TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS
Walt’s Words of Wit and Wisdom
by Walt Klamath
By golly how time does fly. Last month, I missed the deadline and dam near
this month. Been on vacation this month, so that’s a good excuse, I guess.
Well, went to Two Rivers Prison recently and did two sweats. Had maybe 60
Indian peoples kind of crowded in the lodge. Of course, there weren’t 60 at one
time, but two sweats. Had one Siletz member and several Grand Ronde members,
plus Coquille and Yurok. The weather was a little cool, so the lodge did not get as
hot as would be comfortable, but it was great.
Two Rivers is really just getting started. It’s been a year now that they have
been having sweats. They don’t have a group yet, they don't really have
correspondence with each other regarding Native principles and what they would
like to accomplish. I have given them a Pendleton blanket that was given to me
for their drum, eagle feathers, an eagle fan, and abalone shell.
They are really struggling to get a good thing started. I thought that more
tribal members were there, but many have been transferred, some to Columbia
and OSP. The prison staff is very cooperative as I see it. They do as much as they
can and are working on getting volunteers signed up.
Chaplain Hodney shared with me that if he can get one more volunteer to
commit, the fellows there can have one sweat a month. At this time, it’s hit and
miss. Seems that there are three who come there, all from here and south as far as
Chiloquin. All of the institutions, though, are having trouble getting dedicated
volunteers (hint, hint).
Jennifer Flores, Michele Rowan, Darcy Lal, Terry Walker, Valerie Hibdon,
Bonnie McAlpine, Linda Kreutzer, Rhonda Attridge, Sunshine Keck,
and Patricia Valet all received prizes for participating in the costume contest.
Staff and their costumed
counterparts on Halloween:
Patricia Valet - Old Bat
Sunshine Keck - Mold Busters
Vai Hibdon - Goofy
Rhonda Attridge - Punk Rocker
Linda Kreutzer - Frank ‘n’ Bride
Bonnie McAlpine - Witch
Terry Walker - Witch
Smoke Detectors
Well, did you do it? Do what, you ask? Did you change the batteries in your
smoke detector at the time change, as is recommended?
If the smoke detector is 10 years old or more, it’s time to change it. These
new ones have 10-year batteries in them, so I guess when you change the batteries,
change the detector. I cannot stress enough the importance of smoke detectors
that work. They do save lives and they do save property.
The biggest problem we have is that statistics say that 50 percent of detectors
don’t work. Many are placed wrong, like in the kitchen area or close to the
bathroom, where steam from the shower can set them off, or we disconnect the
battery and don’t arm it again, making it worthless.
Many of us have the illusion that smoke will wake us up. The truth is, smoke
will put us into a deeper sleep. It takes noise to wake us and a properly placed
detector will do just that. In fact, they are very irritable, but that’s just the way it’s
supposed to be.
So, if you haven’t done it, do it now, while it’s fresh on your mind. Remember
that old cliché, the life you save may be your own. Think about it for a moment.
The single most important thing about a fire is to get out alive.
On this New Year’s Eve coming up, think about this - fire and alcohol don’t
mix well. In fact, they’re very explosive. I did a survey many years ago that said
that 62 percent of fatal fires in Oregon were alcohol- or drug-related.
One can lay a cigarette down and it may be on a bed, couch, or overstuffed
chair. It could just smolder with hardly any smoke for hours. Then after everyone
has gone to bed, it can break out into a full-blown fire. So take time on these busy
holidays to think about safety. Take care of yourselves.
Left photo: Valerie Hibdon, Becky
Johns, and Terry Walker
Below: Head Start trick-or-treaters
Sweat Lodges
I would like to start something. I’d like to have the names of people who have
sweat lodges, where they are located, and who is
welcome to attend. I’d like to have the locations of all
the lodges in Oregon so we can refer people to keep up
what they have been doing. I am referring to people
leaving the Corrections Department.
Give me a call at 1-800-600-5599 with any
information or ideas.
Happy New Year!
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