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
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