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Much of your argument is predicated on the premise that culture is a dead thing in a bell jar to be preserved with superficial sentimentality. What you fail to realize is that culture is a living breathing thing, culture is a people's way of living. Culture is the grandmother killing a sheep, butchering the sheep, and cooking the mutton in the same manner her mother taught her. Culture is weaving cloth out of the sheep's wool for clothing and blankets. You see, the simple everyday activity of living is culture. To say that culture is superficial and egoistic is to say that survival and life are superficial and egoistic, simply not the case. The Grand Ronde are a living community thriving in the context of the modern world, while at the same time validating who they are and where they came from. Too often the view of the Native American is of the stoic, noble, spiritual redman. We are so much more than that. We live in modern homes, have mortgages, drive cars, have computers, have degrees from modern universities and can speak other languages. The Grand Ronde community stands a great example of how a tribal people can operate successfully in this modern world and still keep the traditions and language of their ancestors alive and well. To deny them their pride of what they've accomplished in 25 years is selfish and egoistic. Kudos to the Grand Ronde, may you have many more years of success.

posted 3 years, 6 months ago
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As a tribal member of the Navajo tribe in Arizona and as someone who grew up on a reservation that struggled with poor housing, unemployment and alcoholism, I have been incredibly impressed by the Grand Ronde tribe's resilience and return from obscurity. Though some of you criticize their casino, they have used the profits of that venture to improve the lives of their members and to preserve their culture. They have used those profits to further cultural preservation with language preservation programs, research on ancestral lands and archelogical sites, and have been at the forefront to change remaining offensive "Squaw" geographic location names in Oregon. They support their members with progressive health programs, and honor their elders with daily elder lunches, and provide elders a dignified senior's home. Their tribal administration buildings are impressive, and it seems like they?ve wisely used to put back their casino profits into the tribal community. Grand Ronde is a glowing example of what a tribe can accomplish given the proper resources and proper management of those resources. It saddens me when the question is asked, 'why preserve your culture' as the Grand Ronde have. Perhaps when you've had your cultural identity stripped away from an invading force, when you are forceably removed from your homelands, not allowed to speak your language, and have your identity stripped away by congressional deed, could you then speak with authority on the importance of preserving a culture.

posted 3 years, 6 months ago
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Thanks for enlisting the listeners in deciding your theme music. I have to agree with those who are adamant about the music being from a local band/musician/composer. If you truly want to underscore the local aspect of this show, you really should reflect that in the choice of the music. I must also say that I have truly negative reaction to the Fais Do-Do theme. Here are some local suggestions: "Sporjourn" by Audiokinetic, "B & G's" by Three Leg Torso, "El Cedar y El Mar" by Pete Krebs, all three songs can be found on their myspace sites. Thanks for listening.

posted 4 years, 1 month ago
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In response to Slate's article, I believe that the fact that Portland has no distinct sound will prove that Portland will have staying power as a musical mecca. Other past "scenes" have withered when audiences grew tired of their "sound", recall Seattle, Athens, GA, and Manchester, Britain. The fact that we can have a various vibrant jazz and alternative rock festivals speaks to the longevity of this city's music scene. It speaks to the ecletic ears of the Portland music lovers.
-Caroline Rouwalk in Pdx

posted 4 years, 2 months ago
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