Smoke Signals 5
SEPTEMBER 1, 2012
Tribes stiamidl stiiroiragj aft oregoni Stiafte Faoir
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
SALEM For the fourth straight
year, the Oregon State Fair's open
ing day on Friday, Aug. 24, featured
the five federally recognized Tribes
in western Oregon standing to
gether and educating fairgoers on
Native history and culture.
Members of the five Tribes the
Confederated Tribes of Grand
Ronde, the Confederated Tribes of
Siletz, the Confederated Tribes of
Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw
Indians, Coquille Indian Tribe and
the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua
Indians gathered at the Spirit
of Oregon stage to educate, share
and perform.
The Grand Ronde Tribal contin
gent included four Tribal Council
members Secretary Jack Giffen
Jr. and Chris Mercier, Steve Bobb
Sr. and Kathleen Tom and the
Tribal Canoe Family, Tribal Roy
alty and numerous Tribal members
and staff.
Events started at about 11:10 a.m.
on a surprisingly sunny, but cool,
day as The Woodsmen drum, which
included Tribal member Bobby Mer
cier, performed a grand entry song
as the posting of colors occurred.
Tribal Council member Chris
Mercier carried in the U.S. flag
while Tribal Elder and veteran
Gene LaBonte carried in the Grand
Ronde Tribal flag.
Aftjer The Woodsmen performed
"Soldier Boy" in honor of veterans
in attendance, Giffen joined Siletz
Tribal Chairwoman Dee Pigsley in
welcoming fairgoers to the home
lands of the Grand Ronde Tribe.
"Welcome to the ceded lands of
the Confederated Tribes of Grand
Ronde," Giffen said. "We're your
neighbors, we're your co-workers,
we're your friends, and we are In
dian County in Oregon."
Grand Ronde Tribal Royalty then
took the stage and introduced them
selves. This year's Royalty includes
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7
1
Photos by Michelle Alaimo
The Grand Rond Canoa Family and Grand Honda Royalty perform
a dance to "The Blue Heron Song" during the five federally
recognized western Oregon Tribes' Standing Strong program
on opening day of the Oregon State Fair at the Oregon State
Fairgrounds in Salem on Friday, Aug. 24.
Tribal Elder and veteran Gene LaBonte, second from left, carries
the Grand Ronde Tribal flag to post during the opening of the
Standing Strong program on opening day of the Oregon State Fair
at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem on Friday, Aug. 24.
Kiana Leno, Senior Miss Grand
Ronde; Kailiyah Krehbiel, Junior
Miss Grand Ronde; Iyana Holmes,
Junior Veterans Queen; and Junior
Miss Princesses Amaryssa and
Amelia Mooney, Makenzie Aaron,
Madison Ross and Elizabeth Wat-
Youth Center seeks volunteers
The Tina Miller Community Center Thrift Store, 110 B. St., Willamina,
which helps fund the after-school and weekend youth community center lo
cated in the old high school gym, is seeking volunteers who can help run the
store, in addition to donated items and customers. The store accepts clothes,
books, knickknacks, etc., as donations.
It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and closed on Sunday
and Monday. Donations also can be left at the Wildwood Hotel and Restaurant
in Willamina. For more information on volunteering, call 503-876-7897. The
youth center and thrift store that funds it are nonprofit and 100 percent self
sustaining and volunteer-run.
son-Croy. In addition,
Miss Siletz SuSun Fisher
introduced herself.
Master of ceremony
Nick Sixkiller then in
vited Bobb to the stage
to introduce the Grand
Ronde Canoe Family. Some 20
plus strong, the Canoe Family per
formed eight songs over 45 minutes
to the delight of the crowd.
During a performance of "The
Blue Heron Song," several audience
members jumped up to follow the
dancers during the fun song that
depicts a blue heron getting stuck
in the mud and freeing itself.
After the Grand Ronde Canoe
Family, the Siletz Feather Danc
ers performed and Tribal Royalty
quizzed audience members with
"Did You Know" facts about Oregon
Tribes.
Offstage, each Tribe staffed infor
mational booths. The Grand Ronde
booth included Greg Archuleta,
Jordan Mercier and Greg Robinson
and his son, Justin, both Chinook,
and featured carving examples, as
well as a children's craft table and
informational pamphlets.
"We are here to share our cul
ture and heritage," Sixkiller told
audience members. "We tell our
children to never forget who you are
or where you came from."
The "Standing Strong" event was
organized by the Tribe's Public
Affairs Department, including Di
rector Siobhan Taylor and Chelsea
Clark and Lisa Archuleta.
It is held annually by the Tribes
in exchange for free rental of the
Salem Pavilion in late January
for the Oregon First Nations Pow
wow. H
lit
V
11' you have any questions, contact
Brian Krehbiel at 503-879-4639
Dr. Ashley Nunley
Chiropractor
at the
CTGR-Portland Office
4445 SWBarburBlvd Suite 101
Portland, Or 97239
Wednesdays only
9 a.m. - Noon
1 - 3:40 p.m.
7
if
. ; JCall Mon-Fri Wellness Center 503-S79-2002
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or at the Portland office 503-235-4230
Tribal members with Skookum hearth plan
make your appointment now
Ad created by George Valdez
Ad created by George Valdez