Presented by Authors Ed Edmo and Lani Roberts 

In Parallel Lives Along N’CheWana, community icon and Native American Elder, Ed Edmo, and co-author Lani Roberts, a Caucasian retired professor, write about growing up in rural Oregon during the 1950s. Ed is Shoshone Bannock, Nez Perce, Yakama and Siletz and lived at the fishing village at Celilo Falls until its destruction in March 1957. Lani grew up six miles away just outside The Dalles, a descendant of an early settler family. Although they grew up in the same area and are the same age, their lives were lived in parallel fashion because of the differences in their ethnic heritage. During their childhoods, signs in the windows of businesses read, “No dogs or Indians allowed.” Their juxtaposed stories give a full picture of rural Oregon and the parallel lives they led along the N’CheWana River.

This series deals with race in Oregon, both historically and up to the present time, to provide learning experiences that support the development of racial identity and sensitivity.

Each month, Kennedy School hosts a presentation on a different topic of ethnicity and racial elements in Oregon history, given by educators and/or experts in the topic at hand. The aim is to provide educational and learning experiences that support the development of intercultural sensitivity and racial identity.

This event is eligible for a History Pub Stamp