Smoke Signals 5
OCTOBER 1, 2012
M&iny dhairoces to learn CfomwkWsmja
Classes held in Grand
Ronde, Portland and
Eugene areas
By Kathy Cole
Cultural Resources Programs manager
There are many opportunities to
learn Chinuk Wawa in the Grand
Ronde, Portland and Eugene ar
eas. The language is part of our cul
ture and part of what defines our
identity. The efforts to keep the lan
guage alive are ongoing thanks to a
handful of people. We would like to
increase the number of people who
are able to speak the language and
keep it alive, which is why classes
are available in these three major
areas and many different types of
classes are taught with the chance
to take the class for credit.
The Grand Ronde Reservation
was established by presidential
executive order in 1857. The Res
ervation was established for more
than 30 different bands of Tribal
people and many different dialects
were spoken within those different
bands.
The only language these Tribes
had in common was Chinuk jargon.
It was the custom of these people
not to marry within their Tribe and
so many inner-Tribal marriages oc
curred. The children of these mar
riages grew up speaking Chinuk
Wawa as their first language.
In the early 1870s, there was a
real educational push by the federal
government and children were sent
to boarding schools. By the 1880s,
the Native language was being re
moved from the curriculum. After
a time, the children were punished
for speaking Chinuk.
The language suffered, but some
of the language was still spoken at
home. In the late 1970s and early
1980s, some of the Grand Ronde El
ders held classes and worked hard
to revive the language. The work
is still ongoing and our hope is to
bring it back stronger than ever.
The first-year class is held in
Grand Ronde and taught by Kathy
Cole from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday
and Wednesday. You can either
take this class for fun or take it for
credit through Lane Community
College. The class is held in the
Adult Education Room 126 on Mon
day and Room 207 on Wednesday.
The second-year class is also
taught 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday by
Henry Zenk in the Adult Education
building. On Wednesdays, the class
taught by Zenk is broadcast from
the Portland office to Grand Ronde,
again from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
There are two classes of Chinuk
Wawa offered in the Eugene area.
The first- and second-year classes
are held at Lane Community Col
lege from 5 to 6:50 p.m. Monday and
Wednesday in the Longhouse.
The first-year class is taught by
Janne Underriner and the second
year class is facilitated by Beth
Sheppard and broadcast to Zenk.
Another chance to take Chinuk
Wawa is from 2 to 8:30 p.m. Tues
day at the Eugene Tribal office and
the class is taught by Justin Rob
inson. His class is more informal
and can be taken for fun or he can
tutor those who are taking the Lane
Community College class.
There are more chances to take
Chinuk Wawa in Portland. Eric
Bernando teaches a class at the
Portland office from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday. He also can help tutor
students in the Portland office who
are taking the class for credit.
The class in Grand Ronde and
Eugene associated with Lane Com
munity College started on Monday,
Sept. 24, and follows the college
schedule.
If you have any questions, call
Kathy Cole at 503-879-2249. D
Portland State lab conducting
survey on fishing, fish eating
Kendra Kuust
Natural Resources Department intern
Portland State University's Survey Research Lab is searching
for participants, particularly those from Native American Tribes,
to complete a survey on fishing and fish eating habits at Portland
Harbor. The survey will end after Oct. 6.
Portland Harbor is six miles of the Willamette River that stretches
from Sauvie Island almost to the Fremont Bridge. Portland Harbor
hosts 39 fish and shellfish species. Throughout the year, Portland
Harbor hosts three Chinook salmon runs, one Coho run and two
steelhead runs.
Fish species found in Portland Harbor include bass, carp, bull
head catfish, salmon, white sturgeon, crappie and panfish. Shellfish
species include crayfish and bivalves. People travel from different
parts of the Northwest to fish in the area.
Tiffany Conklin, a senior research assistant, said, "We'd like to
ask them to do an anonymous and confidential phone interview with
us. Anyone who completes the longer interview about 20 min-,.
utes would receive a $20 gift card to Fred Meyer or Fisherman's
Marine & Outdoor Store to thank them for their help."
Anyone who completes the survey will be entered into a drawing
to win a $150 gift card to Fred Meyer or Fisherman's Marine &
Outdoor Store.
The survey can be taken by phone at 503-725-5970 and ask for
Tiffany Conklin, or online at www.portlandfishsurvey.com.
WENATIVE
For weekly health tips, contests, and life advice ; ;
text NATIVE to 24587
Please encourage young people in your community to sign up.
Topics include:
Teachings from Native leaders
Wellness and Life Balance
Family Relationships
Mental Health
- Tobacco, Drugs and Alcohol
Violence and Bullying
Peer Pressure
Sexual Health
Healthy Relationships
School Pressures
Getting Help
Quizzes, polls, and discussions
Scholarships, conferences, Internships
'Standard rates apply. It's Just like textlng your
friends and family.
In 201 2, the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board will launch a companion website: www.weRnatlve.org.
The site Is being designed for Native youth, by Native youth, to encourage healthy behaviors, share
youth-friendly media and current events, Increase cultural identity and pride, and share the positive Impacts
Native youth are having on their communities.
Funded by the NKkxMt IHS HIV Program
For more Information, pleaie contact
Jessica Leston: )lestornpelhturg or vtslt us at: hnywww.npalhbAroeficenterproectproJectredtalon
WEHNATIVE
Tribal Couirtt closure
Beginning Sept. 7 and throughout the remainder of the year, the
Tribal Court will be closed to the public from 8 a.m. to noon Friday to
allow time for staff to complete administrative projects. Thank you
for your patience.
Elders7 Holiday Bazaar set
The Tribal Elders' Holiday Bazaar will be held Friday and Saturday,
Nov. 9-10, in the Tribal gym.
Hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Food will be available for purchase.
Vendors should call 503-879-2233 for an application. Forty-two tables
are available on a first-come, first-served basis. H
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Invitation To Tribal Monitors,
Spouses of Tribal Mtmbtrt ,
Parent Of A Tribal Member And Legal Guardians Of
Grand Rondo Tribal Member Children
To Apply For The Temporary Staffing Pool
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde's Temporary
Staffing Pool is accepting applications.
, Tribal members, descendants, spouses of Tribal members,
parents of a Tribal member, and legal guardians of Grand
Ronde Tribal member children interested in assisting with
filling temporary vacancies on an "on-call" or an "extended
duration basis are encouraged to contact the CTGR
Human Resources office. Employment applications are
available at the Human Resources office located in the
Governance Center, 9615 Grand Ronde Road.
Applicants must pass the following background checks:
Criminal background
Work history
References
Tribal membership
Drug screen
Temporary employees will be subject to the CTGR's
Employee Handbook.
This is an excellent opportunity for our membership to sup-
plement their income ana gain experience while aiding us in t
continuing a smooth delivery of services. .
Ad created by George Valdez