The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde has received an Oregon Heritage Excellence Award for cultural preservation. The honor was given by the state parks and recreation department.
Since the 1970s, the Grand Ronde’s Cultural Resources Department was able to claim Tomonawos, the largest meteorite in North America, and temporarily bring home historical artifacts from Europe.
These are a few moments, Cultural Resources Manager David Harrelson said illustrate the significance of his department.
“I hope that we can continue to go in the direction that we are which is having regular change out exhibits on topics that relate to our tribal history and the region and share important things," Harrelson said.
The Oregon Heritage Excellence Award is a great way to acknowledge the work of past and present tribal members, said Harrelson. The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, along with 6 other winners, will be honored at a banquet later this month in Medford.
