| Chinese
Remembering conference set for June
The fourth annual conference highlighting the influence and contributions of the Chinese to the history of Idaho, with connections to the Northwest, will be held in Lewiston on June 23-24, 2011. The goals of the conference have been to dispel myths, to educate, to bring cultures together, and to explore and generate interest in the history and culture of the Chinese in the region. Chinese Remembering 2011 is a two-day event that begins with six lectures and discussions on Thursday, June 23 in historic Lewiston followed by an evening catered reception. The cost to attend the lectures and the reception will be $30. Speakers include: · Dr. Chuimei Ho, a founder and first president of the Chinese-American Museum of Chicago and present co-director of the Chinese in North America Research Committee located in Bainbridge Island, Washington. · Dr. Bennet Bronson, emeritus curator of Asian archaeology and ethnology at Chicago’s Field Museum and present co-director of the Chinese in North America Research Committee located in Bainbridge Island, Washington. · R. Gregory Nokes, author of "Massacred for Gold, the Chinese in Hells Canyon", the first authoritative account of the 1887 massacre of Chinese in Hells Canyon. He attended Harvard University as a Nieman Fellow. · Dr. Alexandra Koelle, a Postdoctoral Fellow in Environmental Humanities at the Bill Lane Center for the American West at Stanford University. She will present on the politics of race and place in transportation corridors of Idaho and Montana. · Dr. Priscilla Wegars, an author, historian and archaeologist who has worked on excavations in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, England, New Zealand and Belize. Her dissertation is entitled “The History and Archaeology of the Chinese in Northern Idaho: 1880 to 1910.” · Dr. Sam Couch, director of the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude in Cottonwood, Idaho. His dissertation involved research into the Chinese at the Warren mining camp in Idaho. · Allen Pinkham, a Nez Perce Tribal historian and storyteller. He is the great, great grandnephew of Chief Joseph. His presentation on Friday at China Garden Creek will center on the history of the Nez Perce in Hells Canyon and on Cougar Bar. On Friday, June 24, the conference will proceed with an all-day historically interpreted jet boat trip into Hells Canyon to sites once thought to have been occupied by Chinese. The highlight of the trip will be a healing ceremony at Chinese Massacre Cove where up to 34 Chinese miners were massacred for their gold in 1887. Hells Canyon is the deepest gorge in North America and encompasses a vast and remote region with dramatic changes in climate, elevation, terrain and vegetation. A variety of wildlife is present including mountain sheep, deer, eagles and more. The cost of the day trip will be $120 with food and refreshments during the day. Attendees may participate in one or both days. Special accommodations for out-of-town guests are available. The conference will be co-sponsored by the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude, Lewis-Clark State College, Lewis-Clark Center for Arts and History and River Quest Excursions. For more information contact Museum Director Emeritus Lyle Wirtanen at 208-816-8600 or emeritus@stgertrudes.org. In addition, an exhibit dedicated to the Chinese in Idaho will open at the Lewis-Clark Center for Arts & History on June 3 and run through July 8. The exhibit will contain photos, artifacts and other items that pertain to the Chinese in the region. |
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