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2 November 21, 1996
Warm Springs. Oregon
Spilyay Tymoo
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Elder abuse-continued from page 1
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Youth panel speaker, Lillian Heath, with facilitator Bill Burke.
The incidence of specific types of
elder abuse varies from one year to
another. NCEA's 1991 study found
that physical abuse accounted for
19.1 of all reported cases. Other
types of abuse differed from year to
year.
Data gathered from 30 states in
1994 provided a clear picture about
the identity of those who were
perpetrators of elder abuse in the
domestic setting as follows:
Adult Children 35
Grandchildren 5.9
Spouse 13.4
Sibling 2.9
Other relatives 13.6
Service Provider 6.2
Friendneighbor 5.2
All others 10.3
Unknown 7.4
More than two-thirds of elder
abuse perpetrators are family
members of the victims. The category
all others included unrelated
caregivers, former spouses,
housemates and former housemates,
The elder abuse conference held a
youth panel facilitated by Bill Burke,
newly appointed board member of
NICOA. He stated that elders have a
lot of knowledge of cultural and
traditional ways and that that should
be shared with the youth of the
reservation. He stated, "I believe in
respect, I believe in trust. These things
should be shared with the youth."
The Elders would like to live a
good life. He stated there arc ten,
two-letter words he uses. "If it is to
be, it is up to me."
Burke would like to sec a senior
facility for Indians, a nursing home.
He would also like to sec culture and
traditional values restored, "Who
better to teach this, but ciders?"
Burke introduced the youth panel
who spoke of their concerns about
ciders and what they have learned
from their elders and parents.
Lillian Heath states, "You don't
disrespect your elders they won't be
here very long." She would also like
to sec ciders come to her school and
teach Indian language.
Mavis Kirk spoke of her teachings
to respect all others, always shake
their hands, never judge people, but
respect them. She learned to love her
elders. Kirk states that she likes to be
around old people.
Aaron Mitchell said that people
should visit their elders, help them
clean their homes, help take care of
them. He also shared his dream of
attending Harvard, to be an advocate
to help care for elders.
Deccc Suppah shared her
experience with cider abuse. Very
emotional, she shared her pain, her
wishes to learn more of the cultures
and traditions. She would have liked
to learn them from her parents or her
elders.
Adeline Miller and Joe Jay
Pinkham thanked the youth for
getting up there to speak, "they should
be included in meetings more often,"
expressed Adeline.
Adeline worked with the Warm
Springs elder program for 20 years.
She made home visits to the ciders
who were glad to see her because
they are sad and alone. Many of them
express that they get visitors only
when they get their checks in the
mail.
Adeline said they appreciate
anyone stopping in to sec them just
to visit.
Adeline enjoyed working with the
ciders, "I learned a lot from them,"
she states. Today Adeline continues
the teachings that she learned from
the elders, cultural, traditional and
the teachings of respect for everyone.
Yakama tribe
breaks
ground for
casino
1 --30
6th Annual Women and Wellness
conference set for December
Ladies we've survived the flood and we've survived the
fire! Let's spark up the enthusiasm and flood our minds with
sharing, caring and excitement. All this and more will be
happening!!
The 6th Annual Warm Springs Women and Wellness
Conference on Wednesday, December 4, 1996 to Friday,
December 6, 1996 at the Community Center.
Registration is free. For more information call Judy at the
Community Health Education Office 553-4922.
Tuberculosis is a treatable disease caused by bacterium
by Miles Rudd, MD
What is Tuberculosis (TB)?
Tuberculosis (TB) is an illness
caused by a bacterium. A person gets
infected with tuberculosis by
breathing air contaminated with the
TB bacteria. TB usually infects the
lungs. TB can also infect the lymph
nodes, kidneys, bones and the linings
of the chest, abdomen and brain. A
person with a severe lung infection
from TB is said to have "Active TB".
TB is spread into the air, every time
the person speaks, laughs, sings, or
coughs. A person with "Active TB"
Energy assistance available to Central Oregon residents
Low income residents of Crook,
Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties
in need of financial help to pay their
winter heating bills will be able to
apply for energy assistance at Central
Oregon Community Action Agency
Network (COCAAN) offices. Each
household must provide proof of
income and heating source to be
eligible for this single payment
assistance. Households using wood
or pellet stoves for heating must
provide receipts.
Appointments can be scheduled
starting November 18th by calling 1-800-500-7248.
Intakes begin
December 2, 1996 at sites in Bend,
Redmond, Prineville, LaPine,
Madras and Warm Springs. No walk
in appointment will be accepted.
Funds are limited and are on a first
come first serve basis. Eligibility
screening for low income senior and
disabled households begins the first
week of November 1996.
Last winter approximately 2100
households throughout Central
Oregon received help totaling
$467,200 at an average of $220 per
household. This year, Central Oregon
Community Action Agency Network
(COCAAN) expects to serve the same
number of households since the
region's allocation for this winter is
projected to be close to the same
level as last year.
This is the eighteenth year that the
Low Income Energy Assistance
Program (LIEAP) has been financed
by the Federal Government. No
Oregon State funds are involved. The
LIEAP program is administered in
Oregon by the Oregon Department
of Housing and Community Services
through a network of 27 local
organizations throughout Oregon.
Central Oregonians who have the
means to contribute to fuel funds
sponsored by Oregon Heat and
Cascade Natural Gas are encouraged
to do so. Contributions can also be
made directly to COCAAN's energy
assistance programs, and are tax
deductible. Contributions payable to
COCAAN-Energy Assistance can be
mailed to 2303 SW First Street,
Redmond, OR 97756. A receipt and
confirmation will be sent. For more
information call (541) 548-2380
(541) 389-3311.
is contagious to other people.
What is a TB skin tt?
A TB skin test is done by injecting
a small amount of the test material
into the skin. The test will turn
positive in people infected with TB.
A positive test is determined by a
nurse or doctor. They will measure
the reaction the body has to the skin
test.
Does a positive TB skin
mean I have Tuberculosis?
No. A positive skin test means
Public hearing set
to discuss Impact
that you are infected with the TB
bacteria. Further testing must be done
to decide if a person has "Active
TB". This testing begins with a chest
x-ray. Sometimes mucus is collected
from the lung. This is looked at for
the TB bacteria. One out of ten people
infected with the TB bacteria will
develop "Active TB".
How do vou treat "Active TB"?
TB is treated with antibiotics.
Many TB bacteria today can resist
certain antibiotics. This makes it
necessary to treat a person with four
antibiotics at first. Testing is done to
find out which antibiotics will work
best in each patient. This takes up to
2 months. After this, a person will be
treated with two antibiotics. A full
course of treatments lasts 6 months.
Spread of TB is stopped by taking
antibiotics as directed.
TOPPENISH, Wash. (AP)-The
Yakama Indian Nation held a
symbolic groundbreaking ceremony
for a 45,000-squarc-foot casino
expected to open next spring across
the street from the tribe's
headquarters.
Tribal religious leader Fred Ike
Sr. offered a benediction and sang in
the tribe's native language Monday.
"Gaming is a traditional way of
life for our Indian people," Ike said.
"This is nothing new to us, but we are
here to give thanks to our creator for
giving us the land for our way of
life."
The ceremony was held just in
front of the tribe's headquarters. The
casino will be built across the street,
but tribal leaders said the field there
was too muddy for the ceremony.
The casino will initially have 31
tables for games such as blackjack,
craps and roulette. It will also feature
a 600-seat bingo hall.
The casino is expected to
eventually employ 570 people.
Gaming consultant Jim Gannarelli
said initial hiring would begin in
January with priority given to tribal
members and their families.
Yakama Tribal Council Chairman
Ross Sockzchigh said a nearby
buildi ng on U.S. 97 that already bears
a sign identifying it as a Yakama
Indian Nation casino would not be
used for that purpose.
"The initial planning effort called
for a start-up right away. Those plans
were shelved for the time being,"
Sockzchigh said. He would not
elaborate.
The white building with pink and
purple stripes was originally
scheduled to open in June. Tribal
officials declined to say how much it
cost to build.
According to planning documents
submitted to the tribal Board of
Adjustment and Yakima County
Planning Department, tribal officials
expect to serve 500 to 1 ,250 gamblers
per day.
The casino hall would be flanked
by a convention center and indoor
rodeo sports area. A hotel would be
located nearby.
A public hearing has been
scheduled during the regular School
Board meeting beginningat7:30p.m.
on November 25, 1996, in the library
at Warm Springs Elementary School.
The public is invited to attend and
encouraged to ask questions and state
opinions regarding District 509-J
programs and the use of funds.
Persons having a disability are
requested to contact the District 509
J Office by call Gail Stone at 475
6 1 92, to discuss special arrangements
which may allow you to fully
participate in this Public Hearing.
Thanksgiving carnival
at Shaker Church November 26, 1996
Starting at 6:15 p.m. until prizes run out
Children's Fun Night!
Game booths include-Pumpkin pie walk, horn of
plenty fish pond, turkey toss, turkey shoot.
There will be a turkey gobble snack bar
Everything is 25 cents
Museum holding membership drive
The Museum At Warm Springs is
conducting a fall membership drive
to help bolster The Museum's rev
enues and membership program.
As a member of The Museum At
Warm Springs you become more than
a visitor, you become a partner," said
Museum Director Michael
Hammond, PhD. "As a partner you
enjoy a more rewarding museum ex
perience." A variety of membership catego
ries are offered and benefits include:
unlimited free admission for one full
year, a subscription to Twanat, The
Museum's quarterly newsletter, a 10
percent discount on all Museum Gift
Shop purchases, along with special
notices and invitations to openings
and Museum events.
Currently, the "Memorable Im
ages," exhibit is on display in The
Museum's Changing Exhibit Gallery
through January 17, 1997. Commu
nity members are encouraged to
check out the exhibit and help iden
tify some of the people in the photo
graphs. Indian Humor," is the next exhibit
planned for the Changing Exhibit
Gallery January 24, 1997 through
March 7, 1997. It features various
interpretations of Indian Humor by
Native artists from a variety of back
grounds. The "Glass Tapestry" show fea
tures beaded bags from the Elaine
Horwitch Collection on loan to the
Heard Museum of Phoenix, Ariz.
Many of the beaded bags were cre
ated by local community members
grandmothers.
Give a gift of culture this Christ
mas season," Hamond said. "Mem
berships make great gifts."
The Museum At Warm Springs is
a non-profit educational institution.
Contributions are tax-decutible as
allowed by law. For more informa
tion call The Museum staff at 553-3331.
A conversation with: Bertson Simtustus
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Bertson in 1952, at the age of 18.
Spilyay Tmoo
Sid Miller
Donna Behrend
Selena T. Boise
Bob Medina
Dan Lawrence
Publisher:
Editor:
ReporterPhotographer:
ReporterPhotographer:
ReporterPhotographer:
Secretary: TinaAguilar
Founded in March 1976
Spilyay Tymoo is published bi-weekly by the Confederated
Tribes of Warm Springs. Our offices are located in the
basement of the Old Girl's Dorm at 1 1 15 Wasco Street. Any
written materials to Spilyay Tymoo should be addressed to:
Spilyay Tymoo, P.O. Box 870, Warm Springs, OR 97761
(54 1 ) 553-1 644 or 553-3274 - FAX NO. (54 1 ) 553-3539
Annual Subscription Rates:
Within U.S. - $9.00 Outside U.S. - $15.00
Spilyay Tymoo 1996
by Bob Medina
Sixty-five year old Bertson
Simtustus was born in Simnasho in
the spring of 1931 to Johnny and
Elizabeth (Sam) Simtustus. Bertson's
father was from Warm springs and
his mother was Nez Perce. He
remembers his father being a
stockman and used to raise horses
and cattle at their ranch in Simnasho.
His father grew hay and used it for
feed.
Besides being a farmer and a
rancher and a family provider,
Bertson's father also served as the
Chief of the Warm Springs Tribe on
Tribal Council. Bertson's mother
Elizabeth was a housewife and died
at the age of fifty-five. Bertson
remembers having three sisters and
three bothers who are all deceased.
Amos was Bertson's oldest brother
and he doesn't remember his other
brothers and sisters. Bertson
remembers his grandmother on his
mother's side but doesn't remember
his grandfather's name or his father's
parents name. "Growing up in the
Simnasho area was lots of fun for me
as a young man because I would
always help my father with the
chores." I especially liked going horse
back riding and learning how to drive
the pickup my father used to have at
the ranch. My father used to do all his
farming with a team of horse's and I
used to enjoy watching him work
them. In the summer of 1937 I
attended school in Chemawa, but
returned to Warm Springs the next
fall and attended the local boarding
school until the eighth grade. It was
1947 when I completed the eighth
grade but I couldn't continue my
education for lack of funds and no
place close enough for me to attend
school. Bertson continued helping out
at the ranch where he went horseback
riding most everyday with his
neighbor friends Leroy Scott, Earl
Squimphen and Kip Culpus. "In 1952,
I heard over KRCO radio station out
of Prineville, that the 3rd Marine
Division began forming and were
preparing to ship out" says Bertson.
"After hearing that, I joined the U.S.
Marines. It was on March 6, 1952 at
the tender age of 1 8" recalls Bertson.
"I was taken by train (MCRD) to
Camp Pendelton, California where I
took basic training," says Bertson.
"After completing Boot Camp, we
were shipped over to Korea where I
was involved in one major battle,
called Pork Chop Hill. The battle
lasted two days and three nights. I
remember it well. It was during my
nineteenth birthday. There were two
other battles that I was involved in
while at Korea, but not as long and as
major.
"In 1954 I was transferred to
Alaska, where I served guard duty".
On April 30, 1956 I was released
from duty and returned home
completing my four years.
"While attending a powwow in
Toppenish, Washington I met a young
lady by the name of Nelly Annette
Gerry. Nelly was from the Colville
Tribe, we got to know each other real
good and on October 9 1956 we were
married. Nelly gave me a son; we
named him Vincent Harley, who is
now 38 years old and living here in
Warm Springs."
"I worked at different jobs when
I returned" says Bertson. One of
them was at Dahl Pine where I
worked as a tail sawyer until it burned
down in 1961. 1 also worked at the
Warm Springs mill for a short time
but didn't like it there. "One of the
best jobs I ever had was working for
Tom Estimo training and racing
horses says Bertson. "I was Tom's
helper from 1963 until 1969," says
Bertson. "We trained and raced
horses for people like Kim Novae,
Michael Landon (Little Joe from the
show Bonanza) and his father and
also Precher Don Drysdale. Training
horses meant traveling to different
areas as far away as California,
Washington, and in Oregon. The
stables broke up in 1 969 so that was
the end of my horse training days,"
recalls Bertson.
"In 1 965, while attending a Soap
Lake Powwow in Ephrata,
Washington, I lost my first wife
Nelly. She was hit by a drunk driver
as she sat inside our car. I married
my second wife in December of
1969, but in May of 1970, she died
of heart disease. Her name was
Roberta Manual. I met Roberta in
Omak, Washington. We had many
good times together."
"By 1980, my life started to
change for the better" says Bertson
I was admitted Jnto the halfway
house by the late George Berry.
There I met a man by the name of
Allen Elston. Mr. Elston was the
pastor at the Baptist church in Warm
Springs, but he also held Bible study
at the halfway house. It seemed alot
of the people, including myself, that
were receiving counseling, were
turning to Reverend Elston instead.
After six months in the halfway
house, my ways had changed thanks
to the Reverend Elston. He made
more sense to all of us and he helped
us stay sober. I always wondered
after that why I even drank. Reverend
Elston helped me realize that the
power of Jesus Christ had been with
me, even as a non-believer and it
didn't matter where or what I had
done. He also assured me that Jesus
Christ had been with me during Korea
and somehow had guided me to
safety" says Bertson.
In 1982, "after I had accepted
Jesus into my life, I married my third
wife. Her name was Carol Burke." In
1984 I was baptized at the Baptist
Church. I have been sober now for
17 years, thanks to Reverend Allen
Elston.
"I recommend parents take their
children to church more often. It
helps the parent in raising kids and
understanding each other," says
Bertson.
Things used to be so much better
in my younger years," says Bertson.
Anything we wanted, we had to work
for. It wasn't just given to us. The
youth now a days expect so much for
doing nothing. They need something
in their life besides alcohol, drugs,
and money," concludes Bertson.
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Bertson today.