Page 3 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - February, 2017
P. 3
3
ATNI
From page 1
learning, collaborating and The Chehalis Canoe Family performed traditional songs during Culture Night at the 2017 Affiliated
discussing issues that arise in Tribes of Northwest Indians Winter Conference at Great Wolf Lodge in January.
Indian Country.
INFORMATION
In a world of seemingly
insurmountable obstacles, To learn more about the
a special people share the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest
belief, wisdom and hope that Indians, call 503-249-5770 or
in working together they may go to atnitribes.org.
provide not only a better life
for our tribal people today but Photos contributed by Freddy Lane services to member tribes.
for generations to follow. Former and current National Congress of American Indians The past few years have seen
Presidents, from left, Mel Tonasket (Colville), Brian Cladoosby great gains at home. But as
In 1953, tribal leaders (Swinomish) and Ron Allen (Jamestown) shared their personal tribes take control of their
in the Northwest with the histories and how it led to their political service. lands and develop economic
future in mind formed the partnerships, they have
ATNI and dedicated it to Canoe Family shared several It was a great night! been faced with additional
tribal sovereignty and self- songs for the audience. “Our Canoe Family paddles challenges from congress. The
determination. Today, ATNI economic gains in the past
represents 57 Northwest tribal “The songs sung that in honor of our canoe tuulap few years cannot remedy the
governments from Oregon, evening were from our tit wiA (Tu-lap ti weah). longstanding disparity of the
Washington, Idaho, northern heart and with our prayers,” Creating a lasting legend of past 100 years.
California, southeast Alaska said Fred Shortman. “ ‘One where and who our sacred
and western Montana. Heart, One Mind’ has always canoe came from, the song Native peoples remain
been our core value for the always reminds and teaches on the bottom of every
ATNI is an organization Chehalis Canoe Family. We us as we sing it. In the second social indicator – high
whose foundation is composed drummed and sang to our part of the song, in Chehalis unemployment, low income,
of the people it is meant to honored guests visiting the the words mean: ‘Bring back high infant mortality,
serve – the Indian peoples. Chehalis lands. It is so special the Life of the Last Canoe.’ high teenage suicide and
Representatives from to share the songs we sing that She is a 27-foot ocean traveling substandard housing.
member tribes set the policy evening.” There is no written canoe made from red cedar,
and direction during three version of the songs and they and we honor her as the sacred To continue the important
yearly meetings. Through are taught in the oral tradition vehicle she is,” Fred said. work of ATNI, we need your
consistent leadership and of learning support. We invite your
the legacy of intertribal unity Support our future tribe to join as members.
and cooperation, ATNI is Songs included “Malikah’s Your membership dues
recognized as the strongest Floor Blessing Song,” “Rolling In past years, ATNI and contributions help us
regional Indian organization in the Fog,” “Skok Paddle thrived primarily through strengthen our program
in the United States. Song” and “Sky-da.” self-generated revenues and expand services to all
from membership dues and tribes and native peoples.
“The ATNI Conference People enjoyed the annual meetings, according Members become a part of the
is a great resource for many performance so much that to the ATNI website. In ATNI information network,
tribes in the Northwest. Tribes they requested Canoe Family recent years, the organization receiving notices of meetings,
unite and become one voice members offer an encore. has sought outside funds informational mailings and
together. There is much work They obliged and performed to meet complicated issues legislative alerts.
to be done. The ATNI leaders an encore song led by Walter head on and provide regional
strive forward and work with Lewis and Shannon Comenout. The conference wrapped
tribes, not only for present-day up Thursday morning with
tribal people, but for future thanks to those who attended
generations,” said Don Secena, and well wishes for safe travels
Chairman of the Confederated home.
Tribes of the Chehalis
Reservation or Chehalis Tribe.
Sharing culture
Perhaps the highlight of the
conference was Culture Night.
There were about 150 people
from 21 different tribes that
attended the event.
Every ATNI conference
allows the host tribe to put on
Culture Night, highlighting
their culture for other ATNI
tribes. The evening usually
consists of a traditional meal
prepared for guests, a cultural
program of oral history or
performances. The Chehalis
ATNI
From page 1
learning, collaborating and The Chehalis Canoe Family performed traditional songs during Culture Night at the 2017 Affiliated
discussing issues that arise in Tribes of Northwest Indians Winter Conference at Great Wolf Lodge in January.
Indian Country.
INFORMATION
In a world of seemingly
insurmountable obstacles, To learn more about the
a special people share the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest
belief, wisdom and hope that Indians, call 503-249-5770 or
in working together they may go to atnitribes.org.
provide not only a better life
for our tribal people today but Photos contributed by Freddy Lane services to member tribes.
for generations to follow. Former and current National Congress of American Indians The past few years have seen
Presidents, from left, Mel Tonasket (Colville), Brian Cladoosby great gains at home. But as
In 1953, tribal leaders (Swinomish) and Ron Allen (Jamestown) shared their personal tribes take control of their
in the Northwest with the histories and how it led to their political service. lands and develop economic
future in mind formed the partnerships, they have
ATNI and dedicated it to Canoe Family shared several It was a great night! been faced with additional
tribal sovereignty and self- songs for the audience. “Our Canoe Family paddles challenges from congress. The
determination. Today, ATNI economic gains in the past
represents 57 Northwest tribal “The songs sung that in honor of our canoe tuulap few years cannot remedy the
governments from Oregon, evening were from our tit wiA (Tu-lap ti weah). longstanding disparity of the
Washington, Idaho, northern heart and with our prayers,” Creating a lasting legend of past 100 years.
California, southeast Alaska said Fred Shortman. “ ‘One where and who our sacred
and western Montana. Heart, One Mind’ has always canoe came from, the song Native peoples remain
been our core value for the always reminds and teaches on the bottom of every
ATNI is an organization Chehalis Canoe Family. We us as we sing it. In the second social indicator – high
whose foundation is composed drummed and sang to our part of the song, in Chehalis unemployment, low income,
of the people it is meant to honored guests visiting the the words mean: ‘Bring back high infant mortality,
serve – the Indian peoples. Chehalis lands. It is so special the Life of the Last Canoe.’ high teenage suicide and
Representatives from to share the songs we sing that She is a 27-foot ocean traveling substandard housing.
member tribes set the policy evening.” There is no written canoe made from red cedar,
and direction during three version of the songs and they and we honor her as the sacred To continue the important
yearly meetings. Through are taught in the oral tradition vehicle she is,” Fred said. work of ATNI, we need your
consistent leadership and of learning support. We invite your
the legacy of intertribal unity Support our future tribe to join as members.
and cooperation, ATNI is Songs included “Malikah’s Your membership dues
recognized as the strongest Floor Blessing Song,” “Rolling In past years, ATNI and contributions help us
regional Indian organization in the Fog,” “Skok Paddle thrived primarily through strengthen our program
in the United States. Song” and “Sky-da.” self-generated revenues and expand services to all
from membership dues and tribes and native peoples.
“The ATNI Conference People enjoyed the annual meetings, according Members become a part of the
is a great resource for many performance so much that to the ATNI website. In ATNI information network,
tribes in the Northwest. Tribes they requested Canoe Family recent years, the organization receiving notices of meetings,
unite and become one voice members offer an encore. has sought outside funds informational mailings and
together. There is much work They obliged and performed to meet complicated issues legislative alerts.
to be done. The ATNI leaders an encore song led by Walter head on and provide regional
strive forward and work with Lewis and Shannon Comenout. The conference wrapped
tribes, not only for present-day up Thursday morning with
tribal people, but for future thanks to those who attended
generations,” said Don Secena, and well wishes for safe travels
Chairman of the Confederated home.
Tribes of the Chehalis
Reservation or Chehalis Tribe.
Sharing culture
Perhaps the highlight of the
conference was Culture Night.
There were about 150 people
from 21 different tribes that
attended the event.
Every ATNI conference
allows the host tribe to put on
Culture Night, highlighting
their culture for other ATNI
tribes. The evening usually
consists of a traditional meal
prepared for guests, a cultural
program of oral history or
performances. The Chehalis
