How is indigenous food culture being practiced in the Willamette Valley today, and how does that reach into the core of Kalapuya culture. That and more is a conversation set for Wednesday, October 8 at the PRAx Center.
Titled The Future of Indigenous Foods in the Kalapuya ilihi, organizers promise the talk will be a look into the past, present and future. They also say folks will be surprised how Indigenous food culture is practiced today in the Willamette Valley, with few people realizing what is happening.
Who’s talking
David Harrelson will present, he is an Ampinefu Kalapuya member and Cultural Resources Department Manager of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. He will give an overview of Indigenous foods efforts within the Kalapuya ilihi, also known as the Willamette Valley, and his talk will be followed by a conversation with a panel of local Indigenous food activists who are contributing to the native food sovereignty movement.
- Francene Ambrose, Grand Ronde Program Manager, Iskam MǝkʰMǝk-Haws.
- Danita Macy, SNAP-Ed/FCH Outreach Program Coordinator- Urban Indigenous Unit- Indigenous People Workgroup at OSU and OSU Extension Service.
- Luhui Whitebear, Assistant Professor of Indigenous Studies and OSU Indigenous Studies Program Coordinator and Indigenous liaison for the OSU Food Program.
The program moderator will be Adam Davis, Executive Director, Oregon Humanities.
Prior to the program, you can visit a table display by the OSU Indigenous Studies Program about returning Indigenous Canoe Culture to the Mid-Willamette and Marys (Pinefu in Kalapuya) Rivers for the first time since March 20, 1856. Also, Grassroots Books will have Indigenous books recommended by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. The books are available for purchase.
Free admission, be early
This live event runs from 7 to 8:30 pm, Wednesday, October 8. Doors open at 6 pm. The PRAx (Patricia Valian Reser Performance Art Center, OSU campus) is located at 470 SW 15th Street. No pre-registration. First come – first seated.
For further information about the Champinefu Lecture Series, contact Dave Eckert at deckert@willamettewatershed.com
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