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The earth says much to those who listen
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I am picking up the virtual talking stick to share a story with you, another one of the hundreds of ways we can kneel and kiss the ground. Thank you, Rumi (full poem here).
I just returned from spending time on the Nez Perce homeland in Eastern Oregon. We camped on land that was repurchased by the Nez Perce tribe through federal funds as part of the Oregon Trail project. Their justification for receiving the funds from the government came through an interesting new take on an old story. There was the trail into Oregon from the east and midwest, but there was also another "Oregon Trail"...that was the trail that led out of Oregon when the native peoples were displaced from their land and had to walk away from their homes. It was a brilliant argument, and a successful one. The tribe received $250,000.00 and used the funds to buy back some of their land from private landowners.
I totally fell in love with the place. We camped near the huge round arbor shown below, built for pow-wows and celebrations, located at the food of this rocky summit.
Here is how the tribe describes the commitment to their homeland near Wallowa, Oregon: "It is time once again to let the land hear the familiar sounds that have been developed over thousands of years here in the land of winding waters, the rhythm of the drum beat, the songs, the language, the prayers, the people, and all creation joined to co-exist and respect mother earth and this law of the land. Our elders, whose bones remain in this beautiful land, would be proud that everyone here has a genuine concern to maintain the Nee-Me-Poo (We The People, Nez Perce) culture. It has fallen upon the shoulders of this generation to capture the history and, through cultural understanding, respect this land that we live in."
There is a Nez Perce graveyard at the top of this summit, and I could strongly feel their presence and love for this place. I sang the Kate Wolf "Medicine Wheel" song every morning to the four directions, imagining that I was a member of the Nez Perce tribe.
Here is some of the natural beauty of the area that I fell in love with.
May you walk in beauty and live in love.
Glenda Goodrich
GG's Down to Earth Studio
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Art & SoulCollageĀ® Offerings
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Gelli Plate Printing Extravaganza!!
Saturday, September 3, 2016
10 am to 4 pm
This popular class is loads of fun. All levels of experience are welcome and will enjoy creating print after print - the only limit is your imagination.
Currents Back Door Studio,
532 3rd Street, McMinnville
Cost: $70, plus $15 material fee (everything is provided for you: paper, paint, Gelli plates, texture tools, stencils, supplies).
Register with Currents at 503.435.1316
CollagePlay! Mixed Media Playshop
Saturday, October 22, 2016
10 am to 4 pm
Collage comes alive as you
explore the joys of mixed media.
Decorative and handmade papers, textures,
and paints are your materials in this critic-free class that focuses on experimentation and trying new things. You will
experiment with techniques and methods for creating beautiful layered artwork. Basic instruction on layout and design will be provided.
All levels of experience are welcome, including beginners.
Lots of fun collage and mixed media tips and tricks!
Currents Back Door Studio,
532 3rd Street, McMinnville
Cost: $70, plus $15 material fee (includes ALL supplies: substrates, paints, collage materials, ephemera, texture, matte medium, tools)
Register with Currents at 503.435.1316
Sa
turday Serendipity SoulCollageĀ®
October 8, 2016, 9 am to 12 pm
Build your card deck in a community of kindred spirits. Come join us for card making and reading
in t
he peaceful and creative atmosphere
of GG's Down to Earth Studio in Salem.
Hundreds of images await you!
Sliding scale fee: $15 to $20
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