Siletz news /, May 01, 2010, Page 11, Image 11

Elders Enjoy Entertainment, Hear Serious Messages at Elder Honor Day
Singing, drumming, dancing mix with messages about controlling diabetes and national aging issues
by Diane Rodriquez
More than 500 people attended the
1 llh Annual Siletz Elder Honor Day on
April 6 at Chinook Winds Casino Resort,
including 90 Siletz Tribal Elders.
Elders Council Chairman Shirley
Walker opened the event by greeting
the large crowd and introducing Nick
Sixkiller, education specialist in the Eu­
gene office, as the day’s emcee. An Honor
Guard made up of members of various
Tribes brought in the flags with San Poil
Whitehead providing the honor song. All
veterans in the audience then had the op­
portunity to introduce themselves.
“I’m proud to have all of you here
and hope you're having a good time,” said
Delores Pigsley, Siletz Tribal chairman.
"I’d like to recognize the Siletz Tribal El­
ders for their hard work on this event.”
Gift blankets were given to the old­
est female in attendance - Nora Kimsey
(Grande Ronde), who is 101, and the
oldest male and veteran at the event, Earl
"Moxie” Renecker (Tulalip), who is 90.
The Sree-xvsh Singers (formerly Dee
Ni Singers) entertained the crowd with a
group of mostly children's songs. The sing­
ers include Clarinda Black, Cecillie Butler.
Felisha Howell. Jazmyn Metcalf, Kateri
Whitehead, San Poil Whitehead, Makiah
Woodruff and Tehya Woodruff. San Poil’s
song about "Round Dance Romance”
drew many chuckles from the crowd.
Raycen Raines, an Oglala Lakota
Sioux Tribal veteran from the American
Horse Tribal Development Institute, gave
a presentation on diabetes. He focused on
the question of why diabetes strikes 17
percent of the American Indian population
age 22 and older but only 7 percent of the
non-Native population.
He cited genetics and lifestyle as the
two main culprits - a lifestyle that’s too
sedentary, doesn't have enough exercise
and includes poor eating habits.
“If we eat one large meal, we’re not
able to process it effectively. We need to
change to six small meals during the day
to keep blood sugar levels at a steady
level throughout the day,” he said. “You
can have one ‘cheat’ meal a day and have
whatever you want. Then you need to eat
more sensible during the other meals.”
Photos by Diane Rodriquez
Nora Kimsey (above) accepts a blanket as the oldest female in attendance. Earl
Edmonds and Ed Ben (right) take a break after lunch. Earl “Moxie" Renecker
(below) awaits his blankets as the oldest male and oldest veteran who attended.
Courtesy photo
James DelaCruz, Tribal Council
member of the Quinault Indian Nation
and chairman of the National Indian
Council on Aging, talked about the up­
coming NICOA conference, scheduled for
Sept. 25-28 in Traverse City, Mich.
“Working with elders always will be
precious times to me,” he said.
The Siletz Feather Dancers demon­
strated the traditional Siletz dance for
the appreciative crowd. Approximately
15 youth and young adults took part in
this line-type of dance. Bud Lane, accom­
panied by San Poil, sang the traditional
Feather Dance songs and Alissa Lane
directed the dancers.
The day closed out with several
games of Bingo.
Leslie Lundy, Jr. Miss Siletz Princess,
visits with Nora Kimsey, a Grand
Ronde Tribal Elder. Nora attended with
her daughter, Margret, and two grand­
daughters, all of whom are Elders.
May USDA Distribution Dates
Siletz
Monday, May 3
Tuesday, May 4
Wednesday, May 5
Thursday, May 6
Friday, May 7
Salem
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Monday, May 17 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Tuesday. May 18
9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 19 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 20 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.
You can reach us at our Siletz Warehouse at 800-922-1399, ext. 1393 and
ext. 1279, or you can call direct at 541-444-8393 and 541-444-8279.
Joyce Retherford
Derek Simmons
USDA Food Program Director
USDA Food Program Clerk
May 2010
•
Siletz News
•
11