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A cultural milestone
Photos by Timothy J. Gonzalez
Cultural Advisor Bobby Mercier lowers a dipnet into the waters at Willamette Falls from the newly installed Tribal fishing platform on Thursday, Oct. 25.
Tribe returns to ceremonial fish at Willamette Falls platform
By Danielle Frost
Smoke Signals staff writer
W
EST LINN — Grand
Ronde Tribal Chairwom-
an Cheryle A. Kennedy
said she could feel the presence
of ancestors on Friday, Oct. 26,
as she spoke about the Tribe’s re-
cently completed fishing platform
at Willamette Falls, a historic and
cultural milestone.
“I stand here with pride in my
heart and know the battles my an-
cestors went through so we could
have this celebration today,” she
said. “All of that flows through our
veins so we could be strong today.
… We welcome all Tribes here
to fish. This platform is the will
See PLATFORM
continued on pages 14-15
Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy, front right, says a prayer
before Tribal members leave dock to dipnet fish off the newly installed
Tribal fishing platform at Willamette Falls on Thursday, Oct. 25. Joining
Chairwoman Kennedy are, from left, Biologist Brandon Weems, Matt
Zimbrick, Tribal Council members Denise Harvey and Jack Giffen Jr., and
Tribal Council Secretary Jon A. George. No fish were caught on the first day.
Fishing continued on Friday, and the fishermen only had until the end of
October to catch the Tribe's state-approved take of 15 ceremonial fish.