By Dick Mason
Observer Staff Writer
Why do some portions of the Grande Ronde River meander?
Geologists have the answers.
But so do the Nez Perce Indians. The Native Americans have a more
colorful and riveting explanation than the scientists.
A Nez Perce myth about the Grande Ronde River was shared Tuesday
at Eastern Oregon University by George Venn, a retired English
professor and writer in residence.
Venn spoke at Eastern's fifth annual Fall Academic Convocation as
the recipient of the 2002 Distinguished Instructional Faculty Award.
Venn, a keynote speaker, told of the myth while discussing the
universal pattern of departure, initiation and return. It is
associated with the rite of passage.
The Nez Perce myth states that the Grande Ronde Valley was in the
midst of a frigid winter. None of the valley's plants or animals
could stay warm except its pine trees, which knew the secret of
fire. The other plants and animals were in danger of freezing to
death.
Enter Beaver, a mythic hero in Nez Perce lore. Beaver went to a
meeting of the pine trees to discover their secret. Beaver was
hiding below the pines when a coal from their fire rolled down a
slope toward him. Beaver caught the coal. The pine trees saw Beaver
and began chasing him as he went into the Grande Ronde River.
Beaver zigzagged in the river to make it harder for the pines to
follow. The pines lost Beaver several times. He swam straight when
the pines were not in view.
Beaver eventually made it to the Snake River. There he gave the
secret of fire to willow, birch and cottonwood trees.
Today the Grande Ronde River meanders where Beaver zigzagged
during the chase.
The myth also states that the reason that one can today rub
willow, birch and cottonwood to create fire is because of the secret
Beaver shared.
Venn said the initiation,
departure and return cycle is well illustrated through this tale
because: Beaver left in a quest to help his community, took a brave
step to learn the secret of fire and then boldly returned as a hero.
Eastern's students are in the midst of the departure, initiation
and return pattern, Venn said.
The students have departed from home, will go through
trials, and then return with knowledge to help their community,
said Venn, an award-winning author who taught at Eastern for 32
years.
Venn said the Nez Perce myth about the Grande Ronde River was
first transcribed in 1891.
Rebecca Crow, a senior who represented Eastern's students at the
convocation, spoke as the recipient of the university's Phi Kappa
Phi student of distinction award.
Crow is studying theater and focusing on costume design. She said
that the wonder of theater is that it allows everyone involved to
experience another time period.
"Theater is not just for actors,'' Crow said.
Others recognized at Tuesday's ceremony included Patricia
Cutright, EOU's library director, who received the 2002
Distinguished Administrative Faculty Award.
The convocation also included a rendition of EOU's alma mater,
"Hail Eastern Oregon." Junior Iris Hinz sang and senior Miki Aoki
provided piano accompaniment.
Eastern's fall convocation is its annual kickoff of the academic
year. Fall-term classes started Monday.
