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muses. “We want it to be free and not be a wound. We want people to think about if they would choose that system if they had a choice.” Among the other exhibits is a night-blue cape of barkcloth, studded with tiny gold starfish, with a full moon centered on the back. It was created by Lehuauakea, a mahu diasporic native Hawaiian artist. The word mahu implies gender fluidity. “Creating hand stitched garments like this one allows me to transcend any imposed labels and reclaim the narrative of how I …

they might be. But times changed and colonialism brought in another view – that gender is not a many-splendored thing, but inescapably binary. By the time Tribal Elder Qahir-beejee was growing up, to be identified by society as a girl was to be shut out of most things that interested them such as drumming, carving and participating in sports. “I always thought there was something wrong with me,” Qahir-beejee said. “On another level, I was very happy not to be like everybody else. I didn’t like what …

. “I changed my mind quick,” she said. “It was not for me.” Partridge grew up in Astoria, with little connection to the Tribe, apart from attending powwows and other events. After marrying her husband, Kelsey, in 1999, she put off going to college for several years while raising their three youngest children. In 2005, Partridge finally began chasing her long-standing dream, enrolling at Tacoma Community College. In 2013, Partridge joined the Tribal Attorney’s Office as an intern, working for six …

gave me (provided) the opportunity to obtain (the position) but those (leadership positions) are elected by Indian Country. All of the Tribes had to vote for me. … I think it’s a real opportunity for our Tribe to have somebody at the top national level for Indian gaming and I can stay there if I remain the delegate. You guys can come and do everything you do as a delegate in an alternate position, but you wouldn’t be able to obtain the Northwest delegate or the treasurer…I have a lot of financial …

is on Highway 18 near Spirit Mountain Casino. Wink’s mother was Clarinda Maxine Quenelle and her parents were Fabian Frank Quenelle and Matilda “Tillie” Winslow. Wink’s father was William Joseph Soderberg Jr., who bestowed the nickname on him. “My dad, his sisters used to call him that,” Wink says. “That was his nickname. He didn’t care for it that much as he got older, so when I was born he stuck it on me. And then later, when I was thinking of getting rid of it, the kids wanted to call me ‘Winky’ and I …

would ever nominate anybody. He was a thoughtful person and he showed me he could pull it off.” Ed served as the Tribal Council secretary from 1994-95 and reached the vice chairman position in September 1996. He served as vice chairman off and on until 2000. Ed might be as well known for his memory as his kindness. He remembers names and details of conversations and events years past. He has become a walking book of Grand Ronde Tribal knowledge. “In many respects that is a good description …

be. Valerie Haskins Roll #4140 (Editor’s note: The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde has never disavowed the 1855 Treaty of the Willamette Valley, one of seven ratified treaties the Tribe signed ceding most of western Oregon to the federal government.) Dear Smoke Signals : A letter from Rex Haller ran in the May 1 issue, offering his perspective, mentioning me by name. Before addressing points in his letter, I offer the following overview of our Tribal enrollment requirements …

, my daughter was disenrolled and my two sons have never been recognized. When have we ever refused our own? When? Why? I would argue, quite vehemently, refusing our own is the antithesis of being Indian. So I urge all to please put yourselves in the shoes of our split families and help me to right a wrong and vote “yes.” Please learn from my mistake and don’t ban our own children for the possibility of a few more bucks. Besides, when did being Indian become about money? I ask for honorable Elders …

that will feature a more in-depth look into the people in these remote locations. “Tony is going to be an integral part of that as we move forward with production in 2016,” said Opre. Obtaining images difficult Bynum said getting standout images of wildlife is not easy. “Most people don’t care that it took 20 tries on 20 different days climbing a mountain getting nothing, getting nothing, getting nothing,” said Bynum. “The story behind the image resonates with me because it took a lot of effort.” Bynum has had …

Culture Community Fund tops $55 million in giving 12.14.2011 Dean Rhodes Spirit Mountain Community Fund A gift of $20,000 to Salem-based CAUSA Oregon is particularly meaningful to Executive Director Francisco Lopez. "It is important for me because I'm from El Salvador, of Mayan descent, and the money comes from an indigenous Tribe here," he said. CAUSA Oregon will use the money to provide classes in leadership for indigenous peoples from Central American immigrant families now living …