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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2011)
4 AUGUST 15, 2011 Smoke Signals Tribal youth chooses a canoe for school project r ini ii nwi p mi nnn, pi Photos courtesy of David Lewis Tribal member Saghaley Ltwls, 10, whtals tha canoa ha madt around Swagla Elamantary in Salam at tha and of last school yaar. Whan his fourth-grada class was making modals of Oragon Trail-typa wagons, ha was ancouragad by his f athar, Tribal mambar and Cultural Rasourcas Dapartmant Manager David Lawis, to make a canoa instead. Making a canoe was mora appropriate for Saghaley's Native American culture, his father said. Saghaley Lewis' project expands knowledge of Oregon's Native Americans in fourth grade By Ron Karten Smoke Signals staff writer Tribal member David Lewis's interest in and excitement about Tribal culture has been passed down to his 10-year-old son, Sa ghaley, who just finished fourth grade and also is a member of the Tribe. You might call it historical suc cess, the flip side of historical trauma. When the boy's fourth-grade class at Swegle Elementary in Salem was making models of Oregon Trail type wagons, "We encouraged him to make a canoe instead," said Lew is, who is manager of the Tribe's Cultural Resources Department. Saghaley liked the idea right away. This story played out just as the Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill canoe exhibit was ending its run in May. "He looked at the exhibit as a way to learn more about the canoes," David said. "He took some pictures and then we created a small canoe for him and he painted it. "At first, his teacher said, 'We don't want him to look different,' but we said, This is inappropriate for him as an Indian. Why not do something more appropriate for his culture?' "He's presenting a different story of history and culture to his class. Everybody's of one mind with pioneers and wagons; Natives used canoes. Why can't we (as Natives) feature that history? In public edu cation today, there is not enough emphasis on Native culture." As a child, Lewis also attended Swegle Elementary, and noted, "Education about Oregon Indians was nonexistent in my educational experience. What I did get was the history of Native people who helped with western expansion, like Sa cagawea, who served as a guide and translator for the Lewis and Clark expedition." "So, for Oregon, for education over the past 30 years, not much has changed. Tribal member Saghaley Lewis, 10, shows off the canoe he made for a class project last school year at Swegle Elementary in Salem. "It's an issue of historical, cul tural competency for the school district itself." Toward the end of the school year, when the day came for students to wheel around their covered wagons, Saghaley wheeled the canoe around the school. "Saghaley's project did stand out," said Lewis, "and he was asked many questions by other students. We hope this opened up some pos sibilities for the students that they will explore later in their lives." Today, the canoe sits in the Lewis living room. "We're very proud of being a part of it," Lewis said. 'There is only a small window in fourth grade for education about Tribal history, and we need to continue to push for culturally diverse and relevant education for all students." D is$1 or can of food POWWOW continued from front page (Tsuu T'ina). Head judge will be Lara Ike (YakamaRock Creek Wasco) and Freddie Ike Jr. (Yaka maRock Creek Wasco) will be the arena director. There will be parking available at the Uyxat Powwow Grounds for a $1 or a donation of a can a food, and there will be a shuttle running from Spirit Mountain Casino to the powwow grounds. There will be free camping available at the powwow grounds. Also, pets are not allowed inside the powwow arena. El ire you or is someone you love at risk o suidde? SUICIDE PREVENTION 1-800-273-TALK www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org et the facts and tube appropriate action. (2D II QQ 503-879-5211 School supply gift cards available School supply gift cards will be available from the Tribe's Youth Education Department for Tribal youth in grades kindergarten through 12th grade from Monday, Aug. 15, through Friday, Aug. 26, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Parents must provide either the youth's Tribal ID card or CIB. The gift cards cannot be mailed out. Tribal members who live out of the area may have a family member sign for a gift card with a permis sion note and the youth's proof of Tribal enrollment. For more information, contact Toni Mercier at 503-879-2101 or toni.merciergrandronde.org. D : Would you like to t fa learn more about m&Q; s 'I Uvvv1 1 All 1 CI 1WOLW1 parent or respite care provider and ; j making a difference in the : life of a child? ; . If so please contact Amanda Mercier, , ICW Foster Care Recruitment Specialist, 'y: at 503-879-2039 1-800-242-8196 or e-mail " amandamerdergrandronde.org for more information -v "tUT " ' Follow us ongg2g ICW Foster Care Program Grand Ronde - - 'V f .'V i Ad created by George Valdez Ad created by George Valdez
