2 Mav22,1997
Warm Springs, Oregon
SpilyayTymoo.
Specific dances, religions and ceremonies restricted
bv (It'oruc AKuilur
This M.iy 2ft. llW7 is a mcmunul
day honoring all vcicuns ol the
United Siaios,
This slum wniinj; will he JncctcJ
al one iniliMilu.il s ho is the in ijmii of
the I'olk genealogy. His name is
James Ilk. Sr.
James I'olk Sr. eulisied October
30, I Nfift in the U.S. Army as a scout
for the Snake War. He was of the
Wasco trihe. a'c 2 1 . occupation, car
penter. Mack eyes A: hair, led com
plex, height 6 fool I inch. Discharged
from I t. Dalles. December 6. INft7,
Grade Private A-5 (Source of inlor
in. ii ion aiclnvesol the Wai m Springs
Museum).
James Polk Jr. was hoin IS45. he
was ahout 12 years old when migra
tion to the Warm Springs reservation
began in I S 5 5 . James married a Kla
math Wasco of the KonialTchinouck
band (present day location was near
Longs icw, Washington). The Kla
math Wasco was displaced to the
Klamath Reservation when it was
established in the mid ISOO's (see
Oregon Indians Sucker. Hummel,
Ilogl'oss), James Sr. had one son
named James Polk, Jr.
1 have a strong reason to believe
that James Polk, Sr. was a Wasco of
the lower or mid-Columbia River
area. I base this opinion on his yearly
trips to his accustomed fishing area
of the Cascade Rapids (further de
tailed information will be published
in a book of which I am writing for
my family members).
In the very early limes the Agency
recreational gathering wa: bareback
horse racing, foot racing and gam
bling (pil-ya- wit). In the year of 1868,
after the U.S. Army quelling of the
Snake skirmishes, there was intro
duced a dilleienl kind ol dance. The
dance however was short lived. It
was called the Scalp Dance. Not much
has been know n ol this spool ic dance.
You will lind it was mentioned in a
writing of Ruby & Hrown Historical
Pacific Noithwest. Sixty seven tribal
members of the Warm Springs Vet
erans performed the dance. They dis
played scalps of the Snake War Skir
mishes. This dance was later mielled
(restricted) Some ceremonials sha
manism and religions w ere outlawed.
A close scrutiny of any Indian activ
ity was monitored by the Indian
Agents in charge. Namely suppress
ing Indian religions wus-kla-kc was
practiced privately in homes. Sha
manism (Twaie. Indian doctors) was
also restricted. Shaman means con
troller of spirits. The police force of
the Government Agents feared the
Indian doctors the most.
The celebration grounds (pow
wow) was never always thought to
be held at it's present location. The
existing t.onghousc was relocated
here (south of Warm Springs). It was
because of the migration of people
relocated to the Agency area during
the I930's. Possible the very first
grounds were located in the Mrs.
Burns field.
Mrs. Burns age estimated in 1917
was 86 years of age. This puts her
place of birth about 1831. Mrs. Burns
Indian name was Kc-Sum-Kc. She
was 24 to 26 years old when migra
tion to the Warm Springs was estab
lished by Treaty in 1 855. Mrs. Burns
was mentioned in 1917 when she
was brought in as a witness to Carrie
Wolford Kishwalk estate (sec allot
ment inheritance proceedings al the
BIA Really records allotment No.
288 and No. 289 Wolford Canyon).
Mrs. Burns (Ke-Sum-Kc) place
of residence was on the bank of the
Shitikc Creek overlooking the field
the present description of the locu
tion is south of Russell Smith and
Shaker Church area. Mrs, Burns had
a small grape vineyurd.
Ke-Sum-Kc was of the Wasco
tribe she did not have any children of
her own. Gladys Thompson states
she was un aunt to James Polk, Sr.
Upon her passing she willed her prop
erty to her great-grand nieces,
Winonu Katchia, Nellie Polk and a
great-grand nephew I lenry Polk. Ke-Sum-
Kc also willed a timbered allot
ment to Nellie Polk at the base of
Sidwaltcr Butte. This is why the
springs at the base of Sidwalter Butte
is called Nellie Springs. Source of
information is Henry Polk (an uncle-deceased).
Mm. ifeJV5'
7
m
Aztec Dancers performed for local senior citizens recently. The Dancers were In Central Oregon to
participate in the fourth-annual Collage of Color May 17.
Yard Sale
Multi-Family
Floral Arrangements for Memorial Day
Shawls Pendleton Goods Clothing
Antique Dishes and Pots
Across from Warm Springs Market
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday and Friday
May 22 and 23
Free Rental
Free Rental
The Chinook Trilogy
Blending ancient wisdom, tribal insight and modern science,
the Chinook Trilogy provides 21st Century solutions to recover
salmon ivhich began declining soon after the treaties of 1855 were
signed.
As the Chinook Trilogy reveals, these treaty rights may be the
foundation upon ivhich the survival of Columbia River Basin
salmon is built.
The Chinook Trilogy can be rented at no charge from the following video stores:
Ahem Market & Deli Video Video Indian Trails
268 NW 6th 534 SW 4th 3240 Walsey Lane
Madras, OR 97741 Madras, OR 97741 Warm Springs, OR 97761
475-3106 475-2151 553-1206
1987 reunion set
1987 Class Reunion July 1 8 & 19,
1 997 Gosh, do you believe it, our 1 0
year Reunion ! ! ! We are going to have
a big PARTY, and we don't want to
leave anyone out.
We have gotten together and
planned a great weekend that we will
never forget. We want everyone to
come and eat, dance, have a great
time, share some old stories and
maybe even enjoy yourself.
When you see a classmate, ask
them not to forget about the reunion,
it's going to be fabulous!!
If you have any questions, please
feel free to call any one of us: Beth
Grout 553-2502; Julie Johnson 475-
"Animal Fair" theme of Spring program
Warm Springs Elementary students performed in the Spring Program
May 15.
Warm Springs Elementary School
held their annual Spring Program
Thursday, May 15 at the Warm
Springs Elementary School
Gymnasium. Second, Third and
Fourth grade classes sang four songs
each to the theme, "The Animal Fair."
Second Grade class sang the
School Song, Baby Beluga, The
Critter and Froggy. Third Grade class
sang Death of Mister Fly, The
Barnyard, The Animal Fair and La
Cucaracha. The Fourth Grade class
sang Don Gato, The Eagle, Chicken
Lips and Ma Hoo Ay.
Each class used instruments in at
least one song. Selected students were
called to play the instruments for the
songs. The Fourth Grade sang Ma
Hoo Ay using sticks, as it is a Native
American Stick Game.
Acknowledgements went to
Principal Dawn Smith, Custodian
Ron Osterbaan, Superintendent Phil
Riley, The Warm Springs Students
and Staff-they were wonderful.
Acknowledgements went to
classroom teachers also. Second
grade teachers Karen Adams, Daniel
Brown, Nancy Miller, Deanna
LaPage, Kevin Rodin. Third grade
teachers Laurie Espenel, Brian
Gallagher, Sara Ohman and Cami
White. Fourth grade teachers Mary
Beck, Vicki Moore, John Nelson and
Harry Phillips. Simnasho Elementary
Margaret Kincaid, ChuckMcKay and
Nancy Tailfeathers.
7827; Todd Currier 475-678; Jen
nifer Boyle 475-4250.
For some reason you cannot make
it, you need transportation, baby-sitter,
whatever, please call one of us
and let's sec what we can do. We
want the whole class to come and
share in the fun.
Bike rodeo set
Saturday, May 31st from 10 a.m.
to 2 p.m. at the Pi-Ume-Sha Grounds.
There will be Bike Decorating for
the Bike Parade, Free BBQ Lun
cheon, In-Line Skating, Free Water
bottles, Drawings every half hour for
Bike Incentives, Bike Vendors, Bike
Safety Booths, Bike Repair Booths
and Top Drawing of the day will be
for one Boy's bike and one Girl's
bike.
, For more information contact
'Nancy Collins at 553-4943 or Judy
' Charley at 553-4922. To be included
in the drawing for a new bike, you
need to bring your registration form
with you!
Wasco people
relocated
by George Aguilar
The Chinookian-speaking peoples
(Wasco) was adisplaced nation. They
were relocated to many different ar
eas such as Colville, Klamath,
Tulalip, Warm Springs, Yakama,
Grand Ronde, Siletz, Shoalwater
Bay, Coos, Umpqua and Siuslaw.
There are several small bands that
are not federally recognized, some
still live on the Columbia River sys
tem (see Oregon Indians).
Over the years, stories from Tribal
members of the Wasco filtered back
to the Warm Springs reservation. The
local Wascos told of stories concern
ing the Chinookian (Wasco) lan
guage. One of the stories involved
was a Wasco who was a fluent Wasco
speaking person; his name was Louie
Mitchell (husband of the late Matilda
Mitchell). He had returned from the
Colville reservation and was con
versing in Wasco language with Edith
Danzuka of the experience encoun
tered with the Colville group. An
other experience Edith encountered
over the years was Ida Wannessy,
who was the mother of the Wasco
Chief Nelson Wallulatum. She (Ida)
entered into a Wasco conversation
with some Grand Ronde Wasco.
p Mi 7rg t
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Pi-Ume-Sha Treaty Days!!
June 28, 29 and 30, 1997
If you are interested in selling Raffle
Tickets for Pi-Ume-Sha Treaty Days
Powwow, call Cassie Katchia, (541) 553
7015 or Minnie Yahtin, work 553-3257 or at
home 553-6918 or Longhouse Lucy Suppah
at 553-3222.
The Junior Miss Pi-Ume-Sha age category
is 8 to 12 years of age
The Senior Miss Pi-Ume-Sha age category
is 13 years and older
Some of the raffle items this year wil include a .22
rifle, $300 cash, Nike Sport Suit and a microwave
oven, to name just a few!
How the
Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs
came to be
This is your special invitation to journey back to a time, to a
world where animals and the human beings shared the
Earth. It was a powerful time a time of creation.
June 3, 1997 at Kah-Nee-Ta Lodge, 7:00 p.m.
In celebration of
the 25th anniversary of Kah-Nee-Ta Lodge
No Admission Cost
A presentation by Livewire Theater. Youth from Jefferson County
Middle School and Little Miss Warm Springs Group will be
acting. For more information contact Community Health
Education, 553-4922.
Governor meets with Oregon Indians; hears concerns
Spilyay Tymoo
Publisher: Sid Miller
Editor: Donna Behrend
ReporterPhotographer: Selena T. Boise
ReporterPhotographer: Bob Medina
ReporterPhotographer: Dan Lawrence
Secretary: Tina Aguilar
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 1 5 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 W4 or 553-3274 - FAX NO. (54 1 ) 553-3539
Annual Subscription Rates:
Within U.S. - $15.0) Outside U.S. or I si class in the U.S. - $25.00
Spilyay Tymoo 1997
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber
heard concerns about the effects of
energy deregulation from tribal of
ficials and representatives during an
hour-long meeting at the Columbia
River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
office Thursday, May 8.
Leaders of the four Columbia
River tribes with treaty-reserved
fishing rights, a representative of the
Spokane and Cocur d'Alene tribes
and CRITFC Executive Direction,
Ted Strong, each made brief state
ments. After listening to those
statements, Governor Kitzhaber of
fcred his response.
Those who addressed the gover
nor were Bill Yallup, Yakama, Jay
Minthorn, Umatilla, Dclvis Head and
Nelson Wallulatum, Warm Springs,
Tonia Garcia, Ncz Perce, Howard
Funke, representing Cocur d'Alene
and Spokane tribes and Ted Strong.
Yallup stressed that the develop
ment of the Columbia River hy
dropower system amounted to abro
gation of the treaties. Past Northwest
governors had turned a blind eye
while this was going on. But. now the
governors need to take the lead to
make good on protecting and restor
ing the natural resources so disas
trously impacted by the development
of the dams.
Minthorn explained that Umatilla
River could serve as a model for
cooperative efforts. It took all three
sovereigns working together to get
salmon back into the Umatilla River
after a 70-year absence.
Heath asked Governor Kitzhaber
to make the same kind of effort on
behalf of salmon east of the Cascades
that he made in putting together the
Oregon Coastal Coho Plan.
Wallulatum discussed the lan
guage of both the US Constitution
and the Oregon Constitution. The
US Constitution recognizes that
treaties are the supreme law of the
land in Article VI. The Oregon
Constitution pledges to respect the
property rights of tribes and that
Oregon would always exercise the
utmost of faith in dealing w ith tribes.
Garcia remarked that pending
energy de-regulation has made people
even more aware of threats to salmon
restoration and of the need to act
now. She said that state and tribal
sovereignty is being undermined by
the federal management structure
imposed under the auspices of the
Endangered Species Act.
Funke warned that the big indus
tries and utilities have already figured
out ways to divide up all the benefits
of the hydrosystem among them
selves at the expense of fish and
wildlife, conservation and small
customers. Echoing what Garciasaid,
he emphasized the urgent need for all
13 basin tribes, the states, and the
federal government to participate in
decisions regarding the structure and
operation of the federal system of
dams.
Strong pointed out that US tax
payers had spent $32 billion to sub
sidize the Columbia River power
generation and 'ransmission system.
Tribes had been patient while it was
being developed, expecting that those
who benefited would make good on
their promises to restore fish and
wildlife. But now de-regulation
threatens to transfer all of those
benefits to a few laige entities w hile
the treaties are ignored and salmon
are left out in the cold Strong rec
ognized that working together might
sometimes be difficult, but it is cru
cial, and that sovereign relationships
must be clear.
After hearing from tribes,
Kitzhaber responded that he intends
to work with tribes on a government
to government basis, and agreed that
the region needs a forum in which all
three sovereigns can participate in
decision-making. He said he intends
to invite Kathie McGinty, Director
of the Council of Environmental
Quality to represent the Clinton ad
ministration at a June 3 meeting of
the states and tribes. He also stated
that he had learned much from de
veloping the Coastal Coho Plan and
that those lessons could be applied in
dealing with salmon restoration east
of the Cascades.
Kitzhaber will host the June 3
meeting of the three sovereigns,
which include leaders form all 13
Columbia River basin tribes, gover
nors of Washington, Idaho and
Montana and representatives of the
federal government.