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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 2021)
10 Wednesday, January 27, 2021 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Warm Springs hopeful after Haaland tapped to head Interior By Michael Kohn The Bulletin BEND (AP) 4 Since the historic appointment of Deb Haaland to head the U.S. Department of the Interior, hopes have been high among members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs that better times are ahead. Next month the congress- woman from New Mexico will become the first Native American appointed to the position of cabinet secretary when she takes over at the Department of the Interior, which also oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Haaland is a member of the Laguna Pueblo, a tribe located near Albuquerque. Warm Springs tribal members see the appoint- ment as a beacon of light fol- lowing a tough year of wild- fire, high rates of COVID- 19, and infrastructure fail- ures that left parts of the reservation without potable water, The Bulletin reported. <Considering our large number of COVID-19 cases, everyone seems happy and excited for the potential of what Deb Haaland could do,= said Dustin Seyler, a Warm Springs tribal member. The tribes have been hit hard by COVID. As of Monday, the tribes had 664 total positive cases since the start of the pandemic and 14 deaths, a relatively high case rate for an area with just 5,000 people. <Since she will be in charge of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, there could be a lot of change that hap- pens in that office, which has so much influence over all the tribes in the U.S.,= said Seyler, who works as a small business program man- ager for the Warm Springs Community Action Team, a nonprofit organization. Seyler says the bureau neglected to fulfill its responsibilities when it came to working with Warm Springs on infrastructure improvements in its central area, also called the campus. Most of the buildings on the Warm Springs Campus are filled with lead paint, asbes- tos, and other dangerous contaminants, he said. <It9s been a 20-year fight to get them to pay for the repairs,= said Seyler. <That is just one example of the many issues the BIA caused and left for the tribes to clean up. These are things we don9t have the money or skilled workforce to Carina Miller, an deal with.= economic research Since she will be in charge of the The Wa r m analyst with the com- Bureau of Indian Affairs, there could munity action team, Springs tribal gov- ernment has also said the addition of be a lot of change that happens in that a Native American to tangled with the Bureau of Indian cabinet will give office, which has so much influence the Affairs over respon- the U.S. government sibility for the res- per- over all the tribes in the U.S. long-overlooked ervation9s water spectives on critical delivery system. — Dustin Seyler issues such as social The system has injustice and climate broken down on change. multiple occasions in recent <Her appointment marks a <The Indigenous knowl- years, forcing residents to monumental achievement for edge that has long been dis- boil water or collect water Native Americans.= respected will be utilized,= jugs from an emergency dis- Wyden anticipates that said Miller. tribution center. The bureau working with Haaland and Miller said it9s not clear installed the system more the incoming Biden admin- yet what direct impact than 40 years ago, but there9s istration will smooth the Haaland9s appointment will been debate over who should approval and implementa- have at Warm Springs, but foot the bill for maintenance tion process of the Western she takes a broader view that and upkeep. Tribal Water Infrastructure the appointment will be good Seyler said one outcome Act, which if greenlighted for tribes across the country. of having Haaland at the would provide millions of For the first time, Miller helm could be improvements dollars to improve water said, tribes will not have to and modifications at what infrastructure at Warm spend valuable resources and he described as <outdated= Springs. time educating a cabinet sec- rules at the Bureau of Indian Haaland, who describes retary on tribal politics and Affairs. herself as a 35th generation policy. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., New Mexican, has not yet <Less money and time also sees the nomination of set out policy goals but in her will be spent educating peo- Haaland as a chance to hit acceptance speech described ple within the Department the reset button between early life challenges includ- of the Interior, and on play- Washington and tribes. ing being homeless and reli- ing defense against environ- Haaland9s <knowledge ance on food stamps. mental attacks,= Miller said. of the urgent need to right <These struggles gave me <Deb Haaland9s appointment historic injustices will help perspectives though, so I can to head the department is generate long-overdue help help people to succeed,= she going to be a turning point for tribes,= said Wyden. said. for this nation.= A N N O U N C E M E N T S Sisters Library Children’s Activities Free Weekly Grab-N-Go Lunches For Seniors Weekly Food Pantry Wellhouse Church has a weekly food pantry on Th ursdays. Food is currently being distributed drive-through style from 12:30 until all food is distributed at the Wellhouse Market building, 222 N. Trinity Way. People in need of food may drive through the parking lot and pick up a bag of food for their household. Other Sisters-area churches are joining with Wellhouse Church to contribute both fi nancially and with volunteers to help sustain the program. For more information, please call 541- 549-4184. Antiques & Jewelry Donations Needed Th e Council on Aging of Central Deschutes Public Library is Sisters Kiwanis takes donations Oregon is serving seniors (60+) off ering virtual events and take- of antiques, ques, collectibles and free Grab-N-Go lunches on jewelry y throughout the yearr home activities for children. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and for its a annual On Tuesdays at 10 a.m. join nnual Antiques, Th ursdays each week. Th e Collections community librarians and t ions & Jewelry lunches are distributed on a fi rst- Sale, held other preschoolers for songs, e ld on Saturday come, fi rst-served basis drive- rhymes, stories and fun. Online every Memorial M e morial through style from 12 to 12:30 story time is live at 10 a.m. on Day weekend. e ekend. Your p.m. at the Sisters Community Th ursdays and at 10:30 a.m. donation on is tax- Church, 1300 W. Mckenzie Hwy. children ages 3-5 can join in deductible! tible! For music and movement to develop Seniors may drive through the more information nformation parking lot and pick up a meal literacy skills. Parents, don’t miss and to o arrange for each day of service. Come on by, the opportunity to pick up a pickup p of large or no need to make a reservation. story time activity kit for your small items, t ems, please For more information call 541- preschooler at Sisters Library call Pam m at 541- 678-5483. on Th ursdays starting at noon. 719-1049. 49. Available while supplies last. Go to www.deschuteslibrary.org/ Please call the church before attending to verify current status of services as restrictions estrictions are adjusted. kids/programs or call 541-312- 1032 for more info. Career Funds Available Applications are available for the Sisters Kiwanis Career Opportunity Fund to help adult residents of Sisters establish an occupational path. Pick up forms at the Kiwanis House, corner of Oak and Main, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Th ursdays, and during regular hours from the Sisters Habitat for Humanity offi ce. For more information, call 541-719-1254. Furry Friends Has Moved! Th e Furry Friends offi ce is now located at 412. E. Main Ave., Ste. 4 behind Th e Nugget offi ce. Th ough the offi ce is closed to the public, the pet food bank is still open for no contact porch pick ups. Call to order your pet food for pick up during our regular weekly pickup time on Th ursdays from 12:30 to 4 p.m. or by appointment the rest of the week. Info: 541-797-4023. PET OF THE WEEK Humane H umane S Society ociiety off Central C entrall O Oregon regon 541-382-3537 SISTERS-AREA CHURCHES Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA) 386 N. Fir Street • 541-549-5831 10 a.m. Sunday Worship www.shepherdofthehillslutheranchurch.com Sisters Community Church (Nondenominational) 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201 10 a.m. Sunday Worship (with signing) www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com St. Edward the Martyr Roman Catholic Church 123 Trinity Way • 541-549-9391 5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass 9 a.m. Sunday Mass • 8 a.m. Monday-Friday Mass Calvary Church (NW Baptist Convention) 484 W. Washington St., Ste. C & D • 541-588-6288 10 a.m. Sunday Worship • www.ccsisters.org Th e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 452 Trinity Way • Branch President, 541-420-5670; 10 a.m. Sunday Sacrament Meeting Baha’i Faith Meetings Devotional gatherings, study classes and discussion groups. Call for location and times 541-647-9826 Chapel in the Pines 7 1 Camp Sherman • 541-549-9971 10 a.m. Sunday Worship e ne Sisters Church of the Nazarene 41-389-8960 67130 Harrington Loop Rd. • 5 541-389-8960 @ il www.sistersnaz.org • 2sistersnaz@gmail.com 10:45 a.m. Sunday Worship Wellhouse Church 442 Trinity Way • 541-549-4184 https://wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com 10 a.m. Sunday Worship (Indoor & Outdoor Venues) Vast Church (Nondenominational) 541-719-0587 • 5 and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Worship at 442 Trinity Way (Wellhouse building). See www.vastchurch.com for details. Seventh-Day Adventist Church 386 N. Fir St. • 541-595-6770, 541-306-8303 11 a.m. Saturday Worship Th e Episcopal Church of the Transfi guration 68825 Brooks Camp Rd. • 541-549-7087 8:30 a.m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship (Sunday school, childcare) 10:15 a.m. Episcopal Sunday Worship (Sunday school, childcare) Meet FRANKIE, , an incrediblyy loveable 10-month-old Great Dane mix who is eager to meet his forever family! This giant puppy is a very clever boy with a lot of love to give! Frankie will need a family that has the time and physical ability to help him with his training and socialization as he is very big and still has a lot to learn about life! Call the shelter and schedule an appointment to meet Frankie today! SPONSORED BY PONDEROSA PROPERTIES, LLC 541-549-2002 800-650-6766