Image provided by: The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Warm Springs, OR
About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (May 17, 2001)
Spilyy Tymoo, Wqrm Spjrjngs, Of-eyon M-iy 17, 2001 THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES LANGUAGE LESSON A o -:) V to t r L take the opportunity to learn from them. It is your support and encouragement that will reinforce the importance of what it means for your child to continue the opportunities available to learn their language and the culture of Warm Springs and the three tribes. On May 1 0, 2001 , the Culture and Heri tage staff traveled to Salem, Oregon. Sen ate Bill 690 was being brought before the Education Committee of the House side of the Legislative Hearings, seeking their ap proval to move on into the full House for final approval. Myra, Arlita, Val, Pat and MayAnne provided testimony at the hearing in full support of the Bill. Umatilla Tribes also provided testimony in support of the bill. An amend ment pro posed by Oregon Edu cation Asso ciation was f also heard and discussed at the hearing. There was discussion and many questions asked by the Committee about the proposed amendment and how it could affect the bill as it was proposed. The amendment spoke to the use of "technical assistance" from school personnel, educated through academia and the processes of the existing school sys tems. It spoke about "observation" and "consultation" being provided to the Indian Language Teachers as they are certified through this new process. The concern voiced with this tactic, was that it should not be a one-way street, where the existing certified personnel would be the "observers" and "consultants" to the languages teach ers. The opportunity for language teachers to become certified teachers in school dis- K '' I tricts, would also provide opportunities to existing school personnel to become cultur ally competent in their classrooms. Meaning that language teachers would bring to the classrooms an exciting and new perspective on new methods and styles of teaching cul turally different children in classrooms. And that the language teachers would also be "observers" and "consultants" to the school staff on ways to deal effectively with all children, who are special in the eyes of all. As a better understanding was voiced, the amendment become more meaningful to all, with the fact that it would be a two-way street, where language teachers and school personnel would learn from each other for the encouragement of education to the children in school. . Senate Bill 690, was then passed unani mously, with the addition of the amend ment. It was encouraging to know, that all agreed, the certification of language teach ers would pro vide a learning opportunity for children and adults alike. The bill will now move into the full House, for approval, and then back to the Senate for approval with the amendment. It is after that process, that the bill will then 'end up on the Governor's desk for final signature making it law for the State of Oregon. The Culture and Heri tage De partment would like to take the oppor tunity to thank all the Elders !t of the community who came in support of the bill. It is your support and desire to see our children learn our languages and culture, that continues to inspire our staff to con tinue working on this priority for the Warm Springs Tribes. We will now work towards the re quirements, with elder assistance, on who will be eligible for this new process that will be imple mented within the next two years. The Man Behind the Scenes Hamilton Greeley Hamilton "Hambone" Greeley is the media specialist for Culture and Heritage Program. He is the photographer, Video Man and keeper of our visual treasures here at the office. He has blessed us with documenting events like root feast, honor senior's day, WSE Language Day, WSE Rootdigging field trips and so forth. Smile when you see Hambone, more . ' : : -. . f y 3J B than likely he will have his face behind the camera trying to catch your best side. Culture and Heritage Honors Seniors at 1 1th Annual Celebration By Deanie Johnson Friday, May 1 1 , 2001 turned out to be a very nice day for the Senior Program, this was the 1 1 th Annual Honor Seniors Day. Visitors came from Cour D'alene Idaho, Coos Bay, Tulalip, Lummi, Pendleton, Klamath, Bend, Sisters, and Prineville. The Simnasho Longhouse had been packed with visitors from all over the Northwest. Mrs. Graham's and Ms. Lindquist classes had been learning a new song and some social dances to perform at the Honor Seniors Day. Within a week the kids learned to dance to the Welcome Song, Skip Dance, UPI Dance, and the Going Out Dance. It was very exciting to see the dedication and the willingness of each child as they were prac ticing their song and dances. I would like to acknowledge the people that made this possible: THANK YOU MOST OF ALL: Mrs. Graham, Wauna Calica, and Ms. Lindquist. I would like to thank these wonderful people for their involvement with our class, THANK YOU: Irene Towe, Larson Kalama, Iris Smith, JoAnn Smith, Rudy Clements, Pat and Harry Miller, and Jeannie Thomas. I would like to also thank Wilson Wewa Jr. For stepping in at the last minute to sing the songs for. us we really appreciate it. It is people like all of you that help keep the Culture and Traditions alive for our children and we treasure you always. aK to On May 4, 2001 at the WSE Gym the Warm Springs Culture and Heritage Language Pro gram held the WSE Student Indian Language Day. All Parents, Family Members and Friends were invited to attend to hear the kids talk and sing the language lessons they have learned in a special assembly hosted by the Warm Springs Elementary School, the Language Program, and Healthy Na tions Program. From the Paiute Language Teachers: We enjoy comments from parents and rela tives about their children sharing what they are learning at school. The children at this age are not particular what tribal language they learn, the more language they learn the better. Respectfully, Patricia Miller & Shirley Tufti
