Image provided by: The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Warm Springs, OR
About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (May 15, 2003)
E Coosh EEWA: The way it is Page 4 Spilyay Tymoo May 15, 2003 Congrats go out to Dawn Smith By Selena Boise Spilyay Tymoo As my daughter would say, "hello peoples." They come home with so many new ways of saying things, it's kind of fun. They go to school and spend the bulk of their day at school, then come home. So they interact with the other students, and staff at their schools on a daily basis. I liked having my kids at the Warm Springs Elementary School where Dawn Smith has been the principal for many years. My kids really liked her and still do. They like to see if she remembers them, and she usually does, so far. When all my children at tended the Warm Springs El ementary School their experi ences there were both pleasant and unpleasant. If their experience was pleas ant it was mostly due to Dawn's dedication to making the school a comfortable learning atmo sphere for all students. If there were any problems, she saw to it that these problems were dealt with immediately. The unpleasant situations my kids had were dealt with and at the same time the students didn't feel awkward or have ongoing fueds about who was right and , whp was wrong. The problem , was laid out and both sides of the issue were heard. The prob lem was then brought to an agreement or understanding between all involved. My kids were able to con tinue to attend school and not feel funny about -situations brought to her attention. They had the feeling that they were part of resolving the problem. So my children not only learned math, writing, alphabets, or science. They learned more about life and conflict resolution, kindness and courteous man ners among your peers. She has a friendly hello for everyone, students, parents, and teachers. I am always greeted with a friendly hello from her at the school. The staff are just as friendly to everyone they greet at the school. Being an employee at the Warm Springs Elementary School has got to be hard at times, but all teachers are work ing together as a team. So, it seems to run rather smoothly. I saw that Dawn and some of the teachers were running in the Reservation Relay. To have the energy it takes to teach the students daily, I imagine the physical fitness part of their training assists in this a great deal. I admire Dawn for being part of that team relay. I also admire Exerciser of the Month Lucinda Heath for taking part. I heard my son tell me that when Dawn received her awards that she was emotional and she accepted these awards with tears. It was such a great honor to hear about her being nominated and an even greater honor to know that she was selected. I congratulate Dawn Smith in this accomplishment because I definitely think she earned it. My children are always go ing to remember the Warm Springs Elementary School prin cipal and teachers because they're first concern is that the children receive their education. Spilyay Speaks Thank you Thanks to the following spon sors who helped make the Priscilla Squiemphen-Yazzi Golf Scramble Fundraiser a success: Eagle Crest Resort, Greens at Redmond, Johnny Guerin Logging, Juniper Golf Course, Kah-Nee-Ta Golf Association, Kah-Nee-Ta High Desert Re sort and Casino, and Kah-Nee-Ta High Desert Resort and Ca sino Golf Shop. The Links at Madras, Pape, Rodney Smith Trucking Co., Sunriver Resort and Golf Course, Tri-Pod Trucking Co., Warm Springs Alcohol and Drug Program. Warm Springs Chief Opera tions Officer, Warm Springs Composite Products, Warm Springs Diabetic Program, Warm Springs Forest Products. Widgi Creek Golf Course, Wildhorse Resort and Casino Golf Course, Willow Creek Driving Range. Warm Springs Power Enter prises, Denny Leonard Associ ates, Charles Jackson, and AJ and Jolene Atencio. Thanks also to those who donated to the raffle. Yours truly, The Priscilla Squiemphen family, Butch David, Hobo Patt and Janell Smith SMART Special thanks and apprecia tion go out to all the dedicated SMART readers and educators who volunteered to be readers. They are: Helena Jackson, Vivian Macy, Chele Paye, Trudy Thompson, Wendall Cook, Carladean Caldera, Vesta Johnson, Frank Smith,, Lw Squiemphen, Kaipo, Pinky Beymer and Flora Davis. Thanks to all of you. You are appreciated and special people. We hope you will come back next fall to continue reading. Talk a few of your friends or relatives into reading. It's really worthwhile. Warm Springs SMART Program To readers Spilyay, It's been a wonderful learn ing experience for me as a SMART coordinator at the Warm Springs Elementary this school year. I learned as much from all the students as they did reading all the books this school year. I saw them grow so much and to learn to appreciate the wonders of books and reading. I've always loved books and reading. It's wonderful to see this desire come alive in the young students as they come in to be read to. They each got to take home two books a month. They looked forward to that, like a gift May 15 will be the last read ing day for the SMART reading program for the school year. We plan on returning to the SMART program at the begin ning of the 2003-04 school year, or next fall. Also on May 15 there will be a special thanks and recognition for our SMART volunteers at the SMART trailer at noon. I hope all the reader volunteers will be able to come by and pick up a small gesture of thanks and appreciation. You are all heroes to the students you read to this school year. Your dedication to the education of our youth is very honorable indeed. To the parents - Each school year I put applications for the SMART reading program in each teacher's mailbox in the office. It's up to each teacher to choose students they believe Letters to the would benefit from one on one reading. If you wish for your child to be included in the SMART Program next fall, re quest it from the teacher or stop by the SMART trailer (west of the office). Also, we need volunteer read ers throughout the school year, so it's never too early or late to volunteer to become a reader. A message for the SMART Pro gram can be left at the elemen tary school. One hour per week means a lifetime of reading and education to a grateful student. Please become a volunteer reader today. Respectfully, Myrna Frank, SMART co ordinator for Warm Springs El ementary Modern world This is a note on the changes to come. It is said that we are to take care of one another, as our elders have taught us. We live today in a modern world. And as I remember, the elders would speak of this reality. They'd say go and stay in school, so that when you come home, that edu cation can be utilized to help your people. But also hold fast, as well, to your family, tribal and community traditions. They would speak in this way because of the modern world being unavoidable. They would also say that fear of education is wrong, that educating our selves and holding onto tradi tional values will, in actuality, make us that much more wise. So, education was strongly ad vised by the elders, to be ob tained in order to keep our people alive as well as function ally adapted to diversity. Th6 nrnrtsp nf mv mnfinnw I , r . ...j ing' all of this is" "to "say thisi ? There's been a lot of talk of our children not being cared for. Well, I for one disagree, Our children are in school and are required to have the three tribal languages taught to them, which is just as important as the rest of the required curriculum. So, our tribal traditions being taught to our children come from us, the adults. And our education comes from our elders. The elders teach us, in today's modern world, to learn how to walk in beauty between these two worlds. If there is such a strong de sire for reservation employment opportunities, then what's the problem with gaining the edu cation to bring to life these afore mentioned employment oppor tunities for starters? In order for these businesses to come to pass, there's need for managers, assistant managers, store clerks, security, employees, etc. And that calls for college education. Take the newly elected BIA supervisor. He's an Alaskan na tive who does his people's tradi tional dance and drumming, but yet he has an education and has utilized that education as well as held on to his traditions. My hat is off to him. That's diversity in the raw. In closing, think about it. Signed, Aaron, a proud tribal mem- bcr Better life Dear Warm Springs Reserva tion, I am writing to you all to tell you that my life has turned around for the better. When I was on the reservation I did some wrong things that made people look down on me and my family. I drank a lot and particd around, got high, stole from the rez and started a lot of trouble. All this happened because of drugs and alcohol. I went to prison only to find the true Indian I am today. I went to prison a boy only to re turn a man. Even though I'm not home on the rez, I still keep the native life alive in this city of Eugene. I learned how to sing prayer songs, longhouse songs, powwow songs. I learned how to dance men's traditional. I've won championships here in Eugene, and when people ask me why I sing and dance, I tell them, "I dance and sing for my people, mainly for my family and elders, for the love they show me." , I no longer drink or use drugs, and I feel good about myself today. I feel proud to say I'm from Warm Springs, and I thank the great grandfather for making me an Indian. Robert Boise Some questions To the editor: Instead of asking people's opinion on the war with Iraq, why don't you just ask their opin ion on greed, genocide and hy pocrisy? You'll get the same an swers. And why all the sudden con cern over the Grand Ronde greedy husde to intercept a pos sible gold mine casino location? Besides a couple brand new SUV's in the administration parking lot, what else are the people really going to see from the profits? No matter what level the tribal economy rises to, the tribal unemployment rate continues to kiss dust. And why are we all so angry at our youth for representing foreign behavior when our lead ers and warriors are more con cerned about the above than finding alternative solutions to maximized confusion? And speaking of the wars a little closer to home, what really gives us the nerve to call our selves a sovereign, indigenous people when our tribes choose not to place themselves on court documents along side our Co lumbia River relatives in a batde to obtain the long overdue right to place our ancestor (the Kennewick Man) back into the earth where we all know he be longs? And exacdy what form of an indigenous tribe can actually jus tify advocating to hand their ancestors over to the white man so he can tell them who they arc and how they used to live? Is that modern tradition? Does any of this not ever have anyone wondering, "What's re ally going on here?" - With all due respect to any of those who would choose to take offense. . While we're all so quick to solute a flag representing 50 states stolen from us, I think we need a stronger excuse than modern genocide to ask our selves why we're so quick to bow down and leave our own indig enous relatives out in the rain in the heart of a battle for sov ereign rights. Things that make you go, hmmmm... A voice of the seventh gen eration. "Tce-Wah-Nce." Signed, Tee-Wah-Nee Sahme. Be careful Dear Warm Springs, I, Michael Meanus, would like to let everyone back home know that I am sorry to hear about all the deaths that have happened. All I can do is sing a Washut song for everyone. It's hard to accept the fact that I can't do anything. My time in prison has been hard for me because I try to live out there and in here at the same time. I Editor know now that my life is in here and I can't do anything about what goes on out there. So please, my people, be care ful out there and remember, if you love someone, let them know and give them a hug. You never know what tomor row will bring. With the war go ing on, it's hard for me because I worry about one and all back home. Thank you for listening to me. Sincerely, Michael Meanus, aka M Lone, U.S. Penetentiary, P.O. Box 019001, Atwater, CA 95301. P.S. If anyone wants to drop a line, it would be appreci ated. Memorial We honored Eliza Patt Greene-Redhouse (aka Hotdog) with a memorial ceremony on April 26. Her Indian name was passed on to her cousin Sandra Danzuka by the wishes of the family. We believe that Hotdog was a Godsend, and we would like to thank all those who were with us. A huge thank-you to those who traveled a great distance, from Arizona, Nevada (Emo and Ella Crutcher), Priest Rap ids, Columbia River, Pendleton and the Yakama Valley. And thank you to the cowgirls who took a break from the rodeo to be there. We also acknowledge those who contacted us to let us know that you couldn't be there, but your thoughts were with us. We are grateful for the full season of life that Hotdog ex perienced for the short time that she was with us, and we ac knowledge her many skills and talents: trickrider at rodeos, pro fessional jockey, beadworker, excellent cook, traditional food gatherer, traditional basket weaver, fisherwoman, and fancy dancer at powwows, and a lively medicine society dancer. She could tan hides and make crafts with raw hide, and she dedicated herself to motherhood for Wesley Redhouse. Thank you to YeoWewa aka Wilson Wewa Jr. for leading the services. Romalene Cartney unveiled the carved horse at the gravesite, William Wainanwit for playing the guitar and spiritual songs, Bobby Suppah and Bernice Mitchell for the gravesite prayers, the Johnson sisters for preparing the meals, the hunt ers William Spino, Roger Stwyer Jr., and Charles Stwyer; the fish ermen, Melvin Tewee Sr., Phillip Tewee, Kyle Frank and Virgil Culps, dried salmon provided by Rosita Wesley, roots provided by Johanna Senator, Charlotte Herkshan for baking 50 pies, Heidi Katchia Smith and Chris tine Brunoe for sewing and fringing shawls, Tootsie Danzuka for sewing shawls, Janet Hoptowit Biss for sewing quilts, Alberta Comedown Libby for sewing the shirts, Marvin Meanus for cleaning the silver jewelry, the Medicine Society members who shared memories and blessing songs, Larry Dick, Tukushman aka Ken Katchia Smith, Geraldine Jim, Silas Wil liams, Lucinda Green, Bernice Mitchell and all the dancers. May God hold her in the palm of His hand and the an gels watch over her husband Albert and her son Wesley. Neda Wesley, Jim Wesley Sr., Jaime Wesley, Albert and Wesley Roadhouse, Roger and Winona Stwyer and sons, Henry Stwyer, Davis Stwyer, Lucinda Stwyer, Martina Stwyer, Wendell Stwyer-Greene and Theodore Stwyer-Greene, Rick, Victor, Jonathan, and Aurolyn Watlamat, Ty Eaglespeaker, Bessie and baby Farley Renee Eaglespeaker, Harvey and Eliza Jim, Charlotte Shike, Lamont and Patsy Brown and sons. Door prizes Warm Springs Fire and Safety is asking for donations of door prizes. The door prizes will be given out on the week of May 19-23. This is in regard to Emergency Medical Services Week. These events are to in crease the awareness of the community about what we in the EMS field do and to let the pub lic know who the EMT's are in the community. We will gready appreciate any and all help that you are able to give. If you have any questions or comments, please call 553-1634. Thank you for your time. Michelle Jensen, EMT-P Fire fighter, EMS coordinator, Warm Springs Fire and Safety Stolen items On April 27 we were looking forward to telling our daughter Eliza Greene Redhouse to go ! and rest in peace. The graveside service was beautiful. What should have been a relief to us ended up a disaster. Sometime during the memorial giveaway, four memorial jackets were ! taken. As well as some ! beadwork that had names on them. The names are embroi dered on the front left pocket, with a racehorse and jockey. And wording on the back is "In Lov ing Memory of Eliza Greene- , Redhouse." The jackets have ' the names as follows: Sarah Picard, Pros Picard, Cliff ', Pamperien and Faye Pamperien. ; If anyone knows where they are, we would dearly appreciate having them returned. We would also like to warn people who are in mourning, especially elderly persons, to be very careful when people offer to help you prepare for memo rials. We had good intentions and were truly taken advantage of, which put us hundreds of dol lars at a loss. People coming to see us for money and taking fringes and shawl materials and selling them, later claiming that they were stolen. Persons took our daughter Eliza's bags to fin ish beading and claiming that someone stole them after we had bought the beads and paid them to finish the bags. The worst kind are the gam blers at the casino. The things I bought half done and paid for were never delivered, beaded wallets, beaded moccasins, neck laces and more. People beware, Don't trust anyone unless you truly know their reputation, be cause they have no conscience. Neda Wesley Letters It is the policy of Spilyay Tymoo to print Letters to the Editor from any and all tribal members. Because of space limitations, letters cannot ex ceed 350 words. Letters that are longer than 350 words will be cut starting with the last sentence and progressing up until the text falls within the 350-word limit. This policy is necessary in order to ensure that room ex ists in the newspaper for all of the Letters to the Editor. Also regarding letters, the Spilyay is unable to print let ters that include libel. Libelous statements are those that are untrue or dam aging to a person's reputation.