In a publication known as Screenings, artifacts dug at these sites as well as others were written about. This pamphlet, which was printed monthly, became a venue for the men and women digging these artifacts, to share with others there finds. It also served as a mini ethnography as native people began writing about their lives along the river and sharing stories told to them by their ancestors.

Screenings held stories as well as artifacts from the Columbia River. One such story told by a Bay Center woman named Mertil Woodcock, tells how Owl brought fire, a gift from the sun to the river people. In this story Owl is fearful for his life. All the other birds of the forest have made significant contributions to this world, but owl had not yet done so. Eagle was aspiring to kill him for this laziness. Owl aware of eagles plot decides to kill him first by way of bow and arrow. One night while owl was shooting his flint tipped arrows into the rock bank he made a spark, which kindled into a fire. Owl in his haste to return to his roost before daylight does not notice the flame and leaves. The next day the fire surrounded by owl prints was found by some native hunters. Thus owl is known as the one who brings fire to the people.

In my power figure” the one who brings fire”, Owl is grinning and clutches the arrows that caused fire, forever transforming the way of life.

Basketry Tamanawas was inspired by these beautiful works of art. The center face represents the basket weaver. Along the bottom are humanoid faces in the form of diamonds. This is a common design found in Wasco basketry. Along the sides are triangles that form a zig-zaging line. Across the top are concentric squares, both are common elements found in Columbia River art. This carving is an example of how similar carving and basketry are when considering the artistic designs applied.

I remember walking down to the little hidden beach at present day Fort Columbia and watching the canoe load of paddlers approaching the beach. It was like seeing the river for the first time. The way it would have looked hundreds of years ago. The canoe sat so low in the water it was almost as if the paddlers were floating free of the canoe. As the bringers of the first salmon grew near to shore they held up their paddles in a salute, a gesture of good faith. As the drumming and singing commenced the canoe was beached and the salmon brought to shore.

After the ceremony and the fish was eaten with accordance to the ritual the bones are to be returned to the river thus ensuring a strong run of salmon for the next year. I was asked to join the crew to paddle out and return the bones. This was the first time I had ever been in a canoe and the memory has led me to this piece. Nayka Kenim Tillicum is the inspired work from that day on the river.

In the bow of the canoe is Coyote who travels up river telling people how to live. The paddlers with their paddles held high in the middle represent the Chinook people and the human aspect of the river. At the stern is the Tamanawas or the sprit power that aids the people in their lives.

CHARALS CULTEE A CHINOOK NATIVE ARTIST OF BAY CENTER WASHINGTON WAS NOTED FOR HIS CANOE BOWLS OF SIMILAR SHAPE AND PROPORTION. CULTEE WAS ALSO A INFORMENT FOR BOAZ IN 1891.

MATERIAL RED ALDER

IMAGES BEING REPRESENTED

ZOOMORPHIC IMAGE

Frog.