Brian Krehbiel (Sheridan), a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, is passionate about preserving and sharing his culture. Krehbiel has spent many years learning from cultural knowledge bearers about carving, gathering and processing traditional materials, weaving, and canoe making.
Bio
Brian Krehbiel, of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, works hard to preserve and share his culture. He learned about gathering, processing and weaving from master weavers such as Connie Graves, a fellow tribal member, and Margaret Mathewson. In 2006, Krehbiel and a master canoe-maker joined with a few other Grand Ronde tribal and community members to build a 32-foot canoe for the annual Pacific coast tribal canoe journey. After finishing the canoe, the group continued to learn from their mentor as well as from historical examples on other elements of the canoe and being on the water. For example, Krehbiel related that the paddles are carved and shaped with identifying markers for each tribe. This experience of building and navigating the canoe with his fellow tribal members inspired his love of traditional songs and canoe making. Canoe journeys reflect a unique way of life, which requires people to live and work together, and connect with Mother Earth. Krehbiel spent most of his early life in Grand Ronde at the base of Spirit Mountain with his maternal grandmother. He has a deeplove for his culture, community and fellow tribal members, which he strives to pass on to others. In 2020, Krehbiel started a business to help share his cultural knowledge and art forms.
