Indigenous history
Wanapum Elder Ernestine Conner, a Grant County PUD cultural resources specialist, shows some traditional weaving at the 2022 Archeology Days. Archeology Days 2023 are scheduled for Oct. 2 and 3.
FILE PHOTO
Yakama crafter Lindsey Howtopat shows a cedar bark basket, woven in the traditional shape that he said is the best for transporting huckleberries, during the 2022 Archeology Days.
Wanapum member Velma Wyena, a Grant County Public Utility District cultural project worker, demonstrates the techniques involved in beading and finishing buckskin moccasins.
PRIEST RAPIDS DAM — Children and adults will get a look at the history and culture of the Wanapum and Columbia Plateau people at Archeology Days on Oct. 3 and 4 at the Wanapum Heritage Center, 29082 Highway 243 South. Drivers should turn at the Priest Rapids Dam entrance of the site.
Archeology Days is a longtime project of the Grant County Public Utility District.
Youth Day is from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 3. It will feature members of the Wanapum, along with other presenters, talking about the history and way of life of the inhabitants along the Columbia River.
School groups are asked to register in advance, and can reserve space by calling 509-766-3461.
Wanapum members and other presenters demonstrate traditional techniques for making mats from tule stalks and beadwork, among many others. Wanapum experts will demonstrate how to tan hides, along with other techniques. Speakers also will explain the importance of those skills in Wanapum culture.
Children get the chance to test their skills with an atlatl, the traditional hunting spear, thrown the Wanapum way.
There’s a little science and geology mixed in, with exhibits on the wildlife, flora and fauna of the Columbia Plateau. Other exhibits will talk about the region’s geology; Central Washington is known to geology aficionados as the site of Ice Age floods. Other presenters talk about the region’s prehistory, shown through the fossil record.
Youth Day 2022 drew about 500 students from around the Columbia Basin, according to a previous CBH story.
Adult Day is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 3, and features lectures and demonstrations on topics ranging from Wanapum culture to regional history to wildlife and geological features. A full list of speakers will be available on Adult Day. Some of the presenters from Youth Day also will be demonstrating on Adult Day.
The Wanapum Heritage Center will be open both days. “Life as a Wanapum” is the permanent exhibit, featuring the Wanapum story told with exhibits, audio interviews, interactive monitors and a lodge constructed of tule stalks. There’s also a temporary exhibit hall; the current exhibit is “Portraits in Red: Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Painting Project.”
Cheryl Schweizer may be reached at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.
