SpilyayTymoo
8 July 30, 1998
Warm Springs, Oregon
Forestry seeking input on road eradication project-
The Forestry Department is re
questing Tribal membercommenton
the proposed eradication of 34.3 miles
of road in the Mutton Mountain Area.
This area was salvage logged in 1997
to capture the value of timber which
was killed during the Simnasho Fire
of 1996. Most of the roads which are
proposed for eradication were used
during that salvage operation. None
of the roads will be necessary for fire
management, reforestation or pre
commercial forest management ac
tivities. Road eradication has become a
part of most timber sales, including
salvage operations. The road eradi
cation program follows Integrated
Resource Management Plan stan
dards and best management prac
tices for maintaining a safe and eco
nomical system that provides access
into the forest without causing undue
impacts to natural resources. The
goal, to have no more than 4 miles of
road per square mile of commercial
forest land, will be met. After eradi
cation, there will be 2.44 miles per
square mile remaining.
One of the obvious complaints
about the program is that access to
the forest, or a particular part of the
forest , is restricted. If a hunter or
root digger has grown accustomed to
reaching a site by means of a car or
pick-up, they may object to having
their main access route removed from
the transportation system.
Inconveniences and related ex
penditures may be troublesome, but
they are generally offset by a wide
variety of benefits to natural resources
such as water, soil, timber, fish, wild
life and cultural sites.
Each mile of road in the forest
Member says
The Sootted Eaele Drum and
Dance Group has been in existence
for 15 years. It all started when our
older children started getting in
volved in dancing at powwows. Be
side just being in powwows, they
were getting involved in other parts
of our culture and traditions.
The group is now coordinated by
me, Tony "Big Rat" Suppah, my af
filiation Warm Springs Tribe, and
my better half of my life. My wife
Lucille F. Suppah "Long House
Lucy", her affiliation is Warm
Springs, Yakima Piaute Tribe. It takes
team work and a lot of public relation
contact. Most of my success comes
from getting support from my wife
and our children Val Redstar, Redsky
Walker, and Rosey Twostarr Suppah,
They're my life.
Big Rat has been involved in vari
ous youth programs for 25 years. It
started with Pop Warner Football in
Los Angeles, California. After he
returned from two tours in Vietnam
Conflict 19676-68 serving in the U.S.
Marines. When returning back home,
Warm Springs Oregon continued his
involvement with 4-H, Boy Scouts,
tee ball, baseball, softball, Pee Wee
Rodeos, basketball, and now in culture-traditions
starting the Spotted
Eagle Drum-Dance Group.
Through all his teachings, is giv
ing the youth insight on Indian iden
tity. That knowing who they are,
what they are, where they come from,
is half of their success in life. The
other two-thirds is their education
and life experience. That before
they're anything else in this world,
their "Indian first" and proud of it.
To learn their Indian languages,
dances, know the songs, have the
ability to work and communicate with
others. Teaching that the world is
full of, some not good. Its how they
accept and deal with them will de
cide their success and failure in life.
Letting them know that the differ
ence between success and failure is
nothing less than just one more try at
times. That success comes in cans
and failures in cant's.
That the creator creates bad times,
so we may appreciate the good times
better. Indian culture is vital and must
be kept alive. For not only the white
man, but a lot of our own people,
don't know or understand our cul
ture, traditions and languages. For
,' ... ....,". .. . ....... k ..... -
The Spotted Eagle Drum and Dance Group take time for a photo
represents approximately 1.2 acres
of compacted soil. Compaction de
creases the productivity of soil by
making it less receptive to water in
filtration and nutrient cycling. Com
pacted surfaces with little or no veg
etation carry water over the surface
at accelerated rates which also leads
to erosion and soil displacement.
Eradicating problem roads
through ripping improves conditions
by allowing water to penetrate the
surface and encourage the growth of
vegetation, which reduces overland
flows and the rate of erosion.
Wildlife receives benefits by
eradicating unnecessary roads in
other areas. Harassment, particu
larly during winter months when
animals are stressed or during the
reproductive cycle when they are
extremely vulnerable, can lead to the
death or displacement of animals. It
may be more difficult for hunters to
access animals where roads have been
eradicated, but there is also a greater
likelihood of success because wild
life tends to concentrate in areas
where disturbances are infrequent.
Range resources gain similar ben
efits through the program. With more
moisture penetrating the soil, and
more vegetation being produced, the
forage available for livestock and
wildlife increases.
Archeological and historical re
sources are protected from manage
ment activities through avoidance or
project design. They are also less
likely to be vandalized or otherwise
disturbed if fewer roads exist.
Cultural plants benefit from road
eradication because more soil is avail
able for their growth and production.
Piaxi, luksh, waq'amu, sawitk and
"Remember who you are"
that includes mvself. for I am a stu
dent of our cuture and traditions.
What I learn I pass on to those young
and old who are interested in learn
ing. For I'm involved in the tribes
three religions; Seven Drum
( Whashut), Feather Religion, and the
Indian Shaker Church.
All three religions serving a pur
pose in tribal culture, reaching out to
the one who created all, our Creator.
Helping those who need or ask for
religious help. Even though they may
belong to outside churches. As
passed on by the elders, Indian con
ception of one God, was later bor
rowed from Christianity, and that
they had no distinct picture of God.
That all tribes had used different
names referring to God, just like
today different religions have dif
ferent names for the creator of all.
It is evident in beliefs of all present
day Native Americans.
They have to some degree been
influenced by Christianity, but re
gardless of what church they be
long, the majority usually turn to
one of the tribes three religions men
tioned, asking for help, respecting
the culture and traditions. I feel it's
vital that the younger generation
know about the three tribal religions.
So when they get older, to make
their choice on which to follow, but
respecting all.
Another important part of our
culture is the sweat lodge. A place to
talk to Pooshuh in confession prayer,
the cleansing of the mind, body, and
spirit. Going in three rounds, after
you cleanse off with rose bush wa
ter, which is used for aroma and
purifying. Keeping the evil spirits
away. After funerals, unrested spirit
disturbances a home is scrubbed
down with rose bush water and rose
bush is left in various parts of the
home.
The rose represents the beautiful
things in life, rose bush for cleans
ing, purifying, the cross represents
religion. Knowing something about
their heritage and traditional life,
how it is different from other ways
which people live. For in this world
today, things are always subject to
change. Cultures stay the same, with
out this knowledge they do not have
anything to fall back on. I don't see
how our people can live in this world
k'unch are examples of cultural plants
that could be produced on land re
claimed through road eradication.
Timber production increases
through the road eradication program
because more acres are available to
grow trees. In this case, approxi
mately 41 acres will be reclaimed for
forest production. Each acre that is
brought back into production has the
capability of increasing the volume
of available timber by 10,000 to
50,000 board feet over time. The
average single-family home (2,000
square feet) can contain 16,900 board
feetoflumberandupto 10,000 square
feet of panel products.
Adding more timber volume to
the forest increases economic ben
efits to the Confederated Tribes by
creating more jobs and more lumber
for the mill. When the timber ma
tures and becomes available for har
vest, it could alleviate the need to cut
trees in more sensitive areas, or ulti
mately increase the annual allowable
cut. There is also a savings attached
to no longer needing to maintain the
roads.
While eradication is not the an
swer for all roads, it does have appli
cations that help to make the forest a
healthier and more productive envi
ronment. Some of the benefits are
immediate and others will become
evident years form now. Road eradi
cation is a tool that speaks to present
and future generations about wise
forest management.
Public comment will be accepted
until August 17, 1998. Comments
can be sent to Bodie Shaw, Forest
Manager, P.O.Box 1239, Warm
Springs, Or., 97761.
without the center that is given by
religion.
That their people have religions
that are different from other religions.
That our religions were given to us
Indian people long before time. They
need to know this, and to respect the
importance of daily prayer to guide
your life I always say my prayers
daily thanking the Creator for each
new sunrise and sunset given men,
for blessings bestowed on my house
hold, and the answering of my prayers.
When I speak and teach, I pray and
hope that my words will penetrate the
hearts of the listeners, and that they
may know the truth also.
With a great sense of pride you see
in our dance group, we realize we are
part of the sacred circle of life. We as
Indian people will endure as long as
the sun, the moon, and the starts.
Through our most precious resource,
our children, and our children's chil
dren, tribes tribes future, and future
leaders. The Indian way of life has
always been adaptable, on-going,
continually evolving. You can see
that through our Indian dances, using
other cultures as well as our own.
For back in the '50s there was still
a lot of animosity between tribes.
You'd never see different tribes sit
ting at the same drum, let alone being
at the same powwow. But today
intertribalism is very much alive. The
modern day powwows have brought
tribes together, unity. We try prepar
ing our dance group with that setting
through our songs and dances when
they attend the various powwows.
There is now single word that will
describe a Powwow. For powwow is
an Indian celebration of life. A place
to enjoy family, friends, meet new
acquaintances, to compete against one
another in contest. Just happy to be
alive.
I really express the importance of
education, to move with the times.
Yet still keeping within our culture
and traditions to succeed in life to
day. The group has been fortunate to
have numerous other dancers, some
now having their own groups. The
dancers may assist other groups with
their programs when invited, but they
usually stick with their own dancers
and drummers.
Ourdoors are always open to those
who wish to participate, right now we
outside The Museum At Warm Springs
Mutton Mountain proposed road eradication
- js" f
have mostly young dancers with great
family participation to get them to
the programs, giving the group suc
cess in our shows. Drumming for the
1998 group now are; the lead singer
Greg Arquette, Timothy Kalama,
Chips Kalama, Anson Begay, Big
Rat and Curt Jim.
The elders of the group are Big
Rat's; Uncle Tom Begay 65 years,
and Aunt Fern Begay 60 years, who
love and respect very much. Tom
still does the Hoop Dance, Clown
Dance, and sings the Southwest Eagle
Style Dance. Fern along with Lucy at
times helps in the drumming.
Other members of the dance group
are; Barbara Poncho 45 years, Val
Redstar Suppah, Red Sky Walker
Suppah, Rosey Twostarrs Suppah,
Blain Begay, Atcitty Begay, Destry
Begay, Pearl Jack, Celestine Charley,
Brandon Thompson, Tereyl
Florendo, Miranna Blueback, Kelly
Blueback, Rosey Tom and Preston
Tom.
Indian culture is not dead or dy
ing, its keeping alive by groups like
this, and today's pow-wow circuit.
One of the best ways to under
stand a people is to know what makes
them laugh. Indians have found a
humorous side of nearly every prob
lem and experience of life. Indian
identity helps the people to take pride
in themselves as individuals, family
and tribal members and as a race.
People are gradually returning or
turning to their tribal cultures, in
search of positive identities. The old
ways are being remembered and
taught to the younger generation to
be carried on. Growing up with their
values will ensure that future genera
tions continue to identify as Indian.
We should tap the wealth of
knowledge in our elders and use what
they give us. They are a great re
source and we should use them more.
For we wouldn't have or be what we
are today without our elder's wis
dom. The values of friendship, of our
elders, and their wisdom. Remem
bering who you are you can not be
something you're not. Lose that per
spective and you lose your life, as
Indian, as a person.
Tony "Big Rat Suppah
Lucile "Longhouse Lucy" Suppah
Simnasho Oregon
SJ Proposed Road Block
Corrals
A Proposed Road Eradication
Lj sections
Current Road System
Third Annual Huckleberry Harvest
August 7 and 8
Fundraising event is in support of The Museum At
Warm Springs and is tax deductible.
Call 553-3331 for more information
Win a Car!
Proceeds to benefit Mid Oregon Special Olympics
Tickets $2.00 each
Ticket includes $2.00 off a Giant
(an additional $1.00 donated by Abbys when coupon reaeemea.)
Tickets may be purchased at
Abby's Legendary Pizza
413 SW Glacier Avenue, Redmond
Look for this car at local Central Oregon events throughout the summer.
For more information contact: Mid Oregon Special Olympics, 541 -388-3965;
Brett Mills, 541-548-6935; Dale Williams, 541-923-6004; Marie &
Eldon Tom, 541-553-5436.
Drawing held August 25, 1 998 at Abby's in Redmond
The Museum At Warm Springs
Calendar of Event for 1 998
Changing Exhibit Schedule
July U-Sevtember28: "Quilts! Quilts! Quilts!"
Opening Reception July 11, 12 p.m.
October 2-December 28: "Traditional Baskets"
Opening Reception October 2, 6 p.m.
T.iving Traditions
lulu
3-5: Dry Creek Dancers
11-12: Stick Game
18-19: Root &Cornhusk
bags
29-30: Traditional Foods
September
5-7: Craft Fair
Culture Class 1998 Sign up now
July August
13: Wingdress & 17 thru 21: Beadwork
20: Leggings & September
27: Moccasins 8, 15, 22 & 29: Cedar Root Bkt
October November
1, 8, 15, 22 & 29: 2 thru 6: Ribbon shirts
Mask Mkg
Come to Thp Museum At Warm Springs Third An
pual Huckleberry Harvest
Our very own unique fundraising event!! August 7-8,
1998
The following activities are sponsored through a grant
from the US West Foundation and are FREE to the public:
July 17 6 p.m.: LillianPitt, lecture & presentation on her
art.
September 12 2 p.m.: Ed Edmo, story-telling "Grand
mother Chokecherry".
October 3 2 p.m.: "Bridge of the Gods" Native Ameri
can legend, a play by The Tears of Joy Theater.
November 7 1 &3 p.m.: Mary Dodds Schlick, author
lecture (coincides with Traditional Baskets Exhibit)
December 11 6 p.m.: Jane Kirkpatrick, author lecture
Also made possible by US
sion) to 1 he Museum. Saturday, uctoDer j, iyyo, rnudy,
Mnvpmhpr 27. 1998 & Saturdav. December 5, 1998.
For more information on
rail fUH wv31. Keen
member or give a gift of membership to The Museum At
warm springs
Pizza at Abby's Legendary Pizza
iwa ii a.m. to j P.m.
August
1-2: Heritage Importance
8-9: Cedar Bark Baskets
8: Spirit Walker Dancers
15-16: Cedar Root Baskets
22-23: Quilts
29-30: Traditional Foods
West: Free Days (free admis-
this calendar of Events, please
the Culture alive! Become a
J
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