Gathering of Grand Ronde Tilixam focuses on healing from grief and loss

By Alexander Bliven

Smoke Signals intern

The 2026 Gathering of Grand Ronde Tilixam began Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Chachalu Tribal Museum & Cultural Center and continued Thursday, Oct. 8. The event was last held in 2024.

Hosted by the Native Wellness Institute, the Gathering of Native Americans curriculum aims to help Native people find a sense of belonging and community while healing from any trauma they may carry with them.

The mission of the Native Wellness Institute is to promote the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health of North America’s Indigenous peoples, according to its website.

Native Wellness Institute Executive Director Jillene Joseph welcomed guests and congratulated them for stepping outside their comfort zones, saying it was an honor that they were willing to participate in the event through healthy risk-taking.

The event began with a drum song, while attendees gathered in a large circle facing each other.

Joseph asked for volunteers from the audience to contribute an opening prayer, encouraging words, poem or any other form of expression to begin the event in a good way. Some attendees were participating in GONA for the first time, while others had attended several times before.

Audience members then split into groups of two and shared responses to questions Joseph asked, including positive traits about themselves, what recovery looks like to them and how Native culture plays a role in community-based healing.

The theme of this year’s event was grief and loss. Several activities were planned for the two-day event, including large and small group discussions, traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, gift making for other participants, activities designed to help with letting go of trauma and learning ways to live a balanced life.

One event involved guests creating traditional Native tobacco ties for themselves and others. While making them, guests were encouraged to imbue them with their wishes, prayers and other positive feelings.

Throughout the gathering, attendees could share as much or as little about themselves as they wanted. Discussions touched on community, hobbies, spirituality, learning experiences, compassion, excitement, fears, personal struggles and family, with many participants noting that family does not have to be defined by blood.

Tribal member Flicka Lucero beads an earring during the Gathering of Grand Ronde Tilixam at the Chachalu Tribal Museum & Cultural Center gym Wednesday, Oct. 7. (Photo by Michelle Alaimo)

Joseph hoped guests would leave the event feeling better than when they arrived by being around one another, their culture and historical photos of Grand Ronde people displayed during the event.

“I hope that they take away the tools that are shared that will be used in their lives to help them sustain that good feeling they’re going to get from being here,” Joseph said.

For Joseph, holding GONA in Grand Ronde represented an opportunity for collective healing and for members of the community to come together, learn, grow and talk about things that normally aren’t discussed, such as grief and loss. It also represented an opportunity to be Native and strengthen the community.

“This event is also a time to celebrate who we are as Native people,” Joseph said. “For us to celebrate our culture and life together.”

Joseph continued, “The reason GONA is so important is because we’re trying to change community norms from hurt to healing. That has been happening in this community for decades. You can feel it and see it because healing isn’t a destination, it’s a journey. Healing is the norm in this community.”

Native Wellness Institute guest and representative Dwight Francisco, a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation from southern Arizona, said it was an honor to visit Grand Ronde. He also discussed his recovery and sobriety, which he has maintained for almost 12 years after nearly a decade of alcohol addiction.

The gathering was attended by nearly 40 participants, including Tribal Council member Valeria Atanacio, who helped facilitate the event. Atanacio shared how proud she was of those who came to participate, even if only for as much time as they could spare.

“I think one of the most important parts of being in a Tribal community is we have these opportunities to come together and talk, share stories and learn from one another,” Atanacio said. “As we enter a new season, it’s extremely important because these are some of the harder months we’re entering into for mental health and wellness and this is a great start to that.”

Joseph encouraged those who have never heard of or might be unaware of the Gathering of Grand Ronde Tilixam to give it a try.

“What I want people to know is it’s a safe space to be together with other Tribal members where you get to be solution oriented and forward thinking,” Joseph said. “It’s a part of our culture to always strive to be better than we were the day before and GONA is an opportunity to do that. An opportunity to acknowledge our ancestors, give thanks and contribute good things to the community going forward because it’s about giving back.”