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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2001)
TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS Another Year of Wisdom Happy Birthday! Bert Bartow, 8/16 Delbert Bell, 8/25 Juanita Blomstrom, 8/4 Rosalie Bremner, 8/27 Joyce Britton, 8/11 Ronald Butler, 8/21 Geraldine Calaba, 8/19 Charles Depoe, 8/14 Peter Depoe, 8/21 Duane Endres, 8/2 Consuelo Fernandez, 8/1 Kathleen Forester, 8/15 Mary Grabert, 8/28 Robert Jordan, 8/19 Joseph Lane Jr., 8/24 Lois Lanier, 8/13 Martha Lockhart, 8/12 Wanda Melton, 8/17 Charlotte Noble, 8/9 Maxine Rilatos, 8/7 Marie Spratt, 8/4 Mary Viles, 8/11 Shirley Walker, 8/1 Joan Washington, 8/7 A Spiritual Message to America Last year, several of our Siletz elders attended the National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) Conference in Duluth, Minn., and were instrumental in creating A Spiritual Message to America. Here is the end result of that message. It has been made into a poster and includes the names of all the elders who attended and helped create this message. A Spiritual Message to America is the direct result of more than 1,200 American Indian and Alaska Native elders’ collective wisdom during the conference As we stand before the dawn of a new millennium, we pray for America’s survival. We pray that we will be given strength by the Creator to follow the footsteps of our forefathers to share love, respect, and compassion for one another. There is good in everyone because our Creator has put a little of Himself in all of us. We pray for forgiveness for the pain and suffering we have caused one another. We pray that our children will not repeat our mistakes. We pray that we can respect the diversity of America; all life is sacred. Every child born is a precious gift of our Creator. It is our sacred trust to embrace children from all walks of life because we are part of the same family. We pray that children will honor and respect their elders — that is where the wisdom comes from. This respect will not allow forgotten elders. We are all equal, with each having our own special gift to contribute. These values Siletz elders enjoy the Elders Honor Day sponsored by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde on July 20. Pictured above are Kay Steele (I), Pauline Montana, and Geneva Johnson; and below are Frank Simmons (I), Joan Washington, Cynthia Lozano, and Connie Hartt. Additional photos plus an article on the event will appear in the next issue of Siletz News. allow our youth to become leaders and workers of our society. Children, you are our future and our hope for the people. Stand and be courageous. We pray to learn and use the wisdom of all that has come before us, to achieve personal successes and to contribute to those of others. Only when our young ones learn respect for everything can they evolve. Earth We pray for respect and love of Mother Earth because she is the foundation of human survival and we must keep her pollution-free for those who will travel after us. Protect her water, air, soil, trees, forests, plants, and animals. Do not take and waste resources. Make it a priority to conserve. The land is given to us by the Creator to care for, not to own. If we take care of the land, the land will take care of us. Spiritual health is the key to holistic health. We pray to have the discipline to set healthy examples for our children to follow. Respecting everyone and everything in the universe starts with self-respect. Take time to listen and take care of your body and spirit. Unity Family and Youth We should have respect for each other. We pray for commitment and responsible behavior in order to help those in need and to give them support and friendship. Be an example in life that others may follow: Serve people, community, and country. We should all strive to be leaders and contributors. Do not sit back and let others plan and do all the thinking. Let us unite together so that we may have the strength to protect our future. Strength comes from working through trials and tribulations. Family is important and precious. Always let them know they are loved. Let your children and grandchildren know you are always there to love and support them and that they mean the world to you no matter what they do or say. Children are of infinite value. Live what you teach. Spiritual values, honesty, and integrity start in the home. We pray for the youth. We must teach the youth to work together and respect all that is living on our Mother Earth. We need to convey to our younger Health generations that the survival of our people lies in spirituality. Peace We pray to learn ways to settle differences peacefully. Teach respect for each other’s ideas. Value honesty on all levels, from children to parents to community to governments. We will be happy when we create peace with each other. To the Seventh Generation Survive Keep hopes and dreams Take care of yourself Remember your spirit Be there for each other Respect courage Share knowledge, always keep learning Remember your true values. August 2001 • □ Siletz News □ 7
