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!