Welcome to Discover
Cathlapotle, an environmental and heritage education kit which focuses
on the cultural and natural history of the Chinook People. Designed for
use in the classroom or alternative learning environment, the artifact replicas,
activities, and other resources in this kit will assist you in exploring
with your students their land on they live and the heritage passed down
by those who have lived there before them.
Named for the tribe of Chinook People who lived there, Cathlapotle (Kath-lah-poh-tul) is an archaeological site located beside the Columbia River on what is now Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington. Because it is one of the few sites in this area that has not been lost to flooding, looting, and/or human development, the site offers a unique opportunity to learn about the dynamic relationship between humans and the environment. The abundance of natural resources along the lower part of the river they called Yakaitl-Wimakl enabled the Cathlapotle Chinook and their neighbors not only to meet their needs for survival but also to develop a rich cultural legacy. Ongoing excavations at the site conducted by Portland State University in cooperation with the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service, specificaly the Pacific Region, and the Chinook Tribe continue to uncover information which can help to explain how the Chinook used the area's resources and how they managed them for future generations.
The following replicas, made by Chinook artist Tony Johnson, are included in the Discover Cathlapotle kit. Click on an active cell for a student report and picture of that artifact. If you are interested in how we created these pages, read Jessica's Artifacts Articles article.
 Cedar Basket |
 Beaver Tooth Knife |
 Bone Awl |
 Canoe Bailer |
 D Adze |
 Digging Stick |
 Mat Needle |
 Cedar Rope |
| Arrow | Deer Hoof Rattle | Dentalia Shell Beads | Mat Creaser |
| Rush Mat | Stone Knife | Sturgeon Hook | Tule Mat |
| Trade goods: buttons, nails, beads, copper bracelets | |||
| cedar | lithics |
| elk | Plant resource cards |
| Tree resource cards | Western red cedar seeds |
The Discover Cathlapotle kit features poetry by Chinook member and poet Ed Nielsen. His work as a lyricist is also showcased by songwriter Frank Hinojosa. Chinook legends from several sources are included.
For information, questions, and scheduling contact Virginia Parks at vparks@pop.igc.apc.org.
by Ed Nielsen
Brown, dusty field
what secrets does
the ancient soil yield?
Ghosts superimposed
upon the living
In shadows of trees
students of Archaeology
bring to present light
these are My People's
Lives buried in this
Sacred Land, Sacred Soil!
This is the Chinookan History
coming to a very different
Time's sight
green tree limbed
shadow summered light
in the digs, ridges of
long extinct fires
soil shadows
layers of debris
we stand in this place
of past living
but life is here again
the Chinookan History
is once again
given back to Us!
Maybe only tools
once held
but the silent whispers
as hands slice the air
what lies behind all?
The living and Spirits
superimposed
time and space
studying soil,
sedate pace
soil on hands and face
rectangular space
the past is real!
As real as the sweat on my brow
As real as the hard packed
Earth's surface against
sandeled feet
limited time to excavate,
uncover
discover the distant (past)
truths
quietly picking my way
through digs, stringed off
soil shifters, smudged notes,
shovels, buckets,
corners and squares
Memories catch times secrets
humanity shares
care, attention to detail
scrutiny so scrupulous
The layers of time in the soil
rotted timbers
the ashes of the fires
bits and pieces of the
animals they ate
These people bring them
alive!
They help the memory survive!
All their dedication,
patient, oh, infant patience
work, hours of work
statistics, lab work
bones, buried homes
to reconstruct the homes
that stood, the lives of
The Chinook People
Of Cathlapotle!
The Chinookan People's
Spirits superimposed
in these same spaces with the
living!
The Chinooks Of Cathlapotle!
copyright 95 Ed Nielsen
Lewis and Clark recorded both of their visits to the Cathlapotle village.