S moke S ignals
january 15, 2014
Test fee assistance
Enrolled Tribal members can request assistance with test fees (i.e.
GRE, SAT, LSAT, ACT) and admissions application fees.
Contact Higher Education for more information at 1-800-422-0232,
ext. 2275. n
9
Adult Foster Program
‘The public needs to be
educated that we’re still here’
STANDING STRONG
continued from front page
ness and appreciation of our Tribal
culture,” says Grand Ronde Tribal
Council member Cheryle A. Ken-
nedy. “This annual gathering has
demonstrated that Oregonians are
hungry to learn about our history
and culture. Last year, our num-
bers surpassed all expectations and
we hope to do the same again this
year. It is also a great way to bring
our fellow Tribes together to cel-
ebrate our culture and friendship,
and family ties within the Grand
Ronde’s ceded lands. I am proud
our Tribal Council makes support-
ing this event a priority and that
so many of our Elders and Tribal
families show up to participate.”
Ron Brainard, Tribal Council
member of the Confederated Tribes
of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and
Siuslaw Indians, says there are two
benefits of the annual powwow.
“The public needs to be educated
that we’re still here. A lot of folks
out there don’t realize that there
are still Tribes,” Brainard says.
“It makes for better relationships
between the Tribes. (Good relation-
ships and cooperation) work better
for all of us.”
“The powwow and activities sur-
rounding the event were designed
to showcase the western Oregon
Tribes and their significance during
the 1850s, as well as their distinct
cultures,” says Michael Rondeau,
Tribal administrator and chief
executive officer of the Cow Creek
Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.
“It was also an opportunity to
provide education on U.S. policies
regarding the Natives of western
Oregon during the 1950s, specifi-
cally the Termination era.”
In 1954, the Western Oregon
Indian Termination Act severed
the trust relationship between the
federal government and Tribes of
western Oregon. In the late 1970s
and early 1980s, several of those
terminated Tribes successfully re-
gained federal recognition.
In addition, a video entitled
“Standing Strong, The Tribal Na-
tions of Western Oregon” will be
shown continually during the pow-
wow. It was developed to teach the
cultural and historical background
of the five Tribes.
Among notable events this year
are exhibitions of traditional North-
west Indian dances. Educational
booths will demonstrate Native
crafts, games and traditional hunt-
ing and fishing tools.
Hands-on activities will give
guests a feel for Native beading,
basketry, carving, clothing and
jewelry, much of which will be sold
at vendor booths surrounding the
The Tribe’s Adult Foster Care lodges are committed to offering quality
care to our Elders and helping them remain as independent as possible, while
providing the personalized assistance they need. At our lodges, a wide range
of services is available in a comfortable setting where privacy is respected
and maximum independence is supported. For information, contact the Adult
Foster Program Director at 503-879-1694. n
Smoke Signals file photo
bee Foster dances as the Grand
ronde Canoe Family performs
during the fifth annual Gathering
of Oregon’s First nations Powwow
held at the salem Pavilion at the
Oregon state Fairgrounds in salem
in January 2013.
powwow floor.
Food also will be available for
purchase.
The Confederated Tribes of Coos,
Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indi-
ans will demonstrate traditional
weaving using grasses and rush-
es.
Demonstrations from the Grand
Ronde Tribe will showcase natural
pigments, weaving, carving and
beading, and the Grand Ronde
Canoe Family will perform Native
songs and dances.
Also, the Grand Ronde Tribe
will hold a raffle to raise funds for
Chachalu (Place of the Burning Tim-
ber), the Tribe’s emerging museum
and cultural center. An opening
event is planned for early June.
The Grand Ronde Tribe also will
be represented by Tribal Coun-
cil members and Elder Dolores
Parmenter, who will demonstrate
carving and other traditional arts
and crafts.
Kathy Cole, Grand Ronde Cul-
tural Education and Outreach Pro-
gram manager, and Grand Ronde
culture consultant Greg Archuleta
also will be on hand for demonstra-
tions and to answer history, sover-
eignty and culture questions.
Nick Sixkiller, a member of Cher-
okee Nation in Tahlequah, Okla.,
is powwow master of ceremonies,
and Tony Whitehead, a member
of the Confederated Tribes of the
Umatilla Indian Reservation near
Pendleton, is arena director.
Parking at the pavilion is $3, but
admission to the event is free. The
powwow is scheduled to conclude
at 9 p.m. n
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