Artwork copyright Jacqueline Moreau. Photo courtesy of the artist.

The Spino Family, 1993

Jacqueline Moreau
(American, born 1948)

Location: Seattle Central College, Seattle

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

The Spino Family is a photograph by artist Jacqueline Moreau. It captures members of the Spino family (Mona, Geneva, Andrie, Joyce, and Delores) laughing together on a break from cooking during the Lyle Salmon Feast. This annual spring feast took place in Lyle, south central Washington, along the Klickitat River. The family is part of the Native American Tribes, including the Yakama, Warm Springs, Umatilla, and Nez Perce, who uphold their treaty rights to harvest mid-Columbia River Salmon. Moreau notes that Salmon Feasts “honor the return of salmon after they've matured in the Pacific Ocean.”

Lyle Point is a sacred site to the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. A Klickitat village and burial site existed at Lyle Point for thousands of years. Lyle Point was also an important location in the battle for Native fishing rights in Washington State in the 1960s and 70s.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Seattle Vocational Institute.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Jacqueline Moreau is a documentary photographer and journalist. Her body of work captures the lives and traditions of Native American peoples living along the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon. Her work investigates the complex cultural and social issues facing Yakama, Warm Springs, Umatilla, and Nez Perce Tribes.

Moreau states, "A need exists to really know that many aboriginal cultures have survived to the present time because traditions and beliefs have imparted sustaining values and practices in harmony with the environment. There is much to be learned from that. There is balance and beauty in this, and it is important."

A collection of Moreau's photographs and manuscript materials is housed by the University of Oregon Libraries.