Native American Heritage Month at OYA

Each November is a time to celebrate the culture, traditions, and histories as well as the important contributions of the Native people. The monthlong celebration has been recognized on a national level since 1990, when a joint resolution was approved designating November of that year as the first Native American Heritage Month.

Youth at Oregon Youth Authority celebrated Native American Heritage Month throughout the month with events at at Camp Riverbend, Eastern, and Oak Creek. Drumming, dancing, hand stick and bison hoof stick games were a part of this year’s celebrations, along with film screenings and discussions looking how films perpetuate harmful and inaccurate stereotypes of Native Americans.

Also, OYA Native American Services Coordinator Derwin Decker and OYA Tribal Liaison Leslie Riggs help facilitate a number of year-round services for Native Youth including sweatlodge and smudging ceremonies, talking circles, small group support, and Powwows held with the help of many volunteers, some of whom have been participating for years. These services create community and provide safe spaces for positive interaction and self-expression that allow youth to deepen their connection to their culture. As well as give the non-Native youth the opportunity to learn more about the rich history and traditions of Native tribes.

We look back throughout the year on some of the events at facilities around the state.

Round Dance Singers

In February a group of Round Dance singers from various tribes in Canada and Grand Ronde visited MacLaren to share songs, dances, and positive messages with youth and several OIIR staff. After the cultural sharing a sweatlodge was held to complete the ceremony. The visit by Grand Ronde and our Canadian friends corresponds with Grand Ronde’ s Round Dance and is an annual event we look forward to.

Powwows at Rogue Valley, Oak Creek, Tillamook, and MacLaren

OYA is fortunate to have several volunteers who have been working with OYA for years to help MC, drum, dance, provide food, and bring community members in to help celebrate with the youth. We are grateful to our staff, volunteers, and family members who help to make these events happen.

Sweatlodge

Sweatlodge is a sacred place of prayer. The traditional Native American sweatlodge ceremony combines the four elements, earth, air, water and fire to produce steam for the ceremony.

Grand Ronde tribal members volunteered to help build the MacLaren sweatlodge and have come in many times to pour (lead) the MacLaren ceremonies.