Humanities Fellows “Sense of Place” Program

Silver Valley follow-up + discussion of group-read, Winterkill

Aurora Room, UI Commons, 4-3-03, 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Synopsis by Nancy Chaney, Assistant

Preliminary remarks, including reminders of upcoming events, by Kenton. Read from Murph Yule’s letter, thanking participants in the rolling seminar for their interest in communities of the Silver Valley. (Murph is affiliated with JMY Consulting Services, Boston, MA, with ties to Eagle Crest and JELD-WEN, planning to develop Silver Mountain into a year-round destination resort.)

Review of rolling seminar to the Silver Valley:

Lauren: Interested in contrasting approaches to the same area by Murph Yule and Bill Wollum, and by the range of feelings and perceptions. Lauren said that she was impressed that one area could generate so many different impressions and emotions.

Fellows asked for recommendations for student trips to the Silver Valley. Phil Cernera’s name came immediately to most everyone’s lips. Natalie suggested Bill Wollum. Anne thought that Irv and Connie Broughton’s film, “Interviewing Nana,” would be worthwhile. Wendy suggested the idea of exploring past, present, and future.

Lauren is interested in learning more about the history of the forest and revegetation programs there. Pat remarked that in her previous individual research, she only “got to know a little strip of history,” as compared to our live experience as an interdisciplinary group. Wendy termed our experience “total immersion.” She has found it easier to initiate dialogue one-on-one, and felt that the size of our group may not have been conducive to that level of communication.

Fellows asked what worked and what didn’t on the Silver Valley trip, so that we might apply what we learn to the trip to Seattle in May. Jan wished for more free time. Natalie thought snacks were good. Anne commented that we may have been “over-programmed,” with too much going on. She suggested that we plan small-group activities, then come together to discuss our experiences with the larger group. (Kenton mentioned the possibility of having an extra vehicle and the option of public transit in Seattle.) In contrast, Lauren and Wendy “loved being with the whole group.” Lauren added that she didn’t want to miss anything. Wendy called our association, “the community of the whole…”

Group discussed the possibility of having summer trips, and Natalie wondered if some could be on weekdays. Jan resumes summer teaching on June 16. Anyone else?

Discussion of Winterkill, led by Jan Johnson:

Leslie, Craig (1984). Winterkill. New York: Picador USA.

Jan has used this book in her Environmental Justice classes, particularly because it addresses racism and economic inequity relating to Native Americans. She provided an overview of Winterkill and five written points to stimulate discussion. Jan’s dissertation addresses how Nez Perce have been represented in literature. In general, non-Indians have depicted them as de-politicized, overly-romanticized saints. She linked the story about Danny Kachiah’s ritual journey to reclaim his sense of purpose and come to grips with his losses to our Sense of Place program theme through the common emphasis on time, memory, and imagination.

Group discussed how vivid the image of drowning/silencing the falls seemed after hearing recordings of the Columbia and seeing Bill Layman’s film footage during his Native River presentation (March 6).

Jim was interested in the concept of “payback” as it pertained to beavers, in retribution for causing cows to drown, and to coyotes, for bringing down a prized cow. He was interested that it would be part of Indian tradition at all. Jim also remarked on Lesley’s writing style and on the use of non-linear storytelling and oral traditions. He speculated that Danny’s snakebite incident was a sort of vision quest.

The group discussed language in the book, wondered if it seemed contrived or “clunky” at times, and questioned the factuality of some descriptions. In general, however, the group enjoyed the book.

Jan recommended Elizabeth Woody’s essay, “Remembering Celilo” (in the book, Salmon Nation) and her book of poems, Luminaries of the Humble.”