Image provided by: The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Warm Springs, OR
About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 2004)
E Coosb EEWA: The way it is Page 4 Spilyay Tymoo January 22, 2004 r Spilyay Speaks Thoughts on the New Year, and on gaming By Sid Miller Spilyay Tymoo Publisher Limerilus When the New Year came in, I'll bet there were many resolutions made. Some resolutions are made to try and correct mistakes we made in the past. At least 50 percent of all resolutions will be broken before the end of the year. Many resolutions pertain to quitting smoking, quitting drinking, not spending money foolishly, etc. Too much gambling might be a good sub ject to consider, that's if one gambles a lot. But there is an old saying that goes, "Every day when you get out of bed for the new day, that's a gamble." But the point I'm referring to is going out to the Indian Head Casino. To me it's hard to imagine anyone going out there and losing his or her paycheck. Don't know if any one really does that, but there are some people who be come addicted to gambling. They are always looking for that big payoff. Each time a person presses the button and the wheels start to spin, they are probably thinking, "This time I'll get it, I've got to win back what I lost." I hear people say that they hit the machines for a couple hundred bucks, but I wonder how much they put into the machine before it did pay off. I also hear people say that they played a machine and lost their money and quit the machine, then here comes someone else drops in a quarter and hits a payoff, makes all his money. But that's gam bling, huh! I believe a casino can be just as bad or just as good no matter how you look at it. I believe it is something to be looked at as "personal entertainment," a way to pass time , for amusement, and a source of income for the tribe. Myself, I don't go out there much, maybe once in a while, like once a night. Aye! Once a month or so, as a thing to do, pass the time away. When I do go out there I give my self an allowance, maybe $5, to spend anyway I want, so if I lose my allowance, I'm done. I consider that my contri bution to the tribal gaming establishment. One of these days I'll hit it and maybe come out ten bucks ahead. I also don't go into the casino unless I find a parking place real close, because I won't walk a half a mile to lose my allowance. At Spirit Mountain they have a shuttle bus going to and from the parking lot, so people don't have to walk. They are let off right at the door. I wouldn't be surprised that many more people would go to the casino if we had a shuttle bus. Well, that's all I got to say about that. But I still believe if we would move Indian Head Ca sino to highway 26, it would bring in a substantial amount of income. We really don't have any good income state ments from where it is located. Many people in Pordand say that they do a lot of business in the Greater Oregon area and pass through a lot. And if the casino were along the highway, they would be more than willing to stop and relax for a while playing the Machines. They say Kah-Nee-Ta is just too far out of the way for them to stop. I thought that in the beginning we were going to try the casino out at Kah-Nee-Ta for five years, and if it didn't pay off, then we should consider relocating it. Well, it's been a lot more than five years. AHH-NA-CHI-TOON! Letters to the Editor A thank you I would like to say thank you to those who helped out with do nations of cash and prizes for my raffle to help pay for the winners of the Christinas Pow wow Drumming and Singing Contest. Drums from White Swan, Wash., Pendleton, Chiloquin, and one from Canada. First place went to Blacklodge, Second to Echoing Thunder, the No. 3 spot went to Quartz Creek. The contest was put on for the singers that have gone on to the good life with the creator. This is a list of those that have drummed with the Wa-wo kya Drum. Lead: Leroy Selam, Dewayne Heath, Timmie Heath, Eli Little, Oly Meanus Sr.. Just to name a few I thought was the best way I could let them go and release myself and go on with my drum ming and singing. Again, thanks goes out to Pearl Culps, Wishbone Heath, Lois Knight and all of those of you who bought tickets from me. In all everything went good. If I didn't write you down don't feel that I forgot you. This let ter is to thank all who helped. Roy Heath, drumming and singing contest coordinator. Be aware To my people, Hello friends and relatives. I thought I'd write this letter to perhaps help others before they end up in my situation. I've seen my life turn topsy turny in about six months due to my and oth ers use of drugs and alcohol. Instead of free and gainfully employed as I once was, I'm incarcerated up here at the WSPD. Instead of my kids liv ing the "good life" they are in CPS. When I see my significant other, it is no longer love and satisfaction in her eyes, I only get hate and discontent. Our life is shattered by our abuses. I'm hoping and praying for things to get better. Please don't let this happen to you and cherish what you have. Thank you for your time, a fellow warrior Keith C. Jr. co WSPD PO Box C, Warm Springs, OR 97761. In memory From your red brothers of Snake River Correctional Insti tutional Prison, 777 Stanton Blvd., Ontario, and all others who send their respects. Gaylord Heath passed with a brave heart and did not flinch in facing his end. I lis courage and faith in Creator, and self respect in passing can only be stated as he's a warrior through and through and has every right to be thought of as one of the many strong men of the Warm Springs Confederated Tribes. All the Native American brothers of the Red Circle send our respects to the family, friends and foes of our deceased now spirit home bound released brother Gaylord leath. We feel this in a sacred sending, our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. In the passing of our Warm Springs brother Gaylord I leath on Jan. 7, may the Creator and all his relations on the other side greet their relation and rejoice in the happy hunting grounds beyond our selves of this short life we live upon our Mother Earth and may grief bring relief to all our relations knowing we are not far behind a life takes us all to the next level of life. Richard Harrington Pen pal To the community of Warm Springs, Hello I hope this letter reaches you in good spirits and I also hope that everyone had a safe and happy new year. My name is David L. Burchfield No. 13427390, and I am friends with Stuart Smith Sr. I have 26 months left on my sentence here in the Oregon State Penitentiary system. I am looking for pen pals. I am part Black, part white, part Choctaw Native and I'm 23 years old. I like to write poems and rap lyr ics. I am just looking for people , who have some of the same in terests as I do so we could be come good pen pals and maybe in the future good friends, I will be looking forward to the let ters that I get from my new friends in Warm Springs. Here's my address: David L. Burchfield 13427390, PO Box 9000, Wilsonville, OR 97070. Nomination To our People The Confeder ated Tribes of Warm Springs, This letter is regarding our upcoming elections for Tribal Council. Let me first say that much thought and prayer has gone into this decision. Scripture says in the book of Psalms, that "When the wicked beareth rule the people mourn. But when the righteous are in rule the people rejoice. I don't know about you, but to me and mine, we have seen a lot of mourning over the years. Also scripture says in the Book of Proverbs, "That with out a vision the people perish." Wc don't have to look very far to see that these scriptures speak the truth. Another truth is that when people forget about God and cjuit serving I lim, they bring about a curse upon themselves, financial ruin, death, poverty etc. It's in the Book Of Deuteronomy, Ch. 28, where it talks about blessings and curses. Anyways, on our decision, at this time I would like to nomi nate my wifetjustine (Tina) Aguilar for a Tribal Council spot for Agency. Please pray on this matter, and may wc find again what is the joy of the Lord. Maranatha (The Lord is Coming), love in the Lord Jesus Christ, His humble servant, Easton Aguilar. Donations The Warm Springs Thrift Shop is asking for donations of winter clothes: coats, snowsuits, gloves, scarves, hankies, legwarmers, thermals, hooded sweaters, boots, etc. Bring the items to 2107 Wasco St., Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It would also be helpful if they were washed. Thank you Warm Springs, Simnasho, I ligh Ixokce Lodge, Simnasho Com munity Church, for all your do nations. It is greatly appreciated. For more information on the donations please call Rena at 553-2287. Sincerely, Rena Suppah-Gomez Care baskets Thanks to the community for helping hands, donations and delivery Christmas care baskets. From Vio. Write soon To family and friends, Happy New Years to every one. I'm just writing to let my people's on the rez know everything's fine and dandy where I'm at. I will write to people when I reach my desti nation. I'm currently at the in take center in Wilsonville. We do not get commissary here because of our short stay, so I haven't written that much. Hi mom. Stuart Smith Sr. S1D12275256 PO Box 9000 Wilsonville, OR 97070. j Apologies To the people of Warm Springs and the casino. I apolo gize for having marijuana in my purse when I was at the casino back in February of 2003. 1 am taking NA classes, I have learned my lesson. Even though I don't smoke the stuff, thank you my people. N.M. Sooksoit. To the community of Warm Springs, I would like to apologize for my actions. For the incident that happened on December 13, 2003. Charles Lesarlley To my family and friends and all my relations, I know that I have done wrong by my drinking. And I was also driving under the in fluence, which could have caused a lot of damage to my people or even myself and my friend. I know it is wrong to drink and drive. Thank you. Silapam ( I am writing this apology in regards to my DUII I got in June 2003. I wish to apologize to the community, relatives and friends for this mishap. I do not intend to place anyone, includ, ing myself, in danger. I am glad no one was hurt in this incident. Isadore Charley ( 1 Dear Dan Brisbois Jr., I'm writing you to apologize for assaulting you on October 23, 2003. I am disappointed in myself, and I am very sorry for any trouble I have caused in your life. I know that you will neveir forgive me and I wouldn't ex pect you to. I wish you the best now and in the future. Sincerest apologies from Travis Jonas. Letters to the editor Please write to the Spilyay spilyaytymoowstribes.org. For space reasons, letters should be no longer than 350 words in length. Thank you for writing. at P.O. Box 870, Warm Springs, 97761, or drop by the office. Or send your letters by e-mial to this address: Native American journalist comments on Oregonian articles The air was cool. The snow had not yet touched the land of a proud sovereign nation of the Warm Springs Indian Reserva tion. But that was to come sev eral days later. As I first began my two month visit to this area, I was overwhelmed by the courtesy extended to me by all the tribal members. Though I had, some what, noticed a dark mist in the air. Only to learn later of the series of articles that had been published by the Oregonian ("A place where children die," Dec. 7-1 1, 2003) regarding death tolls on this resenation. As a Native American jour nalist, my thoughts included, "Was an imitation extended to these writers to come and inter view the tribal members?" I found the series of articles to be offensive. Not just to the tribal members of the Warm Springs Reservation, but to all of Indian Country. It seemed as though history uas repeating itself. After all, it was written bv non-Native Americans. It was insensitive to bring sorrow and pain back to this reservation. The holidays were just around the corner. This is a time when families are reunited, traditional meals are prepared and ancestral sto ries remembered. Some of the messages conveyed in the ar ticles created racist images and the words were inflammatory. The Oregonian missed the opportunity to provide meaning ful dialogue about the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. The Oregonian must be re minded of the suffering of our women, men and children throughout the history of this country due to traditions such as slavery, segregation and suf frage. It takes courage to come be fore tribal elders and request their permission to take photos or even ask time for an inter view, especially on the topic of death of loved ones. I was dis appointed by the lack of jour nalistic ethics demonstrated by The Oregonian. I have served as tribal secre tary for three different tribal chairmen for the San Carlos Apache Reservation of San Carlos, Arb. I have also been director of the Tribal Elderly Care Center, which involved the physical and spiritual nourish ment and various cultural events and programs for our tribal el ders. I am a past editor of the San Carlos weekly newspaper, The Moccasin, and now have been publishing a weekly column en tided, "Traditionally Speaking." Though I have lived most of my life on our reservation, I at tended Brigham Young Univer sity. For over 20 years I have been active and involved in tribal gov ernment activities and elections. With this experience, I hope that The Oregonian will hear and re spect my plea. The record must be set straight I believe that the Warm Springs Indian Reservation is a place where children are pro vided an educational opportu nity to excel and to succeed in life. I have three grandchildren, Angelo and Tanasia George and Tahleeni Nizhoni White, who attend the ECE. A place where early childhood education be gins. A place where our children and grandchildren are nourished with language, education and tra ditional customs. A place that the leaders of this reservation should be proud of. Not all sovereign Indian na tions throughout Indian Coun try have this available to their children, who are our future leaders. My daughter Tanayia Leigh is married to Dennis White, a local police officer and an en rolled member of this sovereign nation. I am proud of my son-in-law, who takes his job seri ously and extends his life for the betterment of a safer commu nity. Regardless of the weather and although the roads are icy, Officer White diligently reports for a job he thoroughly enjoys and takes pride in. These are the aspects that must be instilled within this community'. I chal lenge the leaders of this sover eign nation to reunite your tribal members. Over a century and five de cades ago, the U.S. government gave you back only 600,000 acres of reservation land after your people gave up 10 million acres of land. Tribal sovereignty, Indian health and trust responsibility must be protected. ) The public interest factor of the articles published in The Or egonian should have weighed in favor of the tribal members of the Warm Springs Indian Res ervation. Ashoong! (Thank you in Apache). i Sandra Rambler. Spilyay Tymoo (Coyote News, Est. 1976) Publisher Emeritus: Sid Miller Editor: Dave McMechan Management Successor: Selena T. Boise Advertising Manager: Sam Howard Receptionist: Angie Blackwolf Media Advisor: Bill Rhoades Spilyay Tymoo is published bi-weekly by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Our offices are located in the white house at 1100 Wasco Street. Any written materials submitted to Spilyay Tymoo should be addressed to: Spilyay Tymoo, P.O. Box 870, Warm Springs, OR 97761. Phone: (541) 553-1644 or 553-3274. FAX No. (541) 553-3539. E-Mail: spilyaytymoo wstribes.org. Annual Subscription rates: Within U.S.: $15.00. t
