Tag: Indigenous heritage

Native American Spring Celebration at Coffee Creek

Spring Celebration is a First Foods ceremony held by every tribe in the Plateau region. The four sacred foods—salmon, deer meat, roots, and berries—are gathered and prepared traditionally using ancient teachings, songs, and prayer.   

These four foods are high in nutritional value and were the main staple foods of the Native American diet. This ceremony is about renewing the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional self. It is a time of forgiveness and gratitude for Native American people in the region, including Native American adults in custody (AICs) at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF).

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Pow Wow at Shutter Creek

Shutter Creek Correctional Institution (SCCI) hosted its first ever Pow Wow for the Native American population! On December 8th, 2018, 25 adults in custody (AICs) participated in the celebration along with 50 family, friends, and guests from the community. The gathering was opened with a grand entry of the flags by adults in custody and guests in traditional regalia. The Pow Wow was celebrated with prayers, drumming, dancing, and sharing.

  • Grand entry
  • Hand-painted gifts for participants

As a gift for each participant, members of SCCI’s circle designed and painted rocks with bright colors and traditional artwork to commemorate the evening. Thanks to generous community donations, the participants were able to have a wonderful meal of traditional foods, such as buffalo, salmon, steelhead, and fry bread while they celebrated.

This memorable event is possible thanks to the support of Trish Jordan with Red Lodge Transition Services; Volunteer Galen Black; the Coquille Indian Tribe; the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians; the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians; and the Native American Cultural Association of Oregon for their support of the Native American population at Shutter Creek.

SCCI can’t wait for their next Pow Wow!