Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2003)
TRIBAL MEMBER NEWS Two-Tails by Clifford Case, Jr. Grandfather, it is I, SpiritFeather. I must learn a new way of life to keep what I have now, for I feel if I lose what I have, life wouldn’t be the same. SpiritFeather, life goes in many directions and is always the same. It is you who must change in order to keep what you have. The story I tell is of a Great Warrior who felt that if things changed, then his life would be useless to him and all others. But you will see what happiness comes from this change. His name is Two-Tails. He was one of the mightiest warriors of his tribe. People came from all around to meet this warrior. They brought him gifts because of his strength and ability to survive in all directions he walked. It was a time when all tribes were one and only one language was spoken. One day, Two-Tails was asked to go on a journey looking for the chief's daughter, who was stolen by other warriors from far off. Two-Tails was surprised with this journey because the chief had sent out two parties of three to go search for his daughter. He then said to the chief, “Why is it you asked me, my mighty chief, when you have sent many already? Can you see that I have everything a warrior could have? What if I don’t make it back from this journey?” The chief said, “I will give you anything to bring my daughter back, anything.” So Two-Tails packed his horse with his best bow and arrows, and dried meat to eat for his search. It seemed like seasons upon seasons since the chief had sent Two-Tails on this search. One day, he did show up, empty-handed. People were amazed because it was the first time Two-Tails had come back with nothing. Every body was talking about this, They also noticed that Two-Tails looked very old, for he was and he told the chief that he looked everywhere for his daughter. The chief looked away with disappointment in his eyes and walked away from Two-Tails. Two- Tails was hurt and set out to look again. Once more, he came back with nothing. People were looking away from him because he was losing all of his medicine that kept him alive. One day, he walked into the forest and was never going to return to his people because they all treated him different and were looking at younger warriors who were stronger than Two-Tails. He felt unwelcome by his own people because he had aged. Aug.15-17,2003, Elks campground, Siletz River Come and see your old friends and classmates Dry camping is available starting Aug. 15 Dinner is scheduled for Aug. 16 at noon Dinner tickets sold on site - $20/family, $15/couple, $7.50/single If you have any questions, please call Rose Seminary, 541-536-3851 in LaPine, Ore.; e-mail - larseminary@msn.com -...................................................................................................... ........................ -........................... — toward the warriors’ camp. The bear followed, eating each fish. It was then that the warriors saw this bear and couldn’t believe the size of it. Each one jumped on his pony with weapons in hand, wanting to take this bear’s spirit. As they rode off tracking the bear, Two-Tails called out to the woman, taking her and the children away. He found out that this woman was the chief’s daughter. He took her back to the chief, who was ready to pass on to the spirit world. The chief couldn’t believe what he saw. He asked Two-Tails how he had done this because of his age. He told the chief, “I had no strength, no swiftness or any help. It was Grandfather and the Great Spirit who made my heart big and my mind grow. This is how 1 came to rescue your daughter.” Once again, people from all around came to see the great warrior who was now chief of his own people to this day and lives with happiness once again. Thank you, Grandfather, for this story and lesson, for now 1 will use my mind and not my mouth to survive in this world. SpiritFeather Credit Outreach Liaison Visits Siletz Each Month Siletz Class Reunion ................................................................... Two-Tails now lived in the deep forest. One day while fishing, he saw a band of warriors with one woman at their side who had children by her side. Two-Tails was quiet so they didn’t notice him across the lake. He saw that the warriors treated this woman differently, for they pushed and shoved her around, giving her tasks that men were to do. It was then that he noticed a medallion around her leg that was different from the others. As he got closer, he saw that it belonged to his people. He sat back trying to figure how he was going to take this woman from them, for his strength had turned into old age and his swiftness had turned into wind leaving him behind. He then started to pray to Grand father and the Great Spirit, looking for answers. There were none, so again he asked for guidance from above over and over until he fell asleep. It was then that Grandfather showed him a vision on how to take this woman back. When he awoke he knew what to do, so he took the fish that he caught and laid them one by one from the smallest to the biggest from a bear’s den ' Tribal Member News Wanted Siletz News is looking for information about tribal members similar to the articles you see on this page. We’re looking for positive news about you, someone in your family, or someone you know, including details on births, graduations, service in the Armed Forces, weddings, engagements, and deaths. Give us a few details and we’ll write the story. Or if something has been written about you, send us a copy and we’ll get permission to print it in Siletz News. Send us photos and we'll be sure to get them back to you. Maria Godines is the outreach liaison for the National FSA American Indian Credit Outreach Initiative for the nine federally recognized tribes in Ore gon. As an outreach liaison, she’s ready to help potential American Indian bor rowers develop a complete loan package. She helps ensure that American Indian farmers, ranchers, and youth have access to the full range of Farm Service Agency credit opportunities. She’s in the Siletz area on the second Wednesday of each month at the Siletz Library from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The National FSAAmerican Indian Credit Outreach Initiative has a proven track record of meeting the needs of American Indian farmers, ranchers, and youth by using individuals from the Native American community to provide the specific credit services. The project’s ultimate goal is to establish a cooperative working relationship with the local FSA service providers to guarantee that adequate resources are accessible to this as well as future generations of American Indian agriculture producers. Currently, FSA offers these types of loans: • • • • Direct and guaranteed farm operating loans Direct and guaranteed farm ownership loans Beginning farmer and rancher loans Rural youth loans (not limited to farming/ranching/agriculture) She can be reached at 541 -553-0101 or maria@indiancreditoutreach.com. The main office is at 1107 Vernon Jackson Ave., P.O. Box 426, Warm Springs, Oregon, 97761. August 2003 □. Siletz News , □ 11
