Tribal Community Members Participate in Opportunities and Learn about Archaeology
Moses Mercier pulling the ground-penetrating radar within a custom-made sled trying to follow buried paleosols (ancient sediments) at Fern Ridge Reservoir.
"Working with the Archaeology and Research Program is an extremely valuable experience. I believe that this work on my resume is one of the strongest parts of it. I also received a lot of training, primarily in survey and GIS, that has allowed me to exceed in my education."
Moses Mercier
Summer Youth Employee
By: Jeremy Johnson, Tribal Archaeologist
For many years, the Historic Preservation Office (HPO), particularly the Archaeology and Research Program housed within the HPO, has provided opportunities for Grand Ronde Community to gain exposure to archaeology as a tool for understanding and documenting the Tribe’s past. For HPO staff, Community interaction with to archaeology is intended to promote awareness of tools and efforts in preserving Tribal Heritage and supporting Community Members who have an interest in studying archaeology themselves.
One approach HPO developed to provide an opportunity was through a partnership with the University of Washington to hold an archaeological field school focused on indigenous methods in archaeology. This field school lasted for five years (2014-2019), shutting down during COVID. The intent was to create a space that would train next generation professionals how to be respectful of Tribes, how to hold information in confidence, and ensure that actions were undertaken with permission and in support of the Tribe. The field school saw many Grand Ronde Community members participate in a variety of ways. Three enrolled Grand Ronde Tribal members participated as part of their university degree; more than a dozen other Tribes were represent over the years of the field training, and dozens of Grand Ronde community participated in sharing their interests through visitation to site or participation in scheduled workshops and public events. Per Briece Edwards, Historic Preservation Office Manager:
“The intent behind the development of the field school was two-fold, first, bringing archaeology to Community and supporting Community members interested in archaeology by giving them a chance to participate. This sometime meant students had to hear the realities of the harms and trauma caused by archaeology. Second, and perhaps just as important, was to expose academic professionals to what archaeology and heritage means to the Tribal Community. The methods within the field of archaeology are mostly extractive and colonized, being based on western ideas. Creating a field school based on tribal understanding of cultural and respect is a much-needed change that is being sought by HPO staff throughout their daily work.”
Another way HPO brings archaeological exposure to Community is through the Tribe’s Summer Youth Employment Program, put on by Youth Enrichment Program. During the summer months, tribal youth can apply for internships with various programs within the Tribal Government. Each year of the program, the HPO has generally welcomed one to two tribal students within the Archaeology and Research Program and provided opportunities to gain valuable insight and on-the-job training within archaeology.
During the summer of 2023, Kaden Zimmer was one such Summer Youth Intern for the Archaeology and Research Program. In his own words, Kaden stated that he spent time “organizing books, cataloging items found while digging, and he got to work on a ‘machine that was used for archaeology stuff’”. The ‘machine used for archaeology stuff’ was a ground-penetrating radar (GPR). This piece of equipment sends electromagnetic waves beneath the ground that bounce back to an antenna when there is a change in soil or material density. From these signals, it is possible to infer changes in soil density, features, and sizable obstructions beneath soil surface.
Using ground-penetrating radar is an ideal tool for non-invasive archaeological techniques. Since the nature of archaeological processes is destructive, HPO seeks to develop alternative techniques to meet the needs. This includes demonstrating the ability of other technologies to meet the same needs. GPR when used appropriately, can identify areas to avoid impacts. In other cases, it can minimize the need for unnecessary digging at archaeological sites. One of the main principles in indigenous methods is to leave belongings as much intact and at peace as possible.
(Kaden Zimmer, Pictured to the right, excavating a shovel probe at the Chachalu Museum and Cultural Center during the 2023 Youth Archaeology Camp.)
The ‘items that were found while digging’ is yet another avenue the Historic Preservation Office reaches out to Tribal Youth. HPO staff have been involved with five Tribal Youth Camps over the past six years. These have been occasions where Community has a day to learn archaeological methods such as excavation and screening of dirt. Previous Youth Camps have been located at Chachalu Museum and Cultural Center and at the Old Cannery Building. During these Youth Camps, students are able to conduct research on their history and heritage. Indeed, Kaden stated that while working with the Archaeology and Research Program “I learned a lot of history especially about my culture and how archaeology is more than digging holes into the ground and a lot more work goes into it”.
Another Grand Ronde Community Member that was part of the Summer Youth Employment for the HPO is Moses Mercier, who first worked with collections and cataloging. Later after graduating high school, Moses worked with the Archaeology and Research Program and learned about archaeological survey, lithic analysis, and mapping within Geographic Information Systems (GIS). “The duties I was charged with were using different survey methods for multiple tribal properties, creating maps using ArcGIS for the Blue Heron Property [now tumwata village], and occasionally excavation. I had a great experience with the Archaeology and Research Program, so much so that I am pursuing a career and graduate degree in archaeology.” Indeed, since his time with the Archaeology and Research Program he has completed an undergraduate degree with a focus in archaeology at Oregon State University and just last fall Moses started his PhD Program focused on archaeology at UC Berkley.
The Archaeology and Research Program has made it a priority to provide opportunities to support community members interested in archaeology. By supporting students, tribal members can understand the principles of archaeology as a tool for knowledge and share in the study of, and protection of cultural resources and their own heritage. The goal is to hopefully provide a path for success for students. When asked what skills he will take with him into the future, Kaden states, the working with the Archaeology and Research Program “definitely taught me more responsibilities and more work ethic”. Moses has already applied many of the skills he learned while working for the HPO. “Working with the Archaeology and Research Program is an extremely valuable experience. I believe that this work on my resume is one of the strongest parts of it. I also received a lot of training, primarily in survey and GIS, that has allowed me to exceed in my education.” In the future, the Archaeology and Research Program looks forward to continuing to provide these learning opportunities and to bringing archaeological experiences to the Tribal Community.
The Archaeology and Research Program staff appreciate Kaden Zimmer and Moses Mercier for all the hard work that they put in. Additionally, the Program would like to provide special thanks to Kaden, Moses, and Briece Edwards, who agreed to be interviewed for this short write-up.
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