Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2019)
8 Smoke Signals JUNE 1, 2019 Gathering of Grand Ronde Tilixam focuses on healing By Danielle Frost Smoke Signals staff writer Remember the past, focus on the present and plan for the future was the message of the three-day Gathering of Grand Ronde Tilixam held Tuesday, May 21, through Thursday, May 23. In its second year, the event sought to give participants an op- portunity to connect and learn how to best care for the community by discussing historical and intergen- erational trauma, wisdom, culture, identity, healing and more. The Tribe’s Social Services De- partment spearheaded the efforts behind the event, assisted by the Cultural Resources Department and facilitated by the Native Well- ness Institute of Gresham. “Our focus here is on uplifting each other so we can keep up- lifting our people,” said Native Wellness Institute Executive Director and event co-facilitator Jillene Joseph. Other event facilitators were Shalene Joseph and Josh Cock- er, who also lead the Indigenous 20-Something Project. The institute’s mission is to promote the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health From left, Chinuk Immersion Program of North America’s indigenous students Bryson Redd, Elijah Freeman, peoples, and to bring about pos- itive changes. It has existed for Carter Campbell, Kai Barton, Tye Bailey, 19 years and organizers have fa- Micah Bruckner, Agency Anderson and cilitated hundreds of community Isaac Freeman sing during the first healing gatherings throughout day of the second annual Gathering of North America using the Gath- Grand Ronde Tilixam. ering of Native Americans cur- depicting everyday scenes of work, riculum. home, school, cultural activities, The curriculum was developed sports, military service and social between 1990 and ’94 by several gatherings, as well as solemn por- founding institute members. Or- traits of Tribal chiefs and Elders. ganizers say it has stood the test “We are going to talk about of time as an effective healing and things from the past, what is cur- planning model for Tribal commu- rently happening and our hope for nities addressing effects of histori- the future,” Jillene Joseph said on cal and intergenerational trauma. the first day. Historically, the Grand Ronde The event opened with drumming Tribe has faced considerable obsta- and singing led by Cultural Advisor cles: Being removed from its home- Bobby Mercier, Cultural Educa- lands to a Reservation, discouraged tion Coordinator Jordan Mercier, and sometimes legally required to Historic Preservation Technician abstain from traditional practices Nicolas Atanacio, K5 Tutor/Advisor and lifestyles, Termination in 1954 Santi Atanacio, 6-12 Tutor Vincent and the subsequent relocation of Chargualaf and Cultural Collec- many Tribal families away from tions Specialist Nick Labonte. Grand Ronde. Tribal Council member Lisa Leno After years of hard work and per- attended portions of the three-day severance, the Tribe was restored event. in 1983 and has subsequently The Chinuk Immersion Preschool flourished, albeit with its share of class performed the Canoe Song, struggles and growing pains. assisted by their teachers. Jillene “Tilixam” means “people, family Joseph then invited the adults to do or gathering” in Chinuk Wawa. “healthy risk taking” and join the Evidence of that could be found children in the Blue Heron Song, in historical photos that lined the which involved flapping their arms walls of the Tribal gym. These like birds, squawking and dancing. included pre-Reservation, early Most of the audience participated. Reservation and current images Photos by Timothy J. Gonzalez Native Wellness Institute Executive Director Jillene Joseph welcomes Tribal members during the first day of the second annual Gathering of Grand Ronde Tilixam held in the Tribal gym on Tuesday, May. 21. The event was to bring the community together for healing, to learn from the historical trauma that continues to affect the community and to learn new skills to help restore balance. “This is so much fun,” Tribal member Monty Herron said. Joseph said that teachers can be any age. “This is their norm,” she said of the children who danced. “Many of us didn’t grow up with this, but it’s never too late to learn. At another gathering, a 70-year-old Elder said it was the first time in her life she did something ‘Indian.’ For the next three days, we will be doing it whenever we can.” Attendees all had their photos taken, which were then pasted on to affirmation sheets on the gym walls. “It’s a reminder of our time gath- ered here and how awesome you are,” Jillene Joseph told the audi- ence of approximately 65 communi- ty and staff members who attended. The morning also included small and large group activities, such as breaking into “clans,” doing ice-breakers such as speaking for 30 seconds on different topics, and sharing expectations for the day. Afternoon activities included storytelling, understanding family charts and doing a “river of life,” which involved watching a video about Willamette Falls and its im- portance to the Tribe. Participants then considered major events in their lives from birth to the present, and marked these in a “river of life” drawing activity. The second day began by reflect- ing on the previous day’s activities and what was most meaningful to individual attendees. They were joined by key Restoration figure and Tribal Elder Kathryn Harri- son, who is 95 years old. “I wasn’t here yesterday, but my impression so far today is one of togetherness,” she said. “Everyone opened their arms to me. I’m thank- ful I am here for one more day.” Tribal Elder Debi Anderson noted similarities between participants’ “rivers” the day before. “The rapids in the rivers were similar in how they affected us, whether we were 18 or 64,” she said. “Trauma was profound and the pain was all the same.” Tribal Elder Leonette Galligher said she wanted more events like the gathering. “We should get more of our Tribal people involved,” she said. Other speakers mentioned high- lights of spending time with Elders, bonding in their clan groups, meet- ing new people and learning about Restoration. “I’ve heard the word ‘healing’ a lot today,” Jillene Joseph said. “You didn’t hear that word very much several years ago. This is a sign that our norms are starting to change, and that’s a good thing.” Other activities on Wednesday included exercises on closure and transition, multigenerational trau- ma and cultural oppression, and historical wisdom and resiliency. In the afternoon, attendees participat- ed or watched crafting activities, such as beading, carving and mak- ing medicine bags and maple bark skirts. Others visited Chachalu Museum & Cultural Center. On the final day, the event fo- cused on giving back to the com- munity and included sharing plans, community resources, presentation of completion certificates and give- aways. “I’ve really enjoyed being here for the second year in a row and hearing everyone’s stories,” Portland Area Office Tribal Services Representa- tive Lisa Archuleta said. “Some- times we come to these trainings and as soon as we leave, that goes away. I would encourage those who are struggling to reach out.” Tribal members break off into small groups on the first day of the second annual Gathering of Grand Ronde Tilixam held in the Tribal gym on Tuesday, May. 21.
