NAYA NEWSLETTER EMPOWERING THE LIVES OF NATIVE AMERICANS IN THE PORTLAND AREA
Fall 2013
CANOE PADDLERS WELCOMED AT CATHEDRAL PARK
BY KAETI NAMBA, COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR
Grand Ronde Community Canoe at Cathedral Park
The Pacific Northwest is home to many Native American tribes that traditionally traveled and traded via waterways. Remembering local ancestors and customs of canoe culture, tribal members from the Pacific Northwest and Canadian First Nations join in the annual expedition, Paddle to Quinault. Intertribal canoes participated in this year’s journey traveled more than 195 miles over 11 days. NAYA friends gathered on the dock and beach at Cathedral Park to applaud paddlers as they reached their destination for the day. A strong showing of community helped set up camp and provide food and music in the park for all to enjoy. Donita Fry, Shoshone-Bannock, talked about the gathering and being a part of the canoe journey, “I’m really proud to see community coming together, espcially the urban community, for an intertribal gathering.” NAYA’s Youth & Elders Council gathered early the next morning to serve breakfast to paddlers and wish them well on their journey to Quinault. The Canoe Journey has inspired NAYA to embark on an adventure of its own by creating a canoe team. Led by Youth & Elders Council members, the future when NAYA joins the tradition of traveling in the path of their ancestors is not far away.
PRINCIPAL CHIEF OF CHEROKEE NATION VISITS NAYA
BY SHAWN FLEEK, COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR
NAYA was honored to receive a visit from Bill John Baker, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Baker toured sites relevant to Indian culture in the state, and he made NAYA his first stop. “I am eager to learn more about the NAYA Family Center and the amazing work it does for our people and for the larger Native community in town,” said Baker. Baker and his staff kindly donated a Pendleton featuring the logo of the Cherokee Nation. The assembly then sat to trade knowledge about the programs that each organization implements to improve the health, housing and education of those they serve. Baker and his staff were awarded Honoring Necklaces, in the tradition of the local Siletz tribe, as thanks for their visit as well as their advocacy. “It is an honor to receive the Chief here today,” said NAYA Executive Director Matt Morton, Squaxin Island Tribe. “NAYA inspires the next generation of Native American youth to follow Bill John Baker’s excellent example. His advocacy on behalf of the education, development and housing of our people is perfectly in line with the work we do every day.”
Matt Morton, Squaxin Island Tribe, showing Principle Chief Bill John Baker future plans for the NAYA Generations Project