Grand Ronde Cultural Policy Analyst Greg Archuleta kindles a flame within a grove of Oregon white oaks. Photo by Dustin Hawk

Below is a video presentation of a Cultural Burn event that took place at Smithfield Oaks Conservation Easement on June 29, 2023, as well as a re-visit of the same site two months later, on September 9.

​If you prefer to view the video on YouTube, click here.

The Story of the Smithfield Oaks Cultural Burn

(L) Joe Scott prepares a pitch stick for fire starter, (R) Tribal members gather to share their experiences and recount stories about their relationship with fire. Photos: Marc Bell

​On June 29, 2023 members and staff from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (CTSI) and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde (CTGR) met at Polk Soil & Water Conservation District’s Smithfield Oaks Conservation Easement for an exploration of the cultural and ecological significance of fire in the Willamette Valley. Since time immemorial, fire has been an integral part of the Willamette Valley. The seasonal burning practices of the Tribes have shaped and nurtured not only the unique plant and animal communities that characterize the local landscape, but also the human communities that continue to live with and steward this land. At this event, CTSI Tribal member Joe Scott and many other Tribal members shared their understanding of indigenous fire science, including how fire is used as a tool in traditional land management, and as a sacred foundation of Tribal communities. Tribal members and fire department staff from CTSI and CTGR participated, as well as the Wagon Burners - an all-indigenous fire crew with the Ecostudies Institute.

Joe Scott is the Curriculum Director of the Traditional Ecological Inquiry Program (TEIP), which is a program focused on fostering relationships among Tribal members of all ages with their language, culture and traditions, including traditional ecological knowledge and the practice of indigenous science. ​Youth TEIP interns participated in every aspect of this burn, conducting guided research projects and participating in setting and extinguishing the fire, in order to advance their training in cultural burning techniques. The LWC and Polk SWCD assisted with the organization and planning of this event, and OSU Extension Fire Specialists and the Southwest Polk Fire District were on hand to assist and support Tribal members during the event.

A cultural burn is an intergenerational affair, involving Tribal members of all ages. Photo: Marc Bell

Willamette Valley oaks evolved with fire, which has been used for thousands of years by local Tribes to manage these landscapes for ecological and cultural reasons. Photo: Morgan Neil

​The vision and goals of this cultural burn event were to introduce the ecological and cultural role of fire in the landscape and the Tribes' past and present relationship with fire. The event involved very small-scale pile burning within a grove of legacy oak trees. This event is also meant to be an initial step to re-kindling a long-term relationship among local Tribes with this particular site, and to think ahead to future access by Tribal members for fire trainings and First Foods harvest opportunities.

Cultural burns are a regular part of ensuring a plentiful and viable harvest of acorns during the fall harvest. Early summer fires around oak trees help prevent infestations of acorn weevils, whose larvae burrow into developing acorns and consume them before they are available for harvest. Following up with fire immediately after the "first drop" of acorns (weevil-infested, under-formed or otherwise unviable fruit) consume the larvae before they can develop into egg-laying adults.

​Though the audience for this event was strictly limited to Tribal members and their families, we feel strongly that it is important to cast fire in a new light for all Willamette Valley residents. Thanks to a grant from Roundhouse Foundation and support from Polk SWCD, videographer Brian Bull was present to document the event and produce a video for public release.

​This Cultural Fire Presentation represents an initial step towards a long-term partnership, and we look forward to more opportunities for indigenous fire science and First Foods harvesting at Smithfield Oaks and other sites in the future!

Stay tuned for more news and future events featuring Cultural Fire, First Foods and Traditional Ecological Knowledge!

Seasonal low-intensity fires are an important management tool for a successful and healthy harvest of First Foods. Photo: Suzanne Teller

If you would like to learn more about the Kalupuya of the Willamette Valley, visit Dr. David Lewis’s website and journal at https://ndnhistoryresearch.com/tribal-regions/kalapuyan-ethnohistory

Smithfield Oaks Cultural Burn partners and funders: