4 May 4, 2000
Warm Springs, Oregon
SPILYAY TYMOO
E Coosh EEWA: The way it is
The Confederated Tribes are
alwavs on llie look out for sonic
king of project that could gener
ate income for the tribes and at
the present time wc are discuss
ing to move our local gaming
establishment from the Kah-Nee-Ta
lodge, the Indian I lead Gam
ing. It's very small compared to all
other gaming centers across the
country, as we voted to try it out
for a five year period, in the be
ginning, and that time period has
elapsed and now we arc looking
for a more convenient locution
along highway 26, since our one
location was disallowed by the
Governor earlier. It isccrtain that
studies arc still being made for a large gaming facility near the
metropolitan area, but that's a way down the road at the present time.
The location along the Columbia River, near I Iood River or possibly
Cascade Locks, as time passes and u more suitublc time will come
along. But at the present time we must do something to boost our
revenue either by moving the Indian I lead Gaming, to a more suitable
location.
The wuy they are putting the issue to the tribal members that the
Madras areu is the only hope for the tribes to be able to make ends
meet. For this area in Central Oregon the population is in that area and
it would really boost the economy there, making Madras aboom town,
benefiting from ourcasino, and to make things work the Tribes would
huve to contribute much to make this happen. There would be acertain
percent that would have to go to the City of Madras, the police
department would have to be increased which the tribes would have
to foot. More police to arrest more Indians, like some people observe
that all the police cars park along highway 26 between Madras and
Warm Springs.
There are some hidden expenses that would pop up in a move there,
but to make things work we'd have to take care of those costs no matter
what. What ever we do we must consider both sides of each chart that
is shown to us, to clearly understand and get the true picture, are these
charts accurate are just to make .a point look better. ,
Gaming is a big issue in Indian Country' and it's scary to some
people, But like they say, "Life is a gamble," and almost everything
a person does is a gamble.
Gambling can effect a persons life style a great deal to where some
become addicted to gambling, just like being addicted to alcohol and
drugs. But on the other hand it can become beneficial in many ways,
that's if one can control his actions. There are times when a person
makes a big hit on the machines but in stead of setting some aside to
where he would b ahead at the end, he goes and blows the whole thing
back trying for that big one and ends up a loser.
Employment?? Everyone always talks of providing employment
for the local tribal members but in Madras??? Many people cannot
drivetoMadras because they don'thave drivers license any more.There
is atalkof shuttling employees to and from work... Have they done that
atKah-Nee-Ta??No!
Most people who are apposed to gambling have their reasons, some
could be afraid that they may become addicted to gambling, as it goes
some will stop a nothing even if it means blowing his whole pay check.
Those are the king of people that don't belong in a gaming establish
ment. And again there are some people who set limits on themselves,
setting aside enough to gamble on and if that's gone he figures luck
is not there so he quits. Sometimes a person can come out ahead with
what he has allowed himself to spend at the casino and that's the best
way to come out of the casino, that's ahead. Of course gambling
shouldn't be our concern, the whole idea is for others to bring in the
income for the tribes, and not for us to support our own gaming
facility.
Gaming in Indian country has done well for some tribes, where it
has helped tribes for education, better homes, medical assistance and
many other things.
Today we have to sit down and produce a chart in our own minds
on what route we should take. Consider the whole aspect of the whole
operation and location.
The fall of Siagon
Just think it was 25 years ago April 30, that Saigon fell to the North
. Vietnamese to mark the end of the war in that area. There was much
confusion at the united States Embassy when they were evacuating
their people as thousands of South Vietnamese wanted to leave the
country also. Heilacopters were busy moving their own people out
to the Aircraft that was awaiting off shore.
After years of envolvement in that area the United States was
finally pulling out, but there are so much that many veterans
remember from their experiennce over there, their personal
envolvement on those patrols in the jungles, the rainy days the hot
sultcring days, all not very pleasent. There were many buddies that
were lost over there and will never be forgotten.
Toe
TJiis guy said, "Vm growing old by myself. My wife hasn 7 had
a birthday for several years. Y1KES
ss
ss
Editor's Note
Spilyay Tymoo welcomes articles and letters from its readers. All letters, preferably 300
words or less, must be signed by the author. Letters w ill not be printed unless signed. Thank
you letters and poetry will be published at the editor's discretion. All letters are the opinion
of the author and do not reflect in any w ay the opinion of Spilyay Tymoo. Spilyay Tymoo
reserves the right to edit all copy OR refuse publication of any material that may contain
libelous or malicious statements.
IT 0
G
Ness
ss
Where is justification for Tribal Council to travel to
To my people,
I huve a question? How many of
you arc aware that in a few weeks wc
are going to finance an eight day
Hawaiian vacation? Not just for our
Tribal leaders (Council. COO. ST,
etc.). but also for members of their
family ! It's true! How many of you
are as appalled as I am?
Somehow or another our leaders
have been able to justify, to
themselves at least, that spending
somewhere in the neighborhood of
$100,000 of our money to finance
this wonderful "family getaway" is
acceptable. (Most of them will tell
you that the other party involved in
the discussions is picking up "part"
of the lab.) Where docs this figure
come from? You have to remember
that we're talking about probably
24-26 people. Some felt that only
being allowed to bring their
significant other was not enough.
Remember, it's a "family getaway!"
You have to account for airfare, room
and board, a per diem of at least
$250day (Hey Hawaii iscxpensive!),
and of course each of our leaders
needs their own rental car. You also
have to take into account that although
the actual time they will meet on the
Pension Plan is three days, as I
Tribal member
To the editor,
I read in the latest issue of the
Spilyay Tymoo that a referendum
vote is scheduled for May 23 to
expand gaming on tribal trust lands
located in Madras. I would like more
information on this investment. There
have been numerous activities taking
place, but the tribal membership
hasn't been informed on the finances,
marketing position, and long term
plans. It has been insulting to read
off-reservation newspaper
publications in Hood River and the
associated press reports about these
activities over the past year. ' '
NOTICE
I have asked the gaming negotiat
ing team to indicate in future corre
spondence with the membership, that
the Tribal Council vote was 5 to 4
supporting the Madras site. I read the
April 20th edition of Spilyay Tymoo,
and the negotiating team failed to
mention that. Therefore, I want it to
' be known that I, Raymond Tsumpti,
am one of the four that opposed the
Tribal Council recommendation.
How did control
To the editor,
How did the ST and his Cronies
gain control of this Reservation? Why
did this Tribal Council cut their own
throats, and the voice of the people,
they were elected to represent? They
appointed this guy even after people
warned them about why "He" and his
"Cronies" were run out of Klamath
Falls, even people from Klamath Falls
told them. Even if they were only
rumors, they should have been
checked out. They and management,
sure judge Tribal Members on
rumors. Especially if someone
doesn't share the same opinion. Or
one they never thought of, they all
act like they are "in awe" of these
people.
This bunch has made all "our"
money making departments into
"Separate Enterprises". But with the
Boards made up of people from their
own inner circle. They won't pick
anybody who may have ideas that
would benefit tribal members first.
Like it should be.
Now it appears this bunch is
circling their wagons around Kah-Nee-Ta.
Could it be that they finally
figured out they couldn't sneak
Happy Belated Easter to my sister
Madeline Baker. I love you.
From your sister Inez McKinley
and crew in Warm Springs.
I wish Joyce McKinley good luck
and wonderful recovery for the
future. We love you. Thank you to
the people who had prayers for my
sister.
Inez & Frank and McKinley crew
understand, they will still be on paid
status the entire duration of their trip.
What would your best estimate be to
finance a trip like this?
According to them, this trip is
necessary for them to "get away" so
that they may discuss the new Pension
Plan. A local issue. It would be too
disruptive for them to meet at our
own beautiful vacation resort, Kah-Nee-Ta,
located approximately 1 1
miles from here. How is it that they
can justify a trip like this, especially
when all I can recall hearing about
the last few years is how we needed
to find ways to cut our Tribal budget.
Where is this money coming from is
what I'd like to know. Most of you
that work for our Tribal
administration should understand
what I'm talking about. How much
time have you spent in the last few
years trying to figure out where you
were going lo make the mandatory
cuts to your department budgets?
Now think ubout all the stress you
went through for months trying to
figure this out. In a matter of a lew
hours, our leaders have carelessly
and unconscionably found a way to
help nullify those efforts. I'm glad
they feel we're financially stable
enough to accommodate this trip. By
feels basic communications severely lacking
Besides the $1.9 million
investment for economic
development at Cascade Locks, how
much did it cost for the Gaming Task
Force and Gaming Board of Directors
fees and expenses, the public relations
consultant fees and expenses,
additional consultants fees and
expenses, and the attorney fees and
expenses? It adds up to hundreds of
thousands of dollars when they are
each receiving $150 an hour plus
travel expenses. One of the new
articles told of special luncheons that
my tribe hosted at Hood River and
Cascade Locks. I wondered why this
For Sale
Bead supply business. Can be
home; mail order; andor shop based.
Inventory includes bone, shells,
brass, thread, needles, posters, fri nge,
etc. Six large showcases, counter,
display racks, etc. For further infor
mation call Jo: (541) 689-5701 or
write Jo Zollinger; 1181 River Loop
I; Eugene, OR 97404.
of reservation
another fast one by Tribal Members?
Finally realizing, that the real Indians
don't share management's
generosity, or share that "Warm
Fuzzy Feeling" that management
gets, when they make their White
Brothers and Sisters happy.
The "Indian Fighters" of Kah-Nee-Ta,
don't even try and hide their
contempt and bias against Indians
anymore. The Head of Maintenance,
who everyone knows, actually
controls the hiring and firing at Kah-Nee-Ta,
now believes he can openly
call a Tribal member an Idiot in front
of another member. We he just trying
to get a rise out of that person to use
against him later? Anyone, not
management, who has had to deal
with this guy can tell you some of the
things he has pulled. The only ones
who will believe Kah-Nee-Ta
Management's denial, will be our
Management.
At the General Council meeting
on Kah-Nee-Ta on April 25, 2000,
we find out two of this bunch on
Tribal Council, have put themselves
on the Kah-Nee-Ta Board. They
supposed to be picking "Honest"
people, who have the Tribes best
Honor dinner set
Honor Dinner Date: Friday, May
12, 2000 Place: Agency Longhouse
Time: 5:00 P.M. ii dinner Name
giving Medicine singing Chieftain
ship dinner to honor Nelson
Wallulatum (41 years) Name giving
for Nelson Wallulatum Medicine
singing to follow All People Wel
come Stone setting set
for May 13
Stone settingdinner for Amelia
Spino is set for Saturday, May 13,
2000. Servicesviewing at 9:00 A.M.
at Dry Creek Cemetery, giveaway
and dinner to follow at Rosaline
Moran residence at 6333 Sunnyside
Drive. If you have any questions, call
Rosaline at 553-1857 (home)
553-2416 (work) or Winona Stwver
at 553-1858 or Eddie Spino' at
553-1411.
the way. when is the last time anyone
received a "Cost of Living
Adjustment?" It seems odd that the
ST would be the person orchestrating
this whole trip. Isn't this the same
person who implemented a hiring
freeze which is still in effect?
Most of our leaders will argue
until their blue in the face that this is
an important issue that needs to be
addressed. I certainly agree. There
arc just a few things that I don't agree
with that I would like to point out: I .
I don't agree with paying out that
much money to send everyone all the
over to Hawaii to discuss a local
issue. 2. Isn't there a Pension
Committee? Who is on the committee
and why arc they not all attending?
Who are the ones that were given the
responsibility to oversee this issue?
I'm still a little confused about this.
3. For something that is so important,
why is it that 4 council members
have decided not to attend? I'm pietty
sure that it had nothing to do with the
conflict of schedules. Three of the
four had previously been signed up
to go. Now what could possibly be so
important they would turn down an
all expense paid trip to the beautiful
Hawaiian Islands? I think that
somewhere deep inside, these four
was so secretive to the tribal
membership.
It has been mentioned that the
temporary investment at Madras will
cost $1 2 million. The investment for
Indian Head Casino was approved at
$6 million in 1993 and it has been a
successful endeavor. Why should we
invest additional millions of dollars
for a temporary facility?
A 1994 tribal member survey
determined that Kah-Nee-Ta was the
preferred site for a casino and we
honored the wishes of the people.
Why aren't we allowed input to the
' major plans for the next phase of
gaming? We would like to be
involved in the long-term goals and
examine the alternative sites-rather
than rely on expensive board
membersconsultantsattorneys to
make these decisions. A
comprehensive plan was updated for
our community, yet major decisions
are being made without tribal member
input.
There is a pattern of reactionary
management evident: in the gaming
meetings at Hood River, the
negotiations to give up millions of
dollars to Hood River in order to
fall into the hands of the ST?
interest at heart. Not picking
themselves. Now talk about "Conflict
of Interest". By now everyone should
know how "Honest," this bunch is.
Or are they just very deeply
concerned, about the welfare of
themselves and their White Brothers
and Sisters?
Now, the "Apple" Dumpling
Gang, along with both the Boards of
Kah-Nee-Ta and Gaming, say they
are "just" discussing combining Kah-Nee-Ta
and Gaming? With the
attitude of Kah-Nee-Ta in on it in the
first place. Because of their
mismanagement and attitude toward
Indians. Did they forget all the
complaints about members treatment
at both establishments?
They claim to be training tribal
members. All I've seen is Youngsters
with enough blood to be enrolled,
being trained by a manager who was
fired because of arrogant, bias attitude
toward Indians. Listening to these
youngsters talk, and watching their
actions, they are being trained into
this guys image. Then this guy gets
rehired by "The Board". Was this
done with the Councils blessing?
So far, this bunch has signed away
Apologies sent
to brothers
To the editor,
Hi, my name is Taylor Arthur Sr.
I know a lot of yall know me. I would
like to thank all the people that work
at Spilyay for sending me the Rez
news. I would also like to send out an
apology to Gilbert Kalama and his
brother Simon for doing something
that was very wrong of me in my
actions. I'd also like to sent shut-outs
to my TRU N8IVES Sncak-dog,
Egg-Shen, Mook-dog and The Mobb
for representin. I'd like to tell my
snake brothers in the "pit" to keep ya
head up and remember to keep it real.
Later days
Tavlor Arthur Sr. 64177065
Hawaii?
must have concluded that may he.
just maybe, they could not fully
justify this act. It is actually quite
commendable on their part. At least
they took a step back and took a
better look at what they were about to
do and decided to go against the
majority.
I low long are we going to continue
to sit back and allow issues like this
to continue without question? What
type of precedent does this set for
future councils? I think it is time for
u s to remind our leaders that they are
expected to act in ways that arc most
beneficial to the interest of the
Members of our Tribe. They are not
put there to be self-serving. I think
this has temporarily been "forgotten"
by many of our leaders. The burden
is placed upon all of us to let them
know exactly how we feci, not only
about this particular situation, but
other issues as well. We must decide
as a community that the only way to
get our point across is to SPEAK UP!
Speak up for yourself, your family,
and most importantly your
community. We control our own
destiny, if we so choose. Speak up
and make sure that you arc heard.
Jacob S. Coochise
Concerned Tribal Member
establish a casino, the denial from
Governor Kilzhabcr for an off
reservation casino, the $1.9 million
purchase of Government Island, and
now a temporary casino at Madras.
All of these activities are time
consuming and very expensive. The
Warm Springs task force offered large
dollar proceeds to the Hood River
community during the negotiations.
Why should we give away millions
to Hood River or Cascade Locks
when we have the sovereign right to
do what we please with our land? I
recommend that a five-year strategic
plan (with input from the tribal
membership) to put us in a more
proactive position.
What has happened to the proceeds
of revenue from Indian Head Casino?
Are we providing funds for education,
health, and housing like we promised
we would?
Basic communications are
severely lacking, and to finally
receive a mail-out and newspaper
updates at this point leads me to
believe that the tribal membership
are an afterthought! We'd like to
make an informed vote on May 23.
Respectfully,
Nak'ishayat (Aurolyn Watlamet)
treaty water rights, were ignorant of
or just plain threw out the Tribal
Constitution and By-Laws, formed
more management positions,
appointed themselves to boards, put
people that they can control or that
think just like them and spent millions
of dollars of Tribal money without
even letting Tribal members know,
cut services to the Tribes, but making
sure management (a lot of them) non
Indians are taken care of first, and
seem to have forgotten the people
who entrusted these "Seats of
Authority" to them.
These fellas don't seem to care
what the Indian people even think of
them, or what Tribal members think
at all. If they don't get what they
want, I think we better watch out,
they may have something else up
their sleeve, just so they can continue
to live in the style that they have
grown accustomed to. Why do we
keep putting up with an "Employee"
spitting in the face of the
"Employee?" Even High School
students have been discussing
corruption on this Reservation,
during their class time.
Victor Moses
Tribal member
Thanks uncle!
To the editor,
Thank you going out to my dear
est uncle Albert Comedown and
Laura Comedown for their support
in my recovery for my graduation for
my graduation over in Elma, Wash
ington March 28, 00. I've graduated
45 day program in helping myself
from a big time relapse search for
help went to treatment searched
myself and to know I found out who
lam now. I'm very thankful for your
support. And love you for going to
Elma, Washington way up by
Olympia, WA 300 miles from Cana
dian border.
Thanks Uncle Albert and Laura
Comedown.
Darlia Davis
45938 Minthorn Lane
Pendleton, OR 97801