Warm Springs, Oregon
Spilyay Tymoo
E Coosh EEWA: The way it is
4 November 30, 2000
Thanksgiving is a time for
everyone to pause and give thanks
for what they have today. It may
not be much but just the same a
person is thankful for what he has.
To celebrate this day we
bring out the best we have to
show appreciation of what we
have. There are so many stories of
Thanksgiving today, of the years
past with the Indians and Pil
grims. Many years ago when I
was just a, "Cute Little Tyke," in
school we used to have plays of
the Indians and pilgrims.
All the versions of Thanks
giving vary from time to time,
sometimes I wonder just what really went on during the first Thanks
giving dinner the Pilgrims and the Indian had. Was it as simple as they
make it sound where everyone gathered and had the big dinner?
Today there are some Indian tribes who hold a grudge against
Thanksgiving, they say since the first Thanksgiving dinner the White
Race started to take everything from the Indians, right down through
the years the Indians have been mistreated in every respect. There is a
cartoon that shows the first welfare dinner where the Pilgrims were all
lined up for the food. Today it's just the other way around, now the
Indians are in the welfare line for food.
Like I said, the Indians have been on the short end of the stick
every since the Pilgrims got on their feet and were able to make a
living. Thanksgiving is the time of the year when you spill your horn of
plenty and share with everyone your yearly wealth.
It must have been quite a sight during the first Thanksgiving
dinner, with everyone sitting around discussing the weather and what
the outcome would be for the coming year. Just think of the communi
cation they must have had back in them days.
In reality, for us Indians we've always had Thanksgiving, and the
first one for the year was held in the Spring, when all the vegetation
came out, we celebrated what is now known as, Root Feast, where we
go through rituals at the longhouse giving thanks to the, "Great Cre
ator "for the bountiful crop of vegetation for the year., , y . j
The next Thanksgiving is in the spring also, as the first Salmon run
come up the river, and again we gather in the longhouse going through
our rituals with the Seven Drum religion, as we pray and give Thanks
for the good, fish runs.
During the summer months we have another, thanksgiving, known
as the Huckleberry Feast, where we go through our rituals once again
' thanking the great creator for all the fruits that is provided for our use.
We have always honored our creator for all the foods he has given us
for our livelihood.
When we are going through our rituals with the ceremonies in the
longhouse, it is customary that no one should go out into the fields to
gather roots or berries, or catch salmon until all the ceremonies have
been completed. After all this has been done than people are free to go
out take what they need for their use.
After all the ceremonies have been completed and the dinner has
been completed than there usually is a pow-wow, where everyone gets
out to do their dance. The fancy dance, the grass dance and the tradi
tional dancing, and for the ladies there is the fancy dancing, the jingle
dance and also the traditional. Yep! Some really kick up the dust doing
hisher dance.
Many years ago at the pow-wows there used to be three war dances
and than three RabbitOwl dances, where all the men and women
would get out and dance together. Today you never see any of those
dances any more. That was the best part of the pow-wow, getting with
a girl and dancing... Yikes. Well, those good days are probably gone
forever. They called that social dancing, and it was really great to see
everyone getting into the mood and having a good time. Today those
powwows get boring where they have contests after contest.
Oh! Back to Thanksgiving, which is a nice to have family gather
ings once a year for a good meal. Sometimes relatives come for miles
just for the day and a visit.
Toe Ness
Employment Manager: "It looks to me as if you've been
fired from every job you ever had.
Applicant: Well, you've got to admit I'm no quiter.
YIKES!
SS
SS
Employee: Say, boss, your assistant just died, and I was
wondering if I could take his place?
Boss: It's all right with me if you can arrange it with the
undertaker!
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Spilyay Tymoo welcomes articles
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. AH letters are the opinion of the
author and do not reflect ain any way 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
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Editor's Note
and letters from its readers. All
The season of Christmas is here
To the editor,
It is mixed bag time.... I have
been watching the Tribal Construc
tion guys do a great job working on
the old HIS clinic. They really are
working hard to meet their deadline.
Keep it up. A pessimist is a person
who is seasick during the entire voy
age of life. The police and medics
have been seeing a lot of alcohol re
lated events. I lome violence, alcohol
related sickness, alcohol poisoning. I
pray for people to stop, but if you will
not, try slowing down. Instead of
three six-packs for Saturday night
how about two beers and buying two
books for the kids to read. Then let
your kids read to you, then see if you
need to open the beers that night. A
prime function of the leader is to keep
hope alive. I have read information
about the future money issues for the
Tribal Government. It sounds like it
will take wisdom, truth, character, and
love to see it through. I thank God
that God has a lot of wisdom, truth,
character, and love to give to each of
us. I was going around in a circle un,
til Jesus gave me a compass.
Here at the Presbyterian Church
we have begun the season of Christ1
Encouragement
To the editor,
Hi, I'm a single parent. Even
though I'm working, it seems like I
"just get by" payday-to-payday.
I am proud and honored to share
that my oldest is off at Job Corps, and
trying to earn his G.E.D.
We heard from him last night
and he needs things Phone cards,
envelopes, cards or letters from
home.
Happy holidays
sent
To the editor,
Happy Holidays! Happy
Thanksgiving to the Frank Family,
The Bobb Family, The Payne Fam
ilyj'The Williams, The Parte Parnily,
The Arce"s,; Lillian Frank & kids,
Marlene Bacarra & kids, Charles &
family, brother Delbert, Grandpa
Delbert, to Monster, Ben Fama, Ty
R., all the Yakama relatives, Alma'
Fama & family in Guam, Frank'
Tovis, Freddy, Preston. . . ;
Have a happy Thanksgiving
and Christmas and Happy 200 1 to
everyone. t
Sincerely,
My ma Frank & Family1
Selena Payne & kids,
Happy 1" Birthday
to my Sonny Chad Rack
Love Auntie Sherri
Congratulations to
Wolfman Suppah
for getting
Hotshot of the year.
From Farrel & kids
Happy 4th Birthday
Jericho .
From Mom, Jaden,
Grandma Tracey
Happy 4th Birthday
Son
Wolf Jericho James Suppah
Love you lots
From, Dad, Mom, Lil Sis Jaden
November 22, 2000
letters, preferably 300 words
. r
V
,v.: h.-.V
mas. We call it Advent. That means
the "coming". Christmas is not the
time of Santa Claus. It is the time of
the coming of God in flesh and bone
to grow up to be the man on the Cross
at Easter. The coming is the baby
born. Our King is coming, our King
is here....
This December 3'd, will be our
communion and potluck. Christian
4 Education is at 10 a.m., Worship at
k s 1 1 a.m. Bring a dish of food to share
at potluck after worship. You are
. welcome to come to the service. God
calls us not to solitary sainthood but
to fellowship in a company of com
mitted people.
Hug someone you love. Hug
someone you dislike. No alcohol or
. tobacco for children. One day at a
time. Buckle up the kids and your
selves. Don't hit or beat on yourself.
Pay your bills before gambling then
stay home. Read the Bible for its ef
fect on your life. Pray to God to the
point of hearing Him. Honor some
one. Love yourself. Like yourself. See
you in church.
Pastor Rick R. Ribeiro
WS Presbyterian Church
On the campus
needed
Here Is his address:
Rocky Hoptowit
Timber Lake Job Corps
59868 E. Hwy224
Estacada, OR 97023
Being his mother, I'll do what I
can but I'd appreciate you dropping
a line or two of encouragement to
"Hang in there" and finish his
education. Thanks so much.
Tamara J. Kahuna and children
pond shares the
Roscoe Pond is a former gradu
ate of Blue Mountain Community
College and Portland State University
in the state of Oregon. He lives in
Roscoe Pond
Happy 2"" Birthday to our precious lil girl
and sister, Torey Thomas on the 28th.
We love you lots!!
Mom, Dad, and
your favorite ya-ya Brent.
We'd like to wish all the following friends
and relatives a Happy and very greatful
Thanksgiving this year. We hope and
pray it's a fun, good and fulfilling one for
you. To:
Grandpa Leslie and Starr family
Mom (Sandra) & Torey Thomas
Gina Brito & Lanell Rowe
Martha Heath & family
Gina Suppah & Marcus
Michelle & Lalo & family
"Nik" Wolfe & family
Sandy & Orlando Perez & family
And everyone else
Love, Angie, Jarod and Brent Thomas
To our Baby Brother,
Chad Victor Thurby,
Happy 1 Birthday.
We love you
very much Sonny.
Love your Nana Dot
& Yaya Bobby
Happy lfl Birthday to my
sweet little grandson,
Chad Victor Thurby,
With all my love,
Grandma Norma
Happy l9 Birthday
to my little Punkin,
Chad Thurby,
from Big Punkin
(Auntie Roni). Len,
Curly Sue and Bubs.
Happy 1 9 Birthday
to Chad Victor Thurby
Love Uncle Clint
Happy 1" Birthday
to my Sonny boy
Chad Victor thurby,
I love you very much
with all my heart.
Love Nannv Peters
.... i j, jv
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, L,. ..:,... TII1 ; i. .. .:. . .rJ
Thank VOU for
To the editor,
On behalf of my family, I would
like to thank everyone that joined us
in sharing the healing process time for
our father, Reuben "Shortbones"
Johnson, Sr.
A very special thank you goes
out to Beulah Tsumpti for her knowl
edge and spiritual guidance, without
you we may not have gotten through
this. Thank you also to the Greene
family for allowing us to share the day
as one big family. As was said "it is
good to have families come together
and share the healing together' .
Thank you for the wonderful and
good food cooked by Agnes and
crew. To all my friends, and family
for being there for encouragement
and strength. And, to everyone that
Whipple says "thanks" to all
To the editor,
I would like to take this time to
thank the Culture & Heritage Com
mittee, Dr. Mary Ellen Conaway,
Director of the Museum at Warm
Spring and Emily Waheneka. Emily
and I attended the Annual American
Folklore Society Conference in Co
lumbus, Ohio where I was honored
and awarded for my work in Oral
History for the Confederated Tribes
of Warm Springs. Of 786 attendees,
I was one of five recipients to receive
the Davis Memorial Fund Award,
with close to 500 persons applying.
I was very honored to have
Emily attend this prestigious meeting
with me. Emily and I spent 6 days in
strugge of being
Hollywood, California and works as
an Executive Assistant to a Televi
sion Director. He is also in a multi
media-training program consisting of
only American Indians under Red
Crow Creations that was created by
actor Floyd Red Crow Westerman.
An editorial by Roscoe Pond
The Hollywood Struggle
It is said that Hollywood is the
dream of millions. People from all
corners of the world descend upon
Los Angeles, California to seek out
fame and fortune. Some carve out a
career while others never get their
foot in the show business door. It is a
rugged path of much hardship and
struggle. As an actor and an Ameri
can Indian I live and breathe that
hardship and struggle. I don't think I
would want it any other way.
In the beginning, I remember
going on my first audition for a film
called "The last of the Mohicans".
The year was 1 99 1 . 1 received no act
ing part nor did I get a chance to be a
background Extra. Looking back at
that time it really was my start in the
business. That same year my stage
career had already begun.
It is a decade later and the
struggle is still the same. Yet, all along
the way rejection has become a way
of life. Hollywood has always been a
place of catch 22 and it has its' perks
too. I recently received my Screen
High Five, Happy 1" Birthday
to my nephew,
Chad Thurby
Love, Auntie Lorena
& Jake Wise
Happy 1" Birthday
to our nephew
Chad Thurby,
Love Auntie Bernie,
Unce Jamie & family
Happy 1st Birthday
to a sweet little girl,
Ellise David. We love
you Baby Girl.
Love Dena, Bobby, Dot,
Jr. & Chad Thurby
Happy Belated 1" Birthday
to Tyrece on November 25.
We love you
and I'm glad you
had a good first birthday.
Love Dena, Bobby, Dot,
Jr. & Chad Thurby.
To Kevin Ruiz
Happy Birthday
November 15, 2000
From TjTone, Maureen
& Carol
To NetVa
October 25,
Happy I" Birthday
From TjTone, Maureen
& Carol
VOUr support
couldn't be there, I know you were
with us in spirit and heart. My family
is very grateful for everything that
was needed to prepare for this tradi
tional ceremony.
This was also a learning experi
ence for all of us, we are never too
old or young to learn things. We have
had a hard year, but doing this needed
ceremony is part of what happens to
you and your family. Now, my fam
ily can start healing and improving
their lives. Thank you Mother and
Daddy-step and Randy, just be being
there for support, we love you.
Respectfully,
Natalie Johnson & family
Reuben U. Johnson, Jr. &. family
Heather Schut & family
Columbus meeting new people who
work with the oral history in their
communities. We listened to new
ideas on how to work towards docu
menting effectively for the commu
nities. Again I would like to thank the
Culture & Heritage Committee for
funding the trip for Emily and I to
attend the Folklore Society Confer
ence. I would like to thank Dr. Mary
Ellen Conaway for giving me the en
couragement to apply. Most of all I
would like to thank Emily Waheneka
for accompanying me and giving me
the words of encouragement to keep
working with in the field of Cultural
Anthropology.
Thanh you,
BrigetteM. Whipple
a star
Roscoe is of Umatilla and Nez mce
Indian heritage from Pendleton, Or
egon. He has just completed his first
motion picture called "Slackers"
wjhsre he has a walk on role as a col
' lege student. He will sing in his first
cabaret performance in Los Angeles
in December of 2000.
Actor's Guild eligibility Voucher's on
a Film called "Slackers". Actress
Cameron Diaz has a cameo appear
ance. When I first started out in the
business. I was stereotyped as just an
American Indian. Now with experi
ence behind me I have come to ex
plore other areas of choice in ethnic
roles. I recently have gone on audi
tions for Hispanic, Korean, and Japa
nese parts. My agent even went as far
as categorizing me as a dark Italian.
After years of relying on my long
flowing black hair for just Indian roles
I cut it all off to get rid of a stereo
type and to explore more range as an
actor.
It is said that Hollywood is the
dream of millions. People from all
corners of the world descent upon Los
Angeles, California to seek out fame
and fortune. Some carve out a career
while others never get their foot in
the show business door. Well, I think
I got my foot in the door and I am
stepping forward. The Hollywood
struggle continues.
Happy 1st Birthday to my
favorite little nephew,
Chad Victor.
We all love you
with all our hearts
and hope you have a good
first birthday.
We look forward
to being with you for
the rest of your life.
Love Auntie Pat &
Uncle Bob Speakthunder
Lin tt
Happy Is Birthday
to our gift from God,
Chad Victor Thurby.
We love you with
all our hearts.
We hope your first birthday
(December 8) is
very special like you.
Love Mom & Dad.
m