Siletz news /, September 01, 2003, Page 12, Image 12

TRIBAL MEMBER NEWS
Siletz Tribal Gaming Regulatory Agency (STGRA) employees Don Roberts,
background investigator; Shawna Gray, compliance agent;
and Sissie Breon, regulatory support assistant, enjoy the food at
Chinook Winds’ annual staff picnic.
A Cultural Affair
Members of the Downey family
by Eva E. Clayton
Downeys Have Terrific Family Reunion
To awake in the morning upon the hill,
A feeling of ancestral blessing, what a thrill.
by Becky Williams
To the family of Roy Downey, Jr.
and Mary Jean King - I would like to
say to my family that I had such a
wonderful time at our reunion,
Aug. 8-10, 2003, in Taft.
Thanks to Mike and Denise for find­
ing the two houses next to each other
for us to rent (we are a big crowd!). Also,
thanks to Contessa for making the flyer
and taking care of the financial portion
of the get-together. You did a great job!
It’s so great that we all feel the same
way about needing to see each other at
least once a year. Some folks really had
to scramble for time off and travel a
long way. If even one of us were
missing, it just wouldn’t be the same.
Meet and greet kin, neighbors, and friends,
It’s good to be back on the mountain again.
Cultural camp is all about me,
But soon learn its community, family.
Integrity, words of wisdom,
Reinforced, respectfully given.
Elders, our treasury of wisdom, gold,
I listen, respect, and honor what I am told.
What a feeling working with my hands,
From Mother Earth, materials from our land.
Language class seems foreign to my ears.
That’s to be expected, it’s been rarely spoken for years.
Regalados Have
Fifth Daughter
But, what a wonderful challenge for me,
To learn our native language, voice of my ancestry.
The long house, a place of inner-most dreams,
Strong, comforting, protective, serene.
A coming together, reflection of our eternal flame,
Whispers upon the winds from where we came.
I leave with a humble heart full of respect,
This I know is as good as it gets.
Thanks to Kitti for making sure that
not only Shantel and Elton were there,
but also for seeing to it that Adam, Kyle,
and Leah were there from Utah. We
really appreciate that their Aunt Ruth
drove them all this way, and took the
time to drive them through Salem to see
their Grandpa Downey, who was too ill
to come to the reunion.
The weather was beautiful and of
course, the company was outstanding!
We enjoyed the surf, sand, pow-wow,
and casino. Who could ask for more?
I love you guys! I can’t wait for
next year at Kathy and Stan’s in
Redmond. Just think - three new babies
will have arrived by then!
4
Laurie and Pablo announce the
birth of their fifth daughter, Isabella
Rose Regalado, born July 30, 2003
(Daddy’s and twin brother Pedro’s
28,h birthday) at 10:01 a.m. She
weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces, and was
19 V8 inches long.
It’s amazing when we become one,
To teach, to learn, to have fun.
Each face a reflection of the people as a whole,
Same commitment, one heart, one soul.
Isabella Rose Regalado
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Siletz News
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September 2003
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