S moke S ignals
NOVEMBER 1, 2014
7
Cultural sharing expands to casino
By Ron Karten
Smoke Signals staff writer
Tribal Council sought an added
focus on Tribal culture at the ca-
sino, said Spirit Mountain Casino
Human Resources Director Patrick
Dempsey, and the casino has de-
livered.
A cultural awareness program
was organized by casino Human
Resources Training Specialist Vick-
ie Merrill and Jan Looking Wolf
Reibach, manager of the Tribe’s
Land and Culture Department,
who delivers the message.
The afternoon Circle of Culture
presentation on Wednesday, Oct.
22, was the latest of 14 similar
trainings being held day and night,
Merrill said. The sessions aim at
reaching all 1,250 casino employ-
ees.
Reibach has delivered the presen-
tation 35 times to new hires at the
casino and at universities and other
venues so far this year. He made
five presentations in one week at
the end of October.
“Jan’s story is so powerful and
well-received,” said Dempsey.
“We hear a continually positive
response for Jan.”
The Circle of Culture is a sur-
prisingly thorough summary for
an hour-long presentation. Reibach
moved from history to language to
many cultural practices, but the
takeaway might well be a line he
delivered again and again through-
out the presentation, a line pasted
at the bottom of his work e-mails:
k h anawi h ntsayka-ixt-tilixam nt-
sayka — We are all one family.
“And it feels good to be part of
that,” he said. “You may be the only
representative of the Tribe that our
guests meet in their lifetimes. Your
work represents our culture and
you are part of our culture.”
He encouraged casino employees
to pass along to casino guests some
of the language and culture they
were learning, but he emphasized
that the session was not cultural
“training,” rather a sharing of Trib-
al culture.
“It would be very disrespectful to
suggest that we ‘train’ anyone in
our culture,” he said. “I’m just here
to share some things that we hope
will be useful in your work here at
Spirit Mountain.”
At the same time, he added, “It’s
really important for them to con-
nect with our culture and to know
how appreciated they are by the
Tribe. Their efforts are a reflection
of the heart of our people.”
Among the cultural topics he
covered were smudging (“I can’t
speak for all, but it brings me
back into balance.”), Tribal drums
(“Drumming is a part of everyday
Tribal life.”), and the honor Tribal
members pay to Elders (“All people
do this.”).
Reibach talked about the sacred
eagle feather and how everything
stops at a powwow when an eagle
feather falls to the ground. It is
carefully purified with the smoke of
burning sage, prayer and a special
drum song.
Reibach said his life was changed
forever in 2002 at a powwow when
he sat down with an Elder who
was eating fry bread. The Elder
said, “You know, Jan, if you really
want to help the Tribe, treat ev-
erybody like you treat that eagle
feather.”
“This had a profound effect on
me,” Reibach said. “When some-
body comes into work and they’ve
had a bad day, help them out. Treat
them like you would treat that ea-
gle feather.”
In the Tribal history section, Rei-
bach went from time immemorial
through the Tribe’s seven ratified
treaties, to Termination and Res-
toration. He continued up to pres-
ent-day housing, Elder pensions
Photos by Michelle Alaimo
and adult foster care for Elders,
Land
and
Culture
Department
Manager
Jan
Looking
Wolf
Reibach
plays
buying land “so we can provide for
“Amazing Grace” on the flute during a culture sharing session for Spirit Mountain
all our Tribal members,” the build-
ing and sacred value of Chachalu,
Casino employees in the casino’s Events Center on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
all the way to
“It’s very clear that
free Monday
people here work as
meals at the
a group,” said Alan
casino.
Crain, Banquet lead.
“In just about
“It’s intriguing to see
the last 100
and it’s going to help
years, after Ter-
us have better bonds
mination,” he
with our guests.”
said, “the Tribe
“Everybody en-
went from liv-
joyed it,” Merrill said.
ing, hunting
“Somebody e-mailed
and fishing over
that it was the best
14 million acres
guest service trainings
to a two-and-a-
they had been to. An-
half acre ceme-
Kimberly Andre, a cashier at Spirit Mountain Casino’s Cedar Plank
other liked hearing the
tery.”
history. Many enjoyed
He described Buffet, listens during a culture sharing session for casino employees in
hearing about the cul-
h o w C h i n u k the casino’s Events Center on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
ture from somebody
Wawa, the trad-
who was so passionate about their
ing language in the Northwest,
ing new to him. “After 17 years,
culture.”
came about and how it “continues to
I’ve seen it all,” he said. “I can re-
Tribal Council member Jon A.
unite the people of Grand Ronde.”
member the first powwow held in
George
welcomed the group and
To close, Reibach said, “I brought
the covered play area at the school
gave the invocation. n
my best to honor you.” He picked up
where Chachalu is now.”
a flute he made and has played for
veterans and at many ceremonies.
“You choose to work here and
you’re making a difference. You de-
serve this song.” He played “Amaz-
ing Grace.”
He started the talk saying, “Good
afternoon” and “Hayu masi,” which
Natural Resources Department
means “Many thanks” in Chinuk
Fish Lab
Wawa. He ended with just “Hayu
47010 S.W. Hebo Road
masi,” and, flute in hand, exited
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347
stage right.
503-879-2424
“This was an eye-opener,” said
Mlisa Johnson, Food and Beverage
hostess and cashier.
GRAND RONDE LIVING and
“Great,” said Charles Miller,
ENROLLED TRIBAL MEMBERS
shuttle bus driver. But it was noth-
Must show current photo I.D.
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CTGR Fish Distribution
Nov. 17 and 18
Monday, Nov. 17, 2014 - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014 – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
If picking up for others, a signed release form will be required!
No early or late pickup
Fish will NOT be mailed
If you have any questions please call the Natural Resources Department 503-879-2424.
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 consideration of others.