E Coosh EEWA: The wgy it is
Page 4
Spilyqy Tymoo, Warm Springs, Oregon March 8, 2001
Signs of
Childhood
memories recall
ties to time past
By Gtorgi Aguilar, Sr.
A-Na-Qu-I-Wa-Cha: (Shahaptin) means:
"The way it was: long ago: The winter is
past, the rains and snow have come and gone.
The flowers, the willow trees have begun to
bud and soon, the appearance of the Indian
plant foods seeds will germinate by the
warmth of God's sunshine.
Quails scamper for their food on the win
ter barren ground after the furious snow and
blizzardous winter. Birds of God's choir
have begun to sing their melodious welcome
to the rays of God's sunshine. Woodpeckers
chatter away on the decayed trees to make a
nest preparation for there soon arrival of
their young. Bald eagles perch themselves
on the highest tips of the trees, scrutinizing
activity ever so far in the distant of God's
expansive creation.
Burrowing animals, squirrels, ground
hogs, etc. lazily creep out of their winter
abode to enjoy God's beautiful presence
with the other creatures. Crayfish also
awaken to the ensuing warmth of the wa
ters caused by God's entry of the spring sea
son upon the earth. Magpies sometimes
could also be found eulogizing a fallen com
rade that may have occurred by attrition.
The bellies of the fish, trout and salmon
begin to swell with eggs. This is God's time
table for them to propagate, to be fruitful
and multiply. Stems of the flowers, plants
and trees will soon be bending in reverence
to the rays of God's sunshiny advent, liter
ally. Live pristine clear water streams con
stantly offer praises to God the Father by
making rustling sounds over the boulders
and rocks as it cascades back to it's origin;
the sea. A-Na-Qu-I-Wa-Cha: Mci Mei.
A-Na-Qu-I-Wa-Cha: Mei Mei: are my
childhood thoughts and memories of some
rime around 60-65 years ago. Memories come
cascading down through; A-Na-Qu-I-Wa-Cha:
Mei Mei. On the inside of our old
weather beaten, leaning and unpainted
house, World War I pictures could be seen
plastered all over the room in an attempt to
block out the howling freezing northerly
winds.
In the dark shadows of the concerns
could be found sacks of dried bark leaves
and other Indian medicines. These were
stored by grandmother for later use for colds
or flu, also can be found is a conk knot
known as nook-nook used for cosmetic use
of the face and neck.
In the barn are stretched beaver, coyote,
lynx cat, bobcat and an occasional valuable
mink pelt.
These animal pelts were harvested to help
us survive in this cruel world. Uncle Swan
suke (Henry Polk) could be found construct
ing dipnet hoops made of wood late into
the night hours. Leonard Polk, my uncle,
was very proficient with the construction
of nets, in later years Leonard showed me
how to make these nets and hang on the
hoops. The tah-mul-sh (wooden barrels) this
time of the year is nearly empty of the last
year season's salted salmon. Grandmother
told me in the earlier times; before the sil
ver side salmon became extinct: that this was
Thanks for
being by side
To the editor,
To my dear family & friends, I would
like to take this time to give a much overdue
Big thank You for being there by my side
while I was in the hospital. I realized just
how much people care for me. I know it
was for a reason what happened to me. To
make me open my eyes, to just how pre
cious life is, to not take it for granted. Alco
hol & drugs is not the answer for any prob
lems. That I learned.
I would like to thank my mom (Kate)
for the wise words of wisdom and for being
right there with me, I love you mom. Rich
ard, for being there with mom & paying the
motel and meals. My sisters, Sheilah, Monica
& Connie for coming to my side. Making
me feel better. I love you all. Tommie and
JoAnn Smith for coming to the hospital.
Cinda & Roma for bringing my twins. That
meant a lot to me. Damon & Arlene, thanks
for calling to check on me. Wilson X'ewa &
Orthelia & my other sister Alice, thanks for
the phone calls. Last but not least, I'd like
to thank my girls Denise, Kayleen & Jenni
fer &. Haley, Meleah, Nikki & Kari & Sam
for being there. I'm sorry that Haley,
spring point to a presence
. : . , "
' ' ' - ' mV:.-.. .
Plants beginning to grow in streams
and flower beds are sure signs that
winter is nearly over.
the choice salmon for salting. The bellies
were the choice portions for salting, the
heavy bodied parts were usually dried, the
oil rich heads were split and light smoke was
applied for flavor. Grandmother said this
species of fish was harvested in the late fall
of October.
The Coyote Fishing Scaffold (name of the
fishing station) was the place to harvest this
late species, which was located in the pris
tine clear boiling waters of the narrows of
the Columbia River. During the winter
months it was my contribution for provid
ing food for the table by setting muskrat
traps in the haystacks, trapping quails for
some of our meals. In the spring season, I
scampered over the shallow falls of the Nar
rows small channels harvesting eels for meals
and drying for later use. These activities and
daily duties in my childhood years made me
feel very proud and excited as a youngster.
Thank you for listening to my childhood
story. A-Na-Qu-I-Wa-Cha: Mei Mei.
Meleah, Nikki, Kari, Drew & Nolan
couldn't come inside my room.
Thank you for the notes. I am doing bet
ter. Thanks for the prayers from my family.
I truly am grateful for each and everyone.
Love,
Irma Wahnetah
Parents thanked
for team support
To the editor,
Thanks to all the parents for letting the
team go the Nespelem's Raptor's Basketball
Tourney on the Colville Indian Reservation.
This was held February 17,h & 18' 2001
for 3rd-4'h graders. Following is the roster:
Redsky Suppah-"Bubbs" (3"1 grade)
Albert Kalama III-"Odie" (4 grade)
Rosey Suppah-"Tinkerbcll" (1" grade)
Nicholas Heath-"Mr. Stubbs" (3"1 grade)
Troy (Smith) Queahpama-"Gonzo"(4th
grade)
Ada Lopez (PolkX'AlkyOOp" (1 grade)
George Clcments-"(1 grade)
Cameron Vt'allulatum-"Shaggy" (4,h
grade)
This was the first basketball tourney for
the WE BAAAD (Vie Battle Against All
V
Alcohol Drugs) Team and they placed fourth
out of 10 teams. We are proud of our two
All-Stars, Albert Kalama III and Redsky
Suppah. They were picked by the opposing
team and the tourney committee. X'e want
to thank Vern Holden of Yakima Nation
and Soy RedThunder of Colville for their
hospitality.
Most of all, the sponsors arc the ones that
made this trip possible, to give the team the
experience their first ever basketball tour
nament. By placing fourth, it gave them the
incentive to start practice and playing bas
ketball and hoping to travel again in the near
future. Sorry some players were unable to
make the trip, maybe next time. To my bet
ter half, my wife's recruitment. We put a
team together for the tournament. To the
sponsors and parents. May He bless your
homes and families.
All interested in learning to play hoop
call us.
Coaches of We BAAAD,
Big Rat & Lucy Suppah
Heart Smart
Dinner success
To the editor,
W i. - MtfWiW Fa 2 Sjl' IS' 1i Ik
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We would to extend our thanks to the
many people who helped make our "8lh
Annual Heart Smart Dinner" a success on
February a success on February 14'1'. First
of all, everyone in the community who at
tended. The Senior Center Staff, for their
help; Lucinda Greene, Antoinette
Pampericn, Margaret Buckland, Susan
Mathew, Thelma Coburn, for the entertain
ment; Kirslie Morrison & Mikayla Collins
for doing the Heart Smart PSA on KWSO
for the 2"J year with only one morning of
practice; Wayne Gilbert of KWSO for do
ing the PSA with Kirstie and Mikayla on a
Saturdav; KWSO (our favorite station of the
reservation) for playing the PSA; Chef
Michael Spaulding for donating his time for
the 3rd vear in a row; a Special Thanks to all
the drummers; Patricia Smith for helping
in the kitchen; the CHRs; Sue Matters &
the wonderful HIS staff who donated door
prixes; and final Iv, clean up is the toughest
job after a tiring dav, along with the Diabe
tes Staff (Royce, Rob, Jennie & Kat),
Michael, Mikavla, Kirstie, Lawrence and
Sara Thomas jumped right in to help clean
up. ORI AT JOB FA I RYOM.!
Smceri.lv,
! :
ill N
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Lent offers
a challenge
that's
different
Hello from Pastor Rick,
Welcome to the season of Int.
For the community that has the
November Fitness Challenge
Month, the Christian World has
the Ixntcn Spiritual fitness self
challenge season. Always for a
time before Faster there has been
the rime of I-cnt in the life of the
Christian Church. To prepare for
the coming of I vaster vc Chris
tians challenge ourselves to a time
of self-examination and spiritual
house-cleaning. We turn our
daily devotions to look at our
own strengths and weaknesses.
Now, what is cool about Jesus is
that we can sec the Lord use us
in our strengths. But he also uses
us in our weaknesses. In the
hands of God, our weaknesses
become a tool for the Ixrd to use
in ministry, and in loving us. You
know, like the story of Moses,
"God I cannot be the one to
speak to the people. I am a poor
speaker." God's answer was to
make Moses the leader of the
people and Aaron his brother the
speaker to the people. So join the
Lenten Spiritual Fitness Chal
lenge. Sorry, no T-shirts.
From Sports Illustrated: 198
Olympian athletes were asked
two questions. First, Would you
take a banned performance-enhancing
substance with two guar
antees: (1) You will not be caught
and (2) you will win. 1 95 said yes;
three said no. Second question:
Would you 'take a banned 'performance-enhancing
substance with
two guarantees: (1) You will not
be caught, (2) you will win every
competition you enter for the
next five years, (3) then you will
die from the side-effects of the
drug. More than half said yes.
What is the price of winning
from our souls? .
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
gambling, then stay home. Read
the Bible for its effect on your
heart. Pray to God for the point
of you hearing Him. Honor
someone each day. Love yourself.
Like yourself. See you in church.
Warm Springs Presbyterian
Church, on the campus. 1 1 a.m.
Sundays.
Pastor Rick R. Ribeiro
The Warm Springs Diabetes Staff
Birthday party
wins applause
To the editor,
Thank you so much. I would like to take
this time and thank my daughters Leah,
Shasha Ann and Alexandria and of course
Di Green, (you helped out!) for putting on
a birthday dinner for me now that I'm 62
years old and my grandson Jeremiah who is
10 years old. We really enjoyed the dinner. I
also would like to thank everyone.
My beautiful great-granddaughter
Theyliah, Tiffincy, Trevern, Doncsah, Paul,
Stephan, Delvis, Charles, Randy, Donnie,
Aurelia Stacona, Bunnie, Harry, Jolene,
Lauren, Alexis, Corey, Girlie, Paulette,
Fallen, Laura Switzlcr, Romaine Miller Sr.,
and my husband John Smartlowit. You all
helped us celebrate this special occasion.
Thanks for being there.
Take care.
With aic,
Helen Smartlowit,
Yakama, WA
Jeremiah Y. Miller
Klamath Falls, OR