Eddie Ehret

Eddie Ehret
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Eddie Ehret
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Eddie Ehret

Eddie Ehret is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz. His lineage includes Talowa, Tillamook, Chetco and Kalapuya. Chetco, Kalapuya and Talowa come from his father's side and the Tillamook comes from his mother's side of the family. The Talowa were from around the Smith River in Northern California along the California and Oregon border, the Chetco were from Agnes in an area called Big Bend along the Rogue River, where the last battle in Oregon took place in 1855. The Tillamook were from the Salmon River area and the Kalapuya originated in the Willamette Valley around what is today Cottage Grove and Yoncalla, Oregon. Presently the Siletz Reservation is located about eight miles inland from Newport, Oregon along the Oregon coastline. There are a lot of hills, trees and creeks or estuaries that run into the Siletz River.

As a storyteller, Eddie bases some of his presentations around the pow wow. He started learning about the history and the people through the pow wows. The pow wow was given to the people who lost their traditions, culture, heritage and language from relocation to reservations. It inspired him to learn more about his people and brought him here from Eugene, Oregon to the Siletz Reservation. He has stories of how the flute came to be and how the eagle feather came to be so sacred.

Among Eddie's other activities he gives drumming classes, beginning flute and sings a few nights a week with local children and a few elders. He tutors traditions to the children so that they will know how important it is to the people. He makes fans, regalia and dance sticks or coup sticks. He did the woodwork on the Run to the Rogue staff. He coaches the youth in basketball tournaments. For the last three years he has made drum sticks for the drumstick making class at Culture Camp.

The Willamette River is an environmental issue that Eddie speaks about. It once was a major source of nourishment and food for the Kalapuya people. It had more than twenty-seven different species of fish. In the early 1900's the government had a landfill right next to the river and it's still there today.

Eddie has published some poems to the Siletz Tribal Newsletter and the Register Guard, in Eugene, did a write up on his presentation on harassment and racism through the Title VII Indian's Mentoring Program when he was asked to speak at Spencer Butte Middle School. He did two videos for the Siletz Tribe called 'Skookum Tillacum' and 'The Strong People of Siletz'. He also was honored to perform at the capitol building in Salem, Oregon for Indian Recognition Week.

Most of Eddie's presentations and teachings are with children at schools and libraries. He talks to the children and reminds them that they are our future. The children should be brought up to share the traditions and cultures of the people so that it will help break some of the stereotype labels given to our people.

Eddie Ehret PO Box 89 Siletz, Or 97380