E Coosb EEWA: The wy it is
Page 4 Spilyay Tymoo February 19, 2004
Sub-chief issue
is complicated,
controversial
By Selena Boise
Spilyay Tymoo
Recently an issue has been
brought forward about a new
sub-chief for the Wasco people.
I have heard some negative,
actually a lot of negative, and a
little positive.
It has raised
some questions
about the selec
tion process of a
sub-chief. How
was it done when the first chiefs
of the tribes were chosen, back
before the treaty was signed?
On the Treaty of 1855 there
are several signatures. Now, are
these signatures of chiefs of the
tribe or leaders of the clans who
lived in the Northwest, and
along the Columbia River? Were
there chiefs, as we use the word
today, at this time?
I have heard that there were
clans of people along the river,
and each clan chose a person to
represent them. Would this be
the chief or a representative of
the people?
At the present time a chief
is a person who holds a seat on
the Tribal Council for life. This
person would know their way
around the Longhouse and can
relate to people of the tribes.
The Washat religion would be a
strong part of their life, because
it is the key to survival of our
culture, along with the language
of the tribes. For without the lan
guage the songs would not be
understood or passed along to
the next generation.
That is my understanding of
the chieftainship of our tribes,
unless I learn otherwise.
iyA.Iong while back I was told
that there were district meetings
held because of the distance
between Simnasho, Scekseequa,
and the Agency areas. It was too
much travel for large numbers
of people, especially if they
traveled by horse and wagon.
Well, in these modern times we
have cars to travel in and the
ride doesn't seem so long.
But then there are the elders
who would rather not travel so
far away. So the district meet
ings on one hand allow elders
to attend and provide their
knowledge and input to issues
brought forth. And at the same
time people can attend other
district meetings to listen and
provide comment. So there are
good reasons for district meet
Spilyay
Speaks
-
ings.
By this we can assume that
the districts would be the clans,
and each district has a chief.
Back to this issue of the sub
chief, I am not one to say
whether or not Alfred Smith Jr.
is the right person, or if maybe
he went about it in the wrong
way, because I don't know. But
it would seem that the Tribal
Council should have been
present, because it is a big deal
for the tribes.
I have heard from an indi
vidual who was present at the
honoring of Amos Simtustus
and Delvis Heath to become
chief and sub-chief that it was
a big thing. Many people were
in attendance and it was an
honor to be acknowledged by
the Tribal Council and other
tribal chiefs and representatives
from throughout the Northwest
With this issue on the table,
who will be the sub-chief? I have
heard that it's not over, and a
final decision is up in the air. We
will rely on the Tribal Council
to inform us of this news.
Just a thought, but it might
be a good idea to nominate
sub-chiefs and hold an election
at the same time as the Tribal
Council nominations and elec
tions. Is it possible? Or is it too
late? Who's to sav?
War veterans
I want to say a big thank you
to Liza Brown and Neda
Wesley. They made a great ef
fort to have Marvin Meanus
and myself recognized as Com
bat Veterans of the Korean War.
They say the Korean War is the
"forgotten war," and that seems
to be the case even here. What
these two ladies did in having
us recognized as Combat Veter
ans was a great thing. They went
out of their way to do this, and
their effort is greatly
apprecicated.
Chesley Yahtin Sr.
Raffle
This is a better late than
never appreciation letter to all
who supported in donations and
buying tickets for the Lyle
Longhouse Raffle. These funds
are to help Nora Kahclamat
maintain activities that take place
after a meal, such as raffles,
prizes for Easter time, garbage
service, etc. When Chief Wilbur
Slockish Jr. holds his Klickitat
River Salmon Feast here, he gets
a large garbage container placed
at the longhouse. Anyone can
utilize the longhouse for any
occasion - that was the rule set
up when the longhouse began.
This last raffle was the grandest
one yet with very expensive
items donated. We were to draw
during the 2003 Huckleberry
Feast, however, there were not
many tickets sold. Then we were
going to draw at Thanksgiving
Dinner. Down to the wire,
people afar were still out with
tickets. So we planned for
Christmas time, and it took
place. Thank you again.
Ramona Kiona P.O. Box 704
Bingen, WA 98605 "S
Thankful
It's been awhile since I wrote
to you but I've been busy doing
my program and getting ready
for memorial for family mem
bers. It felt good to release my
mourning of my (our) mother,
Josepha, NaNa Pebbles, brother
Walter and others who had me
morial for the loved ones. It was
a long year of grief, sadness and
loneliness. Always expecting to
see them walking in a smiling
face and a hug happy to see
them another day. But all that's
left are memories I will always
cherish. Today I am thankful for
another day of sobriety and
struggling to survive this day. I
Happy birthday and other wishes...
I'd like to wish a Happy Birth
day on Feb 28. Happy 30th bro.
We miss ya much love, your 111
sis Gena M. Smith and Frannie.
Hey ray what up? Oh no
the big three 0' Happy day
and keep up the pretty smile
much love little ray Mom
and the Fam.
I'd like to wish a happy birth
day to Ray Smith Sr. on Feb. 28.
Happy birthday bro. We miss ya.
Love and respect, your liT sis
Hey, Ray, what's up.
Feb. 28. Oh no the 30 happy
day and keep up the pretty
smile, much love Little Ray,
Mom and fam.
would like to extend a Belated
Valentine's Day to my adorable,
lovable, handsome boys Matt, Joe
and Donte! My Sonny Boys I do
love you so much with all my heart,
thanks for all jour help with one
another. You make me so very proud
of you boys for all your accomplish
ments since I've had 'you! hove you
always end fortver from your Auntie
Ang and Mom!
Happy Birthday to
Blanche Mitchell on Feb. 8.
Lore always, Sluggo
pray everyday for my brothers
and sisters who are still suffer
ing but still in my heart. I would
like to thank all the family, rela
tives, friends who came to share
their support, gave me hope and
peace of mind. I had humbled
myself and feeling love, my self
respect, it was time to trust a
power greater than myself to
day to guide me on my journey.
I would like to thank all the el
ders for their words of wisdom
knowing I need to hear them
everyday. Knowing I love them
and respect them the way I was
taught to. Today I will find some
one who needs my love. Today
I will share my strength, hope
and experience so that someone
else can be reborn. Today I am
on my spiritual path to recov
ery. I am healing my heart with
positive feelings of faith, love
and by the grace of my higher
power.
I would like to thank the
cooks for their time, everyone
had enough to enjoy and thank
ful for sharing their joy. Also, so
thankful to the Hoh Nation.
Now I can rejoin traditional
dancing, my cultural activities,
bead working and looming. I've
been asked to teach others how
to make moccasins (not two left
sides this time) here at my re
covery place. I am grateful for
all the people who have believed
in me in the many years that I
did not believe in myself. Al
ways, Linda "LaMoosh"
Meanus
Sympathy
I am sorry to hear of the loss
of Perry Kalama Jr. Alcohol has
taken it's toll on our people and
it is sad when we lose our young
warriors like this, may he rest in
peace. Colleen Tufti his mom
was married to my Uncle
Leonard Squally. We here at
Nisqually send our deepest sym
pathy to his children and may
the Creator watch over them in
a good way. Lou Ann K.
Squally of Nisqually
Puyallup
Questions
Why isn't the Tribal Council
responding to all these questions,
about everything that has been
happening around here? All
we've ever gotten around here
is double talk from the same
talking heads. There are other
questions besides the newspa
per, you've refused to answer.
nappy anniversary to Lucy
and Tim Oscar on February
14. From Mary, Heaven, and
Jerrod.
Bird Jean Bruce: Baby I'm
not the fancy one to try and
describe my love on a poetic
scroll, but I would like to let you
know that 13 years is not
enough, love you, Edge.
Happy birthday, Allen
Mitchell.
Itu'kdi imi wigwa.
Love your darling baby
girls Allena Nadina
Mitchell and MayAnne
Aguilar-Switzler
Happy Birthday Allen
Mitchell. Love, mom and the
Aguilar girls.
Happy Anniversary on Feb
ruary 14 to Grandma Lucy and
Tim from Louie, Tammy, Billie,
Sarah, Destiny, Brittiney,
Charlcne, Shanda and Mary.
Happy Birthday on Feb
fuary 13, "Min" Minnie
Yahtin from Louie, Tammy,
Billie.
Letters to the Editor
There are a lot of people want
ing to know why there are no
more general Council meetings.
I was told that Council even re
fused people at public meetings
on the ECE problem. The same
day they were crying about chil
dren in the newspaper. Makes
one wonder, just whose kids
they really meant. Now there are
little round table discussions,
separating people into smaller
groups. I've seen this tactic in
the military. Afraid to face ev
eryone at once? The things be
ing promised were promised be
fore. Some were promised us
when we were kids. Does Man
agement create, or just hope and
pray for another disaster? Hop
ing to change the subject. I was
told about the written com
plaints from tribal members
about every department and
their management. They've fired
people for following the laws
that they were sworn to uphold,
then jumped on the grievance
committee to stack the deck.
They put themselves on hiring
boards, and then screen out
qualified tribal members, to
make sure their next "fall guy"
is chosen. One of these guys ac
tually told me that management
will not hire anyone that is
smarter than them. The majori
ties are willing to sacrifice hun
dreds of tribal members to keep
one of their own. Then they sit
in chambers giggling when they
dump Indians who are making
progress, for all Indians. They
act like it is their intent to get
rid of Indians. Seems like ever
since this Council appointed
themselves a boss, the reserva
tion has been going belly-up. Ev
erything they have started, with
the members vote or without it, ,
has left the Indians on the out
side getting scraps. But they, and
their new friends, sure enjoy their
new personal enterprise. The
Council has heard all these
complaints in General Council
meetings before and are still hear
ing them. Still they act like it is
news to them. When did they
give one person the authority to
over turn the courts, select who
will be prosecuted and who
won't? I know one fact, "they
condone stealing from the
dead." Do they think the people
they get the grant money from
and white American will just
look the other way if they found
out about the abuse and misuse
of tax dollars. These guys still
Happy 6,h birthday on Feb
ruary 17 Quinten Hoptowit
from Louie, Tammy, Rocky,
Shirley, DhDh, Kathy, Rocky,
Grandma Lucy and Billie.
Happy birthday Daddy
on Feb. 15. 1 love you. Your
little twin Alena Mitchell.
Happy Birthday Allen
Mitchell, I appreciate you very
much for everything you have
done for our daughter and my
self, thank you! I love you al
ways and forever, Mayanne
Switzler-Aguilar
Happy Valentine's Day
to Daddy. I love you, Alena
Nadine Mitchell.
Happy Valentine's Day to
Allen Mitchell. I love you sweet
heart, Mayanne Switzler-Aguilar
Happy first Valentine's
Day to our beautiful daugh
ter Alena Nadine Mitchell!
You are our world! We love
you, Mommy and Daddy.
Happy Valentine's Day to my
fiance Mayanne Aguilar and my
baby girl Alena Mitchell! Love,
Allen Mitchell.
Happy birthday Dad! Thanks
for everything. I love you. Loir al
ways, J. Lynn
run around like nobody can
touch them. I've still got the min
utes of one of their meetings
where they weren't worried, be
cause one of them knew how to
get around a vote.
Victor Moses
Business
To the Confederated Tribes,
Tribal Council, ONABEN,
people of the Warm Springs
Reservation. Most of you don't
know me. My name is Eric
DelRose, of Wild Berries and
More, which is my so-called
business name. I was told I had
to go through a course and
graduate with a certificate from
ONABEN classes through
Small Business. Geraldine Crum
and I put in for my grant seven
years ago. Our graduation day
was June 26, 2001. This is very
discouraging and disappointing.
When I went in a couple of
years ago to Small Business to
talk about my grant, I was re
ferred to the Credit Department
for a business loan because they
couldn't tell me anything about
my grant. How could it be a
successful business without the
grant I need badly and go for
ward with my business. For I
have been in enough grief for
the past seven years of waiting
for my funds to be able to start
my business up. I have lost my
contacts and markets of sales I
had built on. It's a shame my
business of Wild Berries and
Apologies
My letter of apology to the
community of Warm Springs. I
sincerely regret endangering the
' community or its members. On
or about Jan. 1, 2004. Lonnie
Jack.
I would like to apologize to
the Confederated Tribes for
what happened on June 20,
2003. 1 have learned my lesson
and will not do it again. Dawn
A. Rowland
I, Elmer Charley, am apolo
gizing to Jolene T. for the night
of Dec. 30, around 10:30
11:30, for assaulting her. I just
want to say I am really and truly
sorry that I did this to you. And
it won't happen again. So once
again I am sorry. Elmer C.
I wish to apologize to the
public for driving under the in
fluence on the reservation.
ALB
To Susan and K.C., I apolo
gize for my actions and behav
ior on August 4, 2003, and be
ing convicted for A&B. Again
I'm sorry and to my son KC as
well. Thank you, Dempsey
Polk
I, Jay W., am sorry for my
judgement on the day of Jan. 9,
for my DUII, driving on the rez.
It was snowing and icy. On that
day I was driving on Big Loops.
I was not driving all over the
rez just to Big Loops street just
to see my friend. Jay W.
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 B70, Warm Springs, OR 97761. Phone:
(541) 553-1644 or 553-3274. FAX No. (541) 553-3539. E-Mail:
pilyaytymooOwstribes.org. Annual Subscription rates: Within U.S.:
$15 00.
More has took a dive in sales
because I can't deliver my
promises and product to my
contacts including my people of
the Warm Springs Reservation.
A very disappointing promise
that was to my deceased mother
Louise DelRose who I loved so
much, and many others know
my mother also. I am rebuild
ing my contacts and markets
back. Thank you.
Eric DelRose
Hot Shots
The Hot Shot Crew would
like to take this time to express
their thanks to every commu
nity member and local depart
ment that took their time and
money to donate items for our
canned food drive. Thank you.
Appreciated
My most sincere apprecia
tion to all who assisted on Feb
ruary 10, when my mother
Marcia Simtustus needed help.
Words cannot explain my grati
tude to everyone, the police of
ficers, fire medics, dispatchers,
and witnesses and for the com
muters who stopped to gather
the personal contents of my
mom's vehicle. Blessings to all,
especially the prayers and con
cern of the many who knew or
heard about what happened.
"Thank you" is a phrase that is
not heard enough, nor too of
ten. Joie Simtustus-Chavez.
Letters continue on 5
I would like to apologize for
my actions that took place on
July 2, 2003. My friend and I
were sitting in the house mind
ing our own business, when two :
cops crept up on us, and smelled
burnt marijuana. I was then
cited and released. I would also
like to apologize to the owner
of the residence on Looksh
Street. Kelli Langnese
To my wife Marena Florez I
am sincerely sorry and am now
apologizing for my actions that
took place on Oct. 20, 2003. I
hope you can forgive me and
that we can move on with our
life, to better our marriage. Love
always K. Florez, and P.S.:
Happy belated Valentine's Day!
To the people of Warm
Springs I am sorry for driving
drunk on Feb. 9 on the rez. I
know I might have hurt some
one and to my wife Teeny and
kids, I love you guys with all my
heart and I would like to come
home someday. I will go back
on anabuse. Thank you.
Theodore "Montee"
McKinley
I, Ruby L. Charley, would
like to apologize for my actions
on Nov. 10, 2003, that I endan
gered my children and myself
on that date. And I apologize for
my selfishness and not thinking
of my children. In the future I
plan on learning from my mis
takes and it will not happen
again. Ruby L. Charley