Tribal Government Day features film festival

SALEM - The annual Tribal Government Day held Friday, May 11, in the State Capitol was a veritable Native American film festival.

With the Legislature not in session, the annual event aimed at educating legislators and state employees about Oregon's nine federally recognized Tribes and their government-to-government relationship with the state featured a wide-ranging selection of 10 films produced by seven of the Tribes.

Grand Ronde showed its "Canoe Journey" film, which highlights the Tribal Canoe Family and its positive effects on Tribal youth who participate. The film uses extensive footage from the Paddle to Swinomish held in July 2011.

Other films included the Umatilla Tribe's award-winning transit program serving residents in and around Pendleton, the Burns Paiute's "The Earth Is Our Home," which detailed ancient lifeways to survive in eastern Oregon and "Standing Strong," which was created by the five western Oregon Tribes to mark the first Gathering of Oregon's First Nations celebration.

The event started at 9 a.m. as Spirit Mountain Casino staff, led by head chef Richard Burr, laid out a breakfast buffet for visitors. The film festival kicked off in Hearing Room C to sparse attendance that increased as the morning wore on.

Outside in the Galleria, Tribal representatives sat at tables and socialized with other Tribal representatives.

Grand Ronde Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy, Tribal Vice Chair Reyn Leno and Tribal Council members Chris Mercier and Steve Bobb Sr. attended. Tribal staff who attended included Executive Officer Chris Leno, Cultural Resources Manager David Lewis, Tribal Attorney Rob Greene, Public Affairs Director Siobhan Taylor, Portland office Tribal Services Representative Lisa Archuleta and Tribal member Denise Harvey.

At 11 a.m., Tribal representatives were ushered upstairs to the second floor by Karen Quigley, executive director of the Oregon Legislative Commission on Indian Services, to witness Gov. John Kitzhaber sign the annual American Indian Week proclamation. American Indian Week in Oregon is May 13 to May 19.

After Kennedy gave the invocation, Robert Garcia, Tribal chair of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians, said, "Oregon's relationship with its nine federally recognized Tribes is one that is growing and it has certainly been one of the best relationships in the United States. If you Google 'Commission on Indian Services,' what comes up is the Oregon Legislative Commission on Indian Services.

"It is first, foremost and pre-eminent in its abilities in finding ways for the Tribes and the state to work together."

"Since I came back into office in 2010, this is our second celebration," Kitzhaber said. "I'm very honored to have a chance to participate again at this very important gathering. … I'm very grateful that representatives of your sovereign governments travel here every year to share your stories about your history, about your sovereignty and about your survival. I think we are all enriched as a state from learning about your governments, your culture and your traditions."

Kitzhaber also acknowledged how Tribes have assisted Oregon in natural resources management and Oregonians through their continued philanthropy during the recent economic downturn.

"I believe that the strength and commitment through the government-to-government relationship that we have forged between the state and the nine sovereign Tribal governments provides a pathway to explore new ideas and new perspectives," Kitzhaber added.

After his speech, Kitzhaber signed the proclamation and mingled and posed for photos with Tribal representatives.

On Thursday, May 10, Kennedy also participated in small group discussions with state representatives about what is effective and appropriate consultation between state and Tribal officials.