Image provided by: The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Warm Springs, OR
About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (April 25, 1986)
l'am 2 April 25, 1986 Times of gaity and hard - The entire group posed for a picture during a pause at the Painted Hills rest area near Mitchell, Oregon, just before returning home There are times when things tend to slip from the minds and are lost forever. Well the Culture and Heritage Committee sche duled a tour on April 14, 15, and 16, 1986, which covered the Ceded Area, to hear stories before they are lost. The tour was for those who were interested in learning about the area and for those who have had experiences by being there themselves or hearing stories from their elders. The Treaty of 1855, between the River Indians and the United States of America, made certain provisions in the agreement, one was to continue to hunt, dig roots, gatner an natural toods - Students to present testimony i.-jxt...:.. : c k ,;uimmpntrpiatinnsnnH nitv Lawmakers have asked Native Americans students for input regarding the passage of a bill which will help'preverit alcohol and drug abuse among youth. Four Madras High School Indian students will present testimony in favor of the passage of House Bill 1156, "The Indian Juvenile Alcohol and Drug Abuse Preven tion Act.' Tony Stacona; Lisa Briseno, Alvis Smith III and Stacey Leonard were selected to attend a hearing April 29 before the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs in Washington, D.C. to present Apportionment meeting set Atthereauest of many comma nity members seeking more under standing of apportionment the Warm Springs Education Com mittee and Tribal Council has organized an educational meeting on that subject. The meeting, set for April 24, will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Agency Longhouse. Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. The biggest concern, explain committee members, is the unfami liarity voiced by tribal members who seek more knowledge and understanding of this section in the Constitution and By-Laws. In an effort to provide answers for all questions, legal counsel will be present. Attorney Charles Wilkenson has been invited to attend the meeting because of r Spilyay Tymoo Staff MANAGING EDITOR Sid Miller ASSISTANT EDITOR Donna Behrend PHOTO SPECIALISTWRITER Marsha Shewczyk REPORTERPHOTOGRAPHER Pat Leno-Baker TYPESETTERCIRCULATION Priscilla Squiemphen FOUNDED IN MARCH OF 1976 Published bi-weekly by the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon. Warm Springs. Oregon 97761. Located in the Old Administration Building. Anyw ritten mate rial to Spilyay T moo should be addressed to: Spilyay Tymoo P.O. Box 735 Warm Springs, Oregon 97761 Phone 553-1644 or 553-1 161, Ext. 274, 285 or 321 and the Darkroom Ext. 286. Subscription Rate: $6.00 per year . ii Si Jur iufi ii and tish at their accustomed grounds. Years ago the tribes use to migrate into the plateaus and mountains at certain times of the year. In the spring there were several types of roots that were put up for future use along with the spring salmon runs. During different times of the year other types of roots and fruits became available. In the mountains the berries were the main crop for the women to gather while the men hunted. All these activities were carried out yearly a long time ago. Today the practice is still in tact but at a much, much smaller scale. Todav some see it as a tradition, a custom handed down, testimony. Sponsored by the Johnson O'Malley Committee and Tribal Education Committee the students were selected as delegates to the United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) conference during which time the hearing will be held. They were selected based on academic and personal achievements. In preparation for their presen tation to the House Committee the students are being briefed on the legislative process and the governmental system by Educational Training manager Jodv Calica. Their orientation also consists of an overview of his expertise on the treaty, the Wheeler-Howard Act and the Constitution and By-Laws. Input from the elders on the traditional and historical ways of selecting council members is encouraged and the meeting will be officially documented. Apportionment is not a "black and white issue" explains Education Committee chairman Sal Sahme. There are political ramifications that would be created with apportionment and many unanswered questions, all needing discussion. "The Com mittee's intent is to provide the best information to the people to make the best choice with clear understanding of the ramifi cations and impact." Wahm snun;s, Spilyy lymoo photo by Miller from the first of a three day tour taken through early day camp sites of the tribes in the ceded area. while others harvest roots and berries as part of their life style. Native foods are slowly dying away and to preserve them they should be documented so it will never be lost for ever. The tour was headed by Cultural and Heritage Committee chairman Grant Waheneka, and members who made arrangements of the tour for the purpose of documenting all this important information. The various camping sites, the different areas the tribes used to travel. A group of about 45 to 50 people made the trip daily. Most of them senior citizens, who have had actual experiences in the area during their childhood. tribal government relations and contemporary issues related to social, health and educational development. " Introduced in the House of Representatives on February 20, 1985 the bill is aimed at coordi nating and expanding services for the prevention, identification, treatment and follow-up care of alcohol and drug abuse among Indian youth. Formulation of the bill requires the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consult with and solicit comments on interested Indian Tribes and Indian indivi duals and Indian organizations in developing the agreement. Tribes wishing to participate in an agreement with federal agen cies receive assistance in coordi nation of resources and services related to alcohol and drug abuse. The bill defines involvement by agencies in school programs, law enforcement, training pro grams, treatment and rehabilita tion services. Other tribes and organizations delegating young people to pre sent testimony at the hearing include: Arizona Inter-Tribal . Council; Alaska Federation of Natives; Montana Inter-Tribal Policy Board; Navajo; Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, United Tribes for Reservation youth; New Mexico all Indian Pueblo Council; Oklahoma; Oneidas Wisconsin; Ute Tribe; Wind River Reservation. Following is the testimony to be presented by Tony Stacona representing the youth of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs: "Good Morning Mr. Chairman, Members, and Staff. "My name is Tony Stacona, with me today are Alvis Smith, III, Stacey Leonard, and Lisa Briseno. We are enrolled members of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, and are currently enrolled in Madras Senior High School. W'e w ant to express our gratitude to the members of the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, other esteemed members of Congress and UNITY for this opportunity to testify on the Indian Juvenile Alcohol and Drug Prevention Act. H R-11 56. We also want to convey to you the appreciation of our fellow students, our people, our school, and our Tribal govern ment for giv ing us this opportu okwon 97761 ship relived on To name a few Matilda Mitchell, Nettie Showaway, Orin Johnson, Jessie Arthur, Mrs. Anderson, Caroline Tohet, Linton Winishut, Louise Hellon. There were several others who made the tour. Many stories were told about all areas along the tour route, times of ' -1 -. A LnvJflsln It ll'IC fin 6 V. . mCn c n those davs when everyaay counted in preparation for the . . . r winter months.- Stories told of their experiences within these areas during their childhood. On the first day the tour started to the southeast, through Prineville, Post and Paulina area, back to Mitchell and the Painted Hills. On the second day the tour nity. "We are extremely proud to support the intent and purposes of HR-1 156, it will address one of several critical needs of Indian Youth our peers. We want to commend and thank Congressmen Bereuter, Daschle, Udall, Young of Alaska, Williams, and other sponsors for their sensitivity, foresight, and leadership in behalf of Indian Youth. Passage of this legislation will contribute greatly to the spirit and quality of the government to government coo peration necessary for the protec tion and advancement of Indian human resources interests. "Alcohol and drug abuse remains at epidemic proportions within most Indian communities, no family has been spared the agony and hurt that it causes. Substance use and abuse often fuels a vicious circle that entraps and controls many lives, it is an addictive escape that can become a way of life. We can see the effects all around us, the lack of hope, and feelings of powerless ness to bring about change or improvements. We are grateful to know that there are concerned people such as yourselves who are willing to help us and our community become all that we are capable of being or doing. We have known that drugs and alcohol are a problem, we were not aware of the far-reaching impacts and costs. Our research Education training manager Jody lhetheywiUp . . j-j ... , , ' ""' " '" , ,VM i I -I I If r"$r' , i '- v: ' , - i 'wi i -rwr r inispnow or nean mountain, Kush," where there was a camp ... i A1AA went tnrougn uaieway, nniciupc, Shaniko and on up to Willow Creek. The third and final day the group traveled through Maupin.Sherars Bridge, Dufur, The Dalles, and on down the river through the fishing sites to the Cascade Locks. Time was aeainst the tour as there wasn't enou2n time to spena ai everv to lawmakers and preparation tor this testimo- tion community und enou2h time to spend at every and preparation tor this testimo- ny was enlightening. The infor- mation included these findings: Approximately 40 percent of Indian students may not complete high school with their class. Some may complete an equiva lency program later. Among tribal members between the ages of 19 and 27, only 17 percent are employed, 10 percent are enrolled in training, and 73 percent are unemployed. We ivvv6....w o- group are committed to domestic recognize that some ot this age uuiigauona, uinvu in ..-.v grown up. The average age of death in 1985 was 32.05 years. In 1985, off reservation residen tial treatment served 70 people (three were under the age of 18) at a cost of $539,125. "There were many other such statistics. We are pleased to report that our Reservation has not had any alcohol related traffic fatality in over a year. However, 43 percent of auto accident injuries are alcohol re lated. We are making progress yet much work needs to be done. "We have reviewed and analyzed HR-1 156. We would like to make the following recom mendations: Title I Interdepartmental Agreement: We recommend in cluding the Secretary of Educa tion to recognize the obligation and responsibility of the educa- Calica instructs students prior SlMLYAY TYMOO tour ' -v. 1 v S . 4 t y iU TrShav nr "I II I.U- unuwn m - site near the base of the mountain. mtalArn tvsAiarsmn(A(0AAlrpr'inji sunui uiuitvuiii(jivw.vuiwo6v of the area. It was very rewarding to those who made the trip to learn of all the things that took place years ago. From time to time there will be a story to appear in the Spilyay Tymoo from this tour that was told by one of the elders. tion community under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Education of All Handi- capped Children Act. Tit,e n Education: We recom- . lanEuage that will not limit the responsibility to a few specific categorical programs as the principal source and base of this mandate. Title IV Law Enforcement: In addition to the arrest and follow-up provisions, drug and alcohol availability needs to be aiconoi avaiiauuiiy i.tu3 iu uv addressed by adding language jQ improve interagency atuun for "sunolv side" and "demand side" enforcement. "Drug and Alcohol abuse is a major concern of our peers, both Indian and non-Indian. Substance abuse by itself is only a symptom. We request that Congress and the Administration pursue an interagency initiative to work cooperatively on solving the causes. A conceptual approach has been included with our state ment. The approach can be ex panded to establish a Federal interagency planning forum to ensure the best utilization of badly needed but diminishing financial resources working together we can make a diffe rence. "In closing, we again want to express our most sincere appre ciation for this honor to appear before you. Thank you for placing value on our thoughts and opinions." SpaymyTyi 9 hf Stirwttjc to their trip to Washington D.C.