture for them to
see a person in need and help out,"
said Risteen. "The Tribe has been
very supportive."
Risteen also works at Spirit Moun
tain Casino as a Front Desk Lead in
the lodge. He has worked in several
different departments in his eight
years at the casino.
When Risteen takes a look into his
life today, he explains that it is much
better than one he once led.
"Coming from living in an alley and
spending my days trying to find a
dry cigarette butt, life is much better
now," said Risteen. "I am so grateful
for what I have now."
The name of Risteen's business is
"Chained Reaction" and he said that
he offers discounts to Tribal Elders.
If you are interested in Risteen's
carvings he may be reached at 503-392-4960.
Tribal Council member Wink Soderberg purchased this carved eagle from Tribal
member Larry Risteen. Risteen does carvings at his home in Hebo.
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