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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 2, 1982)
Spilyay Tymoo February 2,1982 Page 11 Law and Order Committee meeting Citizens voice their concerns about community Citizens once again voiced their concerns about law and order in the Warm Springs community during the January 18, 1982 Law and Order meeting held at the Agency Longhouse. Approximately 45 people attended the four-hour session. Many individual concerns were brought to attention along with general policies regarding conduct for both citizens and law enforcement officials. In the absence of Committee chairman Daisy Ike, Woodrow Smith opened the meeting for discussion. Budget review T h e L aw a n d O rd e r C o m m itte e b u d g e t w as reviewed after opening the meeting, Expenditures for the m onths of Ju ly thro u g h November 1981 were presented as follows* Ju ly —$1,577.65; A ugust— $ 4 ,2 8 8 .5 6 ; S e p te m b e r — $1,872.95; October $4,709.45; November—$3,695.07. Juveniles Woody Smith immediately brought up the fact that interpretation of the new t raffic code was still vague for many, both citizens and police officers. He wanted it made clear that a juvenile, 15 years and under, absolutely had to appear in court. There is to be no bail set for juveniles in any# arrest situation. Many peopie felt revision of the ordinance is necessary to protect a natural resource ot the tribe, it wildlife. The herds must be increased and waste d im in is h e d if a d e q u a te amounts of game will exist in the future. Trees should be protected along with game, Louie Pitt, Jr. wished to mention. Just as there are game laws being revised to protect the herds, trees also should receive protection. He stated, “it’s pathetic what they’re doing to our natural resource.” Deschutes rafting Margie Earl expressed a concern about the permit system to be put into effect on the Deschutes River. She commented, “We will be in charge of control and in control of the permits but we won’t get a fee. What does the Law and Order Committee say about that?” Woody Smith reiterated, “we won’t have enough money in the 1982 budget to control it.” Paraphenalia Mike Clements informed the citizens at the meeting that there had been an effort to prevent those people who sell drug paraphenalia at powwows from bringing their wares to Warm Springs. Tribal lawyers were looking into it in an effort to control what comes onto the W arm Springs reservation. Any ruling to prevent such wares from coming onto the r e s e r v a t i o n w o u ld be discriminatory, it was found. Police Training “What are you doing with t r a i n i n g in th e p o lic e dep artm en t?” was asked. “What kind of training are they getting about the community?” Justice administrator Dick Burton explained, “One of our biggest problem s is with commuity relations.” When d e a lin g w ith c o m m u ity members it was felt there must be an u n d e rsta n d in g of traditions and simple good manners. Burton stated, “We’re trying our best to change attitudes,” if that is necessary with police officers. “If we can’t, we replace them,” he added. Burton also asked com munity members to inform him if there were any incidents requiring action involving a police officer. He asked that people not wait until a public m e e tin g to v o ic e th e ir complaints. He would like to hear from them right away. Cases lost Several cases have been lost according to game officer Oliver Kirk because areas on the river have not been marked. I t was emphasized that every floater does not just float, there are the problems of trespass and litter. It was mentioned that the surface waters of Lake Billy Ordinance 33. Chinook were “gifted” to non- Work on several ordinances | Indians a few years ago, but it were brought up throughout, was not stated that if violations the evening. All of the Warm were made that the Confede Legal Aid Springs’s ordinances are being rated Tribes of Warm Springs Juvenile legal aid was revised in an effort to update would get the waters back. abolished in December. There them. It is necessary that the is how consideration to cut the Mike Clements commented Natural Resources department entire legal aid department out. on Ordinance 33, the animal work with county and state Only one legal aid and one tr e s p a s s o r d in a n c e . He officials to put regulations on secretary remain. There is a concern that those remarked, “hopefully we’ve the books to inform people done some improving.” He about water ownership. Oliver who need help with legal aid went on to say, “Mr. Burton Kirk inserted, “there are a lot of w ill be i g n o r e d w ith has organized a crew to help p ro b le m s w ith la c k of elimination of the department. control some of this so private information.” “How will their problems be property is not demolished.” handled then?” Juvenile code Police position standards Ordinance 50 The newly revised juvenile Ordinance 50 was also “Standards advertized for considered. This is the wildlife code was brought up at the police officers are too high for meeting. The question was ordinance. Oliver Kirk was asked to comment on it as game asked whether or not mace and our people.” one concerned citizen com m ented. W ith control officer. He mentioned billy clubs were used on the people wanting to deal with that the tribal attorneys were youth any longer. Committee still working on it. Certain member Vicki Still commented other commuity members by areas of the ordinance are saying “it is against the serving as police officers these being changed such as rifle constitution. There hasn’t been standards are preventing local caliber to be used for hunting a n y b r u ta lity r e p o r te d . citizens from even applying for jobs in the police department. and fines for game violations. Juveniles know their rights.” Burton replied th at the standards were set by the personnel department. It was also mentioned by Burton that the police department had earned a bad reputation and that officers had no way t omove up. He is trying to change this. Driving while suspended Delbert Blodget spoke to the Law and Order Committee complaining about being cited for driving with a suspended license while at the court house for other driving violations. Burton reported that it was not unusual for this to happen. At this time Burton also mentioned that any traffic ordinance should have safety as a primary concern. There is question as to how far any government should go to protect an individual from himself but it’s possible that he might hurt someone else in the process of violating laws, so laws also take this into consideration. against the tribe, he says. “One shouldn’t have to go off the reservation for an attorney to go against the tribal attorney.” Civil rights violations Im proper notification of c o u rt hearings was also brought up by Marie Calica. She a s k e d , “ W hy d o e s th is happen,” There appears to be no consistency in sentencing and issuing of subpeonas, she co m m en ted . M rs. C alica wanted to know what kind of a c c o u n t a b i l i t y c a n be developed. Even her letters to tribal court remain unanswered she says. Legal age Bernice Mitchell felt that possibly 18 years of age rather than 21 years of age should be considered adult. Non-tribal warrants Judge Dave Harding wished to explain a case that involved issuance of non-tribal warrants which are served to tribal Jail facility members on the reservation. Authority has been given to Some positive things have tribal judges to enforce any been happening at the jail la w f u l o r d i n a n c e . T h is facility, Marie Calica got up to authority is passed on to the say, including cleaner cells, chief of police and his officers. “My responsibility is to do exercise availability, fresh air and better food. But she still what the law says.” Harding wanted to express concern in c o m m e n te d “ i n c l u d i n g following up on warrants.” other areas. Driving on the reservation Community input Mrs. Calica felt that the community members are not having the opportunity to have input into laws that are being made. She also questioned where the traditional beliefs of the people came in with these laws. It w as su g g e ste d by committee member Woody Smith that any change citizens may want should come from the Tribal Council members representing their particular districts. Citizens must work with these people. Smith said he felt that “too much outside law is being implemented.” He went on to say, “I don’t like it but I had to go along with the majority.” Louie Pitt, Jr. also had a comment in regards to civil rights. He had to spend his own money to defend himself It was stated at the meeting that to drive on the reservation it was necessary to have a valid Oregon Driver’s License, tribal driving permit or a valid license from another state. Non-Indian debtors N o n -In d ia n s w ho owe money to the tribes cannot be tried in tribal court. Marie C a lic a in d ic a te d . S he questioned what recourse was available. The answer to that was the c o u n ty c o u r t s y s te m . S om etim es, th o u g h , the expense is greater than the debt. There was a feeling that Tribal Council should do something to protect the Tribe. Next meeting The next Law and Order C o m m i t t e e m e e tin g is scheduled for March 8, 1982. L in c o ln ’s B irth day Powwow hostesses Becky Danzuka Sara Scott Melva Tanewasha The sixth annual Lincoln’s Birthday powwow is set for February 12-14 at the Simnasho Longhouse. Powwow goers from all over the Western United States and Canada are expected to attend Four girls chosen as hostesses fo r the powwow are Becky Danzuka, Sara Scott and Melva Tanewasha, show at left (from left to right). Irma Wahnetah was not available fo r a photograph. AU four girls are selling raffle tickets fo r 25 cents each or five fo r $1.00. Items to be raffled include an A tari masterunit, shell dress, beaded items, shawls, Pendleton blankets, turquoise jewelry, moccasins, star quilt and many other items. Friday’s dancing events will be girls and boys war dance, 6 and under, girls and boys war dance, 7-12 and girls and boys war dance 13-16. Saturday afternoon events will include the girls circle dance and boys straight dance, 12 and under, girls circle dance, boys straight dance, 13-16 ana women's circle dance and men's stright dance, 60 and up. Saturday evening the events will include women’s graceful dance, men’s fancy war dance, 19 and up, women’s circle dance and men’s straight dancy, 19 and up. There will also be two blanket dances on Saturday.
