Ethnic Studies and Sociology 499
Oregon State University
By:
Jennifer Pyle & Jodie Sampson
Class Overview:
This class was designed for students to learn through an interactive listening process. The week began on Sunday morning heading out to Newport, Oregon to prepare for the week intensive class. Sunday consisted of ice breaking activities and planning for the week of interviews ahead. Monday consisted of interviewing six people individually who were some how connected with the Siletz tribe, or were members of the Siletz tribe. That evening much time was spent reflecting on the events of the day and a lot of time was also used preparing for the interviews for Tuesday. Much debate occured over which questions would be asked and it was a learning process to work as a team and compromise. Tuesday was much like Monday, but the group did not spend the night in Newport and made the journey back to Corvallis. Wednesday was spent on Oregon State University campus going over past interviews as well as preparing for the presentation the students were to make on Thursday. Two more interviews were conducted on Wednesday as well as an overview on how to create a website. Many students worked late into the night getting ready for the final day of this class. Thursday the class headed back to the coast, this time going to Chinook Winds Casino to interview people on casion operations and tribal gaming. From there students over 21 were given an all inclusive tour of the casino. The final dinner was held at the Siletz Tribe's main office and the class presentation was given following this.
Our class in the Tribal Council Room
This week long intensive learning course taught us so much about the Siletz community and the surrounding areas. We also learned a great deal about our selves and working with a diverse group in demanding circumstances. We learned a great deal about the atrocities that this group of people have had to deal with and how they are working everyday to rise above it all. From disbandment to restoration and then the closing of the schools. This communtiy has faced a lot of hard times, but they have pulled through togther to get where they are today. We saw that culture and values play into the Siltez community's daliy life and has a great impact on the youth growing up there. Through this process we embraced a whole new community that was unknown to us prior to this week. The process of constructing and conducting our interviews was a valuable experience which will be carried with us for the rest of our lives. The class format of active learning was more beneficial to us then a typical lecture format. We learned a great deal about the Lincoln city community, the Siletz community, ourselves, and about diversity in Oregon.
Barriers Faced by the Siletz Community:
The loss of identity
is something that has increased with every generation. It began when
native Americans were required to attend boarding schools away from their
family and the reservataion. This forced the Native Americans to
assimilate to the European Americans' life style. Much of their culture
was lost at this time. Language was the most extreme sense
of culture that was lost by Native Americans during this period.
They were punished for even speaking it. This lead to families not
teaching the language to their children and therefore a part of their culture
slowly began to vanish. Through time, some of the language is being
brought back and many children express great interest in learning it.
With this, hope of more Native Americans learning their language is rising.
Termination in 1955 caused the Siletz
tribe to move apart and the sense of community was gone. The relocation
of Native Americans to urban areas caused a great loss. This again
forced Native Americans to assimilate by taking on different values and
learning a different culture. Restoration brought the Siletz community
closer in 1977. The focus was back on the land, family, and community.
Another barrier faced recently was
the closing of the Siletz high school. This has caused the community
to again grow apart, but they are working towards restoring and preserving
it. Right now the elementary school is being considered for closure.
If this happens again children will have to be transported away from their
communtiy for school and this means less time with their families.
Children of the Siletz have the potential
to go both ways as far as increasing and decreasing their identity in the
future. Language is returning as well as the traditional dances.
Children are being given the opportunity to learn more and the importance
of culture is being instilled in the youth. This starts young and
continues to grow from there. The Siletz tribe has overcome many
barriers in the past. The loss of identity experienced is being restored
and preserved in its members and they have come a long way. In the
future it will continue to increase.
Barriers:
Stereotypes
- Common prejudices that society makes
Misconceptions
- TIMES articles about the casinos
Education
- Combining the schools in the area
Identity
- Termination and restoration
Rules
and Regulation - Land use and reservation land
