Page 3 - August 2008

3 Honoring our Elders: Gladys Brown “...could do anything a man could do, and probably do it better” Written by Gladys Brown’s niece, Jeanette WhiteClaw Portions of this story were originally written by Gladys’s niece, Jeanette WhiteClaw in February 2004 for a celebration held in the Elders’ Center for Gladys’s 92nd birthday. Gladys was born in 1912 to Earnest Beckwith and Lizzie Williams. She had fve brothers and four sisters. In 1933, she married Wesley (Jack) Brown. In 1947, she and her husband, Wesley (Jack), moved and raised their three boys and six girls in California. They returned to Oakville in 1967 to help care for her aging father. On July 28, 2008, Gladys Grace Beckwith Brown passed away at the age of 96. She leaves behind 31 grandchildren and 126 great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. When asked what she enjoyed doing, Gladys could do anything a man could Gladys enjoyed her family. Betty’s the family had a hard time coming up do, and probably do it better. What a cook! fondest memories were when Gladys and Jack Brown in a photo with specifc interests. Since Gladys She could whip up meals for 12 people with they had large family gatherings estimated to have been taken in 1983. had nine children, she and Jack spent everything made from scratch. Gladys had on the holidays. Nadine’s most Photos were provided by the family. their lives raising the kids and doing many interests, like fxing cars. I thought inspirational memories were when everything necessary to provide a good everyone did that. It was nothing to see our she heard her mom praying for her children. store, Bible study, and wherever she home and upbringing. She and Jack Gladys’s head under the hood of the car. Her Nadine also loved the times she wanted needed to go. The times spent with her planted a huge vegetable garden, and she kids thought nothing of it, because it was to skip school (very occasionally). Her were priceless. I would like to thank her planted a fower garden. Most of their just one of her many resourceful talents. She mom would pick her up and they would go granddaughter, Carmen. You did so much energies were spent on providing for drew from her resourcefulness, often out of shopping. June “Tiny” remembers her mom for Gladys. You and your children flled their large family. After her immediate necessity. She was truly a role model for her always fnding the time to give her a ride her life with joy. You made her heart glad. family was raised and on their own, she children. home from after-school sports activities, Gladys, you have so many stars on raised her granddaughter Carmen. Gladys was very involved in tribal allowing them a little time together alone. your crown, and you have earned every Gladys thought that going hunting politics. She served on the Business Gladys had a very funny sense of humor. one of them. Gladys, I’m going to sing with Jack was fun. Gladys, her son, Committee and other committees until she One time we were talking about people this song for you, “Farther along, we’ll Ken, Jack, and I would go hunting in the could no longer drive and be as independent reaping what they sewed: If we’re good, understand it better by and by; and the woods. She had a rife on her shoulders. as she liked. She said she served on the we’ll get something good. If we’re bad, Lord says all we need is a joyful noise; Of course I tagged along, because Tribal Business Committee more than two then we’ll get something bad. She wanted maybe my voice isn’t joyful to you; but Gladys was an excellent cook. Yummy! times. to know why some of those people who do to the Lord it is!” When we go to heaven, And there wasn’t anything better than Gladys attended the Assembly of God bad things, don’t have bad things happen we’ll all have the same tune. Gladys, I friends, food, stories, and mountain air! in California. When she moved back to to them. I told her that we’d understand love you and will always remember you. She liked working outside the home Washington, she attended the Little White it better, by and by, like the song we sing and had various jobs around the Tribal Church on the reservation and the Oakville in church. She shook her fnger and in a The family would like to thank Center into her 70s, such as receptionist Assembly of God. She enjoyed traveling to mocking tone, laughingly said, “I want to everybody for their prayers, and cook. She liked being around people, different reservations to attend churches, know NOW!!!” donations, time, and efforts. They so her working beyond the age of 70 camp meetings, and fellowship meetings. While being her chore worker, I enjoyed wasn’t surprising. Her daughters remember how much taking Gladys to town, to the grocery are greatly appreciated. Tribe Puts on Over-the- Program Launches Top Event to Honor HS Tribal Artists’ Careers Grads and Families By Janet Chapman, Project Manager By Cheryle Starr, Events Coordinator In November 2007, Chehalis Tribal 2009 featuring the artists’ pieces. On Thursday, June 12, the tribe had a The Chehalis tribal high school Enterprises developed an initiative to In mid June, the AEDI had its frst recognition dinner for the 2008 high school graduates and their families are: encourage the production of Coastal Salish opening at Wildtrout Gallery in downtown graduates. Set up by the events coordinator  Stephanie Medina – Alicia and Barnaby art by Chehalis tribal artists. Chehalis. Pieces were beautifully framed and the TELO Program, the event was held Canales; Gloria Jones The intent of the Arts and Economic and matted and featured as the gallery’s at the Lucky Eagle. Dinner was provided  Sara Myer – Carla Thomas; Josephine Development Initiative (AEDI) was to Artists of the Month with a reception and to all who came to honor the graduates. and Frazier Thomas fnd unknown and emerging artists. The local media coverage. All the pieces will Music accompanied a slide show of photos  Jimmy James – Amil Starr, Sr. and Sally program provided tutelage, exposure, hang in the gallery throughout August. of each graduate. A hypnotist provided James; Ben and Violet Starr and opportunity, and boosts both interest Individual, unframed or matted, limited entertainment after the dinner.  Jake Burnett – David and Farah Burnett; and confdence in the Coastal Salish art edition prints are available Pendleton blankets, eagle feathers, Nadine and Jimmy Burnett form among previously for purchase at the gallery, coats, duffe bags, Great Wolf Lodge stays,  Jeremy Fanning – Joyce and Scott unknown tribal artists. the gift shop at the Eagles steak house certifcates, and gas cards were Fanning; Grandma Faith Secena It is a no-cost program. Landing Hotel, or from given away as raffe prizes and awards.  Chelsea Sharp – John and Kelly Sharp; Eleven artists the artists themselves. You Parents also received a blanket, as well as a Marcy and Ron Sharp (Skokomish, Squaxin, can see all of them at thank you for doing such a great job getting Great job! Good luck with Cowlitz, and Chehalis the Chehalis Tribal the graduates to this point in their lives. tribal members) were Enterprises offce. your continued education! tutored by Master Contact information Artist and Printer, for the artist is also Peter Boome (Upper available. Skagit). The artists Look for the ranged in age from 14 to Artist 11”x14” calendar to 45 and most had no prior Selena be available soon. experience with the Coastal Latch displayed her work at the The profts from the Salish art form. They were Wildtrout Gallery opening the sales of the calendar presented with 100 hand- middle of June. are intended to fund screened prints of their another cycle of pieces. the program in January 2009. We will be Chehalis Tribal Enterprises then assisted looking for 12 new artists for the next year the artists in fnding outlets for sales and (six in January and six in April), so if you Presenting the “Class of 2008” (left to right): Stephanie Medina, Sara Myer, display of their prints in local galleries, gift are interested, contact Janet Chapman at Jimmy James, Jake Burnett, Jeremy Fanning, and Chelsea Sharp. shops, etc. A calendar is in production for Chehalis Tribal Enterprises, 273-6664. Tribe Joins in Journey to Chehalis tribal members joined in prayers during the The Peace and Dignity Journey stopover at the tribe. The Journey strives to bring the sacred staffs to Protect Sacred Sites as many communities as possible to spread the word of protecting indigenous sacred sites. By Tony Medina, Director of Youth Center people. Without these sacred sites, indigenous people stress that an Friday, June 20, the Chehalis Tribe unhealthy ecosystem on earth will hosted 15 people participating in the 2008 make it diffcult for human beings Peace and Dignity Journey, a walk from to exist. Alaska to Panama. The Peace and Dignity The Peace and Dignity Journey Journeys are dedicated to healing our invites both Native and non- nations. Native people committed to the The 2008 Journey is focused on preservation of Native American preserving sacred sites throughout the culture to participate. If you are Americas. Indigenous people are facing interested in participating as a threats to our culture. We must fght runner, contact (559) 228-0733; or against corporate capitalism that seek to pdjrunner@yahoo.com. exploit traditional land held sacred by the