Native Americans and the Mount Hood Salmon and Mushroom Festival

Native Americans and the Mount Hood Salmon and Mushroom Festival

My older sister recently asked me “why didn’t Oregon have more Indian names?”  I said Clackamas is and there are others.  She replied that both California and Washington states have many.  Then she wondered why.  Kinda agreeing with her, I speculated that the Oregon Trail brought settlers in such mass that they swept aside the tribes and used “white man” names.  California was settled by the Spanish earlier in the 19^th century and Washington State was a side event compared to Oregon.  So the neighboring states may have experienced a less direct cultural change.  I also mentioned that there was a recent demonstration by Native Americans in Portland regarding the naming of a park.

In researching the process of cell tower applications, I found that there is a review step to  contact the local tribes to make sure the proposed site is away from sacred lands.  So an internet search found little information on the Clackamas Indians.  If I recall the research from several years correctly, there was mention of the last five Clackamas Indians being deported to the reservation of Grand Rounde Tribe (central, coastal Oregon). 

Another historical document about the early automobile trips from Portland residents to Mt Hood did mention that in late the summer the Indians would be camping near the Salmon and Sandy rivers presumably for fish and huckleberries.  The document mentioned the Indians did NOT like having their pictures (spirit) taken.

OregonLive just posted this related article and photo:

      Ko-Na Foster Kalama performs Oct. 1 at the Mount Hood Salmon and Mushroom Festival.

      Photo by  Anne Morin

WELCHES -- Music, food, arts and crafts, exhibits, a storyteller and habitat walks will highlight the Mount Hood Salmon and Mushroom Festival at Mt. Hood Village, 65000 E. U.S. 26.

A Sasquatch talk, a scarecrow-making contest, a Native American salmon bake, and mushroom, huckleberry and buffalo fare will also be featured at the 20th annual event slated from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 1 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 2.

Organizer Michael P. Jones says the family-oriented event is held during the month of October to welcome home the return of the salmon to the streams of Mount Hood and the wild mushrooms to its forested landscapes.

Oregon Mycological Society experts will help with mushroom identification and discuss habitat preservation. The Cascade Geographic Society, the event's sponsor, will sell flavored mustard and wild berry products.

Highlights include a performance by the Quartz Creek Drum and Dance Group of Warm Springs from 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 1 and Native American music presented by the Mount Hood Flute Fest throughout both days.

A free concert will also be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1. The featured performer is Ko-Na Foster Kalama, a renowned musician, artist, teacher, speaker and treaty fisherman who lives in Warm Springs.

Admission and parking are free. For details, call 503-622-4798 or visit www.cgsmthood.com