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Find handcrafts and more at Indigenous Peoples’ Day event
By Gretchen Ammerman
Oregon Coast TODAY
Now a federally recognized holiday, Indigenous Peoples’ Day has replaced Columbus Day in 13 states as well as the District of Columbia. Oregon is one of those states.
To help commemorate the day, The Siletz Tribal Arts and Heritage Society is hosting a celebration of the rich culture of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians at the society’s recently opened gift shop and museum on Monday, Oct. 10.
“The idea behind the day is to celebrate our resilience.'' said Gloria Ingle, one of the society’s committee member and enrolled member of the Siletz Tribe. “The whole purpose is for it to be fun — we are going for a carnival atmosphere, but we are also here to share our history.”
Enjoy complimentary fry bread, browse the gift shop and view historical, handcrafted Siletz baskets. The event will also have door prize drawings, raffles, a 50-50 raffle and games for kids.
The society is a non-profit dedicated to support and promote the practice, conservation and restoration of the tribal cultures of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and share the history of the Siletz Tribe.
“Our articles of incorporation say that we are to provide economic opportunities for tribal members,” Ingle said. “So this place will do that by not just providing jobs but also giving a place to sell art. Most of the things in the gift shop, like the necklaces, will be sold on consignment for tribal members.”
Shantel Peacock, an enrolled Siletz tribal member who grew up in Siletz, is one of the artists whose creations will be in the shop. She teaches indigenous beadwork and gives ribbon skirt classes and will have some handmade earrings in the raffle. Her favorite piece of jewelry, though, is a necklace that is not one she made.
“I’ve been dancing since I was a tiny girl, and I’ve had this necklace since then,” she said. It's very sentimental to me.”
Though a handmade contemporary basket will be raffled as well, the historical tribal baskets on display are not for sale.
“Finding and preserving these baskets is very special to us not just because of the materials used, but you can see our unique style in ways like the double handle that is reinforced way down into the basket,” Ingle said. “Many of us believe there is a spirit in the baskets. They are not just well-organized dead plants. I like to look at them and think, what was happening in your life the day you made that basket, were you happy, were you sad, was your baby sleeping?”
Another opportunity to enjoy Siletz Tribal culture will be on Saturday, Nov. 19, at the 45th Annual Restoration Pow-Wow, held at Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City.
In 1977, the Siletz Tribe was the second in the nation and the first in Oregon to regain federal recognition.
“Sovereignty allows us to negotiate with the federal government on our own behalf, which is really important,” Ingle said. “We are one of 552 federally recognized tribes. Our chairman, Delores Pigsley, is the longest-serving chairman of all the recognized tribes.”
Through rapidly shrinking reservation land and forced relocations, coastal tribes have endured. “Our history has a lot of misery,” Ingle said, “but we are strong.”
The Indigenous Peoples’ Day event begins at 10 am. Door prize drawings will take place every two hours beginning at 11 am. The grand prize drawing for a gift basket and announcement of the winner of a 50-50 raffle is at 4 pm.
The Siletz Tribal Arts and Heritage Society gift shop and museum is located at 146 SE Gaither Street in Siletz. For more information, go to the Huu-cha~ page on Facebook.