|
Ed Chapman at the Sweathouse
Maj. Lee Moorhouse. PH 36, Special
Collections & University Archives, University of Oregon,
#M4285.
|
Chris Brigham outside his sweathouse |
|
|
Umatilla River > Culture > Education
Pupils
of the Umatilla Indian School
Maj. Lee Moorhouse. PH 36, Special Collections &
University Archives, University of Oregon, #M5461 |
| |
| The Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Cayuse people have come a long way
since the Indian boarding school system. In the past, a western
education was motivated by the U.S. government's project of
forced assimilation. In the process, many Indian people lost the
knowledge and practice of a long-standing way of life. Now, in
addition to working hard to preserve their cultural lifeways, an
education is seen as necessary and desirable and many tribal members
find that they can return and contribute to their community in
immeasurable ways. |
| |
|
Many young tribal members credit their involvement
in Salmon Corps with strengthening their education
and desire to learn and accomplish things for
their homeland and the environment. Salmon Corps
is an action program of the Earth Conservation
Corps, six northwest tribes, and other partners.
Started in 1994, Salmon Corps has been inspiring
young Native American adults, age 18-25, to take
responsibility for themselves and contribute to
the revitalization of their communities. Its curriculum
and salmon restoration activities combine traditional
wisdom and native languages with modern science
and technology. Visit
their website for more information.
Many students trying to get a step ahead academically
join Upward Bound for the summer. In this program, Indian
youth from all over the northwest come together to strengthen
their abilities in the basic humanities and sciences
in preparation for higher education. Upward Bound helps
qualified, low income local high school students prepare
to become the first in their families to graduate from
college.
|
Dressed in their finest traditional ribbon
shirts and wing dresses for graduation day,
left to right, Nathaniel Enick,
Jalissa Dave, and Trevor Williams.
Head Start Graduating Class 2000,
Umatilla Indian Reservation
|
|
| |
|
"I was heard and taught at the sweathouse, most of my education
was around the sweathouse, about our people and how we lived.
We never get to a good place on somebody else's good
deeds. You have to make your own, that was our teaching, and
you have to go out and help others. That's the way The
Creator told mankind in the beginning so a lot of our people
tried to live that way" (Lawrence Patrick: TCI Convocation
2000).
Today, the Confederated Tribes recognizes graduates at all levels
of education, from high school and technical training to master's
and PhD's, with an annual honor banquet ceremony.
Website Referral
Department of Education and Cultural Resources
http://www.umatilla.nsn.us/ed.html
This page belongs to the tribal government on the reservation
page, but this is a direct link to information on higher and
adult education, primary and secondary education, and scholarship
and language programs.
Salmoncorps
http://www.ccrh.org/scsite/index2.htm
The Salmon Corps, an action arm of the Earth Conservation
Corps (ECC), began in 1994 with the goal of energizing Native
American young adults in the Pacific Northwest to repair the
disappearing salmon habitats in the region.
A Native Perspective on the School Reform Movement
http://www.nwrac.org/pub/hot/native.html
By Raymond Reyes, Gonzaga University
|
|
|
|
