The First Nations Student Union at Central Oregon Community College (COCC) will adapt its annual Salmon Bake celebration into a series of free cultural programs this week, May 24-28, all accessed remotely. Several of the events feature members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
Forgoing the popular in-person event this year due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the student group and the college’s Native American program are instead presenting virtual events via live and prerecorded sessions.
Fry Bread making demonstration with Joie Simtustus
Monday, May 24 – Friday, May 28
Joie is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and is graciously allowing us to re-post the fabulous fry bread video we made in the fall. Joie is also a former COCC student and is now taking classes at OSU Cascades. Joie will share the fry bread recipe that her grandmother shared with her. You may view this 20–30-minute video at any time during the week of May 24 – 28 on the event’s website.
Salmon Is Everything Reader’s Theater
Wednesday, May 26, 5:30 p.m.
The students of COCC’s First Nations Student Union will present a live, read-aloud version of the play, Salmon Is Everything. This play is based on the Klamath people and the loss of salmon in the Klamath River. Access the zoom link for this event: Salmon Is Everything
Smoke Signals Film Screening
Thursday, May 27, all day
This film debuted in 1998 and is recognized as the first feature-length film written, directed, produced, and starring Native Americans. While this film is full of laugh-out-loud comedy, it also does an excellent job addressing underlying issues still faced on reservations today. To watch the film, please email Michelle Cary, COCC’s Native American Program Coordinator, at mcary@cocc.edu, with “Smoke Signals” in the subject line. You will be emailed a link and passcode to use on the day of the event. You may stream the film at any time on Thursday, May 27.
For more information, visit: Native American Virtual Salmon Bake Event Details.
