Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (May 13, 1977)
PAGE 2 WARM SPRINGS, OREGON MAY 13, 1977 Fireman Of The Year Takes Service in Stride Ever since he came to Warm Springs eight years ago, John Roelofs has been fighting fires on a regular basis. It is his outstanding record for “turn-out” that won him the distinction of Fireman of the Year. A trophy was presented to Roelofs by Fire Chief Jack Fiala on Monday May 9, short ly before Fire Service Recog nition Day (May 14). That day has been set aside as an international observance of the fire fighting and prevention services provided by paid and volunteer personnel for their ' communities. Roelofs is a volunteer fire man as are all 17 members of the Warm Springs Fire Depart ment. Living right in the cam pus area allows him to respond quickly and automatically to all calls. John doesn’t think about the commitment or the time involved. “It gets to be such a habit that when the alarm goes off Fireman of the Year Johi^toeiof^aoe^^naintenance check of the pump valves onaWaym Springs fire engine. As a volunteer, fireman Roelofs has responded regularly to calls thus earning Day May 14. CDS th*» hnnnr which was bestowed on him shortly before Fire Service Recognition P the honor CDS Photo Council Men Take Oaths, con’t. members of the “flak” they might receive and said, “You made promises in the paper and people are going to hold you to it.” Jacob Frank repeated his newspaper pledge to do his best to build on the “solid foundation” that has been pro vided by elders. Nelson Wallulatum stated that the work of a councilman is not just in the Tribal Council room but it’s also out among the people who must be talked with “soul to soul.” Chairman Greene remark ed, “New members will look towards guidance from the old members to bring us up to date on a lot of things.” Just such an update was provided' later that day by Ken Smith. He reviewed the de velopment projects currently being worked on, including housing, the jail, a nursing home, an early childhood cen ter, a water system for the Simnasho-Schoolie area and an alchohol treatment center. Also being considered are a shop ping center, industrial park, irrigation system and Kah-Nee- Ta improvements. Smith clarified the proper decision-making structure which begins with ideas and needs originated by Tribal members followed by Tribal council action and manage ment implementation. The actual model which has come to be practiced is often just the reverse and must be restored to its ideal flow, said Smith. The PGE arbitration was reviewed, as was the issue of timber management. Other on going concerns that were raised were water rights, the proper relationship between the Tribal Council and Warm Springs Forest Products In dustries, reorganization of the Affiliated Tribes of the North west, the Tribal budget pro cess, and composition of com mittees. Committees expire June 30 and new appointments will be made during the next month. The Council is currently sorting through Tribal resolu tions and ordinances in an effort to consolidate as well as update the Tribes’ policies and procedures. you drop whatever you’re do ing and go,” he said. But when pressed he ad mits it’s really not as simple as just dressing and jumping on the truck. There are many hours of training and drilling for the firemen. They learn the princi ples of using equipment and approaching a fire in courses offered by Central Oregon Community College and the Central Oregon Fireman’s As sociation. Fire drills conducted in Warm Springs serve to reinforce this training. Being a fireman also in volves a bit of hardship, which John doesn’t readily admit to. He does observe that it “takes a long time to relax after a fire—you get all keyed up.” The emotional and physical strain of fighting fires, espec ially when lives are endan gered or lost, can be challeng ing. “You have to be dedicated to doing a good job,” says Roelofs. Strength is secondary to dedication, although “it helps if you’re stout.” Whip ping hoses can knock over the biggest guys and 5’ 11” 165 lbs. Roelofs has had to be propped up occasionally. But the great est effort is to stay with a fire Fellow fireman Dave Will iams, who received the fire man of the year award last year, said, “John’s one who, when you go into a burning house with the Scott Air Pack on, you can depend on him. He’ll stop you if there’s dan ger. He can size things up and protect you.” John Roelofs’ dedication and consistency will be counted on increasingly as the grass fires of summer approach—an annual problem that will be accented by the drought condi tions. High School Has New Community Liaison THANK YOU I would like to express my thanks to all those people who came to Andrew and Edna David’s home to celebrate my dad’s birthday and an early Mother’s Day. It was a great day for my folks and I appre ciate the help that made it possible. Thanks to everyone who brought food, especially Linda Fuller who made a cake de corated with Celilo Falls. I’d like to thank my sisters and Della Estimo for all their help in the kitchen through the weekend. Thanks to Rehab for sup plying us with tables and ben ches. Very special thanks to Billy Jo Clement who wrote a beautiful poem about Celilo which we shall frame and keep forever; and to the Full Gospel Choir who came with their guitars and sang for everyone. Everything went perfectly and my parents will always remember the weekend. Warm Springs .resident An na Hurtado will spend the last three weeks of school getting to know teachers and students so she won’t be a stranger next fall. Mrs. Hurtado has been hired as the Community Liaison for Indian students at Madras High School, a Title IV Part A funded position that has been vacant for several weeks. The mother of five kids ages 10 through 18, Mrs. Hur tado has been a teacher’s aide at the Warm Springs Grade School for four years, although teenagers are obviously nothing new to her. She is looking forward to working with that age group, saying, “It’s going Lucinda Green to be fantastic. More parents should get involved with their teenagers.” Parenting Workshop Upcoming A workshop entitled “Posi tive Parenting: Breaking the Chains That Bind” will be conducted at the Warm Springs Community Center June 16-17, 1977. Leading the 2-day session will be Michael C. Giammatteo of the Sylvan Institute. The author, consultant and marr iage and family counselor is \ ell known for his self-develop ment workshops. even when it’s obviously a total loss, says Roelofs. When John isn’t fighting fires he is the Timber Sales Administrator for the BIA. The 34 year old single man enjoys reading, refinishing and an tiquing furniture, photograph ing wildflowers and playing parent to a tankful of tropical fish. One might not suspect that a firefighter lurked be neath this quiet exterior. About Roelofs’ award, Jack Fiala commented, “In a little fire department like this you never know who you’re going to get on a call. John’s been really consistent and he’s a good man on the fire.” Sponsored by the Title IV committee, the workshop is open to anyone with an interest in parenting. There will be a $20 fee for non-Tribal mem bers. Two lunches and a dinner will be provided. For more information watch Spilyay or call Marie Calica (475-3405) or Delson Suppah (553-1612). She believes there is much to be learned from adolescents if you only spend the time. She has a refreshing attitude: “What can teenagers offer me, rather than how can I change them?” The new community liaison will be encouraging students to stay , in school and continue their “education. “They need a lot of help and understanding,” she said, referring to some of the problems Indian students face in public school. This un derstanding must corne not only from her and the school, but also from the parents. Mrs. Hurtado will be the communication link between the school and the students’ parents. She points out that this communication need not revolve around negative as pects of the students’ perfor mance. “I would like to con tact parents and let them know about the positive things their kids are doing,” she remarked. Within the school, Anna will be involved in Indian Club and will help ease the burden she sees resting on the should ers of counselor Mike Cle ments, Principal Stan Dmytryk and Vice Principal John Tru jillo. Mrs. Hurtado says she is “looking forward to meeting the families individually and getting to know their child ren.” She encourages people to call her at the school (475- 3888) or at home (553-1614).
