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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (May 29, 1981)
PAGE 4 May 29,1981 Spilyay Tymoo Editorial E Coosh EEWA (The way it is) ---------- . . . — — -------------------------- Letters to the editor Whatever you do, do it well To the Editor, We remember stories told by our Indian mothers a long time ago. We would sit in a room with one flickering kerosene If they can get funding for lamp. We heard legends, and college or vocational school teachings stories so that we that would be a good start. could learn and understand just Finish the school and get job who we were. As we heard, we realized that placement. I myself would like to continue school but I’ve been we belonged to a beautiful told that I can’t get funding people on this earth, and that because I haven’t lived on the we should love and respect one another no m atter . . . reservation. Drinking and drugs do play a always! As we look around today, we part in what a person does with himself. But a person could do know that it is hard for us to something about himself if he learn and keep the old ways. Everywhere is distraction, really wants to do it. This part of the world isn’t so distortion and fantasy, pulling bad, but the youth don’t have on our being. Some of us are fortunate and to travel thousands of miles to do something. There are places have parents and relatives that close that will do just as good. strictly maintain cultural and I hope you print all of this traditional values in the home. letter because it is important to And some of us would like to know about some of these me. Thank you. things, but don’t know who to Johnnie Howtopat, Jr. ask. The community of Warm P.O. Box 558 Shonto, Arizona 86054 Springs is good to its young p e o p le . T he c o m m u n ity provides the way for education by being supportive at all times, and constantly encouraging instruction in traditional and cultural values. They want you to honor the elders by showing them, that mother, Ellen Heath and I went theyhave not failed in their down to Sherars Falls and te a c h in g — th a t w hat was brought our fishing nets and important in the old camps is hoops back home, We stood still important in the new camp. there and wondered, why are us poor fishermen being picked on and being singled out as a danger to our salmon after all these years and years? My heart as well as my family’s and relatives are To the Editor, hurt—our burden is heavy. Annie and Zelma wish to There are many who wish to rebel. Many have come to me express their special apprecia to speak and to have me and my tion to their brothers, sisters, family take a stand. I say this is nephews, nieces. Aunt Ruth, an o th er step , to another Aunt Lucinda and other “Celilo.” This is our people’s relatives and friends who last ancient fishing falls. Don't contributed food for the ever let anyone take it from us. tremendous dinner given for My father’s last words were: Ken. Then thanks to all the cooks "Our ancient spirits are here and our tribal heritage. Coyote and those who helped set tables put this falls here for our people and passed out food. Thanks to so we may never starve. He those who arranged for the brought us salmon to can, to Wasco dancers, plus those who dry, and to smoke.” Now, participated in the Wasco many racks and smoke sheds dances and to the drummers. are empty. Our people love the spring chinook, for it is the best salmon anywhere that the fishermen from Sherars Falls brought to our people. I sincerely pray to my elders now and to those who passed on, to make this the last time our people will ever be done The tribal Water Control wrong. Board has closed a small A Tribal Member, section of Shitike Creek. The section between the Kirby Gary Heath, Sr. and waste-water ponds (below the Family & Relatives Community Center) and the bridge at U.S. Highway 26 is P.S. “O ld People's Saying” closed to all activities in order to protect the public health and A s long as the mountains stand safety. The public is asked to please A s long as the trees stand A s long as the river flow s observe the restricted use signs our people shall fish! posted in the closed area. Learn independence Dear Spilyay, After reading a recent article in the Spilyay Tymoo, I just decided to write this letter concerning the youth and young adults. These people should get off the reservation, out into this world, and fend for themselves. They can learn to take care of and support themselves. I have not found it difficult living off the reservation five of the last six years. I want to know the happenings that go on, but I can't always be home Older people have always said, “Get an education and get a good job.” But I feel it doesn't always have to be on the reservation. Young adu lts should get away for a few-years to find out what they can do for themselves. Fishing is part of tribal heritage Letter to the Editor: This is in regards to my fishing and treaty rights, which I am wondering have they been violated? What really disturbs me is, why wasn’t I or any of the tribal Sherars Falls fishermen informed of the closure way beforehand? Such a drastic measure should have been brought in front of the people. Why wasn't it? I just don't u n d e r s ta n d . W as th is politically motivated or was our Tribal Council used? What gives our Natural Resources the right to say so many things about our salmon run, when the State and the U.S. Government biologists have failed to come up with more of their brilliant ideas of how to save our salmon runs upon the Columbia, Snake, and many other tributary rivers? Which may I add, the runs are disminishing. I believe every fisherman knows the problem isn’t here or there, but out there-where the foreign factory fleets work around the clock harvesting our salmon. Do they take heed? No! It seems they turn their heads the other way. So many questions need to be answered and 1 feel we haye a right to be informed of why all of this came about. I really feel that the charts are over-emphasized and over estimated by the biologists, or should I say the fish monitor counts were never really accurate. Same for the state and federal bilogist, and I may add, the presence of our tribal biologist was practically nil. Yesterday, May 7, my This community has made sure that nothing will interfere with your education in all areas, and they will continue doing so. This summer, as in the summer past, many things are being planned for the young people. As you look around. Remember an old teaching in all cultures. “Whatever you do, do well.” When you give all you have to what you’re doing, you’ll do well, and in this way honor /ourself and you families. There are two programs this ummer that are important to 'our future. The first one is the culture camp, which will be a day camp for grades 1-8, or ages 6-14, M onday th ru T h u rsd a y . Classes will be from 1:00 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. on those days. There will be two sessions held at the old park area across from the Community Center. The first session will be from June 22-JuIy 9, and the second from July 20-August 6. Every instructor will be selected from among the members of the Warm Springs Confederated Tribes. They will instruct you in Longhouse and camping customs, cooking traditional foods, singing and drumming, preparing meat & fish, tanning hides, making all kinds of things like wing dresses, tule mats, shawls, vests, chockers, and much more. All teachings in the cultural day camp will reflect, only the customs and traditions of the Warm Springs reservation. All elders who wish to contribute their lifelong skills and wisdom to the young people, please let us hear from you. The second one is the sum m er school ac tiv itie s program. This is for grades 1- 12 and will be located at the Warm Springs Elementary school. Math and English instruction will be for grades 1- 8. For Junior High and High School grades 9-12, different areas of required courses will be offered. Class time for the summer school is 9:00 a.m. to noon daily. The first session will be from June 22-July 14, and the second session will be from July 16-August 5. Registration will begin on or before June 1,1981 for both the summer school insruction and the culturaLday camp. B r o c h u r e s a re b e in g prepared now and will be available soon. They will include all the information you need for summer activities. For more information about the summer school instruction, contact these counselors: Small Firehawk-W.S. Elemen tary — 553-1128 Doyle Whipple-Junior High — 475-7253 Ron Pinkham-Senior High — 475-3888 Thank You Part A Parenting Committee Hard workers deserve thanks Creek restricted Thanks to the girls that did the Lord's Prayer and to Andy Lucas for singing the Lord’s Prayer. for the inconvenience that we caused for the use of the items we needed from the Long house. Also, thanks to the Shaker Church for the use of their silverware. Thanks to all the speakers and an apology to those that Please forgive Annie and were asked and did not (have a Zelma if we may have left chance to) speak. Thanks to the anyone out for their help! And hard-working dish washers and thanks to all of you people for those that helped gather up the having showed your love and dirty dishes and clea up the respect to my grandson, Ken. kitchen, gym and recreation room. Sincerely, Thanks to the tribe for the Audrey F. George use of the Community Center (for Annie and Zelma) and Longhouse. We are sorry Enlistment options offered Sir: The A rm y has recently modified its popular Two Year Enlistment Option. The basic information is listed below. We would appreciate your help in making this program as widely known as possible. N ew A rm y Tw o Y ear Enlistment Program. The Army has recently m o d if ie d i t s tw o y e a r enlistment option. A person can now choose from one of over 53 jobs that are now offered under this program. Some of the new skills offered include law enforcement, legal clerk, construction surveyor and dental technician. The Army is also offering a guaranteed assignm ent to Europe. An enlistment under this program also qualified an individual for $7,400 in after- service education benefits. Additional details can be obtained by calling the Army Recruiting Office at 389-1132. David Gorte Army Recruiting
