"A drive from Portland’s emerald green landscape took me into the Columbia River Gorge and the reds, golds and browns of autumn in eastern Oregon and Washington, through the panhandle of Idaho then southeast to a long and eagerly anticipated destination: the Society of Environmental Journalists’ 20th Annual Conference Oct. 12-18, in Missoula, Montana.

This year’s conference was SEJ’s largest focus ever on Native American issues and gave attendees a substantive look at complex environmental concerns in Indian Country.

I couldn’t think of any better way to kick off the conference than what unfolded at Wednesday evening’s opening reception. After delicious dinner fare both local and sustainable, and welcoming speeches by Montana dignitaries, a drum was carried onstage.

Not just any drum.

It seats 16, and belongs to the Chief Cliff Singers, an outstanding Native American ceremonial drum group composed of members from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes – the Bitterroot Salish, the Pend d’Oreille and the Kootenai tribes, who today call the 1.317 million acre Flathead Reservation in northwest Montana home.

Fairly certain there were but a few Native Americans in the audience, as soon as I recognized drum leader Mike Kenmille’s invitation to round dance I led a bewildered but willing friend through formally set tables to the front of the room, whispering to her that we were DANCING. I nodded to two other friends ‘come join us!’ With that we kicked off the Native American round dance, a social dance used to welcome visitors.

Our circle of dancers grew quickly as enthusiastic SEJers joined hands, moving in a circle to the beat of the sacred drum. A shout out to Ray Ring, senior editor at High Country News for bringing this fine drum group and an awareness of Native American culture to SEJ.

A lot of what matters to Indian Country was discussed at this year’s conference."

Get the Story:
Native American Issues Get Substantive Focus At SEJ Conference (Mother Earth Journal 10/20)