TRIBAL MEMBER NEWS
Keeping Our Values Alive
New Babies!
by Appolonia Lane, 2003 Miss Native American Oregon
It’s quite evident that we as Native
American people need to keep our
values alive and maintain good health.
For myself, growing up as a member
of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz
Indians, I was taught the importance of
respect, and I am not talking about table
manners either!
Throughout my early childhood
years, I was taught the importance of
spirituality and the value of respecting
my life just as much as respecting other
people’s lives. Even though we as Native
people are brought up to remember our
values, it’s very clear that today we are
forgetting one of the biggest values of
our Native American culture - respect.
I cannot figure out why we as
Native American people continue to
harm our bodies and our spirituality by
using alcohol and drugs. When I say
“drugs,” yes, that does include ciga
rettes. Cigarette use is one of the most
deadly, overlooked, and ongoing
problems that is prevalent among our
Native American communities today.
Many of our people feel that it is
our “right” to smoke cigarettes because
of our traditions involving tobacco.
What our people need to realize is that
our tribal ancestors used tobacco for
ceremonial purposes. They did not
support the tobacco industry and
partake in self-destruction.
I know that there are many upon
many who are addicted and have tried
to quit smoking, but they continue to
fail. My thoughts on that are at least
they are trying to quit, because this
shows that they are putting in the effort.
To me, what is sad are those who
smoke cigarettes and don’t make the
effort to change - and don’t make the
effort to smoke away from others. If a
person cannot find a good enough
reason to quit smoking or change their
smoking habits, then I would have to
ask that person if they value life, if they
value their culture, and if they value a
secure tribal future. If they answer yes
to any of these questions, then that in
itself should be enough reason for a
person to want to change.
Just to clarify, I do not look down
upon people who smoke. In fact, I know
many great people and tribal leaders
who smoke cigarettes. I am only trying
to open up our eyes to a bigger picture.
We as Native American people
need to value life the way we were
brought up to - the way our ancestors
did. By using commercial tobacco, we
are not valuing our lives or other
people’s lives. I cannot emphasize
enough how important it is for us to
break free from our smoking addictions.
Did you know ...
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Native American people have
the highest percentage of cigarette
use out of any other ethnic group
in the U.S.
Native American youth also have
the highest percentage of cigarette
use out of any other ethnic group
in the U.S.
Native American people are twice
as likely to die from smoking than
from any other addiction or disease.
Native American people have the
highest risk of dying from smoking-
related disease out of any other
ethnic group.
Native American people only make
up 1 percent of the nation’s popula
tion, yet more than one-third of our
people choose to smoke cigarettes.
Nearly all people who die from
lung cancer, throat cancer, or
emphysema are smokers.
I understand that everyone knows
smoking is bad for our health, but what
our people need to realize is that
smoking also is a threat to our future as
a tribe and our future as a Native
American culture.
Currently, most of our tribes have
secure governments and high-quality
tribal programs established, but what
will happen to all of our accomplish
ments and establishments if we as
Native American people continue to
destroy our health and our lives by
using commercial tobacco?
Who will be here to continue our
establishments to ensure our tribal
well-being?
Amylia
Florencia Torres
Amylia Florencia Torres was bom
at 5:37 p.m. on April 21, 2004, at Sa
maritan Pacific Communities Hospital
in Newport, Ore. She weighed 8 pounds,
6 ounces, and was 20 inches long.
Amylia is the daughter of Jeanna
and Gustavo Torres of Newport and
joins a sister, Kaitlyn Harrington, 4.
Grandparents are Gary and Kathryn
Dick of Newport and Loreto and
Florencia Trinidad of Morelo, Mexico.
Great-grandparents are Eugene and
Alice Werth of Springfield, Ore.
I am positive that someone who is
sick and lying in a hospital bed because
they are dying from lung cancer or
emphysema is will not be able to help
ensure our tribes’ future.
Sadly, smoking-related deaths and
sickness are more than just a “future
problem.” This is a problem we face
right now. We need to go back to the way
our people once were, when respect
meant something more than a “please”
and “thank you.”
We as Native American people need
to support our health and our values -
not the tobacco industry. We can’t
afford it and neither can the future of
our tribes.
Adams Family Reunion
Oct. 16,2004 - Siletz Tribal Community Center
Dinner served at noon
Sequoia
Christopher
DePoe Jr.
by Jennea Beas ton, 1" cuz, Grama
Char and Grama Marc
Sequoia Christopher DePoe Jr. was
born to Stephanie Marquette and
Sequoia DePoe on June 10, 2004, at
4:11 a.m. He was 7 pounds, 12 ounces,
and 20 inches long.
The new addition to the Marcy Parker
of the Neah Bay Makah Nation and
Charlotte DePoe of the Siletz, the proud
grandmothers of the new baby boy.
We love you, baby boy. A true
warrior was bom to us on this day.
Natani Naomi
Lyth
Proud parents Mike and Vera Lyth
would like to announce the birth of our
Contact Pete (Running Man) Downey for more information, 541-336-2938.
baby girl, Natani Naomi Lyth. She was
bom June 19, 2004, in Salem, Ore.
September 2004 □
Siletz News
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