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