Walawála, Walúula, Pášx̣apa: these ancient place names in the Walla Walla Valley tell the story of waterways, features, myths, and fruits of the land. In this Museum After Hours presentation by Roberta (Bobbie) Conner, director of Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, come and try to wrap your head and tongue around a different perspective of the places you call home.

Tamástslikt (Tah-mahst-slickt) Cultural Institute is the 45,000 square foot tribally-owned museum on the Umatilla Reservation near Pendleton, Oregon, which opened in 1998. The Institute serves three goals:  to accurately present the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla peoples’ history, to perpetuate knowledge of their history and culture, and to contribute to the Tribal economy.

Bobbie is Cayuse, Umatilla, and Nez Perce and is enrolled at the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla. She is a graduate of Pendleton High School, the University of Oregon, and Willamette University’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management. She serves on the Eastern Oregon University and Oregon Historical Society Boards of Trustees and the Ecotrust and Oregon Community Foundation Boards of Directors.