PRESORTED
STANDARD MAIL
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PORTLAND, OR
PERMIT NO. 700
DECEMBER 15, 2017
Pacific lamprey
breeding above
Fall Creek Dam
By Danielle Frost
Smoke Signals staff writer
P
ORTLAND — The Tribal
Natural Resources Depart-
ment’s ongoing research proj-
ect to see if it could increase the
number of Pacific lamprey has been
successful.
Recently, Fish and Wildlife Pro-
gram Manager Kelly Dirksen an-
nounced that juvenile lamprey have
been seen migrating out of the Fall
Creek Reservoir southeast of Eu-
gene, something that was brought
into question during the project.
“We have faced withering criti-
cism that our work was pointless,
that for all we are doing the juve-
nile lamprey would be stranded and
die above the dam, unable to get
out,” Dirksen said. “Our argument
is that this was another technical
hurdle and that the aim of the
project was to test (it) … the fact
that lamprey are making it out of
the system is honestly pretty un-
expected and beyond our dreams.”
Pacific lamprey are culturally
significant to Tribes from southern
California to Alaska. Considered
one of the “first foods,” the jawless
fish, high in fat, protein and vita-
min A, has provided sustenance
to Tribes since time immemorial.
Local Tribes traditionally have har-
vested lamprey at Willamette Falls
and Grand Ronde Tribal members
continue to do so annually.
“Culturally, they are significant
and biologically they add a lot
of nutrients back to the stream
system,” Aquatic Biologist Torey
Wakeland said.
See LAMPREY
continued on page 8
Map created by George Valdez
Awaiting Summers return
British Museum loaning Tribe items for 2018 Chachalu exhibit
family and Tribe, Ed-
wards said.
For instance, Tribal
hirty years is the
Council
Chairwoman
amount of time
Cheryle A. Kennedy,
that dozens of
then-Tribal Coun-
Tribal employees and
cil Secretary June
representatives have
Sell-Sherer and two
invested in seeking the
Cultural Resources
return of the Summers
staff members trav-
Collection to Grand
eled to London in
Ronde.
December 2002 to
On Friday, Nov.
view the Summers
17, just days before
Collection.
the Tribe’s 34th Res-
“This collection rep-
toration celebration,
resents many things
Historic Preservation
to many in the com-
Manager Briece Ed-
munity,” Edwards
wards and his staff
said. “For some, it is
received notification
File photo courtesy of the Cultural Resources Department
an opportunity to see
that the British Mu- While visiting the British Museum in London in December
remnant examples
seum in London will
2002, then-Tribal Council Secretary June Sell-Sherer, left,
of weaving, carving
grant the Tribe a lim-
and Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy viewed
or other fabrication
ited duration loan
and
handled
items
from
the
Summers
Collection.
Sell-Sherer
techniques in order
of select items for a
is
holding
an
elk
bone
dentalium
purse
that
is
expected
to
to bring those tradi-
summer 2018 exhibit
tions back into the
on collectors of Grand be one of the artifacts that the Tribe will receive on loan
community to keep
Ronde culture at the from the British Museum for exhibit in 2018.
them from being lost
Chachalu Museum &
… The Tribe and its members have not forgotten
Cultural Center.
these to be belongings made by and for the commu-
The exhibit, “Rise of the Collectors,” also will in-
nity, who have a unique understanding about their
clude additional artifacts from other institutions and
purpose and internalized significance.”
is set to run from June 2018 through May 2019.
For almost 20 years, the London museum has be-
See COLLECTION
come a pilgrimage destination of sorts for individuals
continued on page 10
seeking to see and reconnect with belongings of their
By Danielle Frost
Smoke Signals staff writer
T
Tribal Council Christmas Party
Nichole Liebelt, left, holds her
7-month-old nephew, Sterling
Zimmer, as his mother Cheyeanne
Zimmer puts his Santa Claus jacket
on to prepare him for Christmas
carol singing during the Tribal
Council Christmas Party held in the
Tribal gym on Sunday, Dec. 3. About
500 people attended the party that
included visits with Santa, played
by Tribal Elder Steve Bobb Sr. and
Ferrell DeGarmo, Rudolph the Red-
Nosed Reindeer, aka Kelly Martin,
and the Grinch, aka Tribal Certified
Medical Assistant Jodi Bergen,
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
Royalty performed “The Lord’s
Prayer,” and there were raffle prizes, lunch and, as always, the party ended with the children singing Christmas
carols. Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy was master of ceremonies. More photos on page 7.