OFN recently hosted an end-of-year photo contest!  Oregon culture keepers were encouraged to submit up to three photos taken during the 2024 calendar year that exhibit the theme: Future of Tradition. Interpretation of the theme was entirely up to each participant, and photos were scored by staff at the UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History. We are happy to announce first, second, and third place!  Scroll down to view all entries.

First Place: Stephanie Craig, anqati təmtəm tənas siyaxus

Stephanie shares this photo description: “William (age 5) and Josie (age 3) (our son and daughter) dancing at our Grand Ronde Veterans Pow Wow July 2024. They are walking out for an inter-tribal song. This is the only time they get to dance together, because they dance in their own categories.”

Second Place: James Dionne

James shares this photo description: “This photo had taken place at this year’s America Global Village 2024 (Ontario, OR) and I being a Native American traditional dancer and my friend Nazario is an Aztec dancer and Eddie Melendrez wanted us to take a photo of the two cultures coming together in unity for our Peoples. Both in the USA and Mexico always remember the peoples of all cultures.”

Third Place: Tillamook Swiss Society

Julie, Secretary/Treasurer of the Tillamook Swiss Society, shares this photo description: “Pictured are Junior Schwingers, members of the Tillamook Swiss Society, members of the Tirolean Dancers,  members of The Polka Tones, and event attendees. The Paul Jones dance is a must at any Swiss Stomp.  The women make an inner circle facing outwards dancing to the music going clockwise.  The men make an outer circle facing inwards dancing to the music counterclockwise.  When the music stops – you dance with whomever is directly in front of you.  It may be a waltz, a polka, a schotisch – or even the chicken dance!   It gets everyone on the dance floor – from little kids to great grandparents – and gets them all dancing together, too! “