Post by blackcrowheart on Feb 11, 2006 12:52:11 GMT -5
Multi-Cultural Sharing at potlach
By Terry Dillman Of the News-Times
Bringing tribal and community members together to share art, culture,
and creativity is the focus of tomorrow's Cleansing (Otter) Moon
Potlatch at the Siletz Tribal Community Center.
Organized and coordinated by Siletz tribal member and artist Lisa Brown,
the multi-faceted event will feature a craft and gift bazaar, door
prizes, food (potluck style, with any and all donations welcome), and
on-going cultural exchange. Everyone is invited to attend and learn more
about tribal culture and traditions, including wellness/spirituality,
beading, jewelry-making, and more.
"This is a time for people to come together, let go of differences,
recognize their similarities, and share who they are and where they come
from," said Brown. "It has been shared by tribal elders that in order
for healing to begin, we must let go of resentments or harsh feelings."
Among the attending artists are Danise Barker with wall hangings,
pillows, and lap quilts created using Native American, western, and
special print fabrics; Donna Berntsen with specialty designs for "Red
Hats" using faceted seed beads, and incorporating applique and brick
stitch techniques; Lynn Whitlow with beaded jewelry and resale items;
and Gretchen Adele Armstrong with wood sculptures, trade goods, and
other art items. Youngsters can make a "four directions" bracelet for
the cost of supplies (a mere four bits), and browsers can find special
gifts for Valentine's Day.
The key aspect for Brown is the cultural sharing.
"Artists are encouraged to share with the public about techniques and
history of the items they offer for sale," she noted.
For more than 18 years, Brown has owned Water of Life, Native Creations,
which offers beading supplies and classes, along with information
regarding historical and cultural use of traditional shells by Oregon
and California coastal tribal groups. She started beading 25 years ago,
and has created and taught others how to make tribal regalia and
contemporary jewelry ever since. Brown also represents other artists in
a variety of venues, including the Siletz and Grande Ronde pow-wows.
Brown's tribal lineage traces to the Macanotin/Tututni Bands through her
grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, and the
Shasta-Modoc-Pit River tribal groups through her grandfather.
Brown takes pride in her heritage. She serves as a culture camp
instructor for the Siletz, Cow Creek, and Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw
tribes, and is involved with the Siletz Tribe Pow-Wow Committee.
Brown is also willing to do whatever she can to promote the physical and
spiritual well-being of tribal members. She is trained as an
interviewer/assessor for families with children enrolled in tribal Head
Start programs in Siletz, Portland, Salem, and Eugene. As prevention
program coordinator and certified prevention specialist for the Siletz
Tribal Drug and Alcohol Program, she collaborates with local prevention
groups, school district staff, tribal program staff, and youth
representatives to provide community education to boost awareness and
knowledge of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, and their impact "on
community and self."
Saturday's potlatch will provide an extension of such outreach, serving
as a fundraiser for the Lakota Speaking Panel, with proceeds going
toward efforts to educate and support at-risk youth and help them "stay
out of trouble," said Brown.
Everyone is also invited to participate in the traditional potlatch
ceremony that begins at 7 p.m.
"Potlatch" - a Native custom prevalent among Northwest coastal tribes -
is a celebratory, ceremonial, and symbolic social event. "During this
time, it is customary for persons to exchange gifts with another person,
and to be present for a talking circle," Brown said. "Gifts need not be
expensive, but it is customary for the item to have special meaning."
The person presenting the gift explains that meaning on a "gift tag"
accompanying the item.
Brown said this process is one way "to share the tradition of
storytelling" by describing how the presenter acquired the item, and why
he or she wants to pass it on to someone else. It is all done in a
sacred, celebratory manner that enhances cultural exchange.
The name for the event derives from Native tradition, which says otter
people are "multifaceted quick thinkers who are usually a
step-and-a-half ahead of everyone else." They assume everyone is a
friend. Their job is to advise the chief and resolve disputes.
To find out more about this event and the "intrinsic spiritual concepts"
involved, contact Lisa Brown at 444-1290.
Terry Dillman is a reporter for the News-Times. He can be reached at
265-8571, ext. 225, or terry.dillman@lee.net
By Terry Dillman Of the News-Times
Bringing tribal and community members together to share art, culture,
and creativity is the focus of tomorrow's Cleansing (Otter) Moon
Potlatch at the Siletz Tribal Community Center.
Organized and coordinated by Siletz tribal member and artist Lisa Brown,
the multi-faceted event will feature a craft and gift bazaar, door
prizes, food (potluck style, with any and all donations welcome), and
on-going cultural exchange. Everyone is invited to attend and learn more
about tribal culture and traditions, including wellness/spirituality,
beading, jewelry-making, and more.
"This is a time for people to come together, let go of differences,
recognize their similarities, and share who they are and where they come
from," said Brown. "It has been shared by tribal elders that in order
for healing to begin, we must let go of resentments or harsh feelings."
Among the attending artists are Danise Barker with wall hangings,
pillows, and lap quilts created using Native American, western, and
special print fabrics; Donna Berntsen with specialty designs for "Red
Hats" using faceted seed beads, and incorporating applique and brick
stitch techniques; Lynn Whitlow with beaded jewelry and resale items;
and Gretchen Adele Armstrong with wood sculptures, trade goods, and
other art items. Youngsters can make a "four directions" bracelet for
the cost of supplies (a mere four bits), and browsers can find special
gifts for Valentine's Day.
The key aspect for Brown is the cultural sharing.
"Artists are encouraged to share with the public about techniques and
history of the items they offer for sale," she noted.
For more than 18 years, Brown has owned Water of Life, Native Creations,
which offers beading supplies and classes, along with information
regarding historical and cultural use of traditional shells by Oregon
and California coastal tribal groups. She started beading 25 years ago,
and has created and taught others how to make tribal regalia and
contemporary jewelry ever since. Brown also represents other artists in
a variety of venues, including the Siletz and Grande Ronde pow-wows.
Brown's tribal lineage traces to the Macanotin/Tututni Bands through her
grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, and the
Shasta-Modoc-Pit River tribal groups through her grandfather.
Brown takes pride in her heritage. She serves as a culture camp
instructor for the Siletz, Cow Creek, and Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw
tribes, and is involved with the Siletz Tribe Pow-Wow Committee.
Brown is also willing to do whatever she can to promote the physical and
spiritual well-being of tribal members. She is trained as an
interviewer/assessor for families with children enrolled in tribal Head
Start programs in Siletz, Portland, Salem, and Eugene. As prevention
program coordinator and certified prevention specialist for the Siletz
Tribal Drug and Alcohol Program, she collaborates with local prevention
groups, school district staff, tribal program staff, and youth
representatives to provide community education to boost awareness and
knowledge of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, and their impact "on
community and self."
Saturday's potlatch will provide an extension of such outreach, serving
as a fundraiser for the Lakota Speaking Panel, with proceeds going
toward efforts to educate and support at-risk youth and help them "stay
out of trouble," said Brown.
Everyone is also invited to participate in the traditional potlatch
ceremony that begins at 7 p.m.
"Potlatch" - a Native custom prevalent among Northwest coastal tribes -
is a celebratory, ceremonial, and symbolic social event. "During this
time, it is customary for persons to exchange gifts with another person,
and to be present for a talking circle," Brown said. "Gifts need not be
expensive, but it is customary for the item to have special meaning."
The person presenting the gift explains that meaning on a "gift tag"
accompanying the item.
Brown said this process is one way "to share the tradition of
storytelling" by describing how the presenter acquired the item, and why
he or she wants to pass it on to someone else. It is all done in a
sacred, celebratory manner that enhances cultural exchange.
The name for the event derives from Native tradition, which says otter
people are "multifaceted quick thinkers who are usually a
step-and-a-half ahead of everyone else." They assume everyone is a
friend. Their job is to advise the chief and resolve disputes.
To find out more about this event and the "intrinsic spiritual concepts"
involved, contact Lisa Brown at 444-1290.
Terry Dillman is a reporter for the News-Times. He can be reached at
265-8571, ext. 225, or terry.dillman@lee.net