6
DECEMBER 15, 2014
S moke S ignals
Jordan Mercier uses his education
to complement cultural interests
By Ron Karten
Smoke Signals staff writer
Tribal member Jordan Mercier,
29, knew early on that he wanted
to work with Grand Ronde Trib-
al peoples. Today, he is the
Tribe’s Cultural Protection
coordinator and works at
Chachalu, the Tribal Mu-
seum and Cultural Center.
“In both his work and
personal contributions,”
says Jan Looking Wolf Rei-
bach, manager of the Land
and Culture Department,
“Jordan’s efforts strengthen
the Tribe’s Circle of Culture.
Chachalu is fortunate to have
him on our team.”
In return, says Mercier in an
e-mail, “I am proud of our Tribal
community, the many successes
we have earned over the years and
the countless obstacles we have
overcome.”
Chachalu is part of “a diverse,
talented and inspiring department
staff,” Mercier says. “I do not take
for granted this privilege of work-
ing for my community. I strive to
demonstrate gratitude in all of my
actions, and to honor everyone who
has offered their time, trust and
teachings to me.”
He credits his family, the Mer-
cier/Hudson family, going back to
John B. Hudson and Hattie Hudson
(Sands) on his grandfather’s (Vin-
cent Mercier) mother’s side; and
Francis and Marie Mercier (Petite)
on Vincent Mercier’s father’s side.
All have walked on, but their influ-
ence, and the influence of the oth-
ers, down to his parents, Michael
and Tammy Mercier, continues.
In speaking at the recent Tribal
History Conference held at Chacha-
lu, Jordan’s remarks also started
with a traditional introduction of
his family.
“My grandpa, Vincent, used to
tell stories about Grand Ronde
all the time. He was very proud of
our Tribe and our culture, and he
shared that with us as kids. My
grandpa taught me phrases and
gave me a language book. He’d do
cultural presentations in my class-
es at school.”
His father, Michael, supported
his growing interest in the Tribe.
“He grew up in Grand Ronde, so
he has really helped me become
more connected,” Jordan says of
his father.
Jordan credits his Grand Ronde
relatives who set a good example
for him.
“I remember going out to visit
Auntie Ila Dowd when I was little
and how excited we would all get
for her to say ‘The Lord’s Prayer’
in Chinuk,” he recalls.
Jordan continued studying the
Tribal trade language both at
Portland State University’s Native
American Student and Community
Center and later at the Portland
satellite office.
Indians from across the North-
west and farther afield also studied
the language, Jordan says. They
learned it “not because it
was their traditional lan-
guage, but because of their
interest in Native languag-
es and their involvement in
the Portland Native com-
munity.”
At the Tribe’s
Portland office, he
continued to study
Chinuk Wawa and
other lifeways of
Native people.
He graduated from
Portland State with
a bachelor’s degree in
sociology and psychology.
He focused on Indigenous
Native studies, race/ethnic
relations, decolonization,
social justice and commu-
nity organizing.
Cornel Pewewardy, Port-
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
land State Indigenous
Studies Department direc- Jordan Mercier knew for years he wanted to work for the Grand Ronde Tribe. He grew
tor, “ignited my interest up in the Portland area, graduated from Portland State University and is currently the
for Native social justice,” Tribe’s Cultural Protection coordinator.
Jordan says. “He helped me
to contextualize my experience as
her canoe songs since before she
for Public Affairs starting in April
a Native person.”
was born and having her has re-
2012. His work included public
The list of those who influenced
ally bolstered his motivation to be
outreach through cultural demon-
him is almost endless: Henry Zenk,
an active part of the community.
strations, presentations and other
Jedd Schrock, Eric Bernando and
Jordan wants to share everything
representation on behalf of the
Sky Hopinka, a fellow Portland
with Ila so that she will always feel
Tribe.
State alumni from the Ho-Chunk
at home in the Tribe.
Since September 2013, he has
Tribe, helped him learn the lan-
“As his wife, I am continually
been working full-time in Land and
guage.
proud and inspired by Jordan.
Culture.
Greg Archuleta took him under
Watching him grow as a father
David Harrelson, program man-
wing and let him tag along on cul-
and a Tribal member has been one
ager for the Tribal Historic Preser-
tural excursions. He taught Jordan
of the most beautiful and profound
vation Office where Mercier works,
to gather plants, weave and carve.
experiences of my life.”
says, “He has dedicated himself
He introduced Jordan to Columbia
“I am who I am,” Jordan adds,
selflessly to the betterment of
River art, the Tribe’s stories, histo-
“and I do what I do because of the
our community. In his work with
ry and important historical places.
constant love from my parents, and
the Tribal Historic Preservation
He credits his cousins — Bob-
the encouragement and support
Office, he represents our Tribe in
by Mercier, Brian Krehbiel and
they have given me throughout
a good way through providing an
Travis Stewart — for “generously
my life.”
understanding of our culture and
sharing all their teachings and
He calls his involvement with
history to public agencies as well
vast cultural knowledge with me
the culture of Achaf-hammi, the
as Tribal members.”
and teaching me what it means
Grand Ronde plankhouse, and the
All this and more make him a
to be Grand Ronde, and how to
Canoe Family “life-changing and
steady and long-term model for
better carry myself in the com-
transformative” experiences.
those who are growing in Tribal
munity.”
Chopping wood, singing songs,
life after him.
All these things have “strength-
and learning about and practicing
“To be called a role model is an
ened my sense of identity and
Tribal traditions and protocols
honor and it makes me feel happy,”
self-esteem, and deepened my con-
have taught him “a lot about how to
Jordan says. “I will strive to live
nection to the Tribal community.”
be a part of something much bigger
up to the responsibilities associ-
Professionally, Jordan says, he
than myself.”
ated with this label and continue
wants “to continue to serve the
In the Paddle to Quinault Canoe
to promote positive growth in our
Grand Ronde Tribal community
Journey of 2013, he says, “I was
community.”
and government in the best way
able to witness for myself the power
In this role, he says, he will work
that my capacity and skills make
that canoe and plankhouse culture
“to create opportunities” for other
possible, focusing on whatever is-
have to bring healing to people.
members of the Tribe. He wants to
sues and needs are most relevant
“Just seeing all the different
help them “feel and really become
at the time.
Grand Ronde families come togeth-
empowered, so that they get in-
“Personally, I hope to be living in
er as one Canoe Family and shar-
volved with the Tribal community
Grand Ronde with my wife, Aman-
ing the values of well-being and
and contribute to the great things
da, and our daughter, Ila (who also
sobriety is an incredibly powerful
that are happening here.”
is a member of the Tribe), and at
experience. Creating a safe space
He grew up in Portland. The
least two more kids.”
for people that is full of traditional
family now lives in McMinnville
Amanda says about her husband
art, music, foods and activities is
where Jordan’s list of interests
that “he has a good heart and that
healing. It’s a place to strengthen
shines another light on an already
he really loves his family and the
community by helping Tribal mem-
prodigious number of talents. He
Tribe. It’s from this place that all
bers better get to know their people
names parenting, collecting vinyl
his hard work and devotion comes
and themselves by taking positive
records, guitar, piano, hiking, read-
from. He is committed to serving
action, giving of themselves and
ing, camping, writing, basketry,
his community, absolutely driven
working together.”
carving, drawing and traveling as
by his passion for culture, and is
Public Affairs Director Siobhan
his interests.
always seeking to include his fam-
Taylor brought Mercier on to work
As one of the Tribe’s best, the
ily as part of both.
on outreach projects while he was
community can look forward to his
“Especially with the birth of our
studying at the Portland office. He
contributions for the foreseeable
daughter, Ila. He has been singing
worked as a technical assistant
future. n