Selenes recent FB comment about her Dads saying about pow wows reminded me of a bit of history that some of you may not be aware of. Though its difficult to think of Roberts contributions to the community as history I want to be sure that this particular story is remembered. In the 50s, after Termination, there wasnt much celebrating in Siletz. Many people had to move away to find work. Families were separated, it was a difficult time for many. I dont remember that time, but its an important part of what came later. During at least the 1960s and 1970s the Siletz Valley Jaycees and Jaycettes sponsored the annual Raft Race and Salmon Barbecue. At some point (I dont have exact dates) Robert had an idea ---(thats almost a silly statement because Robert was FULL of ideas)---that the big event would be much better and would bring people home if there was also an Indian Pow-Wow that weekend. I remember him telling me, We used to celebrate! Its time to celebrate. Of course, because Robert had an idea, and was determined to make it happen, it DID happen somehow. During those years, and I imagine for many years prior, The Archie Ben Dancers appeared at lots of summer events around the state, at high school sports events, etc.. I remember my cousins, Edwina Tinker (Simmons) Brown and Bobby Simmons dancing with the group. Robert made sure the dancers were involved in the pow-wow, as well. That first pow-wow, Roberts Pow-Wow was held on the city grounds in the area of the current library, and on the football field. Late at night when everything else was over, there were still people on the field playing Indian games that Robert assured everyone was just a game, no gambling involved. :-) At that time Government Hill was owned by the city and was not in any condition to host a pow-wow, but their ground downtown was perfect for both the barbecue and the pow-wow events. So, this was the restoration of pow-wows in Siletz. After tribal restoration there are two pow-wows a year, of course. That Restoration we must remember was another of Roberts ideas. Together with Joe Lane, the idea developed into committee meetings of a group of people who are seldom acknowledged or mentioned in tribal events, and eventually it became a big enough political movement to make it necessary to hold meetings in the Grange Hall. Most of the rest is already known to you. I was always amazed at how Maxine could keep up with Robs many projects and also be such a great mother. This is what I know--because I was there. Life with their family has been an adventure that I wouldnt have wanted to miss.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 07:11:34 +0000
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