Native Innovation exhibit makes first stop in Grand Ronde

By Kamiah Koch

Social media/digital journalist

Grand Ronde community members looking for an educational and interactive family-friendly activity to do this month need look no further than the Tribal Library.

On Thursday, April 4, the University of Oregon’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History Education Manager Mia Jackson unpacked the Native Innovation Museum Adventures traveling exhibit at its first stop in Grand Ronde.

Jackson and Tribal Librarian Kathy Cole set up the 10-station exhibit together throughout the library. Each hands-on station comes in a wooden box that unfolds into a display. Printed on the underside of the lid is information about science and engineering innovations Native people have created, along with tangible examples within the box.

The stations include topics like harvest solutions, fish technology and transportation innovations.

“The term ‘technology’ means anything designed by a person to solve a problem,” Jackson said to Cole while they set up the exhibit. “The underlying message of the exhibit is that Native people have been innovating forever.”

One of the first stations one sees upon entering the library is Native transportation innovations. Miniature paddles and a handheld 8-inch dug-out canoe created by Tribal member Brian Krehbiel are on display, along with true-to-scale tools used for carving out canoes.

These miniatures are made for handling, so children and their families can get a sense for how a traditional canoe is made and what it feels like.

“We want people to touch them,” Jackson said. “We also have hands-on activities varying in levels of independence.”

University of Oregon’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History Education Manager Mia Jackson demonstrates the use of a sandal weaving station for Tribal Librarian Kathy Cole. It is part of the Native Innovation Museum Adventures traveling exhibit and it was installed at the library on Thursday, April 4. (Photos by Michelle Alaimo)

According to Jackson, the Museum of Natural and Cultural History invited all nine Tribes of Oregon to participate in the creation of the exhibit. The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Coquille Indian Tribe, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians directly advised on the project.

Jackson said Grand Ronde’s Education Department has been involved from the beginning.

“This (exhibit) supports Tribal curriculum and gives library and public spaces a way to support those messages all over the state of Oregon,” Jackson said. “The Grand Ronde community assisted in making this happen and hopefully they are happy to see it go statewide.”

The exhibit is scheduled to tour Oregon through 2025, visiting rural and small cities. Some of the scheduled stops include public libraries in Cottage Grove, Mount Angel and Rogue River.

Funding for the exhibit came from an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant and through a private foundation.

Places that wish to display the exhibit only have to pay for the cost of shipping. The Tribal Library was able to display the exhibit for free.

“Hopefully this will bring more people to the library and educate people about the Tribe,” Cole said.

The exhibit will be in Grand Ronde until Tuesday, April 30. Jackson recommended families carve out 45 minutes to an hour to experience the exhibit. However, it could take longer and families can explore the exhibit in bits and pieces throughout the month.

“It’s great for all ages because they can participate at their own level,” Jackson said. 

Cole said several of the activities brought with the exhibit will be shared with the classes in the Tribe’s Education Department.