Image provided by: The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Warm Springs, OR
About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (April 5, 2001)
Spilyay Tyvnoo Tribal Council Election Statements Page 10 r Simnasho District Candidates ? : ) X.,. ;. y ;-"rv. v .... x- - PA Jeannie Thomas Jn 1991, (he tril)al members that ilon't have jobs here were surveyed to find out w hy? Following are the top three answers. 1. They put in many applications at Warm Springs and never did net hired. 2. They moved for a jo! that pays enough to sup port themselves and their family. 3. They moved to get job training or go to col lege and stayed away to work. The joh crisis is worse now. Warm Springs had two big forest fires, a flood, our log and mill industry isn't like it was and tourism isn't very big. Our tribes need changes to earn money and create jobs. Hiring is frozen until wages get into the tribal budget. At General Coun cil and other places there are tribal members with pro voking questions to answer. Samples of questions fol low: Tribal Council and managers face hard decisions to make. Can jobs be reserved for laid off tribal members to accept? Can more items be centralized to cut costs (food, travel, souvenirs)? Can seasonal low-pay jobs get ben efits if they return from year to year? What is the amount of funds that requires a referendum vote from tribal Members before spending is authorized? Are budgets in compliance with advance approved spending alloca tions? Is the end of year budget carry over money re allocated to a general fund? Is it true that trust funds are withheld from single 18 year olds that do not choose to spend it on occupations or secondary education? Do Tribal Council and executives have an ethics code for: meetings; reports to districts; andor personnel poli cies? Do they get performance evaluations? What's go ing on with Natural and Culture Resources to save them? We need plants, water, mountains, animals, earth and human resources taken care of! I am a candidate to be elected onto the 2001-2004 Tribal Council because many people recognize the work experience I have in jobs as a Tribal Council committee secretary, education director, employment coordinator and culture-language administrator. Advice was given by our Wasco Chief Nelson Wallulatum. At the nominations meeting, he said we need people on Council with economic development know-how. Through my family's corporation, profits came through land holdings, realty and service sales enterprises. My experiences grew with taxes, permits, cash flow and payroll. Also, I held onto personal jobs because I like education, employment, culture and tribal sovereignty responsibilities. 1 C .X At the U.S. region offices in Seattle, I was trained to integrate grants for reports and negotiating budgets into standard formats. Also trained and have experience to negotiate effectively for the rights of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Working extra hours and on weekends when needed is okay. I'm cautious to write using appropriate interpretations and abide by unwrit ten laws as a must. Actions to take now arc critical to get more money into tribal budgets. Money is the source of livelihood. Tribal members need paychecks. In the old days we had systems to keep alive, today modern politics take over on what to do to keep families together. In basic busi ness rules "nothing is free, good use of time earns money, each worker does their share" or they can find other jobs or be employed elsewhere. This is an introduction of myself to you, I'm Frances Jeanne Thomas named after my Dad, Frenchie, a Cas cade River Indian from by the Bridge of the Gods Dog River Band Wascoes. My mother is June Rose Courville a Duwamish Black River Band and Klickitat Bands. Barbara Jim Hello my people, I am a candidate for tribal council in the Simnasho district. With the many concerns that arc prevalent in Warm Springs, a good councilperson should address the issues of the lagging economic stability, protection of our natural resources, as well as maintaining and taking a proactive approach with our traditional values and beliefs. It is a very difficult task to blend all of these issues together in order to maintain our individual tribal sovereignty and also expand and improve our economic situation. with the economy or Warm :prings being on tne down side at the present time it is important that we try to find some economic solutions for the next gen erations, to protect our children and their children. This goal can only be accomplished with Tribal Council working together in a positive manner so that we can benefit all of our tribal membership. Our natural resources are very important to our economy, as well as our traditional values. A long-term plan must be implemented in order to benefit our tribal membership, but also preserve our natural & cultural resources. With all the problems in this area it is neces sary that we take a long hard look in the preservation of these natural resources. Some sort of action must be taken to take care of our youth. For they are our future and a plan should be implemented, with the consensus of all of Council, to protect their rights and also to give them self esteem. Education, not only education for a professional career, but also education in our traditional and spiritual creeds here in Warm Springs. Training programs to get them employed with the Tribes in upper management posi tions to make our Administration managed by tribal members or married into the tribe. I believe that if we take the time to show our youth the importance of ac tually being Warm Springs and giving them pride in where they are from and who they are, some of the social problems that plague our community would not exist. It is very important that we do take the time to listen to our older people; these are the people that have the knowledge and expertise to educate us. It is equally important to listen to our young adults. They have many problems and concerns and I think that we need to lis ten to these young people and help them with what we can. Lets show them that we do care about them and that we are looking out for their welfare and well be ing. There are many issues and concerns that there just isn't enough room to address in the paper. Please feel free to contact me anytime to address any questions and concerns you have. I wish all candidates well in their endeavor for Tribal Council. 1 ll 'Mlt' Kirby Heath Sr. Ron Suppah Sr. To restore the tribal membership's confidence in the tribal government will be the first order of business that needs to be taken care of by the next Tribal Council. There is a real sense of apathy towards tribal govern ment that makes it next to impossible to move forward with any type of decisions. The new leaders that are elected must listen and communicate with the tribal membership in order to regain their trust. I hope and pray that the newly elected Tribal Council will regain the respect from the tribal membership. 1 encourage each eligible tribal member to vote. Let vour voice be heard. Marvin Meanus Sr. Candidate did not file photo or statement for publU cation. Ray "Captain" Moody Candidate did not file photo or statement for publi cation. Earl Squiemphen I am a retired mill worker since 1995, so 1 am able to devote myself full-time to Tribal Council. My number one priority will be to represent the people of the Warm Springs Reservation. Please vote on April 9! Good luck to all the candidates. Charles "Jody" Calica Simnasho District Voters: We need to return more stable wisdom and leader ship that will make wise decisions for our future wel fare. We need some well planned changes based upon the long term vision and needs of the people. Over the past several terms, decisions appeared to be dominated by more reaction to people, circumstances or special interests. We need leadership that will act with hon esty, respect and dignity, not out of vengence. The Tribal organization needs to place the needs of the membership back as priority one. To the extent that it required using six attorneys to hold a few employees accountable, employee riirhts have displaced service to the community. We have many dedicated and talented people in the organization and many more that should be employed. The challenges we face will require our seli-educated people to work taithtully along side oth ers who may have formal education to some degree. We need to return to some solid old-time commu nity and family values. Proper conduct should be de termined by what is traditionally, morally, ethically and spiritually right. Acceptable behavior should not to be defined by whatever the community will tolerate or by what people can get away with by manipulating the laws and the legal system. Our elders lived by a few simple truths and wants. Theirs was a lifestyle that was built on helping one an other. Spiritually, we will be judged by our goods deeds in service to the greater good of our families, our com munity and our resources. Please use your vote wisely. The success and welfare of our people are at stake. I have come forth first to let you know a little of mvsclf to vou mv people. Mv father's name is Walter Jackson Heath Sr.; my mother is Fllcn Starr Heath. I was born here in the Warm Springs hospital on May 10, 1948. I grew up along the Rivers, i.olumbia, Deschutes and Klickatat. Because of this, I became a fisherman. I started my education at the Warm Springs Board ing School and graduated from Madras I ligh School. I served in the United States Army from June 1967 to 1970. 1 am a Vietnam Veteran '67-'68 with the 196,h Fight Infantry Brigade and 198,h Fight Infantry Brigade of the Ameral Division. At present I still am an active Veteran, Commander of Flliot Palmer Post 4217 Warm Springs VFW. In my time, I've been employed by Kahnceta, WSI'PI, BIA Forestry, and janitor for WS Constructionrehab. I've been selected by Tribal Council to serve both on and off Reservation Fish and Wildlife committee for four terms, Appeal court judge for 9 years. I lealth and Welfare committee 2 years and Johnson O'Malley com-' mittcc 5 years and I am an active member on the Hous ing Board Commission and just completed my first year, Presently I'm a single parent and am raising two fine young teenage sons. Jerrod I. Heath age 17 and Kccna S. Heath, age 16. F'irst of all, I'd wish to acknowledge Neda Wesley and Fannie Waheneka for nominating me for Tribal Council. As you might know I too have a great concern as all the people of situations that are affecting my people. The scenario 1 see is very clear, for I see how the personal that are our manager and consultant work, this term and hasn't been very good for the people if all went well we wouldn't be in a recession. The Tribal Council is for the people but the com munication with the people isn't happening, closed-door policy only the Secretary Treasurer screens who should see Tribal Council. I'd like to see Council go back to the people period. There is so many things need to be done and the people are the only ones to make Tribal Council accountable for all that may affect the people and the simple truth is to have councilmen whom are willing to hear the hearts of our people so our children may have a better future by great leadership. I love my children and my people and I wish for them to have their needs met, medical, education, natu ral resources, legal aide, better courts, CPS, Social Ser vices, recreation and also our treaty must be carried on in the way of our ancestors treaty signers ended it. For if it wasn't for our treaty where would we be? Yes our Constitution By-Laws must be adhered to and all must stay in compliance. Committees are fine as long as the right people are selected. I really wish I could be more straightforward of all that needs to be addressed. But those will have to be worked on or dealt with to but need all leader to come to a consensus to address mistakes or recognize the weakness of present structure and to refine them and remake all legal, legislative, economics, education, natural resources, police, legal aide. I can go on but I have a general idea and common sense to know we do have problems and the work of leadership direction. We have a long way to go. Thank you.