Page 3 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - May - June 2023

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CAMAS The Intertribal Camas
From page 1 Dig brought together a
group of tribal people
about Native Americans’ longtime Our native people to learn and share
relationship with the camas plant. stories about the plant
Along with teaching cooking for thousands of that Native American
methods and nutritional value, years were healthy. ancestors harvested
the instructors discussed active for centuries.
prairie management strategies – ALLEN FRAZIER,
that promote a diversity of foods NISQUALLY TRIBAL ELDER
and natural medicines.
The group circled up in the
prairie and everyone took a
moment to introduce themselves
before the harvesting began.
Members of various tribes
all expressed excitement to
gather with other tribal people.
Individuals from Yakama, Colville
and Coeur d’Alene traveled over
the mountain pass for the harvest.
An elder from the Colville Tribe
said that growing up, he spent
part of his childhood in eastern
Oregon. He and others described
their years of experience finding
camas and how they had never
been able to harvest black camas. It
was a special treat for everyone to
find that particular variety during because of their connection with
their time at Glacial Heritage the spirit and with nature. We are
Preserve. In regions outside of here today with that same goal in
the Northwest, white camas and mind, which is reconnecting to the
Oregon camas can also be found. natural foods.”
For many participants, it was Members of the Jamestown
either their first time digging S’Klallam Tribe Traditional Foods
camas or their first experience & Culture Program attended
with black camas. the afternoon of harvesting to
Nisqually tribal elder Allen become more involved with their
Frazier explained why the cultural practices. They planned
traditional ways are important. to bring back camas the group
“Our native people for harvested to their home tribe for
thousands of years were healthy,” its annual First Food Ceremony in
Frazier said. “They were healthy November.

Art classes create cultural connections

By Melanee Stevens, Chehalis Native
Connection Program Manager

The Chehalis
Native Connection
Suicide Prevention
Grant held two
drum-making
classes for tribal
and community
members on
April 22. Tanner
DeMonbrun and
Erik Milton from Centralia Fur & Hide
taught the classes.
Everyone who participated was
able to leave with a 14-inch blue or red
drum ready to play. Those who made
instruments will be invited back this
summer to make Pendleton drum bags. Tanner DeMonbrun and Erik Milton from Centralia Fur & Hide helped
Thank you to everyone who tapped students make beautiful drums during classes on April 22. Erik brought
into their creativity! in a drum he made using alligator hide (left).