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.