Greg Archuleta is Clackamas Chinook, Santiam Kalapuya, and Shasta, and a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. He teaches about the culture and history of the Tribes of Western Oregon, including ethnobotany, carving, cedar hat making, Native art design, and basketry.
From Greg:
I am a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, and am Clackamas Chinook, Santiam Kalapuya and Shasta. My primary focus areas as an artist are carving in the Columbia River Native Art Chinookan and Western Oregon forms and traditional /contemporary basketry.
I like to share the traditions, culture and history of the Tribes that make up the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. I have been fortunate in learning much of what I know working with some of our Tribal elders, basketry artisans and in sharing through teaching and learning with other Natives. So little information is shared on our specific tribes, they get overshadowed by the more well-known tribes. This is one reason I do what I do.
I like to teach by sharing ikanum (ancient stories) when the time is right. These stories relate to the land, place, practices and landscapes that relate to the local areas of our tribes. I want students to have a better understanding of the tribal people that lived here on the land originally; for them to learn how tribes have connected to the land and landscape. I hope that students will have an appreciation for the tribes history, culture and way of living.