Image provided by: The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Warm Springs, OR
About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 3, 1978)
NOVEMBER 3, 1978 PAGE 7 T m lu As two adults who have walked the confusing paths of youth, we care about those who come after us. We offer our thoughts to those young people who stumble now and then, who need a direction, who quietly call for help. V IIIV h m m o f W r ir m D a a v i I a I VUIIJJ ■ wa (n r in n c We do not speak to one youth or one family. It is to all who share in the future of the Warm Springs community that we speak. Willow Woman and Vision Dreamer Crying, Lying Through Tears A lifeless young body lies still on the road another tragedy begins to unfold Yet we never listen or do as we’re told and we cry A lifeless young body of seventeen hardly ever known where its been Never more to be heard or seen so we heartbreakingly ery A lifeless young body with nothing more to fear is lowered in the ground as we shed our vain tears One who just plainly drank too much beer makes us sadly cry A lifeless young body will soon be covered from sight a precious life gone without much of a fight Too young to know what was good and right still we cry And though the bottle of booze we young people buy take our friends, take away their lives Are our tears for them only a lie? For within a little while, we no longer remember or cry One One One One We rush to the store the night of a home game drink two cases or more without any shame Fight our friends, call each other bad names never thinking we are all the same All these directions a r good for you We all should choose one way to look and learn from and all these directions have a center of a beginning so when you choose, be one who looks to the East, South, West and North Yes, the only time we cry is when we see SOMEONE ELSE die It’ll never happen to me we say Yes, just shed our tears, turn our backs and walk away. who who who who looks looks looks looks to to to to the the the the East may find the new lighted road South may find the new beginnings of life West may find the secrets of the warriors North may find the ways of the old. But, also remember, it is important that you begin at your center then you too, may find the secrets of the beginnings and the old and the new lighted ways. Vision Dreamer Willow Woman Lament to the Young Indian Look at me — I am proud; I am Indian; I am free; Can you see it in my braided hair or in the pretty beaded necklace my youngest sister made for me? Oh, I’m doubly proud of this roach clip here — all beaded fine, don’t you see? And I use this beaded bottle opener here, at least three times a week. I can sing the latest war dance songs from the tapes Ibuy at the store. Come hear the drumming on the steering wheel! Yeah, it’s just right on key. It’s nice to be me — proud, Indian and free. What’s that? What are you asking Me? Oh no! I never go to the Long house there, that’s not the place for me. No, I never did dance there — My Adida’s tennis shoes aren t right, you see. What’s that? What are you asking me? * To help you out to drum and sing around the Longhouse Christmas Tree? . . Oh no! I ’m booked that night you see — There’s this neat band playing over at Sonny’s! Yes, I am proud — I am Indian — I am Free — ? Willow Woman Letters to a Troubled Community Smart Too Late Responsibility May Be Best Solution To the Concerned People of Warm Springs: Monday, October 23, an emergency meeting was called to confront the rising concern about the tragic deaths, acci dents, suicides and other vio lence developing from abuse oi alcohol and drugs in this com munity. Every person here is some how touched by loss of loved ones, friends, and employees when the horror of such terrible things happen. When will our people wise up and stop being so permissive with the children we love so dearly? Why do we allow them to believe drinking is okay? Why do we keep teaching them how to drink and use dope? Our children watch us “have fun’’ by drinking or smoking dope in front of them. They le a rn ' to beat each other up, like we do, and they assume our attitudes of “oh well, who cares” , or “what else is there to do?” In the meeting many alter natives were shared by the 98 adults in attendance. Some of the alternatives w ere: 1. An Indian Survival School 2. Traditional spiritual guid ance and values 3. A form al Bible school 4. A monitoring system of local stores and taverns to prevent contributing to minors. 5. Indian Whipman system 6. Parents serving time in jail with minor child for any alcohol or drug offense 7. Ride-Along Program with tribal police to see first-hand some of the problems of the community. One. broken-hearted parent told of losing a child before realizing they didn’t talk enough together. The parent said, “Don’t wait ‘til you lose a child before you find out how much you love them.” HOW ABOUT YOU? We would like to see and encourage more community people to be come involved and taking the responsibility they deserve. The more of us that get involved and responsible, the sooner we see progress and results. One head dealing with a problem makes us- feel alone with our problems. But when we all share those problems, we realize we’re not alone. Many heads are better than one. Let’s all get with it, it’s worth it. Follow-up meetings will be Thursday nights a t 7:30 p jn . in the Community Center. Sincerely, Billie Jo McConville To the young people of this community: I am a young Indian woman, just turned 21 this year. I am writing this to those who will listen to the experience of one who has already been through the gruesome life of alcoholism. I started the life of a drunk when I was barely 15 years old. When I was 17 I was in a treatment center for hard core alcoholics. I left the center and went back to alcohol which led me straight to Skid Row. It’s not an easy life down on Burnside. A lot of people go that way and never get out. I was lucky to have people who cared enough to make me listen. The reality is that there are better ways. We all think it’s fun, cute, or just being tough to get drunk. What’s cute about being so sloppy drunk that you throw up on yourself or someone else? When we’re drunk we’re tough — can fight anyone, no m atter the size or the sex. What about the accidents that can happen, and do. When someone is hurt or killed, is that having fun? It took me too long to realize this. I pray the rest of you don’t wait until it’s too late to care. Now I have two beautiful little girls, both only babies. I don’t want them to see me in the condition that alcohol brings. It gives them the idea that it’s all right to drink, Mama does. Do you want to teach your children that? I don’t. There are better things to learn than to tip a bottle'. You can be an alcoholic at any age, it’s not only the old. Nobody’s too young. The parents of today are crying out to save their children from the disease of alcoholism or death. Hear them. Be open- minded. Listen to what they have to say. Don’t shut everyone out or one day you’ll find out it’s too late to think about it. I pray someone has heard my words. Smart too late Old too soon
