The Word TWANAT is written in big letters above the entrance of the
Museum At Warm Springs. I thought it was the Indian spelling of the name of the museum but it is a word meaning "to follow"(traditions and culture).
A stream runs along the path leading to the museum entrance. The entrance is a large circular stone wall representing life. When we stepped into the lobby I was astonished by the magnificence of the tiled floor. It is shiny ceramic and/or stone. Some tiles are smooth 4" X 4" greenish blue and others are rough cut 2" X 2" and 6" X 6" brownish slate. At first they looked as though they were placed at random but the Indian girl at the cash register said they represent the stream that continues outside the door. I could see they did exactly that. Great wooden pillars with diagonal supports represent trees holding up the roof. The museum received the Merit Award of Excellence from the American Institute of Architects.
We then went into a small theater and watched a movie about the culture and traditions of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs including the Warm Springs, the Wasco and the Paiute.
A teepee is part of the changing exhibit area and a room looking like a long house is for administration. The volcanic origins of the area are incorporated into the decor.
An exhibit on the Indian method of fishing showed how to use spears and women were digging roots with a device consisting of a long pole centered in a handle. While we viewed the exhibits Indian music was playing and an old woman explained the meaning of the music.
Here you can find out about the Treaty of 1855 from the people whose ancestors lived through it. There is a presentation about the effects of the treaty that established the reservation and ceded much of their lands. This is truly an Indian museum.
There is a really good gift shop in the lobby with some nice hand made jewelry and some Pendleton items and lots of information about the Indians. There is also a small restaurant. An admission fee of $6.00 per person is charged. It is open 9-5 on weekdays. The museum can be found by going west on Rt 26 to Warm Springs from Rt 97.
From journal The High Desert