4 September 7, 2000
Warm Springs, Oregon
Spilyaytymoo
E Coosh EE WA: The way it is
Years ago Warm
Springs purchased and began
operations of Warm Springs
Forest Products Industries for
the purpose of creating
employment for Tribal
Members and producing wood
products to put on the market.
To hear all the
concerned people of Warm
Springs at the recent General
Council meeting it seems that
the employees of Warm
Springs Forest Products are
afraid for their jobs and wood .
production is not quality
production.
The Tribal member
employees are afraid to speak up about what they see going on
the mill for fear that a week from now or a month from now their
jobs are no longer there for them. Just like the jobs of former,
long-time employees that were terminated for no apparent
reason. No reasons were given at the meeting when the former
employee asked, "Why?"
Now these were employees that have given many years
of their time to this mill. These are employees with the
experience and knowledge within themselves to possibly
become management. Why not train them? Why let them go with
all their knowledge? Were these employees replaced with
"outsiders"?
Employees at the meeting also brought up nepotism, is
this a part of it all? Are these families moving up the ladder fast?
With all these problems going on at the mill is the
production of lumber getting better or staying the same? Can it
be improved?
Listening to the employees it is apparent that the quality
of lumber production has gone down. With computer systems in
place and new equipment in place to increase the speed of the
production numbers the quality is not there.
I gathered that there is a lot of finger pointing at the mill
about what is wrong, but why not get to the bottom of it all and
fix it? .
Is this what the employees are not allowed to speak
about? Are the people to blame being protected? "Problems
here, stay here, or you'll get terminated." Are these threats for
real?
Before all this new machinery was put into the production
line there were more employees. The machinery replaced the
laborers, some of them. This was to speed up the production of
the lumber products. Remember the Mill was supposed to
provide employment for Tribal Members.
The Timber resources are said to be dwindling down.
Does it make sense to speed up the production if our timber
resources are going down? Why not slow down and produce a
quality product providing employment at the same time? Why not
listen to some of the tribal members who have worked their for
many years with ideas that may be what the mill needs?
The Tribal Members who work there see the mill as their
livelihood, their source of income to provide for their families
transportation, homes, food, clothing, education. These
employees are there because this is their company, this is their
reservation, they lived here all their lives and care about what
happens to this company.
Many of them have been there for years and know what's
going on with their mill but are not allowed to speak about it.
There was talk at the meeting about scheduling another
meeting and including the General Manager, Larry Potts, and
other Management of WSFPI so that they could hear these
concerns and answer questions?
Are the employees willing to put their jobs on the line to
speak up about what they see wrong at the mill? Will they be
heard and dealt with when they return for their next shift? The
concerns would be heard by all who are in attendance including
non-employees with concerns of their own about their company.
All tribal members are part owners in this company. There is
concern about this company because there was a large turnout
at the meeting on August 31 . If there is another meeting
scheduled encouragement goes out to all to be concerned about
this mill, because it is owned by the Warm Springs Tribes.
Warm Springs Forest Products Industries used to provide
a large income for the tribes in bonuses and was of great
assistance when it was time for budgets. But in the present day
all offices in the organization are taking budget cuts every year.
There is cause to be concerned. There is something wrong.
Open house set for 20th
The Vocational Rehabilitation
Prosram is havina an "Open House"
Wednesday, September 20, 2000
from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and everyone is
invited to drop by and meet the staff,
meet some successful clients who
came through the program, tour the
offices, read some hand-outs about
Editor's Note
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words or less, must be signed by the author. Letters will 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 way the opinion of Spilyay Tymoo.
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I ? 0
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the program, and ask questions.
Half-hour Orientations will be con
ducted at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Refreshments and some Give-Away
things will be distributed while they
last. Please come and support the VR
program. While doing so, you will be
showing your support to People with
Disabilities and Employment.
Member asks"ls our drinking
To the editor,
To our people of Warm Springs,
OR. Cancer is a growing killer in our
community. Do you ever think about
water treatment plants location (our
drinking water)Our water treatcment
plant is located below our lumber
mills, below our poop pond, below
our trash dumpsite, below Bend,
Redmond, Culver, Metolious and
Sisters poop ponds. Industrial
wastcmills etc., animal waste, farm
ing waste DDT and many more car
cinogens carer causing waste! That
we all drink! Then we wonder why
too many of our Indian people are
getting cancer.
No other town draws their drink
ing water from the Deschutes except
Warm Springs rez! Think about this,
why do we draw our drinking water
from the filthiest source of water on
our rez?
I worked at the senior center last
year and this year with fellows from
Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Prineville,
etc. and they use to laugh about how
they would joke that "the Indian in
Warm Spirngs are thirsty, so I'll go
the the restroom leave a number 1 &
2, flush my toilet and let the Warm
Springs Indians drink it." Ha, Ha,
Ha, Real funny huh. Think about
where our water is coming from and
why this is connected to too many of
our people getting cancer and other
diseases. White society is well known
for poisoning us indigenous people
and they're still doing it with the
blind help of our so-called leaders.
Our Tribal Council approved an
other water treatment plant to be built
in the same location, Dry Creek,
which is very stupit. Why place all
our Warm Springs people's health,
life at risk. We use to draw our drink-
ing water from the Shitike Creek, so
Thanks to all
To the editor:
"Rez Fest 2000 turned out to be
a success and I'd like to thank all of
you who showed up to check us out
on August 12. Thanks for your sup
port and I hope you all enjoyed the
show.
I'd like to thank all the bands
that traveled far just for the show
Dying Tribe and EDG from Arizona
and WarCry from Montana. Also
thanks to our local drum group Eagle
Thunder, for opening up the show
with their sacred drum songs as well
as William, Hollywood, and Chips for
dancing. Oh yeah, a big thanks to you
guys for pulling through last minute
with your P.A.
Thanks to all who helped with
security including Rusty "Top Secret"
Marcum, Charlie Strong, Merlin
Tom, and Marvin Stahi Jr.,, Also
Nicole Hudson for working the door
all night-Thanks Babe! Everyone
who helped with the Bar-B-Que,
thanks: Greg Arquette, Sole and
Martha Stewart, Marva 'Bob'
Lawrence, Jay 'Burgers' Scott, Jaimie
What does it mean
To the editor,
Hello from Pastor Rick. What does
it mean to be hopeful? The dictionary
says-a desire accompanied by ex
pectation. What are you hopeful
about? What do you think a com
munity should be hopeful about?
From the Bible comes the message
that the Creator is the giver of all
hope. The desire of God and HIS
expectation is fellowship with us.
The difference between God and
us is that there is no doubt that the
desire of God will happen. Well,
that's from the Lord, what about you?
What are you hopeful about? Do you
really expect it to happen? If your
heart's desire honorable? is it some
thing that will build up life? My
letter this week is full of questions
that must be answered before a per
son, family or community move
forward into the future. As for me,
my hope is in the love of God that
wraps around me and my family, and
all believers from the God who give
hope. We have our fall program
happening at the Warm Springs
why don't we build our water treat
ment plant on teh Shilike or Warm
Springs River insstead of the filthy
Deschutes waste dump?
If we don't change the site of our
water plant the we will have to live
with literally killing our people
through our drinking water. Every
morning when you drink a cup of
water, coffee, you are at risk of get
ting cancer from our drinking water.
Every time you wash your face, care
or the children playing in the sprin
kler, you're at risk of contracting
carcinogens cancer causing man
made industrial waste, farming waste,
cattle waste, human waste etc.
Let's all come together and put a
stop to drinking this poisoned water
and pace our water treatment plan on
the Shitike like we use to do. Think
about this. It is time we Warm Springs
.Confederated tribes, Warm Sprins,
Wasco, Paiute come together as never
before. In these times of change it is
very, very stupid and dangerous for
"our Warm Springs people, tribes to
act like three little spoiled brats.
"Always fighting arguing, putting each
other down. Try putting somebody
up once in awhile, you might like it.
I think this was one of the major
reasons white society payed of our so
called leaders (sell-outs!!) to try and
place our casino off our Rez. Because
they don' t want us to use our precious
water resources and othe resources.
' If we do not sacrifice and build a
infastructure now, I waid now, then
all our opportunities will continue to
be funneled in to Madras, while most
our people continue to ive in poverty.
For you Uncle Tomahawk, sellout so
called leaders that wanted our casino
in Madras. Why don't you withdraw
your membership from our tribes and
po live with your white brothers
who helped
,and Bernadine Watlament, hopefull
I haven't forgotten anyone!
I'd also like to thank all wh
helped financially as well as thos
who supported our ideas and helpe .
organize the 'Rez Fest'. That include
all names already mentioned as wel
as the Ikes-Daisy, Leena ,Tasha
James Teeman Jr., Lois Knight
Ramona Starr, Harvey and Floren
Scott, my son Zane Ray for energ
and inspiration, all friends, relatives
fans, anyone I missed-Thank you!
' y ' Remember that Native Prid
means supporting and opening our
selves to ideas of peace and hope fo
our community and restoring our an
cestors way of harmony. It's not abou
greed, ignorance and those who hav
no faith in their own people. It's tim
to stand up for ourselves and for fu
ture generations-Let's keep this Re
ALIVE!
DW Hudson
Drummer for D.O.
Questions, comments, or book
ings. Please contact: PO Box 204
Warm Springs, Oregon 97761
to be hopeful?
Presbyterian Church.
Christian Education begins at 10
a.m. on Sunday mornings. Worship
begins at 11 a.m. We provide
baby-sitting for worship. On the first
Sunday of the month e have a com
munion service, a part of worship
and a potluck lunch. On Tuesdays we
have a youth program. Seventh grade
and up from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednes
days we have a Women's program.
They meet at the church from 6 to 8
p.m. Everyone is invited to come and
be involved. Well, hug someone you
love. Hug someone you dislike. No
. alcohol or tobacco for children. One
day at a time. Buckle up the kids and
yourselves. Don't hit or beat on
yourself. Pay your bills before gam
bling then stay home. Read the bible
for it's effect on your heart. Pray to
God to the point of hearing Him.
Honor someone. Love yourself. Like
yourself. See you in church.
Pastor Rick R. Ribeiro
WS Presbyterian Church
On the campus
Happy birthday
Seven James
September 13th
From Vernon Winishut
Happy 4th Birthday to our
lil big sonny Brent
Thomas on August 30th,
and wish you many,
many, more
Love you Lots!!
Mom & Dad
water safe?"
Our Warm Springs people would
benefit by getting rid of you crooks!
Warm Springs Rez. 3000, 4000,
5000, etc. It is time to fight for what
little time we have left. Money is a
whitcmans thing. White Society
worships money. We, Warm Springs,
Confederated Tribes and all Indig
enous Native people think and worry
about more important issues.
We have this piece of land, home,
Warm Springs, Rez Forever and each
other.. .most of our people live in
poverty but we are very fortunate to
nave what we have.. ..each other and
this peice of land, Mother Earth,
Home. White Society wants our
souls... .Damn, they already took
99.99 of wht our elders fought and
died for. Now they want our
home. ..Think about this, we or at
least our so called leaders are ssclling
us out..Think about our Klamath
Modoc Wahoos Kin Bros, that got
sold out by their sick selfich leaders
back in the 1950's. Lost their land
base and to this day they are scattered
and lost, try to regroup. Strong, strong
Native Indigounous peoples. All of
us! We are all related like it or not.
We must take care, watch out for
each other for generations to come.
Instill this in our own people, the
young ones, offer them pride in their
own heritage instead of getting all
caught up with White Society values
of whose got the most Kah-Chignk....
Is that as far as you see? Petty ! What
do you think our elders were sacri
ficing, suffering, dying for....They
had the opportunity to sell us out but
their insight, and love for us, Warm
Springs tribes, was more real.
Thank you for your time and con
sideration. Bobby Eagleheart
Please return my
chainsaw
To the editor,
While working at my mom's field
(Maxine Switzler's) on August 10,
2000, 1 was down in the ravine out of
sight of the road. I left my chain saw,
a Husky 266 XP close to the road. I
went back to get it and it was gone.
I'm thinking someone might have
picked it up by accident thinking it
fell off a pickup or got left by mistake.
If you have it, please return it. No
questions asked. This is part of my
livelihood for my family and need to
have it returned. Thank you.
Victor Switzler, Sr.
Parents proud
To the editor,
As a mother of two tribal member
children who have graduated from
High School, I would like to say a bit
about our youth. Shawnrae Gabriel
and Elizabeth (Earl) Kalama have
accomplished a task and are moving
into the world with positive hearts.
I feel proud to say that Shawnrae
was a great basketball player from
grade school to his senior year. He
practiced his father's teaching when
he was down, and he maintained a
strong academic attitude. As he en
ters the men's level in traditional
dance, he will have the strength of a
young man, the power of prayer and
ability to make fair decisions.
Elizabeth had made us all happy
when we witnessed her dream come
true, she went to Scotland to perform
God Spell one of eleven USA school
invited. We had been able to watch
Thankful for grandson
To the editor,
Former Warm Springs Elemen
tary student graduates with high
honors. Matthew Kent Chamema,
First Grandson of Shirley Chamema
Smith, graduated with honors from
Alta Vista High School in Vista, CA
July 27, 2000.
Matthew received awards in Math,
Citizenship and Computer repairs.
Matt is currently working at
Compusource and builds computers.
He was acting student representative
for the Vista Unified School Board
attending all board meetings, voting
in behalf of all students in Vista.
Matthew attended Warm Springs
Elementary in 1987-88 while living
with his family in the community.
Father William O. Chamema Jr. w as
employed with the Warm Springs
Police Dept. for several years.
Matthew received a full scholar
ship and will attend California State
Parents proud of
accomplishments
To the editor,
As a mother of two tribal member
children who have graduated from
High School, I would like to say a bit
about our youth. Shawnrac Gabriel
and Elizabeth (Earl) Kalama have
accomplished a task and are moving
into the world with positive hearts.
I feel proud to say that Shawrae
was a great basketball player from
grade school to his senior year. He
practiced his father's teaching when
he was down, and he maintained a
strong academic attitude. As he en
ters teh men's level in traditional
dance, he will have the strength of a
young man, the power of prayer and
ability to make fair decisions.
Elizabeth had made us all happy
when we witnessed her dream come
true, she went to Schotland to perform
God Spell one of eleven USA school
invited. We had been able to watch
her perform and she was perfect on
stage. Elizabeth had been recognized
at her graducation by the staff of the
school administration for her assis
tance, she was awarded $300 that
went into the Scotland trip fund. I
was proud that she never lost her
dream and I am certain hse has more
dreams to fill.
My letter is to let all my relations
know of their family because both
Shawnrae and Elizabeth have re
turned to the Warm Springs com
munity and begin again. They will
join the forty-four other graduates
that accomplished the first level of
development tht is set-up to prepare
them for more choices in their life.
We shall support and protect the fu
ture together.
Sincerely,
Ivan Gabriel &
Marjorie M. Kalama-Gabriel
Video
Closeout
Sale
Indian Trail
Restaurant
All movies
must go!!!
of children
her perform and she was perfect on
stage. Elizabeth had been recognized
at her graduation by the staff of the
school administration for her assis
tance, she was awarded $300 that
went into the Scotland trip fund. I
was proud that she never lost her
dream and I am certain she has more
dreams to fill.
My letter is to let all my relations
know of their family because both
Shawnrae and Elizabeth have re
turned to the Warm Springs com
munity and begin again. They will
join the forty-four other graduates
that accomplished the first level of
development that is set-up to prepare
them for more choices in their life.
We shall support and protect the fu
ture together.
Sincerely,
Ivan Gabriel &
Marjorie M. Kalama-Gabriel
University.
He has plans to go on a full time
mission for the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-Day-Saints which he and
his family has been members for 3
generations. He will be the first
grandson on his fathers side to server
(the 3rd generation). His uncles &
father on dads side are all returned
missionaries.
He has set an excellent example
for his younger siblings and other
family members.
Grandmother Shirley & cousin
Calea flew down for his graduation.
His parents rented a limo to escort
him around the city for 4 hours with
his friends & cousin.
A huge dinner followed his
graduations with family and friends.
Sincerely,
' -: Shirley Smith,
Grandmother.