E Coosh EEWA: The wy it is
P3ge 4 Spilyay Tymoo March 18, 2004
Letters to the Editor
S-T declines
nomination
Dear Agency District Voters and
Tribal Members,
I am both honored and
humbled to have been nomi
nated to run for election to the
Tribal Council. However, after
much soul-searching, I feel that
I must decline the nomination
for the reasons outlined below.
First, I firmly believe that a
Secretary-Treasurer should not
be appointed from the elected
Tribal Council membership. Al
though technically allowed, such
an appointment nowadays can
create conflicts among the Tribal
Council members themselves.
Further, the principal role of the
Tribal Council is to set overall
policy and legislative direction
for the Tribes. The principal
roles of the Secretary-Treasurer
are to implement Tribal Council
policies and directives while pro
tecting Tribal assets. Combining
these roles will upset the "policy
making vs. policy implementa
tion" balance outlined in the
Tribal Constitution and Manage
ment Plan.
Second, I have been privi
leged to serve in the capacity of
Secretary-Treasurer for both the
21" and 22nd Tribal Councils.
Working together we have re
fined tribal priorities based on
the "People's Plan," completed
major projects like Pelton and
implemented a long-range finan
cial plan to ease the impact of
the unexpected downturn in the
lumber, power and stock mar
kets while laying the foundation
for future economic growth. As
the tribes' affairs expand in scope
and complexity, the Tribal Coun
cil needs, more thanever, highly
capable' and experienced execu
tive and policy staff. My knowl
edge, skills and experience have
fully prepared me for the role
of managing the tribes' business
and financial affairs. At this time,
I can best serve the tribes in the
role of secretary-treasurer
rather than as a Tribal Council
representative.
Third, several initiatives are
underway that could dramatically
improve the tribes' financial out
look in the next few years. In
order to take advantage of these
opportunities, the Tribal Coun
cil must be able to rely on highly
professional executives and staff
with a reputation for fairness,
integrity, sound judgment and
honesty. The secretary-treasurer
is a key member of the tribes'
business negotiating teams at
which vital tribal interests are at
stake. The recent practice of
changing tribal executive offic
ers every few years is counter
productive and is viewed as a
sign of instability by the outside
worlds of business and politics.
Leadership, compassion, in
tegrity, honesty, ethics, judgment
and experience are qualities that
tribal members should expect of
their elected Tribal Council rep
resentatives as well as their
appointed executive officers.
Our family has a long tradition
of dedicated service to the
Tribes, including my grandfa
ther, father and uncles. I have
labored to continue in that tra
dition. Previous secretary-treasurers
have set a very high stan
dard. I pledge to maintain those
standards. Sincerely, Charles V.
Jackson. March 15, 2004.
the Family Resource Center.
Two of the organizers, June
Smith and Julie Quaid, had pre
vious engagements and were not
able to attend the event. All of
the pre-event planning had been
completed and the event was
ready to get underway on
Wednesday afternoon. How
ever, during the event there may
have been some confusion and
miscommunication between the
organizers and attendees. Thus,
we arc writing this letter to thank
all of the attendees for partici
pating and extend a sincere apol
ogy for any misunderstandings
that may have occurred. It is our
hope that all of those who par
ticipated in the event felt wel
come and enjoyed the experi
ence. If there are any Early
I lead Start families who did not
receive clothes please contact
June Smith at 553-3438. Unfor
tunately, the only clothes avail
able are for children between the
ages of 3 and 12 months. Fur
ther, if there are any comments,
feedback, or questions please
contact the Warm Springs Com
munity Action Team at 553
3148 or June Smith at 553
3438. Finally, Julie Quaid, June
Smith, and the Community Ac
tion Team are putting together
a collection of pictures from the
occasion that we would like to
deliver to the families who at
tended the event. Pictures will
be available for viewing at the
Early Head Start office and
please contact us if you are in
terested in receiving the collec
tion or specific pictures. Thank
you, Julie Quaid and June
Smith, Shawnele Surplus
and Siobhan Cooper at the
Warm Springs Community
Action .Team. ' "
Clothes donated
On March 3, 2004, the
Warm Springs Early I lead Start
Program, Central Oregon Boys
& Girls Club, and a few Warm
Springs residents organized an
event to distribute clothes that
had been donated by the Carter
Clothing Company. The event
was scheduled for 2 p.m. in the
Early Head Start classroom at
Housing
On March 2, 2004, at the
Seekseequa meeting, a speech
was given about the recent re
moval of J lousing commission
ers. I believe this speech was
slanderous.
The commission had to put
up with high management and
the voting majority Tribal Coun
cil interference. They kept send
ing orders to correct problems
that they caused and are con
tinuing to cause. When we did,
they stepped in stopping us, and
continuing this farce. We had to
correct disasters dating back 20
years. Problems caused by a
couple of their buddies.
The commissioners were
kept in the dark on a lot of
things, like the Bear Drive pro
gram, with false reports from
people supposedly in charge.
Twenty-five families lost out on
homes on this project. This af
ter management formed a new
Construction Board and ran the
project into the ground. We
found out HUD wanted an ac
counting of the lost money on
this project. We were again left
in the dark because this little
majority were trying to defend
"the tribes," most likely them
selves. Who knows what they
said. Probably placing blame on
others and lying. Two council
men found out and tried to get
this on the Council agenda. But
this little majority refuses to dis
cuss this little "minor misuse of
funds," as one of the former
Construction Board members
called it.
Plans for more apartments
and homes were trashed, behind
the commission's back. They let
our housing shortage get worse
because of their own greed.
Keeping their good little buddies
employed is more important
than low income Indian needs.
They must all live by their own
little motto. We were continually
hearing one of them saying,
"That's gxxl enough for Indi
ans," whenever something was
done below the lowest of low
standards.
' Worst of all, this Council sat
on complaints about work or
ders not being done. Some re
quests were dating back years.
We're talking major repairs such
as broken down furnaces, bro
ken windows, frozen water lines,
backed up sewers, bathroom
floors rotting out. What's sick is
knowing about and withholding
this information from the com
mission. Sicker still is letting
tribal members suffer and de
faming people, just to gain con
trol of money that was intended
for low income families.
We don't know how many
winters people had to freeze or
live with boarded up windows,
because we kept getting false
reports that everything, even
things found out and ordered
fixed, were supposedly just re
paired, Housing and Council
knew. While playing their greedy
games and trying to get control
over Housing money, they were
actually endangering the lives
and health of all these tenants.
We're talking about senior citi
zens and kids, who they all claim
to love and honor to newspa
pers. Through all this back stab
bing, threats, being lied to and
lied about and being used as
political pawns for money, this
crew hung together, trying to do
what they were appointed to do.
Most of all this commission
were the only ones who didn't
forget the tenants. I wish all the
tribal members could have
worked with them and seen the
guts they've shown to do this job
.right,, against, everything that was
thrown at them. They do not
deserve to be slandered by
people that "are causing" the
problems themselves.
Randy Smith, Edna (Teeter)
Gonzalez, Jack Quinn and my
self would be willing to explain
and tell each and every one what
really went on. Victor Moses.
Appreciation
We would like to thank ev
eryone who helped with our son
Perry Kalama Jr.'s illness and
funeral. When we did the obitu
ary, some people were left out.
That was an oversight and not
intentional. He had an aunt that
is a half sister to his mother
Colleen Tufti. He thought a lot
of her and her family. This
would be Marissa and Rick
Stradley and their daughter
Trisha Stradley. And also omit
ted was a couple he considered
as his grandparents as well, and
that would be Ella and George
Aguilar Sr.
Thank you LouAnn Squally
for the smoked salmon,
Leonard, Chief, Aaron (and
boys) Squally for attending along
with Annie ; nd Bob Thomas,
Allie and the rest of relatives
from Nisqually. Rose Mitchell
and Daisy Ike for making his
buckskin outfit, Larry Dick for
the tulee mats, Neda Wesley,
Thelma and Curtiss Dickson for
helping with money and clothes.
The police department for the
escort, Ellen Thompson for
guidance along with Bernice
Mitchell and Hilda Culpus. Also
for their giveaway materials,
without them it wouldn't have
happened. His children for
dancing, the drummers,
gravediggers and pallbearers.
Easton for his beautiful words,
prayers and loan of the pickup
to transport him. LT for loving
him and taking care of him, Dr.
Locker and the nurses at Mt.
View Hospital, thank you very
much.
If there is anyone we forgot
to mention, please don't be of
fended. It is hard to think of
everyone when the grief is still
fresh. But may God bless and
keep everyone of you. Sincerely,
Tina and Easton Aguilar,
Aaron Squally and boys,
and the Pink Palace resi
dents. ECE
This letter is for those who
are saying or writing negative
things about the Early Child
hood Education Center. I think
people have forgotten what their
purpose is at ECE. Not every
one, but a few.
Everything has become po
litical. They say not so, but it has.
Those children in that school
are supposed to be the reason
you are there, not for political
gain or maybe you were just
misinformed.
When you say something
negative about that school or
other staff - you have forgot
ten those kids. If you really, sin
cerely care about those kids, you
would be there for them no
matter what.
What goes on "up in front"
should not affect your children.
When I say "your children," I
mean your children that you
take care of everyday in those
classrooms. They are your chil
dren while they are there.
I have a suggestion. I think
you should read the parent
handbook for ECE that shows
the mission statement and goals.
Remind yourselves why you are
there. As a parent who has chil
dren at ECE, I expect a lot from
you as teachers. You are a place
where your children learn more
and grow. These kids look up to
you also - not just us as parents.
, ,, , .1 have had the, ,gopd fortune
to have very caring teachers for
my children who sincerely care
about my children when they
are there. They treat them with
respect as well as the parents. I
want to thank those teachers
who chose to be there for the
kids when no other teachers
were willing to be at school for
the kids.
As for the situation in upper
management and your concerns
with that, I suggest you ask the
right people the right questions
before you start judging and ac
cusing others. Sincerely, con
cerned parent and community
member, Monica Leonard.
Journey poem
I'm Justine and I used to hate
being clean. I used to love get
ting drunk, but that's when I was
a stupid punk.
I used to enjoy getting high,
but that's when all I ever wanted
was to die. Although at times I
still feene, but I still try hard to
stay clean.
A couple of times I almost
came to the point where I al
most died, and once I thought
of it, I wouldn't mind. But on
second thought my family actu
ally cares for me, but at that time
I just couldn't see.
And every little while I
wanted to blaze up, but now it's
time to stop and get around to
see what's up. And at some points
I thought I would do anything
to get my drugs, and sometimes
I would go and smoke with
home-girls who look like thugs.
But that's all over now but
to get fully off I can't figure out
how. So now I'm through with
all those using days, and I'll get
an education my own simple
ways and live a good life, cause
drinking and smoking losing my
time.
I'll forget about my messed
up past, and experience the new
sober life before it passes by
fast. Cause I know I already
experienced the way them ad
dicts are, and I realized I didn't
want to be like them anvmore.
Marriage
God has led two lives to take
one path. To walk side by side,
hand in hand, forever.
Sybil Queahpama and
Raymond R. Smartlowit request
the honor of your presence at
their marriage on March 20,
2004 at 10 a.m. at the White
Swan Independent Shaker
Church, dinner will follow.
Cadet life
Hello, Springs. Some of you
may know mc, but most of you
don't. I'm Robert Charles I leath
Jr., son to Robert Lee 1 leath and
Shari Rochellc Macy, grandson
to Delvis and Shirley Heath and
Charlie and Nancy Tailfeathers.
I am attending the National
Guard Oregon Youth Challenge
Program. It's an alternate, mili
tary style high school for 16-18
year old high school dropouts.
I am 1 8 years old and will be
turning 19 three days before
graduation. I am adjusting to the.
program very well. They made
me a cadet platoon leader. I am
liking the benefits it provides.
I've been here for almost
eight weeks now and I'm enjoy
ing the physical training and aca
demics are going pretty well for
me. With a lot of motivation and
a open mind, I have a chance
to graduate with a high school
diploma. But being in a closed
environment becomes very
stressful, especially being a pla
toon leader and getting on to the
same few everyday, because of
little stuff like talking in forma
tion, not staying in step while
marching, fingers not curled,
back not straight, and its my job
to fix them or I'll get fixed.
What really disappoints me is
there are not many young
Springers who are willing to take
this challenge. There's a few who
I came to respect, cause they're
taking the challenge with me,
and the past cadets, you have
my respect. You've taken the
challenge and successfully fin
ished. But if you are striving to
better yourself mentally and
physically to top standards, this
place will do it to you. Please
don't take this the wrong way. I
respect all you Native people
nationwide, you are respected
for your heart and pride. I am
living in this white way at the
moment, stressful, lonely and
boring at times. Please, I wish
to hear from some Nativesl
Questions, concerns or any kind
of topic, let me realize Native
people will support Native
people in needed times.
Cadet Heath, Platoon 2
O.Y.C.P. 23861 Dodds Road,
Bend, OR 97701.
Thank you
Bob and Lowell Quinn got
into a car accident on Wednes
day, March 3, and Bob is at St.
Charles Medical 1 lospital. Joyce
Quinn and extended family
would like to thank the police
department, fire and safety,
ambulance crew, IHS and con
cerned tribal members who
helped Quinn family with this
crisis.
Thank You. Keep Us In Your
Prayers. Joyce Quinn Family.
Casino name
The gaming expansion group
would like to thank those tribal
members who submitted their
suggested names for the pro
posed Gorge casino. Many vi
able names were received and
have now been turned over to
the board of directors for re
view. The winning name will be
selected within the next month
or two. Thank you again for
your input.
Luck to moms
At the end of this month the
Chlorhexidine Project will have
been in progress for about a
year.
This year I will be having a
drawing for all the moms who
have completed the first' phase
of the program. The drawing
will be for two $500 cash
awards, so I am wishing luck to
all the moms who have partici
pated. Thank you, Lila
Martinez, health technician.
Please write to the Spilyay
at P.O. Box 870, Warm
Springs, 97761, or drop by
the office.
E-mail may be sent to:
spilyaytymoowstribes.org.
Play supports families
I'd just like to thank
Angeline Blackwolfe for being,
in my opinion, a totally dedi
cated and professional em
ployee. Being the receptionist
for Spilyay Tymoo, she cov
ered our story as she was the
only one available.
We recently held auditions
for our play "understanding."
It is a play written by Alaska
Natives, as an educational tool
for Native Americans. It tells
a story by people who have
lost family members to cancer
and also stories by people who
have had cancer.
This play is going to be
taped on radio for distribution
nationwide to Indian Country,
two live performances and will
also be filmed by the Round
About Pictures of Bend, Or
egon. Congratulations to Ken
'Man' Miller, Anita Davis and
Duncan Brunoe for getting
1:1 si I
Angle BlackwoNSpilyay
Anita Davis auditions.
parts in the play. Also selected
was Maxine Brings Him Back
Janis, Sioux from South Da
kota. Filming the auditions for
the film was Suzie Slockish of
the Culture and Heritage De
partment. I appreciate her fill
ing in at the last minute. It's
nice to know we still have a '
few employees who are will
ing to help us with our
projects, above and beyond
their duties. Thank you so
much,
Winona
Spilyay Tymoo
CCoyote News, Est. 1976)
Publisher Emeritus: Sid Milier
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: spilyaytymoowstribes.org. Annual Sub
scription rates: Within U.S.: $15.00.