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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2022)
PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO. 700 REMEMBER TO VOTE ELECTION DAY, SEPT. 10 september 1, 2022 Grand Ronde Education Summit draws record attendance Finding first foods By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor A fter two years of virtual meetings because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Grand Ronde Education Summit returned to an in-person format on Wednesday, Aug. 24, at Spirit Mountain Casino’s Event Center and saw record attendance with more than 260 educators registered to attend. The summit, now in its sixth year, is intended to educate educa- tors about the history of the Con- federated Tribes of Grand Ronde. “As we go through our sessions to- day, I encourage you all to keep an open mind,” Curriculum Specialist Cheyanne Heidt said in her opening address. “Lean into the uncomfort- able. I promise you there will be times throughout today when you will feel slightly uncomfortable. Lean into it. And ask those kinds of questions. We cannot provide you with the answers if you do not ask them. We are not easily offended. We are all here with the intent of helping educate educators. We want you to be more comfortable with Native American history, culture and materials. Ask those Tribal Council member Jon A. George smiles while holding a lamprey he caught while fishing at Willamette Falls on Friday, Aug 12. Aquatic Biologist Brandon Weems looks on. About 50 lamprey were caught by the Tribal contingent and will be used for future Tribal celebrations. Tribal Council member Kathleen George braves the rushing water while fishing for lamprey at Willamette Falls on Friday, Aug 12. TO SEE MORE PHOTOS See SUMMIT continued on page 5 SmokeSignalsCTGR 2022 Annual Contest Powwow pullout edition inside Powwow proud Annual contest event returns after a two-year hiatus, drawing large crowds About 50 lamprey were caught by Grand Ronde Tribal members at Willamette Falls. Photos by Timothy J. Gonzalez Dancers circle Uyxat Powwow Grounds during the first day of the 2022 Grand Ronde Contest Powwow on Friday, Aug. 19. It was the first contest powwow held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals assistant editor/staff writer H ope. Loss. Resilience. Joy. Pride. These emotions and more were undercurrents during the Grand Ronde Tribe’s first Contest Pow- wow held since 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the event in 2020 and ’21. During this challenging time, when even the thought of gathering in large crowds was enough to cause anxiety, Native people couldn’t be together, dancing and sharing in all that powwow brings. This realization was palpable and many remarked that events like this are even more special in the shad- ow of so much loss. “This feels great being in the spirit,” Willie Towner (Hoopa Valley) said during a break from dancing. Towner, a traditional dancer, has ties to the Grand Ronde Tribe and has been attending the Contest Powwow for several years. “Grand Ronde is in my blood,” he said. Three months ago, his niece died Grand Ronde Tribal member Harris Reibach participates in grand entry during the second day of the 2022 Grand Ronde Contest Powwow held Saturday, Aug. 20, at Uyxat Powwow Grounds. Photos by Timothy J. Gonzalez Former Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. walks on By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor F ormer three-term Tribal Council member and Vietnam War-era Marine Corps veter- an Steven L. Bobb Sr., whose lifeway took him from being a warrior to an artist to being an advocate for peace, love and understanding, walked on Thursday, Aug. 11, at the age of 73. He was born on April 7, 1949, in Portland, Ore., to Faye Riggs White and Wilson Bobb Jr. When he was 2 months old, his mother was Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez/Smoke Signals file photo killed in a car accident and he was raised by his grandparents, Wilson Bobb Sr. and Lena Bobb, on a 240-acre farm where the Tribe’s Natural Resources Department building is now located off Hebo Road. He attended school in Willamina and left Wil- lamina High three months before he was set to graduate in 1967 and started working for Willa- See PASSING continued on page 8 Steve Bobb Sr. speaks in July 2019 at the dedication of the “Visionaries” bronze sculpture he designed. The sculpture, which is located in front of the Governance Center, honors Grand Ronde Restoration figures Merle Holmes, Marvin Kimsey and Margaret Provost. Bobb Sr. walked on Thursday, Aug. 11.
