Native American students discuss their cultures

By Nathan Ciriano

My name is Nathan Ciriano and I am a Native American here at Waldo. Being Native American at Waldo is hard because there are hardly any Native Americans at this school. I grew up on a reservation in Umatilla County. There aren't many people there, just about 3,000 people, so it's quiet. There are a lot of sweat houses for prayers. I speak some Umatilla Language.

There are a few Native Americans at Waldo. One of them is Chanti Manon. I interviewed her about being Native American here at Waldo, Pow Wows, and her tribe. These were my questions:

Q: What's it like being Native American in Salem?

A: It's a little bit annoying, but it's normal most of the time.

Q: Do you ever go to Pow-Wows?

A: Yeah, I've been to Chemawa, some in Montana, and Grand Ronde.

Q: What is your tribe?

A: I am Aztec, Osage, and Mazahua.

Q: Have you ever lived on a reservation?

A: No, but my family does. They live on the Blackfoot Reservation, and others live in Montana.

Q: Do you dance in Pow-Wows?

A: I used to, but not anymore. But I still go to Pow-Wows.

Q: What style did you dance?

A: Jingledress.

I think it would be cool if we had a group for Native American students here at Waldo. We could learn more about our languages and our culture. I hope that when I get to college I can find a group like this to become involved with.