Visit Our Sponsors
Indian
Fry Bread
Columbia
Market
Individual
Supporters
Greg
and Rachel Leo
Elizabeth
Furse
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Festival of Nations is a cultural
celebration and salmon conservation awareness event centered on
Native American traditions welcoming to all. Held September 25-26,
2010 in the Cascade Locks Marine Park, we offer free entertainment
and crafts; a 10k Salmon Run; interactive exhibits and more to
celebrate the communities and scenic beauty of the Columbia River
Gorge.
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Festival of Nations
at Cascade Locks, OR
Fifth Annual Event September
24-26,
2010
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Cascade Locks,
Oregon |
The Columbia River Gorge is a
world-class destination, as evidenced by the area tying sixth
internationally and taking second nationally, in a recent survey
rating by National Geographic Sustainable Destinations. This
distinction acknowledges not only to the beauty of the National
Scenic Area, but the authenticity and
stewardship of the Gorge as a
destination.
The Festival of Nations was
created in this spirit by The Confederated Tribes of Warm
Springs and
the community of Cascade
Locks. Seeking to recreate the traditions of the
area as a trading hub and salmon fishing haven known as the
"cascades" of the river, the founders envisioned a festival
honoring tribal arts, traditions and folk life practices, while
welcoming inclusively all who appreciate the unique spiritual and
cultural nature of this
heritage.
Festival of
Nations is located in Cascade Locks, "The Heart of
the Columbia River Gorge", only 45 minutes from the Portland
International Airport. From the art of catching,
cooking and preserving salmon to basket weaving and celebratory
dance, the visitor to Festival of Nations will come away with a
greater understandingof tribal heritage and the deep history of its arts and
culture. Many of the exhibits are interactive, and
the visitor can be taken back to the days before the locks tamed
the river. Through this immersion experience, those
days come alive for tribal descendants and all participants, and
what was, is very present
again.
Festival
of Nations is an opportunity for tribal people
and
non-tribal people to experience the celebratory
culture of salmon harvest in the ancient trading place for a
"Gathering at the River". Bringing the tribes together again, here
where it happened, and sharing this cultural art with the community
and visitors, is a powerful and creative experience.
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The People of the River
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Margie Tuckta, Festival of
Nations Chair
and Member of The Confederated Tribes of Warm
Springs
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Native Americans have lived on
the what is now called the Columbia River for generations and
generations, thriving, fishing, and dying on
the river. The Festival of Nations continues the proud
heritage of the river people to gather, share culture, and to
continue to exchange ideas and trade. The Festival
recognizes the centrality of the river not only as a source of food
security and transportation, but as a symbol and focal point for
the continuing recognition of the earth's bounty and our need to
cherish her.
Relatively recently the tribes
have moved to reservations, but they have always maintained and
retained a presence on the river legally, culturally and
spiritually. "We have never left", said Louie Pitt,
Director of Government Affairs and Planning for The Confederated Tribes of Warm
Springs. Having this
festival on ceded territory recognizes this fact and the tribes'
central role in preserving this resource. If we
gather to celebrate and learn about the river, we can work together
to ensure that it will continue to provide into the future for the
tribes and our neighbors and
friends.
Ewa-chi-na.
(Wasco: That is how it has been, is now, and will be
tomorrow).
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Regional
Participation Increases for Fifth Annual Festival of
Nations
The Confederated Tribes
of Warm Springs
Cascade Locks and
Oregon Crafted Collaborate with Other
Organizations
Many new partnerships
have been formed this year in the Columbia River Gorge area,
including representatives of the Four 1855 Treaty Tribes in the area - Warm Springs, the Umatilla,
Yakama and Nez Perce; regional businesses, sponsors,
cultural organizations, and residents.
Oregon Crafted became a fiscal sponsor and
administrative partner of The Festival of Nations in 2008.The
Festival closely fits with the Oregon Crafted mission to "promote
stability and prosperity among Oregon's arts, handcrafters and
related businesses by providing educational opportunities and
relevant resources".
This year, in recognition of the proximity of International Peace
Day, we have invited the Northwest Regional Roots & Shoots groups to participate in
our event as part of their peace day activities. The groups were
particularly interested in volunteering for the associated SOLV clean-up at Herman Creek.
We have also added a golfing event at Beacon Rock on Friday
September 24th and a Pow Wow Saturday September 25th to help draw
in folks to the festival. Let us know if you need more information
on any of these activities.
We welcome the
participation of all interested individuals and organizations and
encourage you to contact us for complete information.
Margie Tuckta Rebecca
Gandy
Chair and Tribal
Contact Coordinator, Festival of
Nations
541-553-4883 503-753-4267
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