Episode 1: The Wallowa Band
In this opening episode, we meet our hosts, Jaden, Tati, and Nia. They begin this series by introducing us to the Wallowa Valley of northeastern Oregon. Known for its clear lake holding reflections of snowy peaks and lush hills, the Valley is sown with the hidden histories of people and land traumatized by colonization. Our hosts also tell us the origins of the podcast, and what they hope to learn over the next four episodes. Jaden and Tati consider the history of the Wallowa Band of the Nez Perce. Our friend Roger Amerman guides us through the expulsion of the Nez Perce Tribe from the Wallowa Valley, and cultural leaders Nakia Williamson and Lee Bourgeau begin to unpack with us their roots in the Valley, and the beauty and pain of this place.
Guests
Lee Bourgeau – Nez Perce, Cayuse Elder, Descendent of Walwama Band, from Colville Reservation, Retired Tribal Manager, Retired Longhouse Head Cook, Traditional gatherer
Roger Amerman – Enthno-geologist, Cultural Interpreter, Bead Artist, Choctaw Tribal Member
Nakia Williamson – Nez Perce Director of Department of Cultural Resources
Original music by student Sol Walker and Roger’s son, Preston Amerman
Episode 2: A Violent Occupation
Jaden welcomes students Nana and Elle to share the story of the 1887 massacre of 34 Chinese miners in Deep Creek, or present-day Hells Canyon. This episode explores the complex role of immigrants in the settlement of this region. Roger and Professor Patricia Keith of Lewis-Clark State College help interpret the landscape where the Chinese mined leftover gold in hopes of returning to support their families in China. In her exploration of justice, Patricia leads us through a remembrance ceremony for the victims of the massacre.
Guests
Patricia Keith – Professor Emeritus, Lewis Clark State College in Lewiston, ID
Roger Amerman – Enthno-geologist, Cultural Interpreter, Bead Artist, Choctaw Tribal Member
Original music by student Sol Walker and Roger’s son, Preston Amerman
Featuring a poem written by Michael Wasson and read by Jaden
Episode 3: The Maxville Project
Nia guides Tati and Jaden through the history of Maxville, OR, an old segregated logging town that relied on Black workers. In this episode, we meet Gwen Trice, whose father was a Black logger at Maxville. His legacy lives on through Gwen’s creation of the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center, which represents Maxville’s past, present, and future. Gwen explores the complexities of the land’s role in dividing and connecting loggers of different social classes.
Guests
Gwen Trice – Founder and Executive Director of Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center in Joseph, OR
Original music by student Sol Walker and Roger’s son, Preston Amerman
Episode 4: Healing the Land, Healing Ourselves
To close this series, we direct ourselves towards healing. Our hosts discuss with Roger, Lee, and Nakia the continuing genocide of Native American people in the 20th century by means of boarding schools, forced sterilization, and First Foods and water disruption. In the face of attempted erasure of Native peoples and culture, our guests share the hope they’ve found through their commitment to honoring the land and each other. Nana speaks with Nez Perce Fisheries employees Katie Frenyea and Montana Pagano about river restoration on the Nez Perce Homelands in Wallowa, OR.
Guests
Lee Bourgeau – Nez Perce, Cayuse Elder, Descendent of Walwama Band, from Colville Reservation, Retired Tribal Manager, Retired Longhouse Head Cook, Traditional gatherer
Roger Amerman – Enthno-geologist, Cultural Interpreter, Bead Artist, Choctaw Tribal Member
Nakia Williamson – Nez Perce Director of Department of Cultural Resources
Montana Pagano – Watershed Restoration Specialist at Nez Perce Fisheries
Katie Frenyea – Project Leader at Nez Perce Fisheries
Original music by student Sol Walker and Roger’s son, Preston Amerman
Student Podcast Creators
Angela Eliacy
Christian Roch
Elle Palmer
Eyleen Menchú Tuy
Franko Omair
Jaden McGinty
Keeli McKern
Lillice Wilson
Margaret Kanyoko
Nadja Goldberg
Nana Kumagai
Nia Combs
Owen Jakel
Pearl Cook
Sol Walker
Tati Villegas
Music Credits
Preston Amerman
Sol Walker
The Logger’s Daughter
Cover Art Credit
Keeli McKern
Course Professors
Eunice Blavascunas – Whitman College
Phil Brick – Whitman College
Stan Thayne – Whitman College
Guest Speakers
Lee Bourgeau – Nez Perce, Cayuse Elder, Descendent of Walwama Band, from Colville Reservation, Retired Tribal Manager, Retired Longhouse Head Cook, Traditional gatherer
Nakia Williamson – Nez Perce Director of Department of Cultural Resources
Roger Amerman – Enthno-geologist, Cultural Interpreter, Bead Artist, Choctaw Tribal Member, Raised on CTUIR, married into Nez Perce Tribe
Patricia Keith – Professor Emeritus, Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, ID
Gwen Trice – Founder and Executive Director of Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center in Joseph, OR
Montana Pagano – Watershed Restoration Specialist at Nez Perce Fisheries
Katie Frenyea – Project Leader at Nez Perce Fisheries
Special Thanks
Krystal Abrams – Communications Manager at Beyond Toxics in Eugene, OR
Darby Williams – Whitman College
