Spilyay Speaks
Casino proponents should
consider Highway 26 site
lately there have been articles in the newspapers saying the
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs arc going to build a
casino at Hood River, Oregon. And there have been pro and
con, exceptions to the whole idea. Opposition mainly comes
from the residents of that community who present a good
argument of the plan. The Confederated Tribes' stand is the
Trust land owned there, and even the governor can't stop
this from happening.
As an individual Tribal Member 1 feel that the entire
membership should have had input on the subject and that
everyone be in complete agreement before statements are
made to the media, or to the public. X'e should discuss the
issue from front to back to clear any doubts that may be
present, because there arc so many if's, and's and but's to be
cleared up. I don't believe in one man's opinion on what's
best for us. Just because he may be a consultant, doesn't mean
that he's always right. One thing for sure ... he gets quite a
chunk of pay for whatever he says. That's beside the point.
I believe that any project undertaken should be thoroughly
investigated and all questions answered before we jump into
the fire. When they come at you from the front, you should
also know what's on the back side.
There arc some things that I can't understand, and why
docs everyone go along with them; they say here on the
reservation, the only way we can make any money is by
expanding the Indian Head Casino. How in "H 1 will that
create any improvement on what's already there? They are
afraid of losing money on building a casino along Highway
26, which would pay for itself in now time at all. Expanding
the Indian I lead Casino will not increase the attendance by
any means. If that is the plan then we arc sure to lose money
as they arc afraid of. No matter what we do or where we
build it's going to cost a pretty dollar, and you can't get
around that.
I wonder how our present casino ever draws as many as it
docs. The sign along the highway should be colorful, some
thing that stands out and is attractive, like those casino signs
in Washington. They are colorful and are noticed, but the
main downfall for the Indian Head Casino is its location. I
, have heard xhis so many times down town, Portland, that if
the casino was located along Highway 26, they would be
more than willing to stop and relax, playing the machines.
They say the casino at its present location is just too far out
of the way for them to swing by.
I firmly believe that we should close the Indian Head
Casino and build one along Highway 26, compare this to
expanding at the present casino, where we would lose money
in a hurry.
Has anyone ever taken notice of how much traffic that
passes by here in Warm Springs? It's surprising to see all that
traffic going by and I'll bet a dollar to a donut that many
would stop ff at the casino, along Highway 26. I don't need a
consultant to tell me that.
The committee is worried of spending too much money;
how much will it cost to construct the one at Hood River?
Well, I'm just rambling, but I do hope someone will see what
I'm saying. I do feel that there are some points of importance,
and should be considered. Well, maybe I'm sick and don't
know what I'm saying. AH-NAH-CHI-TOONH!
- Sid Miller
Response to terror: Continue with life
Hello from Pastor Rick.
Well, reading this article will
put the bombing of New York and
Washington about a week ago.
Other things may have happened
since the writing of this piece. So,
what can you say living here in
Warm Springs, a nation within a
nation? Thousands dead, people
confused, angry and depressed.
What can Warm Springs offer to
the USA? What docs Warm
Springs know about how to handle
death? Wow, what a dumb ijues
tion to ask; docs Warm Springs
know how to handle death? Warm
Springs know all to well how to
handle the effects of death. It has
been my observation that our
community handles death by mak
ing life a priority. Someone dies
here, with the focus and experience
of centuries people step up to be
gin the work of living. A home is
cleared for prayer. People come
and cook and clean and watch the
kids. Prayer continues through for
mal services at the dressing,
longhouscchurch and burial. For
meals to follow the services people
continue to donate time, funds,
food and prayer. You see the thing
that happens here is that life does
not stop. I jfe and living continues
even when you wrestle with death.
Maybe that is what Warm Springs
can offer to America. A message
of move forward, don't give up.
Pray. Pray. Pray. You see, I believe
people want to hurt us because
they believe that we are a dead na
tion. To move forward and to pray
makes us a nation that is not dead.
Wc are a nation living life. Oh,
yeah, remember Faster and Jesus
on the cross. That was not the end.
It was a new beginning for us all,
Even God continues to move for
ward in life. So, to those who see
us dead we pray for true life.
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 gam
bling, then stay home. Read the
Bible for its effect on your heart.
Pray to God to the point of your
hearing Him. Honor someone
each day. lxve yourself. See you in
Worship. (
Warm Springs Presbyterian
Church. Sunday School at 10 a.m.
Worship 11 'a.m. On the Campus.
Pastor Rick R. Ribciro
553-1237
Letters to the Editor
Editor's Note
V
Spilyay Tymoo welcomes letters from its
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to hatred, ridicule or contempt; injures that
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Thanks for support
We wish to thank everyone who
came to be with my father Delbcrt
Frank Sr. during his illness.
Thank-you to those who helped
without being asked, to those who
came to support the family, and
especially those who came to visit
him while he lay sick. Thank-you
to the Drummers, to the Shakers,
and to those who traveled great
distances to be here for the funeral.
And to my brother, Delbcrt Jr.,
who was here in spirit, we'll come
visit soon. Thanks also to Vic
Atiyeh, the Portland Area office,
and the Oregon Fish Commission
representative, who presented a
photograph of Delbert Frank Sr.
And to the many more who
were there, we thank you.
From Myrna Frank and fam
ily, and grandsons.
Thoughts on
sovereignty
Hello my people of Warm
Springs! I would like a bit of your
time to express my concerns in this
letter and I hope that maybe some
of you out there might feel the
same.
First of all let me tell you about
me. My name is William
Clements, Indian name Siquo. Par
ents are Grant and Sandra
Clements. Bloodline from the
Stacona and McCorkle family. 7
8 of blood. Thirty years of age.
Acquired a GED and obtaining a
degree in business administration.
Some of the things that I would
like to talk about concern us as
tribal members. I would like for
you to think of what the word sov
ereign means to you. Sovereign to
me is one unto itself. Independent
from anything or anyone else. The
State Oregon is a sovereign, just
like Warm Springs.
Now, can one sovereign dictate
to another? In other words, can the
United States tell Europe how they
should govern themselves? So how
do we as a sovereign Nation let
others tell us how to govern our
reservation?
Over the years that I have been
here, I have seen our elected lead
ers wheel and deal our sovereign
treaty rights away. For what? For
the greater good of the people of
Warm Springs? Who are the ones
that have benefited from all of the
wining and dining over the years?
When do we as tribal members
begin to see any of the promises
or get any crumbs that may fall
from our all mighty administra
tion? When do we as a tribe say
enough is enough? Who is going
to stand up for the people? It is
obvious that our own tribal elected
officials will not.
They are too busy looking out
for number one. We happen to be
at the bottom of their list of im
portant things, just below their
new raises or bonuses. We as en
rolled tribal members of this res
ervation need to stand up and take
our reservation back. Our elected
officials have forgotten why they
were elected. We are being dictated
and not represented.
Why do we treat our own
people so badly? Isn't it bad
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Photo by Dave McMechan
Mourning for tribal leader Delbert Frank Sr. and remembrance of the lives lost in New York gave cause
for flags to be flown at half-staff in recent days.
enough that the white man does
it? If we do not stop and take a look
at what is going on, we are not
going to have a reservation for
long. I say these things for my
children's sake and all of the people
of this reservation.
We need to do what is right for
our people and its future. Start
getting involved at the district
meetings. Find out what our
elected officials are doing for us as
tribal members. Make a difference.
William Clements
Siquo
Proud of friend
To the editor,
"Annette Frank-Arce" my dear
friend throughout all your trial of
tribulations I'd like to let you
know that I'm so proud of you for
being all so strong hearted.
Keep your head up lady your
doing everything your will can
hellp you with. The Lord is by
your side. Keep praying Annette.
I want you to know you're very
much appreciated for everything
you do. You're a real good friend,
a special friend that I'd like to say
I miss you and I'm praying for you
and vour family.
Stay strong, and take care.
Your friend always
Louisa Tuckta
Training update
(Editor's note: The following let
ter was received prior to the events
of Sept. 1 1, but bears weight as a re
minder to all of us that many of our
young people are serving in the mili
tary during these challenging times.)
To the editor,
Hello, I hope I am finding ev
eryone in good health. Well I quali
fied at the rifle range (long story
to be explained at a later date). We
start A-line tomorrow. A-line is
getting down and dirty.
Next week we have B.W.T (Ba
sic Warrior Training). During
BWT we have our final drill com
petition and our P.F.T (Physical
Fitness Test) BWT week is the gas
chamber, repelling, and qualifying
for a tan belt on hand to hand com
bat. I only have three weeks left on
this gosh darn island. Also some
new babies picked up blow us
they're platoon 4035. I think
there's an Indian, her name is
Begay. I haven't gotten to meet her
but I hope to so I can encourage
her.
Thank you for the letters, for
those who have written to me.
Please continue. Good luck at
school for all the children attend
ing. I'd like to tell you to make the
most of your education and not to
follow all of the fads. Be yourself,
a leader and not a follower. That is
what will help you. Don't slack off
in school or you'll pay for it. We
have to become1 a stronger tribe
and people, we can't let the stereo
types be true. Strive to do your
best.
I love you mom &c dad, Kenny,
Jesse, Sonny, Stevie and Naydra. I'll
finish for everyone. The crucible
is in thirteen days. That's the de
fining obstacle that makes Ma
rines. Love you Granny Goose,
Emmitt, Ann, Faron, Aunt
Rachel, Aunt Nora, Aunt
Orthelia, Grandpa Part, Uncle Ab,
Uncle JP, and everyone else (you
know who you are). Not enough
room to write everyone. The list
w:ould go from here to' Warm
Springs. Just teasing.
Tashna RCT. Hicks
RCT HICKS
PLT 4029 4th BN P company
P.O. Box 14O01
MCRD PISC, SC 29905-4001