"Even though we were removed, we are not gone."

News Article
Artist Bobby Mercier stand in front of his newly installed art piece in the Portland Building
November is Native American Heritage Month. A month dedicated to recognize the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S.
Published

Earlier this month, the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) commemorated the installation of a wood art carving by artist Bobby Mercier. Mercier’s piece is the first installation in a special collection of art planned for the Portland Building, located downtown at SW 5th Avenue and SW Main Street. The new collection features work created by Indigenous artists with multigenerational ties to Portland.
 
Mercier detailed the meaning of the piece, including providing the historical and cultural symbolism and craftsmanship that went into the piece. You can see the piece and WATCH THE VIDEO of his presentation.

Mercier is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. He was raised near the reservation and is known by the name given to him by his Grandfather, Beartracks. He is a well-known traditional carver and is dedicated to preserving the history of his ancestors. In creating his new work for this collection, Mercier thought especially about the location of the Portland Building and the people who will view his piece. “I hope that the people who come here will know the people who used to be here," he said. "We’re still here. Even though we were removed, we are not gone.” 
 
Thank you to RACC for capturing this beautiful presentation by Bobby Mercier on video as he describes his process and artistic practice when he recently installed this new artwork.