Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2001)
TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS Siletz Tribal Pendïeton Blankets Now Available । i Tribal Membership Price: $120 Regular Price: $145 Cash, checks, and Visa accepted For more information or to order, please contact Kelley Ellis, executive secretary to Tribal Council, at 541-444-8203 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 203. FYI: Please note that the blankets are blue, not black and white. । । . Walt’s Words of Wit and Wisdom by Walt Klamath Indian people often use the animal kingdom in their stories and myths and many times relate to the animal people in their lives. This comes from the Internet, so it has to be true. In fact, I can relate to it. One time, Old Indian was asked, “Why do people act the way they do when they drink alcohol?” The Old Man replied that the alcohol is the essence of many animals. The first is the puppy, then the monkey, then the rooster, then moth, then bird (woodpecker), buffalo, bear, cat, and last the pig. As the drinker begins to drink, each animal will manifest itself as the blood alcohol level goes up. When the person first starts to drink, he is like the little puppy - glad to see everyone, not a care in the world, really happy for life. As the person continues to drink, he becomes like the monkey - wants to be happy, makes everyone laugh, mimics the young people, drinks more. Then the drinker becomes like the rooster - feels so good; wants to sing, but when he starts to sing, he can’t remember how the song goes; sounds like a rooster. Then the moth comes out - decides to go out looking for lights, doesn’t matter what time it is, looking for more booze, a party, or a snag. He walks around looking for where someone will be hanging out, searching for the telltale light in the window, like the moth. I hen the drinker knocks on the door, sounding like the woodpecker. The woodpecker in the forest can be heard throughout the night knocking on doors. Drinking more, the drinker imagines himself as the buffalo - irresistible, no door can hold him, he batters all restraint. Head down, he charges into the house and right out again. Now the drinker is dangerous. He/she is like the wild bear that has tasted meat. His arms crush his talons, tear nothing, and no one is safe. The next is the cat - having been out all night, very much like the cat that has been out hunting all night or looking for a mate. The hunter heads home just ahead of sunrise. Last comes the pig. The drinker is highly intoxicated by now, returns home, raids the fridge for whatever is left over. He overindulges. He is drunk and hungry, tired and sleepy. He eats everything in sight. He searches for a place to lie down. It doesn’t make too much difference where - could be in bed, under the porch, or out in the yard. He probably will fall asleep outside. When the sun comes up, the flies will play tag around his mouth as he snores. He will sleep to his heart’s content, much like the pig. December 2001 □ Siletz News □ 7
