Arts and Media Basics:
Folklife Resources

As in all maritime communities, many businesses in town support the fishing industry. Depoe Bay Fish company in Newport started years ago in Depoe Bay. Even though the business moved to Newport, it is still run by the family of its original owners.

Fishermen sell their catch to the fish companies which then clean, fillet, and prepare the product for consumers around the world. Custom packaging labels have the name of Newport, Oregon written on them. Whoever buys one of those local cans of salmon will know that Lincoln County men and women helped provide the product. This is also true for the Siletz Tribal Smokehouse and other local canning and processing plants.

There are many other businesses in the county that support the fishing industry. Some of these include fish sellers, boat repair works, hardware stores, refrigeration specialists, and electronic repair.

There are also many services available. The U.S. Coast Guard coordinates search and rescue operations, safety regulation enforcement, and weather information. Fishermen have access to the latest fishing information on the new laws, technology and research from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State University Sea Grant Program, and the Oregon State Hatfield Marine Science Center.

Each individual enterprise and business is considered a specialist in a particular aspect of maritime life.

Many residents in maritime communities use their yards as a type of artist canvas. Outdoor sculptures and yard art displaying fishing objects and themes are common. South Beach residents and tourists are familiar with the Zip Zag Zoo, a local landmark. Other less dramatic examples appear on mailboxes, in doorways, and sections of yards decorated with maritime objects.

From Depoe Bay to Waldport up the Yaquina River and all along the creeks of Lincoln County, there is evidence of maritime folklife. as long as fish can be harvest from the waters of the county, commercial and recreational fishing will continue to influence the way of life in the region. Fishing stories, foods, beliefs, crafts, and practices will remain an intricate part of the region's maritime folklife.

Activities

Activity 1: Explore with students: What does your region look like? What kinds of plants, trees and land formations exist there? What are some traditions that relate to the land and the weather in your part of the state? Are there special celebrations or festivals in your community that have to do with the area's history or the crops that are grown there? Have students draw a picture of their neighborhood, the surrounding land, and the places that are especially important to them.

Activity 2: Explore with students: What are the traditional occupations in your region? How is that related to the geography and history of the land? Using the Yellow Pages of the local phone directory, have students look up businesses that support the traditional occupations in your area. Compile a comprehensive list from the entire class. Take the students on field trips to some of the businesses related to these traditional occupations.

Activity 3: Have students document regional themes that are visible in people's yards around town. These could be as simple as fish painted on mailboxes or glass floats hanging in trees, or as complex as the Zig Zag Zoo. Have them photograph, draw, or describe in writing the object or portion of the yard or house that is decorated. Students may want to interview residents about their environments.

Activity 4: Ask students to think or write a written response to the following questions:

• What communities or folk groups are you a part of?
• Who are the people in your community who are carrying on traditions?
• Why do you think those traditions are important to your community?
• Why is it important to be proud of your traditions? Why do they think someone would not be proud of their traditions?
• How are these traditions being passed on to the next generation?

Related Websites
Columbia River Maritime Museum
Confederated Tribes of Siletz
Cultural Arts Resources for Teachers and Students
The Dory Page
Library of Congress, Documenting Maritime Folklife, an introductory guide
Oregon Coast Aquarium

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Traditional Crafts
Folklife Resources Index