[OR_Archaeology] Oct. 8 Coos Bay Area partners w/OHS for display about OR Tribes

[Susan White]

COOS BAY AREA PARTNERS TO HOST NEW EXHIBIT

The Coss Bay Area hosts the statewide debut Oct. 8 of a ground-breaking exhibit produced by the Oregon Historical Society in association with Oregon's nine federally recognized tribes.  The exhibit, sponsored by the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians and the Coquille Indian Tribe, will open in several locations in the area.  Later this month, a free public lecture and free demonstrations of traditional technology will complement the exhibit.  

"Oregon Is Indian Country" is a three-part display incorporating native voices, historical artifacts, and photographs.   The three components - "The Land," "Traditions That  Bind," and "Federal Indian Policies" --  portray Oregon's diverse indigenous cultures.  Separate components will be displayed at the Coos Bay Public Library, the North Bend Public Library, and the Coos Historical & Maritime Museum in North Bend.  

"This is a great example of the power of cross-cultural community partnerships" says Coos Bay Library Director Carol Ventgen, "The tribes, the libraries and the museum share an interest in making information more accessible, and we also have a number of complementary strengths. 
By working together, we've developed a model for cooperative exhibitions elsewhere in the state."

Historian Stephen Dow Beckham will speak on "Oregon's Indian Voices: 1792-2008" at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Coos Bay Public Library.  On Oct. 11 and Oct. 25, experts will demonstrate traditional technology for cedar plank splitting, weaving and other traditional skills at the Coos Historical and Maritime Museum.

For more information, contact the museum at 541.756.6320 or visit http://www.cooshistory.org/