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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 2000)
September 7, 2000 Warm Springs, Oregon SPILYAYTYMOO Meeting has good turn out Youth enjoy HOW MUCH WOOD COULD A WOODCHUCK CHUCK IF A WOODCHUCK COULD CHUCK WOOD? No special reason for this tongue twister, just that it's a good lead-in for talking about WSFPI. The meeting went on Thursday night at the longhouse and many issues were discussed. We were glad to see so many mill employees present and that some of them expressed their con cerns. Others chose to not speak be cause of fear of repercussion. It was a disappointment to see that espe cially the GM and personnel manager were absent, since many issues could have been resolved by them on-the-spot. It's unfortunate the chairman of the WSFPI board was also absent. There are many questions to be an swered by the CFO, who was also absent regarding the council meet ing of August 21. Our trustee who is the BI A was not notified of this meet ing in 82 1 so that's why they weren't present. Their presence was needed because of discussion of the profit and risk negotiable percentage rate. The bottom line on the WSFPI situa tion is that the mill workers need to be listened to. They work there and know what's going on. The GM, us ing the pretense off down-sizing, is actually REPLACING good tribal member employees with people of his own choosing. We would be better off if our own tribal members (those who REALLY CARE about the mill) would take over management posi tions. It may seem like a drastic ac tion, but is probably necessary in or der to save the mill and its assets. We may need to shut down the mill and start over. This is called CREATIVE DESTUCTION. Get rid of the bad apples since we now know who they are. This would be good for us in the long run. We would have to make temporary sacrifices such as unem ployment, but in the, the mill would be run much better by people who care about this valuable resource, in stead of how much money they make for themselves. Your just can t seem to get a straight answer out of the board. They reported they had bor rowed $6 million, and after Thursday's meeting said they had gotten the authority to borrow it. Once they do get this loan, would like to see a good accounting of how it's spent, including using the WSFPI purchasing dept. if there is such a thing. What do tribal members think about a random audit? Maybe it would be good for all our enterprises. Think it over. What was used for col lateral for the loan? The mill? Our Timber? If we defaulted on the loan, how do we pay back that amount of money? These are some of the rea sons ALL WSFPI management, board, BIA, and tribal council all need to sit down in the same meeting and talk. The right hand needs to know what the left had is doing. Our sug gestion is that all of the above come together with the people and answer questions and communicate. Don't go on annual leave or suddenly become deathly ill because of a "hot" meet ing coming up that you know you should attend. Don't let cowardice stand in the way. Stand up and an swer questions-that's what you're paid for. To sum up, if necessary the people are ready to go to a referen dum to help council make a decision on the future of the mill. Until next issue, signing off. Daisy Ike, Shirley Sanders, Ginger Smith and Rita Squiemphen. event The Veteran's Corner On Saturday, July 29lh Victims of Crime Services sponsored an In ner Tube Event for the Warm Springs youth and their families. The youth that attended not only had a blast In ner Tubing, but also volunteered their time and helped Victims of Crime Services pick up garbage around Elmer Quinn Park. Victims of Crime Services thought that having an Inner Tube Event was a good way for the youth to learn how to keep Shitike Creek on inner tubes and getting their pic ture taken. Later the youth all gath ered up the inner tubes and received free t-shirts and Popsicles from Vic tims of Crime Services. If you or someone you know is interested in another fun filled Inner Tube Event, please keep your eyes open for next years scheduled event. Victims of Crime Services looks for ward to next years Inner Tube Event: First, thank you to all the youth and parents who participated, thanks to the Chief of Police, Don Courtney and his family, VOCS Manager Marie Calica, Renee Silversmith Wewa, Charlie Wewa, Toni Made, April Hornbuckle, Les Schwab for the In ner Tubes and Petals N Posey's for the balloons. We not only appreciate your help, but also all the hard work you put into this years Inner Tube Event. By helping these youth have a good time without violence you are helping reduce crime in our commu nity. Thank you once again to all who participated. We hope to see you next year. American Indian Medal of Honor Winners In the 20th century, five Ameri can Indians have been among those soldiers to be distinguished by receiv ing the United States' highest mili tary honor: the Medal of Honor. Given for military heroism "above and beyond the call of duty," these warriors exhibited extraordinary bravery in the face of the enemy and, in two cases, made the ultimate sac rifice for their country. Jack C. Montgomery. A Cherokee from Oklahoma, and a First Lieutenant with the 45th Infantry Di vision Thundcrbirds. On 22 February 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, Montgomery's rifle platoon was un der fire by three echelons of enemy forces, when he single-handedly at- with the 45th Infantry Division, Childers received the Medal of I lonor for heroic action in 1943 when, up i "Closed The Boys and Girls Club will be closed August 28-September 8 to prepare for the school year and receive training. ist 21st the Club will start renewing cards for a fee of $10 for the new year. Any questions, call Frank at 553-2284 Augu tacked all three positions, taking pris oners in the process. As a result of his courage, Montgomery's actions demoralized the enemy and inspired his men to defeat the Axis troops. Ernest Childers. A Creek from Oklahoma, and a First Lieutenant against machine gun fire, he and eight men charged the enemy. Although suffering a broken foot in the assault, Childers ordered covering fire and advanced up the hill, single-handedly killing two snipers, silencing two machine gun nests, and capturing an enemy mortar observer. Van Barfoot. A Choctaw from Mississippi, and a Second Lieutenant in the Thundcrbirds. On 23 May 1944, during the breakout from Anzio to Rome, Barfoot knocked out two machine gun nests and captured 17 German soldiers. Later that same day, he repelled a German tank assault, de stroyed a Nazi fieldpiece and while returning to camp carried two wounded commanders to safety. Mitchell Red Cloud Jr. A Winnebago from Wisconsin, and a Corporal in Company E., 19th Infan try Regiment in Korea. On 5 Novem ber 1950, Red Cloud was on a ridge guarding his company command post when he was surprised by Chinese communist forces. He sounded the alarm and stayed in his position fir ing his automatic rifle and point-blank to check the assault. This gave his company time to consolidate their defenses. After being severely wounded by enemy fire, he refused assistance and continued firing upon the enemy until he was fatally wounded. His heroic action prevented the enemy from overrunning his company's position and gained time for evacuation of the wounded. Charles George. A Cherokee from North Carolina, and Private First Class in Korea when he was killed on 30 November 1952. During battle, George threw himself upon a grenade and smothered it with his body. In doing so, he sacrificed his own life but saved the lives of his comrades. For this brave and selfless act, George was posthumously award the Medal of Honor in 1954. ? August 1997 Native American Veterans I J A Ait Happy Belated 4th Birthday to our niece Keyahnna Clement on August 12th. Oh! and cousin too. With lots of hugs & Love, Angie, Jarod, Brent & Torey Thomas Congratulations to proud parents: Phillip Florendo and Carolyn Orrell of Warm Springs, OR. They welcome a boy Kiley Joe Florendo, born August 21, 2000 at 8:04 a.m. Weighing in at 8 lbs 11.9 oz and 21" 12" Kiley joins brothers Nicolas 1 1 years old and LaRonn age 9. Paternal grandparents are James & Sylvie Florendo of Eugene, OR; Eileen and Evans Spino and JoAnn & Tommie Smith of Warm Springs, OR. Maternal grandparents are George and Thclma Orrell of Madras, OR. The Late Grace Jackson & Lewis & Laura Orrell. Great-Grandparents are Adeline Miller of Warm Springs, OR and the late James Sr. & Alice Florendo of Warm Springs, OR. ; Congratulations to proud parents: Vernon Eugien James Smith and Hannah Mahellynn Crowe from Warm Springs, OR 97761. They welcome a son Jaron Eugien James Smith born August 30, 2000 at 4:28 a.m. weight 7 lbs. 7 oz. 18" long. Paternal grandparents are Vernon Eugien Smith Sr. & Willette Payne; Maternal grandparents are Laura L. Crowe & Carlos A. Galvez all of Warm Springs, OR. Great-Grandparents are Laura Dick Crow Stwyer. Happy Birthday to my Big Bro Brent From your favorite lil loving NaNa Torey Thomas Happy 1st Birthday Damian Frank Love always Paula, Dan, Darrin, Douglas & Nalani Elementary School continued from page 5 grades seven and eight the dropout rate is drastic." Quaid supports a plan, once the new elementary school is built, to convert the old school into a middle school. This will allow Warm Springs students the option of staying on the reservation through grade eight. The lack of Native American teachers is another concern. Smith remains one of only two certified Native American staff at the school. "The Warm Springs people have struggled to produce their own teachers, and that's been a problem for a long, long time," says Smith. "But now the tribes have a teacher education partnership with Eastern Oregon State University. Right now I've got a college student coming once a week, and next year she'll do her practicum here. Another Warm Springs teacher graduated from Arizona State last year, but I didn't have an opening so she went to the middle school in Madras." That Smith can casually mention she didn't have a job opening last year indicates just how far Warm Springs has come. If pressed to name the one thing most responsible for turning the school around, Smith would say it's been her staff. Her staff would say it's been the principal. Smith speaks for both sides when she says, "If it weren't for the people here, willing to sacrifice and to change the way they're doing things, to try something new, we'd never be where we are." tl :.,.::..,:..:V E:,, I .MM - mm Sum Tribal member questions several concerns regarding management ...... . n r IJI -i-.-i For Sale 1972 Che v. Suburban $1,500 or OBO Gary Villa Sr. 553-1792 Teen Boy's Grassdance outfit Size Medium Turquoise blue with red rag. frinee $250. firm Gary Villa Jr. 553-1792 To the editor. When is the ST and his con sultants going to allow our Tribal Council representatives to respond to all the questions that the Tribal Mem bers have been asking? From what happened to the small business grant money, which Mitch Connally and Economic Development refuses to disclose, to why the Council won't start another referendum to move the casino out of KahNeeTa's over paid managements reach. And after all their promises, that all these new in vestments, were going to save the Tribes, and why they didn't. Why are only the speculators, management and consultants sitting pretty while looking to slash just Indians? Why won't they just tell the truth about why this reservation is in a financial tailspin? Is it just management's greed and trying to show their White counterparts how powerful they are, at the expense of the Indians, and the reservation? They're the only people that our wise businessmen seem to listen to. Won't any of the Council ask the ST for permission to answer the Tribal Members? After all, they appointed him. At the last Seekseekqua meet ing, when asked about a new casino the ST told everybody 'you guvs' voted it down. Are the four who claimed to be against the Madras site, afraid to explain w hy they won't back up the majority of the Tribes? Last fall the S T stated ada mantly, when asked, that Veterans groups get no donations from Tribal Council. That is. until they smelled more monev. Then not to Ions aeo. at KahNeeTa, they were welcoming the VA home loan money with open arms. At the same time council mem bers were laughing, "here come the baby killers dancing in". An expres sion used by White hippies and Apples, who didn't have the "guts" to even try to prove to "themselves" that they could do the same thing that we, our fathers, uncles, and grandfa thers did. Nor did they think about all the wives, mothers, grandmothers and sisters who didn't get paid for all their volunteer work for the VFW. Or did they and don't care? After selling everybody out, do these Wise leaders really believe, that these people, who they want to be like so much, would trust anyone who would sellout the people who put them there? I almost said their "own" people. Sorry about that. I see all these board members, who are from Madras, pushing all the business to Madras. Even certain members of council putting them selves on the KahNeeTa board. Are they just getting a cut of their own "separate enterprise" money? Maybe KahNeeTa feels safer with a couple of the Apple Dumplings of their own, to get them what they want. Manage ment sure doesn't want anybody start ing any kind of business on the reser vation, unless it is their own. Isn't our Economic and Development Depart ment getting paid enough to have had something going by the year 2000. Even with a'Phys. Ed. Degree some thing should have been started. Wasn't this ST in that department before? Makes you wonder whose future business and economic devel opment they had in mind. What are they going to pull next, Wait longer and then say, "these Indians aren't going to do anything with this area, so lets bring in our speculator bud dies to show them how to run a busi ness." When I have said their White Brothers and Sisters, I'm not refer ring to the everyday non-Indian work ers who are in the same predicament as we are. I'm referring to the politi cian type speculators that our "lead ers" are trying to emulate. Another Question, what hap pened to all the applications that were turned in for all those different board positions? When someone asked, I've heard they were told that they were the only one to put in for that posi tion, so they had to readvertise. I know for a fact that there were more applications. And I'm sure a lot more people applied that I don't know about. They were stamped into the Tribal Council office, did someone tell the council not to see any, or to w ait for the people w ho are to inherit these positions to apply, at their own convenience. Is it really this Coun cils true colors? If it is, they are re ally getting to where they want to be, real politicians w ith no conscience. Now Voc. Rehab is expanding to cover the surrounding towns. I was told, at first, that I w as qualified, and had a feasible idea, by the director. Then a w eek later I w as told I w asn't qualified. Was it because after she told me that she was sick of w asting money on training Indians and none of them were working in the trade they ere trained for. and I told her it was Economic Developments fault for keeping people from starting t kinds of business on the reservation? Our management is so arrogant and out of touch with Indians that they don't realize, the breaks that they were "handed". The Indians whose money that they use to pay their own salary, don't count. Since this depart ment finds a way to change its rules all the time, why don't they use their funds to retain the Tribal Members that our own management is trying to displace? From what I hear and see and see there may be a lot, with man agement putting a few selected Indi ans, who think they want to be just like these managers, in positions to do a hatchet job on other Indians. That's practically what the KahNeeTa GM stated on KWSO a couple months back. Ask the people that work all departments, from what I hear, people are afraid to even joke around, for fear of retaliation. That's how they always have and always will succeed by keeping the Indians fight ing among each other. At the general council meeting in Simnasho a few months ago, the ST asked me in the parking lot to come in, sit down to see what I wanted, and see how they could help me. As I said the. all I come back for, w as to find out what happened to the small business grant that even body had to keep requalifying for over and over. I found out later it was used to cover funds lost in another nepotistic management fiasco. Not so long ago. a certain group w as calling for a recall of Represen tatives, not from their own district. Since they claimed to be the spokes persons of the People, and I knew all the ins and out of this Organization. I figured they would have started a move to call for an audit of this "gang" by now. Who knows down the road this "gang" will say "WE" are flat broke. We have to sell "our" land. We will get all of you a few thousand bucks, that should last you a lifetime, since you are so financially strapped for money. Since one council person told me that there was an old law that said , once we elected them they had the right to make all decisions for us. That law should be changed, because when that law was made, people could trust their Representatives. Finally, at the WSFPI General Council on 8-31-00, where were the perpetrators of what is happening to the mill? By now everyone knows that the council members that were there, don't and can't control the purse strings and the hiring of these high priced speculators. When asked, Zane stated that this GM doesn't re port to them. So just who does he answ er to? Didn't the ST and Apple Gang find a consultant fast enough to tell them how to answ er the people complaints. Like I said, our manage ment just keeps this Council around as a formality, to rubber stamp their deals w ith their speculators.. Because, if it wasn't for their mismanagement, and their oown greed, narrow mindedness, short sightedness, nepotism, taking their consultants word as the gospel, and not giving the tribal membership and credit for having a mind, I don't think the Tribes would be in this situation. I Ictor Moses Tribal Member i