Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2019)
S moke S ignals MARCH 1, 2019 9 ‘Words cannot be put into this’ mette University in April 2006. According to Grand Ronde Depu- ty Press Secretary Sara Thompson, it is estimated that 100 fragments of Tomanowos exist in private and institutional collections. TOMANOWOS continued from front page erties. It is a great, great thing to have this piece back. The story of Tomanowos is a story of hardship, endurance, survival and victory. From the heart and soul of the Grand Ronde people, we give sin- cere thanks and gratitude to have this piece back.” The ceremony opened with sing- ing and drumming by Cultural Advisor Bobby Mercier, Cultural Protection Specialist Chris Bailey, Historic Preservation Technician Nic Atanacio, Interpretive Coor- dinator Travis Stewart and Cul- tural Collections Specialist Nick Labonte. “We chose the song, ‘Traveling With Our Ancestors,’ after think- ing about this meteorite and what it has been through to come back home,” Mercier said. Evergreen Museum Interim Ex- ecutive Director John Rasmussen said that although meteorites have “great significant value” to the museum, the cultural value to the Tribe outweighs it. “This is a significant day for us,” Rasmussen said. “This piece of the meteorite has special meaning to our friends in Grand Ronde.” Kennedy and Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. gifted mu- seum officials with beaded necklac- es to thank them for the return of a piece of Tomanowos. “Words cannot be put into this,” Kennedy said. “Meteorites contain answers to the universe. We are a spiritual people and believe this came from Creator.” The piece became part of Ev- ergreen’s collection in 2006 after being purchased at auction by Yam- hill County resident Del Smith, founder of Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. Before Smith pur- chased the fragment, it was part of the Macovich Collection in New York City. The first piece of Tomanowos to come back home was a 2.2 pound fragment repatriated by Willa- Tomanowos the traveler Tomanowos fell from the sky more than 10,000 years ago and came to rest in what is now West Linn by way of the Bretz Floods. Clackamas Chinook Tribal peoples, who lived in the area, believed the meteorite was invested with divine properties and frequently visited it for ceremonial purposes. In 1906, a New York philan- thropist purchased Tomanowos f or $ 2 0 , 6 0 0 a n d s h ipped th e 31,000-pound meteorite by train to New York City, where it was donated to the American Museum of Natural History, where it still resides 113 years later. In November 1999, the Grand Ronde Tribe filed a claim for the me- teorite, citing the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990. In 2000, the Tribe and museum reached an agreement that keeps Tomanowos in New York City and allows annual ceremonial access to Grand Ronde Tribal members. In 2012, a slice of Tomanowos was auctioned off for $2,000 in New York City by meteorite collector Darryl Pitt. He obtained his pieces of the meteorite in 1998 when he traded the American Museum of Natural History for a half-ounce piece of a meteorite from Mars. The trade occurred before the Tribe staked a claim to Tomanowos. The Tribe is currently planning an exhibit, “Witness,” about Toma- nowos at its Chachalu Museum & Cultural Center, scheduled to open in spring 2019. Child Care provided to first 15 people to register! Prizes & Great information Special Education Roundtable Curriculum is based around ages 0-5 Hosted by Family Service Coordination Team Topics- Discipline WHEN- APRIL 9- MAY 21 5:00-7:30 P.M. techniques, stress management, communication skills, self-care, child EVERY TUESDAY FOR 7 WEEKS development and more! Open classroom setting, lots of great discussions! DINNER AT 5 P.M. Discussion of special education topics, highlighting transition from preschool to Kindergarten and high school to adulthood CALL 503-879-2041 TO Save the date! REGISTER WHERE- GRAND RONDE COMMUNITY CENTER FACILTATED BY: ALIEA Tuesday, March 12 th , 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. FINNEY & STAFF Employment Resources Training Room RSVP: Audra X2069 or Elaine X2095
