Amy Ray of Indigo Girls examines the native design of the memorial play structure. Photo credit: Camilla Mortensen.
Shawala Point at Riverfront Commemorative Park in Corvallis has a new play structure, one that memorializes the life of a young boy and honors the traditions of local indigenous people.
The 50 or so people who came to the Aug. 4 dedication joined Nigel Rose Weber's parents to watch as a Grand Ronde canoe family paddled up to Shawala Point on the hot August afternoon. Grand Ronde tribal members later drummed and sang. Native American activist and writer Winona LaDuke participated in the dedication, as did singer-songwriter Amy Ray.
The structure is in memory of 7-year-old Nigel, who died unexpectedly April 4, 2014, after staying home from school for an illness.
Nigel's mother, Trish Weber, said the concrete sculpture is designed and painted to look like a traditional wood bowl carved by the Kalapuya, and it is meant to be climbed on by children. The structure was planned in conjunction with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. Tribal members participated in the unveiling, as did Corvallis Mayor Biff Traber. Weber and her husband, Nigel's father Mark Rose, fundraised, spent $30,000 and worked with the city of Corvallis to build the play area.
Weber also spoke of a family camping trip under a full moon and said she takes a moment during the full moon each month to think of her son.
The play structure can be found at the south end of Riverfront Commemorative Park, near the Corvallis Skate Park.
LaDuke later fell with her horse, was hospitalized and could not finish the ride; however, Weber was able to continue her ride horseback along the pipeline route.
Trish Weber speaks about her son, Nigel before the unveiling of the play structure.