Spectacular Murals of at the Governor Hotel
One of my early discoveries moving to Portland was the stunning murals at the Governor Hotel. The hotel was restored in 1992 from a shell of a building into the historical landmark it is today, and murals were commissioned at that time. They were painted by artist Melinda Morey, and span over 45 feet, depicting the beautiful Celilo Falls, east of Portland along the Columbia River, which were covered by the Dalles Dam in 1957. Native peoples had lived along the falls for over 15,000 years, and 1000 Nations is still seeking to restore them. There's also a Sacagawea mural there, and many photographs of Native Americans in the lounge area behind Jake's Grill, the restaurant there. The hotel is very worth a visit; I wish I knew more about how the murals came to be, but they reference the Lewis and Clark expedition, so they appear to be told from the point of view of settlement history.
Quintana Galleries
Just north in the Pearl district is Quintana Galleries, since 1972 selling exclusively indigenous art, both contemporary and historic. I found Lillian Pitt prints and glasswork there, and lots of Native Pacific Northwest coastal art and carvings, but there's also jewelry, beadwork and basketry from tribes all over, even Latin American artists. This is all very fine art and beautifully curated. Stop by and talk to the lovely people there and they will tell you more about the artists.
When I first attended a NAIITS symposium (North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies) I noticed that the protocol involved presenting beautiful blankets with exquisite Native American designs to the elders and others involved in the symposium. They were, of course, Pendleton blankets, and we are lucky to have Pendleton Woolen Mills located in Oregon, and several wonderful stores, including their 220 NW Broadway Home store: Blanket central.
I spoke to the manager there about the history of the company's "Indian blankets." The company was started in 1863 with the acquisition of an old woolen mill in Salem, Oregon, but later bought the defunct Pendleton Woolen Mill in the middle of sheep country in Eastern country (this is Umatilla, Walla Walla and Cayuse country.) The earlier plant had been a wool scouring plant, an early stage of the production process, but soon was producing blankets, or robes, for Native women in the area; however that company had failed. When the new owners took over, they began making blankets again, and expanded their trade from the local peoples to include Southwest designs from Navajo, Hopi and Zuni peoples. The manager told me they still collaborate with Native artists on the design, but it's the southwest designs that sell the best. They are working on a few new Northwest designs, including one by Northwest Coastal artist Preston Singletary, and have done some custom designs for tribes. The Bishop family still runs these mills, and are very proud of their strong relationship with Native peoples. Note that they are a sponsor of the Pendleton Round-Up, a world-famous rodeo that it has involved Native Americans as both planners and cowboys since its inception in 1910.
Check out this store and the amazing blankets (the bike is pretty cool too.) It is worth the trip!
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