Siletz news /, July 01, 2008, Page 3, Image 3

TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS
Fish, con’t from page 1
Martinez took
his program on the
road for a presenta­
tion in early May at
Umpqua Commu­
nity College and a
mid-May appear­
ance at Sam Case
Elementary School
in Newport.
Martinez tries to
teach young people
what he was taught
by his Elders. He
teaches them mean­
ing, timing, songs
and the proper way
to do things as it
was taught to him.
“This is a life­
style,” said Martinez.
“Going to pow­
wows, drumming,
singing - this is
how I was raised."
“Since he was a
little boy, Fish has
always been very
caring to those
around him." said
Fish's mom. Bonnie Petersen. “It was
not uncommon for people to comment
on how articulate he was. I look at him
now and see how he has brought those
qualities together when he interacts
with others. He has a knack for find­
ing what’s good in people. The thing
I'm most amazed with is at his ability
to connect with kids, no matter what
the age.”
Martinez gets satisfaction from
watching the learning process take
place in the young people he spends
time with.
“The thing that is really wonderful
is when Grandfather drum really reso­
nates in their life,” said Martinez. “They
open up and it brings kids together.'
Above: Young Siletz Tribal dancers, representing several dance styles, help
Fish Martinez with his presentation at Sani Case Elementary School.
Below: Fish Martinez sings at Sam Case Elementary as he and his drum group
lead another dance.(photos by Diane Rodriquez)
Left: Fish Martinez by the Siletz River (photo by Brent Merrill)
He teaches the students to respect
the drum.
"When speaking about the drum, I
share with the students that I refer to
the drum as ‘Grandfather." I teach them
that the respect that they should have
for an Elder is the same with how they
should carry themselves when they sit
down to drum."
He teaches students to be thankful.
"Each time that we place tobacco on
the drum before we start a presentation,
I remind the students that we use it as
a reminder to be thankful. Fhankful for the
family who made the drum, thankful
to the animal that gave its lite tor us to
make the drum and we also talk about the
tree who gave its life to allow us to have
the frame of the drum. Finally, we use
the time to also reflect on family or friends
that we would like to be mindful of.’
Martinez likes to follow up on the
youth he works with and make sure they
are doing okay.
"I work with them closely." he said.
“I track their grades and I will work with
students in small groups or one-on-one.”
Martinez said he is doing something
he enjoys and he takes pride in his abil­
ity to work with young people.
"I love doing this," said Martinez.
“I love drumming. 1 love singing. I'm
looking forward to being part of the
Indian Education Program and I look for­
ward to making our program stronger."
Volcanoes, con’t from page 1
The Volcanoes pitcher throws home as the Yakima baserunner moves toward second.
many of the same values that our or­
ganization strives to attain." he said.
In return. Bremner pointed to the team's
contributions to Tribal youth and young
people as a whole as a shared value.
“The team’s involvement in the lo­
cal community is visible as a positive
example of success to youth in the area
and in the State of Oregon,” said
Bremner. “The Tribe values the impor­
tance of education and having youth
involved in healthy activities.
Bremner also sees the sponsorship
opportunity as a way to continue shar­
ing the Tribe’s history with people
throughout the area.
“This sponsorship agreement gives
us the opportunity to share the Tribe
and our successes with the community
of Keizer and its team so that people
are aware of our story over the years
and our rich history in the Willamette
Valley,” she said.
The Volcanoes are the Class A mi­
nor league affiliate of Major League
Baseball's San Francisco Giants. The
Volcanoes have won the last two
Northwest League Championships and
were voted Minor League Baseball's
Team of the Year in 2007.
The team began play on June 17
with a home stand against the Yakima
Bears. For schedule information, call
503-390-2225 or go online to
www. vo I canoes base ba 11 .com.
To reserve your tickets for home
games, please contact the Iribe s Public
Information Office at 541-444-8293.
Your names will go on a list and you
will pick up your tickets at the Will Call
booth at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer.
The team is led this year by former
Major League manager Tom Trebel­
horn. Former Volcanoes manager
Steve Decker was rewarded for the
team's success with a promotion to
manage the San Jose Chants.
Siletz Tribal members are invited to
make Volcanoes Stadium your home
away from home this summer.
“We look forward to hosting the
Tribe and its members this summer."
said Walker.
July 2008
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Siletz News
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