TRIBAL MEMBER NEWS
Stuart Enjoys Years of
Cheerleading
by Tiffany Dawn Stuart
Starting out in the pep club section
learning cheers is where I began my
cheerleading career. I have been on
freshmen, JV, and varsity squads at
Sumner Academy of Arts and Science
in Kansas City, Kan.
I enjoyed cheer-ing and especially
stunting. Being at morning practices
to coordinate cheers and incorporate
stunts I believe shows how de
manding this sport is. Varsity squad
is a year-round sport, cheering for
football, volleyball, soccer, basketbail,
and wrestling.
To be at my game a half-hour
before it starts, in a clean uniform, and
have food in my stomach was not
possible with out help from my family.
I would like to thank my mom and
dad, Marlene and
Thomas Stuart, for
supporting me by
coming to my games,
pep assembly, and
helping me finan
cially. It meant the
world to me that you Above: Tiffany in her uniform during basketball season.
tried not to miss one
Right: Tiffany holds up Kelly in a single base
game and really
during football season.
wanted to come.
Next I would like to thank Sally
I plan to continue my cheerleading
Hibdon and Aunt Vai Hibdon for sewing career at Haskell Indian Nations
my skirt. It actually looked like a skirt
University in Lawrence, Kan. I have
after you were done - thanks. I also
learned many things and will always
would like to thank the Confederated
Tribes of Siletz Indians for paying $50 remember cheerleading this year.
of my cheerleading fees.
May God bless you all tenfold.
“Walks-Too-Slow”
by Clifford Case, Jr.
Grandfather, it is I “SpiritFeather.”
I am tired of being tired, Grandfather. I
am asking once more for your help and
guidance to a stronger life to lead.
SpiritFeather, your life is at its
strongest. Only you can make this
weakness go away from your heart.
How, Grandfather, how?
SpiritFeather, you remind me of a
warrior like yourself and to this day, this
man has never gotten any older or young
er because of the way he lives now. I
will tell it to you through his own eyes.
His name is “Walks-too-slow.” He
is known throughout his people because
of his ways of life, which weren’t too
good for his mother and father were
always telling him what to do, where
to go, how to do things. But it seemed
that the words of command would go
through one ear, out the other.
He was then sent to the Medicine
Man because of his ways of not
listening. The Medicine Man couldn’t
help him either, so he was sent to the
Chief. The Chief then sent him away
for two moons.
When he came back after the first
moon, Walks-too-slow was all alone,
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Siletz News
for his people had left him. Just then
the Medicine Man came walking
toward him and told Walks-too-slow
that he must learn and know the ways
of life to get back to his people. He
then began to weep, for he was cold
and hungry.
Come morning, Walks-too-slow
began to pray to Grandfather and the
Great Spirit, asking for guidance and
strength to go on. There were no signs
or sounds of anyone or anything, so he
began to walk and as he was walking,
he found an eagle feather. He held it up
to the skies, thanking Grandfather for
this great gift.
He began to weep again, for he was
still hungry. He then sat down, feeling
weak because of his hunger, and fell
asleep. He was then awakened by
laughter and when he stood up, he saw
no one but still heard the laughter from
all around him. He thought he caught
the crazy spirit from being hungry, but
as he looked again he saw that all the
animals of the forest were looking,
pointing, and still laughing at him.
Walks-too-slow screamed at the
animals to be quiet. Some did, others
□ . April 2003
didn’t. They just kept on laughing at
him. Walks-too-slow began to weep for
his people and asked for forgiveness
from Grandfather and the Great Spirit
from above.
He cried himself to sleep once more
and in his sleep he began to dream, for
what he saw was his people and mother
and father showing him the ways of
life and was told that if he doesn’t learn
the ways of life, that life would come
to an end.
Again he was awakened, not from
laughter but from a big six-point buck
standing next to him. Walks-too-slow
stood up and the buck began to walk
away, but made sure Walks-too-slow
was following. As he was following the
buck, the buck was leading him toward
some berries to feed upon. He then
remembered his mother picking the
berries and digging for roots, for not
all berries and roots were to be eaten.
He then remembered his father showing
him what stones to use to make a fire
and what vines to use as rope, for life
was coming to him.
The more he followed the buck, the
more ways of life were coming back to
him. The buck then spoke to Walks-too-
slow and said when time comes, I will
give my life up for you to feed upon and
life will be restored back in your heart.
Walks-too-slow knew that the
second moon was coming to an end, but
his people were nowhere to be seen or
heard. When morning came, he
followed the buck to the top of the
mountains. The buck then fell to the
ground. As he looked over the buck, he
saw his people with his mother and
father and Chief running to greet him.
The Chief then spoke up and said,
I don’t know how you made it back,
for you are not the first I sent away
because of your ways of life. I see you
have done good, for this deer will feed
many. Tell me how did you survive?
I cannot say how, but it was my
memory that kept me alive and knowing
what I can do and what I can’t do. It is
good to be home. And Walks-too-slow
became one of the best providers for
his people to this day. A-Ho
Thank you, Grandfather, for this
story and lesson, for I will not forget
my ways of life to stay alive.
SpiritFeather