Image provided by: The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Warm Springs, OR
About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2004)
E Coosh EEWA: The wy it is Page 4 Spilyay Tymoo March 18, 2004 Thoughts on the new Tribal Council By Sid Miller Publisher Emeritus The votes are all in, tabulated, re-checked for accuracy, and those who have the most votes are the new Tribal Council for the next term. We have representation from each of the three districts. Three for the Agency, three for Simnasho and two from the Scekscequa district. Prior to the election each candidate made a statement of what hisher plans were if elected. In observation to each statement, there were no very strong points made as to where and what we could look forward to. It sounded like all the candidates practically said the same thing only in a different manner. There were two or three who brought attention to their point of view, and it will be interesting to see how this group will carry on the business for the tribes. Today, this is a very, very competitive world we live in, and we must be prepared for any sudden change, as every thing is moving at a rapid pace, and there are always new methods and new ideas that we must keep up with. The Tribal Council is our board of directors who over see the entire operation of the Confederated Tribes. They have some very important decisions to make. Yep! Impor tant decisions like, "Who's going to use the Longhouse!" Aye! . It is true that there are many complicated situations that need sound judgment to make the right choice. Many times they have to seek legal advice from our attorneys. We have a very competent legal firm based in Bend. They have rep resented us in many legal situations we have faced with the state and federal governments, also for any other legal matter we have faced. Believe me, things are not as simple as they may seem. This is why we need good educated people on our Tribal Council. This is a new era, times change, people change and we can't always fall back in that same rut, and proceed aim lessly. The word is, "We need a change and focus on higher priorities for the tribes." All of our resources are dwindling away and we must find ways to improve this situation. We need to update our policies and procedures, and keep up with the modern , world. I believe our district situation is holding us back to the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. We do not travel by buggy and horse back anymore. I feel that we are all one, equal in every respect, we share everything equally and no one gets any more than anyone else. In the olden days when people really had to travel horse back or by buggy, it was hard for everyone to attend Coun cil meetings, so delegates were selected to attend the meet ings, and then go back to their area and make a report on what transpired. Thus, the districts were formed. Today, with all the modern roads and nice vehicles, it takes only 30 minutes to get to the Agency from Simnasho. So why do we need districts anymore? Most people live in the Agency area as it is. I feel that we should do away with the districts and nominate and vote at large. Get the best people we have for our Tribal Council. I also feel districts cause hard feelings at times between our own tribal members. We've got to get off our fat "what-cha-calls," take a look around and see that the rest of the world is not waiting for anything, and if we continue to bicker among each other we will end up with an empty sand bucket, so to speak! Well, at the present time we all have to back our new Council, work with them and hopefully things may change for the best! Ahh-nah-chi-toon!! Toe Ness There was this old Indian sitting by the concession stand at Kah-nee-ta. He told some tourists, "It's going to rain in the morning." The next morning, sure enough it rained. The tourist said, "I'm going to ask him how he knew it would rain." So he goes and asks the old Indian how he knew it was going to rain. The old Indian said, "I heard it on KWSO." Yikes! Spilyay Tymoo CCoyote News, Est. 1976) Publisher Emeritus: Sid Miller Editor: Dave McMechan Management Successor: Selena T. Boise Advertising Manager: Sam Howard Receptionist: Angie Blackwoll 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: spilyaytymooOwstribes.org. Annual Sub scription rates: Within U.S.: $15.00. Thank you for writing to the Spilyay. It is a policy that this newspaper print Litters to the Editor from any and all tribal members. Because of space needs, letters cannot exceed 50 uvrds. Spilyay Speaks A thank you Dear relatives and friends of Perry Kuckup Kalama Jr., I'm giving all the thanks to our Creator, Heavenly Father, for each and every person that came and shared their love dur ing the passing of a very special man in my life. I give all the glory and praise to our Heav enly Father from the time at the hospital to the burial, for he was truly blessed with a wonderful service from beginning to end. I ask a blessing for each one that came forth to share a song, a word or just being there, and the ones that labored in the kitchen, wonderful job sisters, I truly appreciate your help. I pray for each one there, tears of loneli ness and sad hearts will change to tears of joy and wonderful memories. Praying people remember each of us that stay at the Pink Palace in your daily prayers, that we can continue living in the here and now. And each of us can let go of him in our own way. So our tears of loneliness will leave and the Love of Jesus will flow through each of us. May each one remember Perry in a good way, for I feel very fortunate that he showed me what trust and love is, and shared a part of his life with me. I also thank the family members for stepping forth at the end of the funeral with the giveaway, and Leslie Bill, thank you for your generous heart. I again ask a blessing from our Heavenly Father for each one from the youngest to the oldest person. Sincerely, Teresa Nora Suppah. Congratulations We wanted to honor and con gratulate Kamala on her out standing accomplishment of six months inpatient treatment, not only herself, but also our grand daughter Amelia. We (Michael, Mom, Yolanda, Karlen, Tanner) attended the ceremony where they were living. (Along with Melanie, Uncle and Aunt from Pendleton and Steven). As a mother I was so proud of my child's accomplishment. The decision came from within Waiting By Selena Boise Spilyay Tymoo So what do you think of the reservation's situation? I was reading about the Gorge Casino again in the Oregonian. It seems we have been waiting for quite some time now, and the ques tion as to when the casino will be built is being heard more and more out in the community. Kind of made me wonder, too. Well, the Hood River site is a possible place because the tribes own that piece of land, and then there is the Cascade Locks site, where the governor can say yes or no. The people of Cascade Locks want the casino there, to assist the economy; and the Hood Wishing you a happy birthday. . . Happy birthday, Vijay Waverly Bryant. Love Mom and Dad. Happy birthday, Vijay "Cheech." Love your big brother Voshaun. Happy birthday on April 12, to Mom Gubba. From the Sunnyside Boises. a Letters to Kamala's heart and she did this for herself and her daughter. Knowing myself coming from recovery, this was a very hard decision, and we stand beside her, and pray and are grateful for their live?. Now, their lives are starting. We all cried, laughed, hugged, kissed one another. It was awe some. Kamala has found her self, she is her own friend, is a great mother, daughter, big sis ter and a beautiful person. Here is to you Kamala Kim, over in Pendleton. We love you and you are a miracle from God. PS: It is never to late to change your life and never be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. You don't have to take abuse from people and remem ber "you can't do it alone". Sovereignty To Tribal Council and Spilyay Tymoo, regarding inmate transportation and sovereignty. There's that all-important word again, sovereign. It means self-governing. Inmates are be ing transported off the reserva tion, to other correctional facili ties throughout the state. I feel that is against our tribal sover eignty. And if we don't use our sovereignty we will lose it. Each time an inmate is trans ported off the reservation, or an off-reservation store or com pany uses our tribal courts, as a way of collecting monies, we are eating away at our own rights of sovereignty. The Warm Springs people have a strong interest as a sovereign in regu lating economic activity, which involves its own members within its own territory. This case and prior cases invplving tribal na tions recognize that to be a sov ereign entity, a tribe, must act like one. Like passing laws and voting on them by tribal mem bers as a whole and then enacted by Tribal Council. And I don't remember voting on tribal mem bers being transported off the reservation, or stores and com panies coming on the reserva tion to collect monies. And that is what is happening to this day. The tribes don't get tribal members brought onto the res for word River residents would rather not have the casino become a disturbance to the ecology. That is the Spilyay Speaks understanding I got from the pa per. In the meantime we have the Indian Head Casino at Kah-Nee-Ta, and it's doing okay. I see many people there during the drawings and on weekends, though I don't go out there of ten enough to say how many people are there regularly. I just hope that the answer to everybody's question of "When?" will be available for us soon. Seems everybody is wait ing to hear. Though the struggles in the economy continue, we do not I'd like to wish Erland Mathew Suppah a happy 20th anniversary for April 10, 2004. Also to state "lots" to look forward to. Always, Sally Renee Whiz. Love you. ' I would like to wish Marsha Given a happy 20'h birthday and let know we all love her very much. And let her know to keep her chin up. Happy birthday. Love always, your friend Mistv. the Editor ervation from the state side when they have warrants on the reservation. Indian tribes are neither states nor part of the federal government, nor subdi visions of either. Rather, they are sovereign political entities possessed of sovereign author ity not derived from the U.S., which they predate. And if we don't bring this to our understanding, and fight to protect our sovereign entity, it will erode little by little. Sover eignty is precious; it can be lost, given away or squandered for short-term gain. If you don't use it, you lose it. Only time will tell. And our own tribal courts are picking away at our sovereignty by allowing other police agen cies onto the reservation, to transport tribal members off the reservation and non-tribal com panies to collect monies through our tribal courts from tribal members. I would like that to be put to a stop, Lawrence J. Caldera Jr. Concerned The only way a person can come to know God, and for God to know him, is through prayer. You must be introduced to God, and once you know of Him, you must accept Him. If you reject Him, you are ditched and condemned to the Lake of Fire, made for the Devil, his demons, and those who won't accept Jesus as the propitiation of your sins. Consider this par able: This one guy from the Rez died and stood before Jesus. Jesus told him, "Depart from me, you're cursed into everlast ing fire prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matthew, 25:41). Jesus added, "You were introduced to me as the one to save you, and you rejected me." The Rez guy said, "When did I reject you?" Jesus replied, "I sent so and so to tell you of me." Rez guy tried to justify him self by saying, "So and so is a murderer, an alcoholic, and a backslider. Why should I have listened to him?" Jesus said, "What if I told on the casino stand still and wait for the casino to be built. The tribes continue to develop within the organization. One new development I have been watching is the Warm Springs Ventures. I believe they are going places. The next few weeks will see new changes in the Tribal Coun cil. The newly elected council should have been announced by now. I sure do hope that there is a continued effort to keep the tribes' best interest within them selves, as they were chosen to represent the people of the Confederated Tribes for the next three years. Happy Birthdays to: 1" - Ike Johnson & Billy Begay. 4 - Jenny Redfox. 8,h - Katrina Blackwolf. 14- Richard Wolfe Jr. 16 - Rachel Bens. 23rd - Levi Blackwolf. 20 - A 13 Birthday to our "Sonny Boy" Matthew Sconawah, II! Wow, son, can not believe you are becoming a young man! Your family loves vou so verv much, from Mom, you so and so went to prison j for murder he did not commit? He did it because he loved the j ones responsible for it, enough to not snitch on them. But he also loved the family of the vie- . tim and didn't want them to have false hope, that one day their beloved might come walk ing through the door, when ac tually he never would, because he was dead and hidden." He could have never served prison time, for lack of evidence, but his love for people, and his fear of me made him do the right thing. I search for hearts like his." (First Samuel), "I sent a tornado so close to him, he knew only I, Jesus, spared him and would be with ( him through his trials if only he would confess and accept his judgment. He knew he would ' lose all chance of his dream of becoming a lawyer. He would be branded a murderer, as you call him. He would never get to be a Tribal Council member, an other dream down the drain. But because he obeyed my voice, and gave up all that, he now is inheriting the kingdom of God called Heaven. (Mat thew 25:43). Because I forgave him so very much, he loved me so very much. (Matthew 7:47). That is why he understands my grace and love as mercy that ' endures forever (Psalm 136), and why he wholeheartedly told '. you about me, his Savior and Lord. He told you about me so ; that you could have life and have it more abundantly. He wanted life for you and you rejected it, calling him a murderer, when he was literally saving you from the second death." Now, if you have the same lame excuse as this Rez guy. , Consider if you "have no sin and can cast the first stone." (John 8:7). But if you confess your sin, God is faithful and just to for- ' give you your sin and to wipe ' your slate clean, so that His Spirit can come and dwell with ' you." Concerned for our people, ' R.T. Thompson. Letters continue on page 5 ' Toe Ness All women can benefit from the wisdom of the Navajo... A woman is driving toward , home in Northern Arizona when she comes upon a Navajo woman hitchhiking. Because the trip has been long and quiet, she stops the car and the Navajo woman climbs in. During their . small talk, the Navajo woman i glances surreptitiously at a brown bag on the front seat , between them. "If you're won- dering what's in the bag," offers the woman, "it's a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband." The ; Navajo woman is silent for a ; while, nods several times and -says, "Good trade." Dad, Jerimiah, Mary Lee, Jo- seph, Donte, Marcus and Leonard. Auntie Angeline, Ella & Grandpa, Uncle Harold, Elsie, Auntie Monique and your favorite cousins' the Mitchell's! Missy & Ritchie and family and all your family in Vi ashington too! 23rd - Happy 22nd Birthday to Mary Ann Stahi from Dad, AJ, Sonny, Angeline, Lillian, . Avery, "Miah", Mary Lee, Donte, Joseph, Matthew and Leonard!