Historic Hood River
Mourning Celilo Falls
Notes
We’re hijacking Morganne’s usually Monday spot to tell you about the wonderful new exhibit Morganne has assembled at the History Museum. The Museum was packed with visitors this weekend for the opening reception for “Voices of the River.” The high point was a when Wyam (Celilo) member Lana Jack told stories about the drowning of Celilo Falls and what it meant to the people who lived in Celilo Village. She followed with a dance in this prayer shawl she created to memorialize the occasion. The image on the back represents Chief Tommy Thompson weeping at the impending loss of the Falls.
While Lana Jack was just here for the reception, the exhibit will be at the museum for several months. It includes an amazing collection of photographs by Archie McKeown, a collection of objects created by various people who have lived along the river, and an interactive video by the Confluence Project. While we try to bring the Museum into your life everyday with this photoblog, it’s worth a physical trip to the Museum to see this exhibit.
Tags: Celilo Falls, Confluence Project, Jack_Lana, Morganne's Mondays, Native American, Wyam
Dale Nicol
Quite a stunning hand made work of art to tell the story!
L.E.
I think right up to his death Chief Thompson refused to enroll in a registered tribe. In the meantime registered tribes continued to make claims on fishing rights at the Falls.
I never have heard an explanation of where the name Celilo comes from.
Arlen L sheldrake
I agree Dale…….and I like the statement a while back from one of the tribes……the falls are still there waiting to return.
Greg Oates
Yes Arlen, there is a certain poetry in that statement that lives on.