TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS
Welcome to the Prevention Dimension
Shu’-yi’de-ghayt-nin’sh
Shu’-yi-de-ghayt-nin’sh means - We are getting well
Shu’ (sounds like “shoe”)
yi (“i” is a long “a” sound)
de (short “e” like in “den”)
ghayt (sounds like “kite”)
nin’sh (long “e”)
The articles and information you see here are offered as a way to increase
communication and share information, knowledge, and humor. We welcome questions,
suggestions, and artwork from youth age 12 to 17.
Please contact Lisa Brown at 1-800-922-1399, ext. 238, or 541-444-8238 to turn in
articles or information that may be printed in the next issue of Siletz News. You also may
e-mail documents of interest to lisab@ctsi.nsn.us. Special thanks to Ashley Taylor-Bellamy,
who attends Toledo Middle School, and Shana McConville for their articles in this issue.
Speak Out for What You Believe In
by Shana McConville, youth member, O.A.T.H.
Questions or comments? Please call 541-278-5367
At this year’s 2000 Northwest Division Camp Speak Out, I learned about advocacy.
What is advocacy? Advocacy is speaking out about something you believe in.
I learned about starting youth groups and facilitating them. We went to sessions
during the day and I learned about speaking out at city council meetings. We had to
testify as if it were court just to get the feeling of what a city council or board meeting
would be like. And I learned that anybody can speak out about anything they believe in
and make a difference!
There are many youth groups out there that are speaking out as you speak because
they believe in what they do and also themselves. Our bodies are strong; we are the
future and the future is now.
We also learned about lobbying by letter, meeting our legislators, and the media.
We saw how many tobacco and alcohol ads actually have a lot of hidden unnoticed
stimuli that is presented to increase the chance that the subject heightens recognition
skills on an unconscious level. Visual media (TV, movies, and video games) are often
shot at 30 frames (pictures) per second, but our minds can only process eight frames per
second. Many people aren’t really conscious of the 3,000 different forms of media they
are exposed to each day.
We learned about conflict resolution, the art of listening, different styles of conflict
management, and comprehensive school education. For the first time in recorded history,
the adolescent population is less healthy that its parents were at the same age. We
spend between $1.5 billion and $2 billion per day for health care. But less than 2 percent
is spent on preventive medicine. How can we expect to improve the health of our schools?
We learned about how an idea becomes a law. We talked a lot about tobacco issues
and that smoking isn’t cool. Every time you smoke, you’re burning up your money with
nothing to show for it but smelly hair and bad breath. Does this make sense? There are
more than 4,000 chemicals in cigarettes. I really learned a lot and it was fun!
Our latest project is our new youth group O.A.T.H, Oregon Awareness for Teen
Health. We came up with the name together with eight people from Oregon. We are
hoping to have a basketball tournament for high school students and will pledge to not
do any drugs or alcohol for a year. I am very excited because I truly believe it will grow
and that we will be able to make a difference.
I would like to conclude that you can do it! Whatever you believe in, make it happen!
Develop a plan and carry out your solutions. Never give up! Changing community attitudes
or feelings about an issue or problem can be a long and frustrating process. Don’t pay
too much attention to those who tell you all the reasons why your solution won’t work. If
you think your cause is important, if you believe you are right, continue problem solving
and be persistent. Don’t give up. Be creative and don’t be afraid.
Prevention
Dimension Calendar
11/2-6Alcohol, Tobacco, & Other Drug
(ATOD) Conference - Eugene
11/3-4Oregon
Indian
Education
Conference - Lincoln City
11/4 Eugene Indian Education/JOM
Pow-Wow - Sheldon High School
11/6 Pow-Wow
Dance
Class
-
Tribal Center, Siletz, 6:30-8 p.m.
11/7 Don’t forget to vote. Your vote
counts!
11/8 2000 Girls’ Summit - Ages 8-20 -
Portland, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
11/8 2000 Girls’ Summit - For adults who
work w/ ages 8-20 - Portland
11/9 SI HA Residents’ Organization Mtg.
11/9 Youth Prevention Group Meeting -
SIHA Conference Room, 2-4 p.m.
11/10 Youth Prevention Group Meeting -
SIHA Conference Room, 2-4 p.m.
11/11 Chemawa Veterans Pow-Wow -
Salem
11/13 Siletz City Council Meeting
11/13 Pow-Wow
Dance
Class
-
Tribal Center, Siletz, 6:30-8 p.m.
11/13-15 OSSOM Advisor Training Institute
Youth Conference - Eugene
11/14 Peacemakers Youth Conference -
Portland, Springfield, & La Grande
11/15 Title IX Parent Comm. Meeting -
Newport High School
11/17 Siletz School Restoration Pow-Wow
11/18 Siletz Tribal Restoration Pow-Wow -
Chinook Winds Casino
11/20 SIHA Commissioners Meeting
11/20 Siletz Valley Partnership Meeting
11/24 Youth Prevention Group Meeting -
SIHA Conference Room, 2-4 p.m.
12/2 Lane Community College Pow-Wow
- Eugene
12/13 Title IX Indian Education Parent
Comm. Meeting - Toledo H. S.
Youth scholarships are available for
attendance. If you have details for other
conferences, call 1-800-922-1399, ext. 238.
Contact Lisa Brown, Prevention coordinator, to
receive additional information.
Another resource
is
your local
Commission on Children and Families (CCF).
The counties have money for “youth support
funding.” This process requires parental
permission to complete forms to approve
eligibility. Please call if you would like additional
information, or contact your local CCF office.
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