Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
Lucille Begay, Andrea Becerra, and the Black Lodge Singers at CGCC on Thursday November 17th, 2022. The Black Lodge Singers have won the Native American Music Awards on several occasions. Singers: Erwin ScabbyRobe, Algin ScabbyRobe, Emerson ScabbyRobe, Creighton ScabbyRobe, and Breylen ScabbyRobe. Photo Credit: CGCC
By Cole Goodwin
The Dalles, Oregon (November 17th, 2022) -Columbia Gorge Community College celebrated Native American Heritage Month at the Fort Dalles Readiness Center on November 17th, Lucille Begay, Sara Mustonen, Andrea Becerra, coordinated the event.
The event included education about Native American culture, dances, songs from eight-time Grammy Award nominees the Black Lodge Singers, an address from CGCC President Dr. Marta Yera Cronin, and a land acknowledgement by Director Lucille Begay, of the CGCC Board of Education.
Dancers pose with Lucille Begay (center), Dr. Marta Yera Cronin (center right), and Sara Mustonen (back far right). Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
The Black Lodge Singers
Algin ScabbyRobe speaks to the audience about Pow Wow music. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
The Black Lodge Singers, Native American drum group from White Swan, Washington, lead by Algin ScabbyRobe of the Blackfeet Nation performed several songs including songs from their two albums of pow wow songs for children.
“This is just so important for our children to get to see,” said Tea Church Witkowski, who attended the event with her family.
“We’re not promised tomorrow,” said Begay “This event is about our heritage but it is also about bringing education, diversity, awareness of other cultures, and equity, to our community, our youth because they are our future. We are the ones that follow in front as they follow us and see how to carry on our traditions.”
Free CGCC t-shirts, commemorative wood cookies, and a salmon activity book from Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission were also available for youth and event attendees.
Youth and adults alike delighted in the drums and dancing at the event. Dancers are seen here dancing the Owl dance at CGCC.
Photo Credit: CGCC
Dancers included Short Fringe and Women’s Traditional Dancer Dolly Heemsah, Women’s Fancy Dancer Letricia ScabbyRobe, Women’s Jingle Dancer Norberta ScabbyRobe, Men’s Grass Dancer Creighton ScabbyRobe, and Chicken Dancer Brylen ScabbyRobe.
Begay told CCCNews it was important for people to remember that although having a month set aside for celebrating Native American heritage and history is nice, Native American people also exist here in the present moment and play a role in shaping our collective future.
“It’s nice to have a Native American Heritage Month set aside for us, but everyday we’re Indigenous. Every day we’re Native American,” said Begay “When we first take our breath in mother earth we walk this path as Native American people. All over Turtle Island there are hundreds and hundreds of tribes.”
“My interpretation of Native American heritage month is not only about honoring the month, but also to honor who I am as an individual,” said Begay. “I am a lifelong resident of Celilo Wy’am. Before there were tribes there were bands. I come from the Celilo Wy’am Band and I am a Yakama Nation tribal member.”
A livestream of a portion of the event can be found here.
Native American dancers danced with a view of the sunset at The Dalles Readiness Center. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Other Ways to Celebrate Native American Heritage in the Gorge
Artist Workshop with Ellen Taylor
On November 19th, Ellen Taylor, an artist who lives on the Umatilla Indian Reservation will visit The Dalles Wasco County Library for an artist workshop which aims to teach attendees how to share their personal stories and experiences through art.
Take and Make Kit
Learn more about Native American culture with a Native American Heritage Month Culture Box from The Dalles Wasco County Library.
Learn About the Significance of Salmon and Tribal River Restoration and Conservation Efforts
“Since time immemorial, the tribes and bands along the Columbia River have lived intertwined with the fish that run the river’s course. The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, and the Nez Perce Tribe have unique cultural practices, dialects, homelands, and histories. Nonetheless, the tribes share a common vision of the significance of salmon.” - Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
“One of Yakama children’s earliest memories is sitting at the ceremonial table and waiting for the water to be poured. Next, the salmon is placed on the table, followed by the deer, roots, and berries. We complete the meal with water. We are taught this order and that water is the lifeblood of our existence.
The relationship between the People, the Salmon, and the Columbia Basin is the foundation of the time-honored laws of the Yakama people.” - Yakama Nation Fisheries
Support Local
Support Native American artisans, organizations, businesses, and nonprofits. Learn more about how you can be of assistance to Indigenous peoples in your community and support their efforts.
Nch’iwana Housing is an emerging non-profit focusing on housing and community development for native people living on and near the Columbia River area.
Nak-Nu-We-Sha is a program of the Yakama Nation that works to prevent the disintegration of native families through early intervention and remediation services.
Columbia Gorge Education Service District Title VQ/JOM Indian Education Program provides supplemental educational and supportive services to eligible Title VI/JOM students residing in school districts in Wasco and Hood River counties.
Learn what tribe’s traditional lands you live on.
Click here to be taken to the interactive map.
Learn more about LANDBACK.
LANDBACK is a movement that has existed for generations with a long legacy of organizing and sacrifice to get Indigenous Lands back into Indigenous hands.
For more ideas read our article on How to Celebrate Indigenous People’s Day.
