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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2005)
TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS Above: Eagle Thunder Butler (winner in his dance age group) and Sunshine Butler Top left: Creeanna Logan and Ragina Reyes , winners in their dance age group Bottom left: Kiesha Metcalf Sophia Hendrix, and Darian Dorman take a break. Siletz Youth Street Dance Draws Big Crowd by Tiffany Stuart Youth were getting their groove on at the fourth annual Siletz Youth Street Dance on July 16, 2005. Approximately 150 came to the dance that started at 7 p.m. and ended at mid night. This drug- and alcohol-free event Walt’s Words of Wit and Wisdom by Walt Klamath Several years ago in the late ‘50s or early ‘60s, two families decided to go on an excursion to Fort Rock. This was about the time that the Sage Moccasins were found at the Cow Caves. They were radio carbon clocked at about 10,000 years old. Well it just happened that a film was being made there at that time. I forget the original title but the new title is The Way West. It starred a host of well-known names - Kirk Douglas, Sally Fields (she was a child then and had a chaperone with her), Robert Mitchum, and a host of others. These two families were my brother- in-law and his children and my ex-wife and three kids. We had towed a little uni versal Jeep. We were a little brash, I guess, we camped in the same campground as the movie stars. In fact, people were taking pictures of us. My ex and I had many roles of film, but we never took a picture of any of those stars. We were saving them for something special. We were dedicated to going to the Cow Caves; we wanted to find something. The movie bunch was lining up the white face cattle that were the oxen pulling the wagons. We had to worm our way through the herd to get to the caves; we never took a picture. Once we got to the caves, it was not very interesting. In fact, it was messy as heck. The cows used it for a barn and the coyotes used it for a meal site. We lost in terest in the caves and decided to explore. At that time, not many fences were up on the Long Ranch and we could drive forever on the desert floor. We did see and take pictures of old sluice boxes. Why the sluice boxes? There was no water. We found old wells that when one dropped a rock, it seemed like forever before the rock landed on sand or whatever was at the bottom. We did take a hoe with us and while inside the Jeep, six kids and four adults turned rocks over looking for rattlesnakes. The storeowner said there were no rattlesnakes in the valley as they had brought in a bunch of king snakes many years ago and king snakes eat rattle snakes. Besides, they also had pigs in the valley for many years so the poor little rattlers didn’t have a fighting chance. We did find some homy toads, though. In fact, I tossed one into my sister-in-law’s sleeping bag with her. It was an interest ing commotion for a while. Those darn things look hideous; guess they don’t bite, though. I wasn’t very popular for a while. There were or are many mounds where the Indian peoples made arrow heads and whatever they made from obsidian. These were quite interesting; wish I knew then what I know now. We continued our adventure over to the Hole In the Ground. Some say it’s a meteor. I don't know and haven't read anything about it, only gossip. Some say that the meteor has been hit at 600 feet below the surface and the hole is almost a mile deep and a couple of miles across. 1 am sure that if it’s a meteor, it must have caused some kind of ruckus. Then we went on over to Millican from Fort Rock. We came upon one of the faults; the sand there is always mov ing. There was no wind but the sand was crawling constantly. It gives one a very weird feeling. Then of course, I wonder what would happen if the two sides de cided to come back together. Then as we continued toward Mil lican, we came to another set of caves. We went inside but to me, I don’t like being inside like that. The room was huge and seemed very long. The people there told us that they were wind caves in that when the sun came up, the wind would blow out and at night when it cooled off, the wind would draw in. But like the faults, to me, what would happen in an earthquake? I would not do any exploring inside. I told the others I would stay outside and tell the rescuers where they were. We did make it to Millican, no snakes, no earthquakes, very boring. In Millican, some writings are on the wall; that is a different story. I haven't been back there for many moons, but I would like to go back knowing a little more history. I think that anyone who likes outdoor adventure would really appreciate a trip to the Fort Rock Valley. was sponsored by the Youth Center Fund, which is supported by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. Chairs, clocks, backpacks, health and body products, art supplies, and other items were given out as prizes for dance winners in the six categories. The catego- ries were different age groups and $350 was spent to purchase the prizes. With the vision of youth, this street dance was planned for its fourth year. “I saw Toledo’s (dance) and thought it would be cool to have one in Siletz,” said Adam Posey. Adam has helped every year of this dance. Other youth, such as Cat Smith, Justin Evans, Brandon Haro, and Sage Hatch, helped set up this dance. Planning for the dance started in March. From the DJ to the snacks, every detail was looked at by the youth to create a suc cessful dance. Run to the Rogue Sept. 8 -10, 2005 Orientation Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. Siletz Tribal Community Center Run will start Sept. 8 at 9 a.m. at the community center For more details, contact Bev Youngman at 54 I-444-8290 or I-800-922-1399, ext. 1290, or Mona Fisher at 541-444-8373 or I-800-922-1399, ext. 1273. August 2005 • Siletz News • 5
