No summary at this time, please refer to the detailed index below.
Family: Jeremy’s great grandparents were born in Lekeitio, Elantxobe and Gernika. They came to the U.S. at age 15 for a better way of life in the early 1900’s. These were Jeremy’s mom’s grandparents, and moved to Jordan Valley, Vail and Burns. They were sheepherders, farmers and ranchers in Oregon. Jeremy’s grandparents met in Vail. Mom was 6 when she moved to Boise. Her father was a carpenter. They moved to Aldape Heights. Her mother was a dental hygenist for Jauregui.
Language: Jeremy’s grandparents spoke Basque. His mom knows very little. Her parents thought it would be confusing to teach Basque and English to children. Her mother regrets not teaching them Basque, and so does she.
When you grew up, how much exposure did you have to the Basque culture? None. Jeremy ate Basque food at his Amuma’s. He was 5 years old when they moved to Kansas City, lived in Florida from 6-11, then his father passed away and they moved back to Boise.
6:00 Did your mom have any Basque stuff? She had maps in drawers, and old photos. Jeremy was naïve about Basques until he met Tony Eiguren in high school.
What attracted you to Basque? Dancing – he always loved to dance in general. Tony said he should join Oinkaris. Jeremy worked at the first Jaialdi in 1987, he was 14. He had been to the Basque picnic, researched his family to learn more about his Basque history. At Jaialdi he worked and thought the event was neat.
11:00 What do you remember about Jaialdi? To see performances by Goisaldi and the Oinkaris. No one else has the opportunity to be part of a strong group like that. It is focused and fun. He learned about his heritage there.
What kept you in Oinkaris? Toni Eiguren. It was fun and he had a great time. Jeremy met many people, and made new friends that he shared a common ground with. Dan Ansotegui was a big influence be cause he was so encouraging.
13:00 Jeremy researched his family and found out about his relatives. His amuma learned Basque and American style. His family adapted to the American life well, but didn’t maintain their Basque heritage.
At Oinkari’s he felt similarity with people in the group. Why is that? If you are at the Basque Center you at least want to carry on the tradition.
18:00 Why do you want them to know about our culture? It’s different from any other culture. It’s been around a long time, unless you are in this region you don’t know about it. Unique culture.
22:00 How important are Oinkaris? Very important. They bring a lot of exposure. Jaialdi, Onati Restaurant, promotes the culture.
Do you think the Red Lion performances are important in promoting Basques? Yes, most of them are out of towners here for conferences, or people from the northwest and the performances publicize Basques.
24:00 Do you think the group now does a good job? Fulfill a purpose. Seems to be slipping, but can be improved.
26:00 Do you think the dancing is authentic enough? It’s good – better out of U.S. groups. Keep up with what they are doing in Spain. We add our own touch and flare. Discussed the snap kick (above head in U.S.) vs. low kick (in Euskadi) in Chankareku. Keep the up that high adds flare and style.
1:00 continued authenticity – keep the high kick, more impressive.
5:00 Do you think it was an advantage to be known as being Basque? Yes, a lot of my peers, when they hear of Basques think of Tony and Jeremy. They were known as the Basques, and respect it, respect for carrying on the tradition. It’s not easy to be a male and go around saying you are a dancer, but people took it better than he thought because it was Basque dancing. Had respect for being Basque.
7:00 Do you think even now in general it is an advantage to be Basque? For Jeremy it is an advantage, it’s a way he is accustomed to living. Everyone is equal, we are no better, but it has plenty of advantages. So many people in the business world – you meet people, helps with networking.
9:00 Make you feel part of extended family? Jeremy remembers situation at work where they needed stop watches, and he called Rich Urresti at McU’s and it helped by knowing Rich. If I have option to get something from Basque or American, I will go to a Basque person to keep them in business. Support the Basques.
12:00 What do you think it means in America or in Boise to be Basque? It’s my heritage, I’m unfair to the Irish side of me. You don’t have to do anything to be Basque, you don’t have to be a member of the center, although it is important for me to keep it going. Even if people are not involved in the activities they are still Basque. Being a member of Euskaldunak is not for everyone. There are other ways of promoting the Basque culture. You don’t have to speak Basque to be Basque. I couldn’t have learned it at home. I think it’s helpful though. I try to promote the culture. I help teaching little kids, to see it carried on. A lot of people are there because their parents want them to be there. I can teach them that it is fun. It’s an impressionable age (14). It’s not cool for guys, so I can show them that it is cool, and encourage them to go onto Oinkaris. I can say I did what I could to keep it going.
18:00 Being Basque in America is a choice? Yes. Parents can bring you up Basque but at some point it is your option. That’s why it is important to encourage kids, and dancing is one of the ways to do that. We need other ways to get kids involved through cards, or handball, or something else. Dancing is one of the main things people know. It’s the main thing that is publicized. We haven’t promoted it in other ways besides dancing.
23:00 Articles from the 1920’s that say Basque culture is dying out, it is established, why do you think that is? Because of the work of people to keep it going and promoting it. Like Jay Hormaechea, and many others that keep the Basque heritage going for the love of being Basque.
24:30 Where do you see the Basques in 30-40 years? I hope it’s where it’s at now, if not stronger. Depends on what we do with it. What would you like to see done, or what would you change? Jeremy would add more activities besides dancing so more Basques can get involved and keep next generation interested in Basque.
26:00 Do you think we will open membership to people that don’t have Basque blood at all? It is something special we have, so we shouldn’t, but there are some, like Cathy Clarkson that are more Basque than I am. Speaks Basque, plays Chistu, knows history. Should be kept to Basques themselves. Non Basques should not be on the board.
29:00 Golf Tournament is good because it is American, a Basque function, but non-Basques can get involved. Like the Basque picnic.
When you describe yourself do you consider yourself Basque/American? Right now I am American Basque, raised American and learning Basque heritage. It the future I hope I can say I am Basque American. Right now the biggest part of my life is Basque, but I am still Americanized.
The culture must be carried on to younger generations.
NAMES AND PLACES
NAMES:
Ansotegui, Dan
Chankareku
Clarkson, Cathy
Eiguren, Tony: Jeremy’s friend that encouraged him to get involved in Basque Dancing.
Euskaldunak
Goisaldi: Basque Dancing group from Euskadi
Hormaechea, Jay: started the Basque dancing groups
Jaialdi
Jauregui
Oinkari’s
Urresti, Rich
PLACES:
Aldape Heights
Boise, Idaho
Burns, Oregon
Elantxobe
Florida: Lived in Florida from ages 6-11.
Gernika
Jordan Valley: Grandparents lived in Jordan Valley.
Kansas City:
Lekeitio
McU’s
Onati
Red Lion: frequent performances at Red Lion
Vail, Oregon: Jeremy’s parents met in Vail.