Deitz Peters loves telling the stories of his people – members of the Grand Ronde tribe – passed from generation to generation. He’s also skilled in hand-beading clothing and jewelry as well as performing on handmade flutes.
Now, he and other Native Americans pass those stories, as well as their music and dancing traditions to anyone looking to learn more about Native American culture.
For several years, Peters and others have hosted free Native Cultural encampments at Linn County parks. There will be three this summer, all held Fridays through Sundays: June 23-25 at Roaring River, 42000 Fish Hatchery Drive, Scio; July 28-30 at Waterloo County Park, 39510 Gross St., Lebanon; and Aug. 25-27 at Cascadia County Park, 48241 Cascadia Drive in Cascadia. Each encampment will feature daily prayers, a welcoming morning ceremony with time for questions and answers, dancing, music and craft-making, as well as crafts and other items for sale. Sunday encampments culminate with a shared feast. Participants will wear Native American regalia (they are not called costumes), including caps and headdresses made from American bald eagle feathers.