Birthday of the Plankhouse
This weekend marked the 15th birthday of achaf-hammi , the plankhouse at nearby Grand Ronde, which 'provides a traditional space for countless activities, events and ceremonies.' Pre-European contact, these long plankhouses played a vital role for the indigenous people of the rainy Pacific NW, serving as winter homes, store houses, and meeting places for the large extended families, who've been here over 10,000 years. (Similar Longhouses were used in Europe and Asia) Tribal Histories - David Lewis I am so grateful we were invited to attend this celebration, and went with 2 of my Native Voices bookgroup friends, Emily and Judy! Our g roup members read and discuss books by indigenous authors, and we've visited Chachalu cultural center at Grand Ronde several times. C hachalu, which translates to 'the place of burnt timbers' the name given the area after a massive forest fire in 1856. The reservation is home to members of mor...