| Then a canoe was propped up, filled with water which was brought to a constant boil by Hot Rocks switched from a fire into the canoe. The smelt had been dug up and were now deposited in the boiling water. After a period of time, when the oil had surfaced, it was skimmed off by bark scoops into carved Boxes or water tight containers. It was then dispatched over the mountains on trails called "GREASE TRAILS" in the Chinook jargon. This Chinook jargon was the accepted trading lingo for most ALL tribes of the NW Coasts although their home territory was in and around the outlet of the Columbia River where white men's ships were to keep arriving. This carving has been donated to The Native American Youth and Family Center, Portland, Oregon (NAYA). The Center may be able to obtain the equipment (benches, band saw and hand carving tools) so I can teach the Youth to carve. They would need sponsors for this program. If you like my work and would be interested in helping make this happen email Nicole Maher (nicholem@nayapdx.org), mention you are writing about the Project for Art McKellips to Teach the Youth Carving. |
