1
S moke S ignals
april 1, 2014
Chinuk Wawa lesson presented
COURSES continued
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ervation, in the 1860s when ghost
dancers were here, we used square
drums. We only see them today,”
he said, “at games, gambling and
similar events. Today, it’s mostly
round drums.”
The song that opened the pro-
gram and many others, he said,
is a song about and titled “New
Beginnings.”
“We have song recordings from
the 1800s,” Mercier added, “but we
don’t sing them because they belong
to others.” One needs permission
to sing songs written by others, he
said. One could buy them, not for
money, but by laying gifts at the
feet of the families of those who
wrote them. Acceptable gifts in-
clude traditional foods and crafts.
Mercier also talked about smudg-
ing, burning sage, as a way of
cleansing an atmosphere for “peo-
ple who have a heavy heart.” Some
sage, also called mugwort, grows
in Oregon on the banks of the Wil-
lamette River.
Cultural Education and Outreach
Program Manager Kathy Cole took
the groups through an elementary
lesson in Chinuk Wawa.
The language has been a main-
stay for the Tribes and bands mak-
ing up the Confederated Tribes of
Grand Ronde since the 1850s when
approximately 30 different groups,
each with their own language and
culture, were herded and marched
north to live together in Grand
Ronde. Chinuk Wawa was the one
language that all understood, at
least a little, Cole said.
The lesson included Chinuk
Wawa words for I, me, my, you,
yours, how are you? what’s wrong?
and more.
She invited all to attend Chinuk
Wawa classes Wednesdays at noon
at Chachalu, the new cultural cen-
ter and museum.
Tribal Historian David Lewis
came with an eight-page written
history of the Tribe, passed out to
those attending, that noted impor-
tant moments and milestones in
the Tribe’s history, going back some
13,000 years, or “before memory,”
Lewis said.
Much of the history came from
the period following the Tribe’s
1853-59 treaties with the federal
government.
As a result of the treaties, the
Tribe ceded more than 14 million
acres, virtually all of western Or-
egon, to the federal government.
In return, Tribal treaty signers
were promised a place to live, food,
schooling and health care.
“Most of us here have fi ve or more
ancestors from this group,” Lewis
said.
Indians were harassed by settlers
during the 1856 Trail of Tears.
Many thought Indians should be
exterminated, Lewis said.
A year after the Tribes and bands
arrived in Grand Ronde, the reser-
vation included 61,440 acres of for-
mer land claim allotments that the
U.S. Army purchased from settlers.
By the turn of the 20th century,
much of that land was declared sur-
plus and purchased by the federal
government, much of that sold at
fi re sale prices to timber interests
that still own and harvest the trees
on that land today.
Lewis also talked about the high
land at Fort Yamhill, where Indi-
ans who were to become members
of the Confederated Tribes of Grand
Ronde were held, like in a prison
camp. The high ground, with a view
in every direction, served both to
keep Indians in and settlers out.
When problems of Tribal peoples
were not solved by government
programs, the federal government’s
solution was to abandon the trea-
ties. In 1954, the federal govern-
ment terminated recognition and
all promised support for the Grand
Ronde Tribe, among many.
In 1983, federal recognition was
returned to the Grand Ronde Tribe,
but it came with new costs. The
Tribes had to give up their hunting
and fi shing rights.
Later, almost 10,000 acres of the
original reservation were returned
to the Tribe. Later still, the Tribe
began managing its forest land. The
once great Indian culture that had
withered with European contact
began to rebuild itself in Grand
Ronde.
Remaining trainings for the year
will cover hair, regalia, carving and
powwow protocols; plankhouse and
sweat lodge protocols, along with
Tribal ways of feeding the spirit;
and water, fi rst foods and fi rst fi sh
ceremonies.
“It’s important for Tribal employ-
ees to understand the (confeder-
ated) Tribes, their people, their
traditions and their world view,”
said Tribal Planner Rick George
after the session. “This training is
a great way for staff to get an in-
troduction to the people they work
for and with, and to better under-
stand how their work connects to
the cultures and traditions of the
Tribes.”
Tiffany Mercier, secretary in the
Youth Education program, said
she was “thrilled” to participate.
She said she had “done all I can to
jump into learning as much as pos-
sible about Grand Ronde history,
culture, traditions and language.
I feel that as a newcomer to the
community, spouse, parent, Native
and staff member – it is not only my
privilege and honor, but my duty, to
learn as much as possible.”
“Being from another Tribe, Co-
quille,” said Julia Willis, grants
coordinator for Spirit Mountain
Community Fund, “I was very
interested in learning more about
CTGR culture and history, espe-
cially since so many Oregon Tribes
share common experiences.
“I always enjoy the drumming
and songs, and really liked learning
some Chinuk Wawa although I am
not very good with that barred L!”
The program master of ceremo-
nies was Land and Culture Man-
ager Jan Looking Wolf Reibach.
“We’re all connected,” he said.
“Tribal members and staff. All of
us contributing to the Grand Ronde
culture. As I see many Elders and
others here who have a vast knowl-
edge of Tribal culture, the broad
range of traditional practices, songs
and lifeways, I recognize that we’re
not teaching our culture. We’re
sharing what we know.
“The heart of our culture,” he said,
“is in people, not programs.” n
bernando teaches Wawa in Portland offi ce
Tribal member Eric Bernando teaches Chinuk Wawa language classes
from 5:30 to 8:20 p.m. Wednesday at the Portland offi ce, 4445 S.W.
Barbur Blvd., Suite 101. For more information, contact Bernando at
ChinukWawa@gmail.com or 503-709-3017. n
Name Our Community Garden
Adult Foster Program
With assistance from the Land & Culture Department, Facilities, Social Services,
Natural Resources Department, Tribal Staff and Community Members, the
Community Garden is being renovated. Garden beds have been resided and
compost added to increase soil nutrients. Pathways have been lined and spread
with chips. Additionally, as the year progresses a greenhouse will be installed
and an small orchard planted.
Now that the Community Garden is taking off and beginning the planting season,
The garden needs a name!
Please submit your recommendations to:
Teresa (Clay) Brocksen
Teresa.A.Clay@GrandRonde.org
or 503-879-1414
Recommendations are due by April 30 th .
Upcoming Event: Everyone welcome!
Please join us Saturday, April 19 th at the Community Garden, 8715 Grand Ronde
Road (accessed off North Street), for bed preparation and planting.
For additional information regarding this event,
please contact Patti LeClaire at 503-851-2999.
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