Stephanie Craig

Stephanie is an enrolled member of The Confederated Tribe’s of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, she is Santiam and Yoncolla Kalapuya, Takelma Rogue River and Clackamas Chinook. Stephanie grew up listening to her Mother, Chich (Grandmother in Chinuk Wawa) and Aunties telling stories of her family weaving and their weaving traditions. Family baskets and weaving traditions have been passed down through six generations, and are still continued today through her teachings. “I feel that it is very important to preserve our history; and as a young Native American Tribal member, it is part of my job to help educate and preserve cultural heritage and traditions.”

Stephanie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cultural Anthropology with an emphasis on Northwest Native American Cultures and also used her Native American Language Chinuk Wawa to fulfill her college language requirement. Her Masters of Arts degree is interdisciplinary within Cultural Anthropology, Museum Studies and Folklore. She has also had internships at The Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American Indian Archives Department, the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History and Tamástslikt

Cultural Institute for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, as well as by traditional basket weavers. “I am committed to preserving our cultural heritage for future generations and to continue on the traditions of our Elders.”
“I am very passionate about giving back to our community. I want to help preserve and help pass on our traditional culture and help educate people on the history of civilization.  I hope to pass on my knowledge and understandings to my family, other tribal members and also community members in my life. As part of the next generation I want to be able to help others who need it. I feel as a young Indian woman that it is important to help tell our stories and to pass on our culture to future generations; because we are the future.”