joe brainard

Over the last decade, several hundred Native American students and their families helped design, carve, and paint a series of totem poles for the Eugene 4J Schools’ NATIVES program. Five were installed outside Eugene schools, often with the burning of sage and traditional drumming. Now—after criticism from some other local Native people—those same poles will be removed.

The long-time director of the 4J School District’s NATIVES Program is officially retiring this month. Brenda Brainard has headed the cultural and…