E Coosh EEWA: The way it is
Pgge 4- Spilyay Tymoo May 29, 2003
Rodeo, still the
roughest sport
Letters to the Editor
Spilyay
Speaks
By Sid Miller
Spilyay Publisher Emeritus
Rodeo is a rough sport, one of the roughest sports in the
world in any man's book. Rodeo is a sport where the com
petitor can choose where and when he wants to compete,
and has no one to answer to. But he must pay his own
expenses wherever he goes.
There have been many, many top cowboys
all down through the years, greats like Yakama
Kunutt, Jackson Sundown in the early days.
Bronc riders like Jerry Ambler, Casey Tibbs, Larry Mahan,
Doug Brown, and the first black cowboy I knew was Felix
Cooper. They were all great champions in their day.
Years ago a cowboy didn't make half as many shows as
the modern day cowboy does. And in the early days they
didn't specialize in any one event like today's cowboys do.
They believed an all-around cowboy should be able to par
ticipate in all events.
As the saying goes, "There wasn't a horse that couldn't
be rode, and there wasn't a cowboy that couldn't be
thrown." Years ago travel was crude and the cowboy made
as many rodeos as he could, mainly in his part of the coun
try. Discipline was just as strict in the early years because a
cowboy had to keep himself in top physical condition and
things were no different than they are today as there was
always broken bones to sideline a cowboy for a while.
The rodeo equipment has improved considerably as com
pared to the days of the old-timers. In the saddle bronc
they used a saddle and buck rein, but in the bareback they
used a loose rope. Just a plain rope with a loop on the end
to pull it tight. The same type of rope was used in the bull
riding event also.
The timed events were pretty much the same as they are
today. The calf ropers never used a slack rope as they do
today, because their horses were trained to keep the slack
out of the rope at all times.
In the wild cow milking they used the Calgary special,
where they had all the cows at one end of the arena and
the ropers at the other end, and when the whisde blew
there was action all over the arena as cows and cowboys
were running in all directions.
Today the rough stock equipment has improved consid
erably where the bareback rider uses a bareback riggin, and
it has a hand holt and it is cinched securely down on a
horse. The rules are that a rider cannot touch the horse
with his free hand and must start the horse with his feet
above the points of the horse's shoulders, and continu
ously spur throughout the ride.
The bull riders now have a special braided flat rope with
a hand holt for a better grip. The event is as rough as it will
ever be and injuries are expected. Like the eight-time world
champion bull rider Don Gay said, "It's not if you get hurt,
it's when you get hurt," because the bull riding event is the
roughest of sports.
So, if you want to be a real cowboy, it's not all peaches
and cream like some cowboys make it look. A person has
to train for the sport like everything else. Good physical
condition is a must, where cowboys need all the strength
they can get. A lot of young cowboys are always saying, "I
had just a couple of seconds to go when I got bucked off."
The reason for that is he was in no physical condition to be
competing.
I can remember back when I was just a "Cute Little
Tyke," I used to watch a guy condition himself to compete
in rodeos. He would say a guy has to be in good condition
if he wants to rodeo. Road work, pushups, weights and
hand grips to name a few of the phases he went through
getting in shape. He always gave good advice about rodeo
participation and later on in years I was glad to paid atten
tion to what he said.
Yep! A guy can't just do a few knee bends and flex his
arms and expect to be ready to compete. It really takes
conditioning all the time in order to be accountable in the
rodeo arena. If some individuals know how serious a young
cowboy is about keeping himself in good shape, they are
more than willing to be sponsors for the competitor. Young
cowboys should pay close attention to what advisors have
to say.
There are a lot of young up coming cowboys who could
be top contenders if they would pay attention to what is
said. When a person is trying to give advice they shy away
and don't want to listen, "they think they know it all."
Rodeo life can be very interesting and can be enjoyable
if one goes at it seriously.
But like any other sport it all comes to an end and some
have a lot to show of their accomplishments.
A lot of cowboys end up with the title of, "A broken
down, washed up bronc rider."
Yep! Later on in years it catches up with some guys!
Toe Ness
An old timer was watching the tender foot make his
debut in bronc riding. Afterward he walked up to him and
said, "Son, some riders arc good, and some arc lousy, but
you're both - good and lousy!" Yikes.
To Cece
Congratulations to Cece
Whitewolfe, who has created a
cancer survivors "medicine
bag" that was given recendy to
310 patients and survivors at
the American Indian Alaska
Native National Cancer Survi
vors' Conference in Santa Ana
Pueblo, New Mexico.
In each medicine bag was a
small "lap" blanket, hats, ther
mometer, pill container, note
book and calendar.
A call for quilts was sent by
Cece in September of
2002. The call created a national
quilting guild comprised of lo
cal chapters throughout Indian
Country. Next year's goal is for
500 lap quilts at the next Na
tional Cancer Survivor's Confer
ence in May 2004.
Cece, you accepted the chal
lenge to take care your fellow
human beings, thank you for
caring.
Your Sis Whoops
Baseball camp
To the Editor,
I would like to express my
appreciation to Austin Greene,
Andy Leonard and the staff at
the Community Center for help
ing me make the Baseball Clinic,
held on May 17-18, such a huge
success. Without all of their help
and support which included or
dering of equipment, t-shirts
(Andy designed and were great)
to advertising of the camp,
hauling equipment in and out,
having the fields in great shape,
to being there in case the pre
senters needed anything it never
would have gone so smoothly.
Another thank-you to Sandra
Greene and her helpers for the
great job they did on feeding
everyone, and to all of the par
ents and coaches who helped
with the camp. And of course
thank-you to the Diabetes
Grant Committee who funded
the camp and emphasize family
involvement for preventing dia
betes. The Warm Springs youth
had a great time learning to work
as a team, and came for the
"love of the game." Sincerely,
Carolyn L. Harvey, com
munity wellness coordinator
Left to suffer
To the people who lost some
one. I wish you still were here,
to help me through the day. But
now it's so clear that you're gone
away. I have nothing but the
painful memories of the time
we spent together. Praying that
maybe one of these days God
will take me away from this bad
weather and then I remember
how life was when you were
alive.
You knew your time was com
ing and that's why you always
told me, "It would be all right,"
but I am not. Because my heart
is aching with pain.
Too much hurt and every
time I think of you my eyes fill
with tears of rain. But I cannot
cry because it kills me inside and
it destroys my pride. And now I
feel all alone and lost without
you, not knowing if we can live
on. It seems we are all slowly
dying and our families are the
ones that are doing all the cry
ing. And now it's clear that we
are the ones left to suffer with
the fear of being alone forever,
So may G xl rest your soul and
take away your pain... forever,
and can you please ask God why
are the ones left to suffer.
By Twell T.
Apology
I apologize for my wrong
doing on May 9, 2003. I know
what I did was wrong. What I
did should not have happened,
I am sorry for this happening in
front of my daughter.
Vernon Sampson
Wrong doings
To whom this may concern:
I am sorry for my actions
and my wrong-doings that I did,
and to Jodell. We had already
had our little talk about this situ
ation and again I am sorry for
my wrongful actions, and thank
you Jodell for all your helpVhen
I needed a helping hand, thanks
a lot. Ok. Sincerely,
Evans Spino Jr.
Great job
Congratulations to grand
daughter Melinda Faye Polk,
Class of 2003, Taholah High
School. What an awesome year
for you. We are so very proud
of you and all the wonderful ac
complishments you have
achieved. Always keep that posi
tive attitude and anything in life
is possible,
Now, on to college and
making the best of life for
yourself and making us even
prouder. We love you, and
happy 18,h birthday on June 17.
From Evelyn, uncles
Johnny, Chris and Willie,
aunties April and Mice, and
Adrian.
Speaking up
I would like to make a com
ment on some people's attitude,
here in the community.
People who have a "high"
status should be leading by ex
ample, not using it as a leverage
to get "their way or the high
way." I think it's pretty sad when
they have to "use" their status,
instead of abiding by the rules
like everybody else has to. (Also
"expecting" special treatment
for themselves and their fam
ily.) It's unfair to us "normal"
folks who have to follow the
rules.
They ruin it for the people
who they represent, and also ruin
it for the people who are their
equals.
Rules and policies are made
for a reason, and one of them
"is to be followed."
The people who "allow" the
rules to be broken make it
harder on us who try to fol
low them (and speak up about
it.)
Letting the people "think"
they're getting away with it is
also the same as not speaking
up and standing up to the rules
being broken. (Or saying "if
you can get away with them so
be it.")
Teresa Avalos
An Apology
I would like to apologize to
my mother, grandparents and
the Warm Springs Police De
partment for my actions on
May 9, 2003.
J.D. Sohappy
Birthday and other wishes.
Does anybody
recognize this
birthday boy of
May 30, 1956? All
our birthday
wishes to you,
from your honey
Lucy of 14 years.
I love you very much. I thank
you for being there for me.
Your boys, Trent Stephon,
Tirus, Tyreal, Frisky, Katie Mae and
Homely.
Silas W and family, Douglas W,
Peggy Wand fam
ily, George W. and
family, Jack Wand
family, Isaac W.
andfarnly.Leander
W. and family,
Mary D and famly,
Robert and Marella
Sam and family,
Nellie, Patri, Cassi
and Darrin Sam.
Alberta and family. Bird and Edge.
Shula and Marcy Sam (across the
miles) Tweed-dit Sam, Sadie and
Woody Picard Sr. and family, Tracy
and Taw and family, Warner, Josie
W and family, Aunties Charlette,
Liza and Neda.
Uncle Lamont. Maria Lopez
and family, Mona Lopez and fam
ily. Thomas R. Willliams,
u .-,4
I . - J-L-. n 1
Happy birthday to our girls
Tosha and Tonya, We love yon,
Mom, Dad, George, Lance,
Leanna, Jackson and Tiny.
1 would like to wish my son
Marvin Lee Arquctte a happy 31"
birthday on May 3 1 . We love you very
much and hope to see you this sum
mer. From your loving mom and
dad, Jeanine and Tommy Kalama.
Happy birthday to our bro
Marvin, from Greg, Chips and
Timothy.
lappy birthday to Brown Wyena,
Blondic Herrera, and Romone Tho
mas. From Tommy, Jeanine,
Marvin, Greg, Chips, Tim.
Happy birthday to Nikka. I
said I was going to put a pic
ture in the paper but... lucky
for you I couldn't find one...
but hope you have a very good
day. Love from Jeanine Kalama
and family.
To my niece Ikie, happy birthday
June 6. Love you, Auntie Jeanine,
Tommy, Greg, Chips and Tim,
Happy birthday to my older
sis Ernie, have fun, okay?
t
Happy
first birthday
May 20 Cory
Lee Stwyer Jr.
Love
from, Mom
and Dad,
Niah and
Antoinc.
Happy
Polk graduating from Tahola High School
Hi, my name is Melinda
Faye Polk. My mother is Jes
sica Polk of Warm Springs,
my father is Terry James of
Taholah, Wash., and my
grandmother is Evelyn Polk
Capoeman also of Taholah.
I'm a senior graduating this
year at the Taholah High
School. I will be graduating
with a 3.67 grade point aver
age or higher. I'm proud to
say that I have made Merit
Roll all year, and was recog
nized in the President's Edu
cation Awards program.
I was also chosen to at
tend the North West Indian
Youth Conference this year
in Scatde. I went on behalf
of Quinault and Warm
Springs, because I will always
know where I'm from.
When I first got to
Taholah I felt odd because I
wasn't in Warm Springs and
going to Madras High School.
But then when I started at
Taholah High School, I was
put in a handpicked class
called the ASBLeadership
Class. When I was put in this
Melinda Faye Polk
leadership class I was glad, be
cause they took a chance and let
me be a part of it.
After that, school went good.
I was a yearbook editor, then
Student of the Month twice, I
got involved in sports. Toward
the end of the year I was voted
Senior Prom Queen of Taholah
High School.
I felt bad because I had to
leave my mom, brother, friends
and family in Warm Springs. But
I'm glad everyone supported
me. I thank you all because with
out you, I wouldn't have been
able to accomplish all the
things I did at Taholah.
Something that has in
spired me is my sister
Samantha Marie Frank. She
passed away about eight years
ago. She was supposed to be
here with me to graduate and
then go to college, So all the
stuff I did in high school and
the stuff I will be doing in
the future I'll be doing for her,
because she never got that
chance.
After high school I plan on
going to college. I plan on
studying tribal management
and business, so I can come
back and help my tribe. I want
to make sure everyone gets
the same opportunities that I
did.
I will be graduating on
June 2 at 7 p.m. at the
Taholah school gymnasium.
All friends and family are in
vited. Congratulations to all the
other senior graduates of the
class of 2003.
Melinda Faye Polk
29,h birthday to my baby Cory
Lee Stwyer Sr. Love always,
your soon to be wife, Vanessa.
Happy birthday to our daddy
Cory Stwyer Sr. Love, your kids,
Cory Jr., Shaniah, Antoine.
Happy 7,h birthday to our
princess Shaniah Rae Scott.
Love, Mom, Dad and Cory.
Happy birthday to pur big
mean sister Shaniah. Love always,
Antoine and Coryjr.
(More wishes on page 6)
To Neda
Congratulations to Neda
Rose Sam "Baby Cakes," our
2003 graduate from Chcmawa
Indian High School, Salem, on
Friday, May 16. We are all
proud of you and keep making
good decisions in
life and best wish
for the future.
Love, all your
family: Dad and
Mom, Robert
and Marella Sam Sr., Grandpa,
Grandma, Harvey and Eliza Jim,
Grandpa and Grandma, Jim and
Neda Welsey family, Grandma
Charlotte Shike family, Grandma
Naomie "Jane" Van Pelt,
Grandma, Grandpa, Lamont and
Pat Brown, Grandma Mary
Danzuka and boys, Tracy and
Natalia Sam and kids, Woody and
Sadie Picard Sr. and boys, Elsie,
Robert Jr., Jeleah and Thomas
Sam, Ixvi and Pearl Van Pelt and
family, Chct Van Pelt Jr. and boys,
Tiger and Tates Van Pelt family,
Lillie Van Pelt and family,
Wolfman and Farrell and kids,
Jamie and Maria Lopez family,
Thomas and Lucy and boys, Jose
and Julie Sandavol, Mona Lopez
and kids, Evelyn Gilbert and boys.