HERITAGE -- Special Archaeology Days events for kids and adults are being organized Oct. 5-6 at the new Wanapum Heritage Center near Priest Rapids Dam at 29082 Highway 243, Mattawa, Wash.

Displays and activities include hide processing, tule mat weaving, traditional hemp-string formation, beadwork, weaving, flint knapping, Wanapum Native American Discovery Unit, tule structure experience, Wanapum dugout canoe and more.

This year’s event, sponsored by the Grant County PUD and the Wanapum, allows youth and adults to come face to face with the Wanapum way of life.

• Adult Day is Wednesday, Oct. 5 with a series of lectures and displays beginning at 8:30 a.m. and running to 4:15 p.m.
• Youth Day is Thursday, Oct. 6 with a welcoming event at 9 a.m. and activities and displays going until the closing event at 2:30 p.m.

RSVP by calling (509) 766-3461.

The schedule is as follows:

Adult Day, Wednesday, Oct. 5

8:30 to 8:45 a.m. – Opening

8:45 to 9:30 a.m. – Tom Dresser: Pacific Lamprey and White Sturgeon - Life History, Historical Abundance and Activities in the Priest Rapids Project

9:30 to 10:15 a.m. – Charles Nelson: Natural Flakes

10:15 to 10:45 a.m. – Break to visit demonstrations and displays

11:15 to noon – TBD

Noon to 1:15 p.m. – Lunch

1:15 to 2 p.m. – Ripan Malhi: Kennewick Man, Paleogenomics and Community Engagement

2 to 2:45 p.m. – Joe Sexton: Legal Analysis of the Ancient One Case

2:45 to 3:30 p.m. – Lordes Henebry-DeLeon: Cultural Affiliation for the Ancient One

3:30 to 3:45 p.m. – Break to visit demonstrations and displays

3:45 to 4:15 p.m. – Kate Valdez: Summary/Wrap Up of the Past Twenty Years Regarding the Ancient One

4:15 to 4:30 p.m. – Closing 

Youth Day, Thursday, Oct. 6

9 to 9:30 a.m. – Welcome

9:30 to noon – Rotate through activities, including Canoe Display, Skits, Tamanwit, Kennewick Man, Flint Knapping, Hide Processing, Activity Booths, Tule Mat Making, River Patrol, Solar Car Races, Demonstrations, Birds of Prey, Atlatl and Lineman Demonstration.

Noon to 12:45 p.m. – Lunch

12:45 to 2:30 p.m. – Rotate through activities, including Canoe Display, Skits, Tamanwit, Kennewick Man, Flint Knapping, Hide Processing, Activity Booths, Tule Mat Making, River Patrol, Solar Car Races, Demonstrations, Birds of Prey, Atlatl and Lineman Demonstration.

2:30 p.m. – Closing