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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (July 15, 2013)
Smoke Signals 7 JULY 15, 2013 Coming of Age ceremony returning to Grand Ronde By Ron Karten Smoke Signals staff writer As far as Tribal historians know, it has been more than 100 years since forerunners of the Grand Ronde Tribe have held a coming of age ceremony for girls in a Tribal community. This year, Sept. 25-29, that will change. According to information from Elders and the Tribal Land and Culture Department, Native girls at puberty historically were "secluded either in a private hut or by rush mats hung around her bed plat form," fasted for five days and "spent her time being extremely still." The information comes from six Tribal sources living in the late 1800s - including women and men from the Tualatin band of Kala puya, northern Mollala, southern Mollala, the Chinook along the Columbia River and Rogue River Shasta, says June Olson, a Tribal Elder and former manager of the Tribe's now-defunct Cultural Re sources Department. Together, they provide a view of what the ceremony looked like in western Oregon. The information came during interviews regarding language preservation, Olson says. 'The descriptions of the ceremony were very, very similar," she says, "so we can assume that the bands and Tribes we didn't have infor mation from probably had similar ceremonies." "We're taking the best of what we know," says Youth Prevention Specialist Lisa Leno, who joins many others in bringing this cer emony back to Grand Ronde. The ceremony will last five days. Girls will spend the first two days quietly with their families, fast ing, praying, learning family and Tribal histories, making necklaces and other jewelry, weaving and learning about their roles in the community. "Basically, it's about the family's values," says Pearl Rife. "We're not trying to impose values on any family." The next three days will find the girls and their families at the Tribal plankhouse for an encampment. The first day of the encampment is one of song and dance. Most of the ceremony will be for, by and about girls and women of the Tribe. Still, supporters of the effort (men among them) and guests also are invited. The girls will spend the second day in isolation. They will get up before sunrise, search for their spirit, meditate, walk, pray all day and return to the encampment when the sun sets. The spirit search is the equiva lent of a vision quest for boys. The last day is a community event where selected teachers for the girls describe to them what it means to be a Native woman. Energy for the ceremony came from parents and Elders, says Leno. Among those leaders is Sarah Ross, who began looking into this history in 2010. "I wanted to be sure this cer emony was in place for my daughter (Madison, 1 1) by the time she was ready," she says. "What I discovered was that many families who chose to participate in this tradition were sending their daughters to outside communities, but it was important to our family to have something here at home in Grand Ronde." For the ceremony, all girls are invited with a focus on those right around their change of life days. Speaking with cultural and spiri tual leaders in the community, Ross says she realized, "We women had everything we needed to bring this ceremony home. At that point it was a matter of bringing together a group of women to be inspired to share in that vision." In that regard, the group is "ask ing around the community for knowledge of this ceremony." It will "restore a sense of tradition, and bring healing back to families," Ross says. "Traditionally women have al ways been the backbone of our community, but in recent times our voices have not been as readily heard," Ross says. "This ceremony is an awakening in the purest form, one that is awakening old ways as well as our own spirits. "To have Elders and young ladies going through this process together and learning what it means to be a physically and spiritually strong, healthy Native woman is a power ful experience." Also in on the initial planning are Dana Ainam, Cristina Lara, Barbara Gibbons, Amber Mer cier, Kathy Cole, Kalene Contre ras, Nicole Estrada, Kelly Nelson, Shannon Stanton, Tahnae Baker, Tiffany Mercier, Pearl Rife and April Campbell, as well as Elders Kathryn Harrison, June Olson and Dolores Parmenter. For Harrison, the ceremony is about "strengthening self-esteem, getting in touch with their spiritu ality. As a giver of life, they have to take care of the body. Finding a place in the community and the Tribe is one of the things that will keep you going." "It's about how to walk in life as a woman," says Parmenter, who joined the effort when organizers put out a call seeking the help of Tribal Elders. "It takes a whole village. That's sort of what the Indians did. Becoming a young Native American woman, it's a good idea to know your culture and have some advice to guide you through life as you go. "Nowadays, we don't have any ceremonies for young people. This will help them on their way." "I'm so grateful to be a part of this," says Tahnae Baker. "I realize I am a model for them to really let them have a sense of self. It's really hard during those years. You don't know where to go next, who to ask for help. They have to know that they are important." "I have a young daughter, 6," said Amber Mercier, referring to Laila Holmes, and then to her participa tion in the ceremony, "so I'll have the knowledge to help her when she gets there." "I think that one of the most important benefits of restoring this ceremony is the healing for all women," says Olson. "Ultimately, healing for the Tribal community. The ceremony sends out really strong symbols from every direc tion: to give girls a new sense of pride and self-confidence. "The fact that this is being re stored by the community empowers the message more." Support for the effort also is com ing from Land and Culture and Education departments, particu larly Jan Reibach, Bobby Mercier, Travis Mercier, Eirik Thorsgard and Olson. In addition, says Leno, "we invite anybody with knowledge (of the subject) to step up and help." An open meeting for further dis cussion will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at the Youth Education building. Fathers also are invited. Dinner will be served. ANNUAL risDh dDsGD9DlbQjaGDifD NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT FISH LAB 47010 SW HEBO ROAD GRAND RONDE, OREGON 97347 503-879-2424 sBE3 GRAND RONDE LIVING AND ENROLLED TRIBAL MEMBERS MUST SHOW CURRENT PHOTO I.D. Thursday, Aug. 15, 1-5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, Auq. 17, 9 a.m. - Noon ED 5 Hobo Road: If picking up for others, the signed and completed release form provided below is required! No early or late pickup Fish will NOT be mailed Elders will have a special line established to expediently fill their requests. To ensure this, only Elder orders will be filled using this line. Thank you for understanding and considecatiaa-of-others. Portland Office Sign-up Grand Ronde Living & Enrolled Tribal Members Must show current Photo ID Please call the office to be put on the List for Sign -up July 15 -Aug. 15, 2013 503 235-4230 If picking up for others, the signed and completed release form provided below is required. Distribution will be on August 20, 2013 lO am 5:30pm 4445 SW Barbur Blvd. 101 Portland OR 97239 2013 Salmon Distribution Release Form i 2013 SALMON DISTRIBUTION RELEASE FORM . , Roll Number I give ; salmon. Signature of Tribal member: . . permission to pick up my give up my salmon. -, Roll Number permission to pick Date: Signature of Tribal member: . Date:
