SPILYAYTYMOO
WARM SPRINGS, OREGON
August 10, 2000 5
V,
4
'-',4
L
The Warm Springs river was a
Native Americans
To the editor,
' To the good people of the Warm
Springs Nation. On behalf of the
Native Brothers here at the Two
River's Correctional Institute. We
are reaching out for your help. Being
how this Institute is so new, we are
the first of the Native brothers to pass
through this joint. So due to that fact,
we are in great need of your support
from the outside Native communi
ties. We are in a situation where we
have noting. When it come to Native
Spiritual practices. From our hearts,
we as incarcerated Native American
men are here serving our time and
paying punishment for our crimes
and wrongs we've committed in the
Tribal members speak out
To the editor,
What's on your mind? Hey,
there's a lotta' stuff going on around
the rez. Stuff at the mill, budget sea
son is here with a lot of stuff that
needs to be questioned. Do you know
what essential and non-essential tribal
services are? Do you talk to your
council rep about it? What would you
do if per capita was suddenly
stopped? What would you do with
out a job? What if the tribal program
you work for gets cut from the bud
get or it called for anywhere from five
to fifteen percent cut? If your job was
cut, how would you deal with your
creditors, provide for your family,
pay routine monthly bills? What
needs to happen is people question
ing tribal council and management in
a general council meeting through
your district representative. When the
budget meetings come up, go to the
meetings, not just to eat and leave,
but stay and state your concerns.
When the issues of per capita and
bonus (pro and con) are presented, be
there. Tribal members, if you are
wondering how YOUR money is be
ing spent, don't be afraid to come
forward and be heard. Remember that
you deprive the tribal membership
1 00 of the chance to hear you if you
never speak out.
Have you heard rumors about
another referendum on a new casino?
Tribal members still are on the "12
point system" at Indian Head. For
example, each day they are absent
from work due to illness, a point is
deducted. When did excused ab
sences go out of style? Maybe we
should implement a uniform person
nel manual to fit all the enterprises as
w ell as tribal administration. Did any
body ask tribal members of the
adopted logo (Indian Head) could be
changed to" a feather? Of course, we
as Natives, are proud of eagle feath
ers, but the Indian head was the origi
nal head w as the original logo cho
sen throuch a contest, and w as sub-
4 -4 r
a
'1 '
. fv.
, V
J f
.. . '
cool refreshing sight during a hot day
at Two Rivers Correctional.lnstitute
past. And we accept our feat. And we
are here with strong intentions of
bettering ourselves in ways such as
mentally, physically and spiritually.
We have hope to return to our com
munities one day as strong better
human beings and take back away
the pain and hurt we' ve put our family
and people through by being away in
time of need.
We the Native Brothers here at
Two Rivers are all from various tribes
through the Turtle Island Continent.
We are asking for your help in ways
such as: knowledge, songs, language,
and most importantly "Time" ! ! Outta
your life to help us bring unity back
into our circles. The Institution's
policy here at TRCI is to tame us of
mined by one ot our tribal members
Maybe if we ask the council in a gen
eral meeting, they can tell us what the
plan for a future casino is, this time
for a future casino is, this time be can
did and not withhold information
from members. This would be a good
way to regain the trust of the members-straight
talk. Why is there so
much emphasis to build a casino off
reservation? Is it because somebody
(besides the tribe) stands to profit as
well? Why are off-reservation causes
donated to by Indian Head (such as
in Bend) when those funds could be
used on the rez for worthwhile
causes? There's a lot of concern be
ing expressed by the mill guys, and
they have every right to bring forth
the issues that are bugging them.
Some have already reported these
problems in public meetings, so let's
hear it from the rest of you mill guys
gals. Have you been informed about
the possibility of unionization in tribal
enterprises? Yes, this is possible;
however, our protection is to have a
personnel manual in place that IN
CLUDES a grievance process. An
affirmative action plan needs to be in
place. Every work place on the rez
needs a grievance process for with
out one, where does the employee
turn to get an issue resolved? We
know the mill guvs have been told
that the "rumor" of the mill losing
money is HOGWASH. We kid you
not. As of the end of May, 2000 the
year-to-date loss was close to
S900.000! Look at it, for yourself in
the attached report submitted to coun
cil dated 6192000 by the WSFPI
chief financial officer. This report was
given to council in July AFTER the
mill was sure it was getting a $4 mil
lion loan. Good timing, mill manage
ment. If the mill is doing so well,
what's the reason for borrowing?
Where is it being spent? Now there is
talk of shutting the mill down. If this
is the case, then the layoffs should
start at the top w ith executive man
f
V
4
'if?..
,1
H "
at HeHe Longhouse.
our criminal ways and their inten
tions on that is the old boarding school
method, Divide and Conquor.
And with that come's the "Ter
mination" between us and our cul
ture. We are asking of the DOC (De
partment of Corrections).
The opportunity to pray in the
ways we as Natives know how, such
as a sweatlodge ceremony, a drum
ming circle, are even a smudge cer
emony. And we are being denied
these until we can find someone from
the outside to come and access us
through whichever ceremony it may
be. Once again we are asking for
someone to come in "Two Rivers"
and help us build and hold a sweat
on several issues including
agement since they are the highest
paid. What's this rumor about nepo
tism at the mill? If the mill workers,
both tribal members and MITs are
laid off, tribal departments that will
be hit the hardest are Credit and Hous
ing. Here is a direct quote, so WSFPI
managers, don't tell us you were un
aware of timber revenue declining.
George Smith interview: "A poten
tial tribal budget crises is on the hori
zon with sharp declines in timber in
come; other sources of revenue must
be developed to fund tribal programs,
reduce burden on forest resource to
provide revenue need." (Forestry
Workshop One, Kahneeta, July 7 &
8, 1999). So, tribal management, you
have had two years to look for these
"other sources of revenue." What
have you found so far? What George
Smith (Area forester) has written is
something that has been known by
many for years. At this same work
shop, it was also recommended
TWICE that the WSFPI Board be re
placed with knowledgeable people.
So people, let's not depend just on
others to come up with ways to cut
costs and build revenue. Come to the
meetings and share your ideas with
them. If you think your idea for sav
ing the tribes dollars is not worth say
ing, think again. You thought your
vote wouldn't count; but it sure .
counted in the public safety and ca
sino referendums.
We have some smart grass
roots people out there who have never
expressed themselves. The time to do
this is fast approaching during bud
get meetings. Why is the Council ac
count position being abolished and
moving the responsibility to the coun
cil area? It functions very efficiently
where it's at now in the Finance area.
Also another item that needs discus
sion is whether our managers have
authority to transfer funds from one
committee to another, after the people
had voted on the budget for money
to be spent for specific departments
Jam Fest Schedule of Events
Erlday August 25th
7 p.m. - Food Vendor set
up. Must set up until at least
9 p.m. or longer, and have a
Food Handlers card available
before set up. Minimum
electrical hook-up usage, this
night only.
8-11 p.m. - Outdoor con
cert featuring Casper
Lomayesva of Third Mesa
Music, Native American
Reggae artist. Please bring
your own lawn chairsblan- 2:30 -3 p.m.- Open slot
kets, bleachers and benches 3 -3:30 p.m. -Poetry read
may be available but will be ing (Liz Woody, et al)
limited. 3:30-4p.m.-Paddledance
Saturday August 26th (Adeline Miller family)
Consumer Credit Counseling offers
back-to-school budgeting tips
Do you have $5 19 to spend on
back to school expenses? If you don't
and will soon be in the market for
backpacks and other school necessi
ties, start saving today because that's
what adults planned to spend on back
to school items last year.
"Back to school clothes, calcu
lators, software programs and school
supplies can add up in a hurry," said
Terri Rahmsdorff, CEO, Consumer
Credit Counseling, a non-profit
Neighborhood Financial Care Center
that provides dept and credit counsel
ing and education. "Many families
need to budget for that large expen
diture." In 1 999, the International Mass
Retail Association asked 1,000 adults
to total up their planned back to
seek assistance
lodge cleansing ceremony. Or bring
a drum and share songs with us. Even
a taling circle and share some
knowledge with us.
Any kind of support offered is
more than needed. Our point to the
people is, we are struggling to obtain
our nationalities sacred instruments
of prayer and any way of communi
cation with our Creator.
With that, we would like to thank
you for taking the time to read this
short message to the people. .
Respesctfully,
Tewahnee Sahme 11186353
P.S. If you wish to contact us in
regards to this letter, please write, or
call: Chaplain Ms. Schwartz; 82911
Beach Access Rd.; Umatilla, OR
97882 (541)922-2003
or committees. How does council it
self intend on reducing expenditures?
If there's gonna be budget cuts in the
organization, it needs to include coun
cil, management and attorneys also.
There could be only two executive
committees appointed instead of
eight. One would deal with natural
and physical resources issues. The
other would review human resource
community service-type subjects. Do
we have a process in place to audit
federal and other grants to see that
they are being spent properly? After
council has spent all its money, where
do they get money to spend? Maybe
from the "rainy day fund" that was
intended for our children and grand
children? Could our legal beagles be
' looking at the possibility of skimming
money off the top of one or more of
, our enterprises? Remember, these
enterprises were set up as separate
entities under their own charters and
boards of directors. When it comes
time for our future leaders to run the
rez, what resources will they have to
do that with? Where in the council
rules (if there are any) are proxy votes
authorized? In other words, can coun
cilmen vote on something without
actually being present at a meeting?
Also, tribal members, 200 1 is a coun
cil election year, so that's another
thing to think about. Who in your dis
trict is going to best represent you and
the tribe? Be seriously thinking about
who your nominee will be. This is
NOT a popularity contest. Being on
council is not a place to play games,
neither is it a political area, nor was it
intended to be a source of income. It
holds the direction of our reservation
in its hands. Think-the incoming
council is also responsible for select
ing the S-T and COO. Why not com
bine the positions into one and return
the responsibilities to an S-T, the way
the constitution states, PLUS cut the
salary down. Also the council selects
committees and boards. Is it right or
ethical for a chairman to abandon a
committee w hen it's out of money?
9-10 a.m. - Vendor regis
tration (CHET Staff)
10 a.m. - BBQ Cooks
set-up (Andrea Kalama)
11 a.m. - Opening prayer
& Welcome (Wilson Wcwa
Jr.)
12 noon - Free BBQ
(CHET staff)
1:30-2 p.m. - Open slot
2 - 2:30 p.m. - Intl Wind
Dancers (L. Colwash & M.
RedDog)
school expenses and they came up
with an average of $519. The break
down includes $297 on apparel; $ 1 7 1
on consumer electronics, and $5 1 on
school supplies.
These totals should come as no
surprise because retailers report that
the weeks before school resumes in
the fall are among the busiest of the
year.
If you are in charge of your
family's back to school shopping,
here are budgeting tips that will help
you stretch your back to school dol
lars. See what you have first. Before
you go shopping, take an inventory
of your children's clothing and elec
tronic needs. The last thing you want
to do is buy duplicate pants and cal
culators. But, you may without an
Tribal member to
to relocate due to
Hello, My name is Alesia Eyle.
My Indian name is "Tuk-Tin-Pa".
My parents are Alexander and
Pauline Eyle, both of Yakama and
the late Arlita "Ducky" Johnson of
Warm Springs.
I am 34 years of age and I enjoy
beadworkings. I am also learning to .
paint with watercolors. I have lived
an active life working as a firefighter
and in heavey construction and car
pentry. My beadwork is hightly
known to many people. I have been
active in Longhouse work in both
tribes of Warm Springs and Yakama.
I have contracted cystic fibrosis,
the severe scarring of the lungs, since
1995, and am accompanied by liquid
oxygen portable stroller. And for the
past two years I have been trying to
get on the list at Washington Uni
- versity Hospital for a double lung
transplant, Available lungs will come
from the states of Alaska, Washing
ton, Oregon, and Idaho. This hospi
tal has accomplished five successful
lung trasplants this year. '
In order for me to have this opera
the mill, budget cuts, etc.
Something else to think about: when
you get a loan (either personal or
house) through tribal credit, insurance
is added to the loan payments. On a
house loan, funds go to into an es
crow account and premiums are paid
out directly to your insurance com
pany. Why is it that our Credit de
partment refuses to replace a house
(lost to fire) when insurance has been
paid in by the borrower all along? Fire
insurance was meant to pay for fire
losses, not anything else. If not put in
escrow, where does it go? Have you
had problems getting a loan, and what
reasons were given to you? Talk to
your council rep. Have you taken time
to read the Credit Code? Some of you
may remember the OLD cattle loans
called reimbursables that were funded
by the BIA to help members go into
business back in the 1940's and
1950's. We no longer have such a
program. The steer calves and culls
were sold off and payment made on
the loan. Tribal members were trying
to be self-sufficient and are impeded
by this old law that was recently
"implemented". The "applicable" or
dinance is 66 that refers to the Code
of Federal Regulations, 25 CFR, 166,
which is mainly applicable to LAND,
in this case. Credit has apparently
gone back to the "Mother, may I"
concept. Are some borrowers hand
picked to try to force them to come
under this alleged policy? Could it be
that personality conflict is involved,
or some legal matter? Looks like a
few are held VERY accountable, and
other borrowers aren't. We heard
about very reliable folks (couples
both working) being denied loans.
Why? Let's be fair to all our mem
bers. Did you know the credit enter
prise gives its employees bonuses? So
does Indian Head. Since we have sev
eral enterprises, does that make you
wonder who else gets bonuses from
your profits, and how much, based on
salary? Employees, ever wonder w hat
happens to those dollars if you should
die before becoming retirement age?
4 - 4:40 p.m. - Full Gospel
Choir (Pastor Hunt)
4:40 - 4:50 p.m. - Brutus
Rap (Luis Baez Jr.)
4:50 - 5 p.m. - Soloist
(Victoria Smith)
5 - 5:30 p.m. - Rap music
(Tony Anderson)
5:30 -6 p.m. - Duncan
Brunoe Group
6-6:30p.m. -DOD, Heavy
Metal (DW Hudson)
6:30 - 7 p.m. - Flute music
(Foster Kalama)
7 - 9 p.m. - Reggae Group
' 9-11 p.m. -Jam Fest Street
Dance
inventory.
Make a list. Write down what
you and your children need in terms
of shirts, trousers, computer disks,
childen's organizers, backpacks, fold
ers and writing utensils. You will
spend less money if you stick to a
formal list while shopping.
Decide what you can spend.
Take your list and add up all the items.
If it is more than you can afford to
spend, look for places to cut expenses.
This information was submit
ted by Consumer Credit Counseling
Service of Central Oregon. Their mis
sion is to develop and support respon
sible financial consumers in Central
Oregon thereby improving the finan
cial health of both the community and
the individuals served.
hold fundraiser
medical reasons
tion, I need to relocate to the Seattle
area. I will need finances for rent up
to three years. I will require a care
provider for a period of time before
and after the operation. I need to
have transportation to and from the
hospital several times a week before
. and after the operation. And that is
only the beginning.
I don ' t want to overwhelm anyone
with the details so I will finish by
saying, I am asking for asking for
support and help from the people of
Warm Springs Tribes. Myself and
my sister Jacqueline Kalama will be
in Warm Springs to do some
fundraising. What we have planned
will be a mini-raffle on August 30 in
the lobby of the agency. Ticket sales
will begin on August 24th. We will
also have a variety of beadwork for
sale in the agency lobby.
Mailed contributions may be sent
to Eyle Fund; co Foster Care Center;
171 Wishpoosh Road, Toppenish,
WA 98948. Thank you for your time
and consideration.
Alesia J. Eyle
Does your family see any of these
withholdings after you pass away?
No. The money disappears into a
fund. Whose fund and now is it used?
Those tribal members who want to
continue speaking through us, do so.
We're glad to put your concerns forth
and we do thank those of you who
stepped right up and wrote one your
self. Thank you. Also you will find a
letter attached that concerns the
WSFPI.
Daisy Ike, Shirley Sanders,
Ginger Smith & Rita Squlemphen
To: W.S.F.P.I Board of Directors
Gentlemen,
For the month of May 2000,
W.S.F.P.I. I had a net loss of
($650,554. 13). This brought the year-to-date
loss to ($871,996.52). The
operating loss year-to-date is
($820,465.09). The loss is a negative
4.2 1 of sales. This is well below the
5 to 6 standard by the Tribal Coun
cil. The sawmill had a gross loss of
(546,413.65). The sawmill had sales
of 7,810,246 b.f of lumber at a value
of $2,451,069. The mill consumed
5,077,940 b.f. of logs at a cost of
$2,386,912. The mill produced
8,578,780 b.f. lumber at cost of
$1,252,069, Lumber inventory was
written down to market by $344,350.
Total cost of sales for the sawmill was
$3,254,136.00. Since January of this
year, the average sales value went
from $382.18 per-m to $313.83 per
m. This is a $68.35 drop in the aver
age sales value.
The Timber department had a
gross profit of $59,382 for the month.
This brought the year-to-date profit
to $254,036. The mill harvested
8,864,810 b.f. of logs and paid
$1,565,957 in stumpage. Harvest and
other costs were $ 1 ,794,847. The mill
purchased 958.360 b.f. of timber from
off the reservation and paid $441,176.
Log inventory was written down to
market by $4 1 .1 42. Total cost of sales
w as $3,349,780. Total sales and trans
fers for the month were $3,409,1 162