Program 305

View of Tamástslikt looking south to the Blue Mountains. Credit: Oregon Tourism Commission. Courtesy Tamástslikt Cultural Institute.

Historical Introduction:
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indians

with Arlie Neskahi

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Arlie Neskahi:
Welcome to Wisdom of the Elders. I’m Arlie Neskahi.

It was a cool October morning. Ragged waves hissed on the rocky beach and the big river coursed with power into the west. The Walla Walla headman, Yellepit, strode into the camp of the travelers with his colleagues. They were greeted by the two captains of the travelers’ party, Lewis and Clark. Speaking in signs, Yellepit welcomed the white men to his country. As they sat on a blanket and smoked, Yellepit must have noticed that the white men were well organized and armed with American guns. Read more »

Kathleen Gordon

Kathleen Gordon

with Brian Bull

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Arlie Neskahi:
Elder spirits reside in Kathleen Gordon’s heart – spirits that drive her to practice and teach the spiritual values an earlier day. In today’s Elder Wisdom, Brian Bull explores how the Longhouse Religion and the traditional way of life of the Cayuse people have made a lasting difference in an elder’s life: Read more »

Don Addison. Photo by Larry Johnson.

The Sahaptian Language Family

with Don Addison

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Arlie Neskahi:
Welcome back to Wisdom of the Elders.

Don Addison:
Halito! I’m Don Addision and this is speaking Native. Read more »

Judy Bluehorse Skelton

The Spirit of the Salmon

with Judy Bluehorse Skelton

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Arlie Neskahi:
The Northwest is home to the Salmon Nations. For the tribes of the Columbia River, salmon is their brother. The Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indians, along with the Warm Springs, Nez Perce and Yakama tribes, share rights to water, land and fish in the columbia river basin. Today, in sacred landscape, Judy Bluehorse Skelton talks about the quintessential symbol of the northwest, the salmon. Read more »

Nico Wind

Fred Hill

with Nico Wind

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Arlie Neskahi:
One of the great joys of my life has been getting to know other singers. In today’s Tribal Rhythms you will meet Fred Hill, a singing brother of mine whose knowledge of the traditional songs of the Columbia River Tribes amazes me. He’s an enrolled member of the Umatilla Tribes, and not only is Fred a storehouse of his cultural heritage, but he is also a composer of many beautiful songs himself. And, once you get him started telling jokes, you better be ready to have a sore gut from laughing so hard the next day. Nico Wind has more. Read more »

Umatilla Yellowhawk Clinic. Courtesy Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Tribal Profile.

Delphine Wood and Marvella Jones

with Rose High Bear

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Arlie Neskahi:
Most of us need more exercise than we’re getting. If you’re like me, you make frequent promises to yourself to get to the gym to work off that last piece of fry bread. But to the person with diabetes, to get more exercise is a life or death commitment. In today’s Health and Healing, Rose High Bear explores an exercise program sponsored by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indians through the experiences of two very special women. Read more »

Thomas Morning Owl. Courtesy Center for Columbia River History

Thomas Morning Owl

with Bruce Crespin

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Arlie Neskahi:
It is characteristic of Native people to artfully embellish the mundane, transforming everyday items into objects of beauty. Today, some Native people are given to learning an array of tribal skills, to help sustain their living culture. In today’s Artists Circle, Bruce Crespin talks with Thomas Morning Owl, a former general council chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indians. Thomas shares his outlook on Tribal arts, woven from the material of his many gifts and talents. Read more »

Marvin “Wish” Patrick

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Wish Patrick:
I was born in ah, 1929, December sixth on the Umatilla Reservation. That’s up on McKay Creek area— Hautme. Mc Kay Creek and Johnson Creek area was my sandbox, you might say, my big playgrounds.

Arlie Neskahi:
The experience of war leaves indelible scars not only in the body, but in the mind and the spirit. Today, we hear the true story of Marvin “Wish” Patrick, who returned from the Korean War haunted by those he had killed. Read more »