September 2010 Volume 41, Number 3 Pacifi c Northwest Coast and Coast Salish Native Cultures By Dorota Rahn, Volunteer and Education Coordinator Rentonians usually recognize the Duwamish tribe as the First People of the cities of Seattle, Mercer Island, Renton, Bellevue, and Tukwila. However, not very many people know that the Duwamish tribe is one of the Coast Salish tribes. The differences between Coast Salish tribes and those of the Northwest Coast native cultures of the northern Pacifi c Coast are even less obvious. Coast Sal- ish peoples are located in the southern part of the Pacifi c Northwest Coast. The Duwamish belong to the southern Coast Salish tribes of Central Puget Sound. While doing research for the Museum’s new Coast Salish 4th grade curriculum, I developed an understanding for how subtle the differences are among the various indigenous groups along the Pacifi c Coast. This article attempts to explore these differences by explaining the most common mistaken beliefs. Many people share a basic misconception about Native Americans living on the Pacifi c Northwest Coast. It is the belief that all Native Americans on the northern coast looked and lived in the same way, created the same art, and shared the same traditions and beliefs. In fact, the Native Americans who lived in the Pacifi c Northwest thousands of years ago belonged, and still belong, to various dis- tinct tribes. Their lives were shaped mostly by the natural conditions in which they lived. The environ- ment dictated not only what they ate, what houses Map: Cultural Groups of the Northwest (Courtesy: Burke Museum). Masthead Photo: Silkscreen print, Maternal Thunderbird by Shaun Peterson (Courtesy: Shaun Peterson). Continued on page 4 Renton Historical Quarterly President's Message By Sandra Meyer, President The Society is off and running toward enhancing the museum experience for the community. Our Museum Master Plan, recently completed, will serve as our guide Renton Historical Quarterly toward making the museum an exciting Susie Bressan, Graphic Design & Layout experience, by regularly rotating exhibits Louise George, Copy Editor pulled together with our diverse community. Daisy Ward, Text Input & Copy Editor Karl Hurst, City of Renton Print and Mail Services To achieve the vision, we are embarking on planning for the needed capital campaign. Renton Historical Society The next nine months will be challenging Board of Trustees and revealing as we learn how to approach this process by getting board training, devel- Sandra Meyer, President oping our case, and talking to our commu- Theresa Clymer, Vice President nity leaders and public about this venture. Phyllis Hunt, Treasurer Elizabeth P. Stewart, Secretary Vicki Jo Utterstrom, ‘11 In theh meantime, i we will ill bbe moving i forward with ideas we can implement now Anne Melton, ‘11 as we update the Strategic Plan and integrate ideas developed in the master plan- Kristie Walker, ‘11 ning process. It is an exciting time and our board is more diverse and youthful Kevin McQuiller, ‘11 than ever before. Barbara Whitehurst, ‘12 Lay Chan, ‘12 My sincere thanks to past president Laura Clawson, who successfully led the Susie Bressan, ‘12 organization toward fulfi lling its mission. As a mentor and friend her bright, pos- Betty Childers, ‘13 itive attitude made it possible for us all to meet our current challenges. Her con- Larry Sleeth, ‘13 tinued participation in training new board members after her service as a trustee Rachel Vdolek, ‘13 speaks to her sincere care and interest in the future of the Museum. I also want Andy Sparks, ‘13 to thank outgoing trustees Mike Jacobs and Robin Baches for their contributions Terri Briere, City Liaison and I want to acknowledge two new board members, Andy Sparks and Anne Melton. Both have been museum volunteers and are now bringing their talents Museum Staff onto the board of the society. Theresa Clymer is our new vice president, and for Elizabeth P. Stewart, Museum Director those of you who know her we are especially blessed to tap into her expertise as Daisy Ward, Administrative Assistant a leader in our community. Dorota Rahn, Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Iles, Collection Manager So, what has the Board been doing since the last newsletter? In June we had our Pearl Jacobson, Volunteer Registrar annual member’s meeting at which the Historical Society awarded developer Louise George, Volunteer Secretary Dave Smith the George and Annie Lewis Custer award for rehabilitating the old Renton History Museum 1934 City Hall located on South Wells Street. Mayor Denis Law helped give the 235 Mill Avenue South award for this worthy project. The Fundraising and Events Committee pulled Renton, WA 98057 together our fi rst spring auction to support operations. Betty Childers and Steve Phone: 425-255-2330 FAX: 425-255-1570 Denison contributed funds to cover the food for this event that Don Persson and www.rentonhistorymuseum.org Larry Sleeth prepared and served as volunteers. Hours: Our community outreach efforts continue, although we are taking on some Tuesday - Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm Admission: $3 for adults different venues. Many board members volunteered at the museum booth for $1 for children Renton River Days. Board members are staffi ng or attending some of the Always free to members and to the neighborhood picnics and the Farmer’s Market. I am attending Renton Chamber general public on the fi rst Wednesday of Commerce activities to dial into local business perspectives and needs. All and third Saturday of the month. of this outreach has the sole purpose of educating and engaging the community Board Meetings: Please call the museum with the Society and Museum. for time and location. 2 Renton Historical Quarterly Renton Museum Report By Elizabeth Stewart, Director THANKTHANK YOU, It’s been an unusually busy summer at the Renton History Museum, which RIVER DAYS makes it even sadder to see the long days and warm weather go. But with the Renton Highgg School centennial coming up this month, “Back to School” takes VVOLUNTEERS!OLUNTEERS! on a whole new meaning! LayLay Chan Janet Christiansen Our summer started with a TheresaTheresa ClymerClymer Memorial Day exhibit based on a Steve Denison unique collection of letters home DonDon Emmons written by PFC Charles Custer during NancyNancy Fairman WWII. Between 1943 and 1945 PFC Carol HawkinsHawkins Custer wrote hundreds of letters home IlaIla HemmHemm detailing his experiences in the South Lucas Hill Pacifi c. His letters served as the basis Bob Hunt for “Cookies is Something We Don’t PhyllisPhyllis HunHuntt AnneAnne MeltonMelton Get in the Army”: A Renton Soldier Sandra MeyerMeyer Writes Home. Schalon McCurrMcCurryy In July we opened two new exhibits: TTomom Monahan Across Cultures, our annual summer MMichaelichael OrOrmm exhibit of artwork by students from Renton Technical College’s English as a ShirleShirleyy PhinnePhinneyy Juliet Santos Second Language program, and 80,000 Ducks, 25 Years, an exhibit commemo- Wil Samson rating a quarter-century of Renton River Days festivities. 2010 marks the fi fth AndAndyy Sparks year for our ESL exhibit, always a great opportunity to showcase the diverse VVickiicki Jo Utterstrom experiences of Renton’s newest residents. 80,000 Ducks was something new AliAlicece VdVdolekolek for us, a collaboration between the Museum and the Renton River Days Board Rachel Vdolek of Directors; the River Days Board provided access to their collection of photos KKristieristie Walker and objects, and we added items from the Museum’s collection. The result was EElainelaine WellWellss a real crowd-pleaser, with opportunities for visitors to contribute their memo- ries and for kids to color rubber duckies for display. The anniversary was also New Memberships a chance for our Oral History Team to conduct numerous interviews about the Thomas Burdulis origins and the history of the festival for use by future researchers. Christopher Briggum The Museum also participated in the festival itself at Liberty Park, as we always Phillip Johnson do, breaking records with our Coast Salish-themed kids’ activities. Thanks Anne Melton & to all the volunteers and trustees who worked with the children, kept the Mu- Kenny Wallendahl family seum open extra hours, and generally got the word out about the importance of Lay Chan Renton’s heritage. We also provided Native American storyteller Roger Fer- Emelie (Holcomb) Knappett nandes on the small stage, thanks to a grant from the Muckleshoot Tribe. Rachel Vdolek We’re changing so quickly these days that by the time you read this, we’ll be mounting Among Friends: Renton High’s 100 Years, a look at student life since Wanted:Wanted: 1910-1911. Based on contributions from Renton High athletes, choir singers, ac- MuseumMuseum Greeters! tors, and other alums, the exhibit culminates in a section put together by current For museum-goers, greeters are the ARROW correspondents. What a great opportunity to take a look at how high welcoming face of the Museum. school life has changed in 100 years! Greeters answer their questions and generally make them feel ex- As you can see, this busy calendar was made possible by volunteers, Renton ccitedited about Renton's heritage. The Technical College staff and students, the Renton River Days Board, and students Museum is desperateldesperatelyy in need of and alums of Renton High School, not to mention our many donors. With three eenthusiasticnthusiastic vovolunteerslunteers wwhoho ccanan new exhibits having come and gone in the space of one summer, it makes me cocommitmmit ttoo woworkrk a thrthree-houree-hour sshifthift wonder how much we could do if everyone redoubled their commitment to help- oonene SaturdaSaturdayy a month, from 10:00 ing the Museum succeed. It’s a bright future when we work together! a.m. - 11:00:00 pp.m..m. or 11:00:00 - 44:00:00 pp.m..m.