Spilyay Tyrooo, Wrm Springs, Oregon
April 15, 2004
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Forum looks at ways music influences youth
By Sarah Frank
I 'ictinn Advocate
The music that young children lis
ten to has a huge impact on the choices
they will make for their future. What
goes through our children's minds when
they hear today's popular music? What
will a young person do if they continue
to listen to songs about sex and vio
lence? These are questions for each of us,
because we have an impact on our chil
dren. Please take the time to talk to
your children about what they are ex
periencing. The 21" Century Teens held a pre
sentation on this subject on April 8 at
the Community Center Social Hall.
Savenia Falquist, prevention specialist,
encouraged parents to talk to their chil
dren about the music and media that is
popular today.
"Although it may not be possible to
stop the children having access to mu
sic and media that promotes violence,
we can talk to our children about the
influence it has on their lives," said
Falquist.
She also encouraged parents to talk
to children about safe and healthy re
lationships. Falquist is dedicating her
life's work to empowering survivors to
overcome abuse and start the healing
process.
Wilman Robbins of KWSO spoke
on the subject of "Teens, Sex and
Media," and how mass media influ
ences teens. Teens watch MTV because
it helps them to understand the songs
better and what the music is about.
MTV uses sexual images of women
even when the music is not. What kind
of impact does this "understanding"
have on your child?
Future Tribal Councilman Reuben
Henry talked about the impact music
has had on youth suicide. This is a very
sensitive topic, but like sexual assault,
it is a real problem that we must face
in Warm Springs.
Otis Iverson, Sallie Polk, Cyrille
Mitchell and Aaron Heath did a skit
that required active participation from
the audience. The skit gave a visual on -the
danger a person is in when a part
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ner has more than one partner. There
were approximately 15 people who ac
tually became involved in this relation
ship, carrying a high risk of AIDS and
or STD.
Elders Faye Waheneka, Lucinda
Green and Perthina White shared their
experiences, Lucinda gave special no
tice to the many grandmothers who are
raising their grandchildren, often single
handedly. Fayc spoke of the personal
experiences she has had with her grand
children, and stressed that "we need to
listen to our teens and be there for
them." Perthina shared a story about a
waitress that caused her audience to
laugh.
As Elders they feel that they need
to be speaking to the youth to instill
respect in all relationships. There are
many elders who have a heart to help
you in a loving and caring way; some
may not be able to go to you, you may
have to take the time and initiative to
go see them. Please respect our elders.
The participants heard two beauti
ful songs. The first song was at the
opening of the presentation. Warm
Springs Chief of Police Don Courtney
sang "This little Girl." The second song
was at the closing of the evening. It
was a beautiful I lonor Song sung by
Quartz Creek. Two different types of
music that spoke to the hearts of many.
Many comments were made by
some of the 70-plus participants. Par
ticipants included all age groups. There
was a large turn-out of children and
youth. Thank you for attending. Some
comments are as follows:
Question: What did you like about
the event?
Answers: The elders that spoke up
on the strictness of their youth. The
circle. The skit. Savenia was up front
with her information. Everything, ev
erything was right down to the T, it
confirmed what I was telling my child.
The media part, I agreed with it, it made
me have second thoughts about allow
ing my children to attend the open mic
rap show. You guys did a good job.
Open-minded presentation. Don's sing
ing. The Honor Song. That suicide was
brought up, I am a drummer and I see
- Sell -
Anything of value: Jewelry, guns, Old West Items,
beaded items, bags, baskets, etc.
Warm Springs Elementary School students made artwork for the 21" Century
Teens' presentation.
Some comments made by
teens: It's not just the music
that makes me the way I
am. It's not just rap music,
it's other music too.
the impact suicide has on the youth.
Good location. These are real issues
that need to be talked about.
Question: What didn't you like about
the event? Answers: The fry bread
wasn't ready. There wasn't enough time.
Concentration on bad rap, there are
good rappers too. Should have played
some of the music, instead of just talk
ing about it. There wasn't enough room,
should have had it in the gym. Should
have closed the gym and mandated the
youth to attend.
Question: What could we do next
year? Answers: More teens, more top
ics. Put it in to a youth conference.
Indian Night
The Simnasho community is host-
ing an Indian Night on April 22.
The event will be at the Simnasho '
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Mandatory attendance for youth. Di
vide the youths and adults. More out
side presenters. Get more people in
volved. Encourage other departments
to get involved and to share what ser
vices they have provide.
Comments made by teens: It's not
just the music that makes me the way I
am. It's not just rap music, it's other
music too. Other comments: Be proud
of your culture, you don't have to dress
or act like other cultures. I wish my
husband would have attended.
We would like to thank the follow
ing programs and groups that contrib
uted to the presentation: Chief of
Police, Elders (Faye Waheneka,
Perthina White, Gladys Thompson,
Carol Allison and Lucinda Green),
Quartz Creek Drum Group, Jefferson
County Juvenile Justice, KWSO, Rec
reation, Pastor Rick, Youth Skit Par
ticipants, future Councilman Reuben
Henry, Radine Johnson and cooks
Connie Johnson, Lalovi Jackson and
Martha Winishut.
Out April 22 at
Longuouse.
Potluck dinner starts at 5:30 p.m.,
and dancing is to begin at 7 p.m. '
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- Consign
Kah-Nee-Ta
mini marathon
is this month
The Warm Springs Recre
ation Department invites every
one to participate in the Kah-Nee-Ta
Mini Marathon on Sat
urday, April 24.
The scheduled race distances
are the 14.5 mile half mara
thon, the 10k run, the 3-mile
run, and the one-mile fun run
walk.
Registration will begin at 8
a.m. at the Kah-Nee-Ta Village
front gate. The bus for the 14.5
milc run will load runners and
leave the Kah-Nee-Ta Village
from gate at 8:30 a.m. sharp.
The 14.5-run begins in
Simnasho at 9 a.m., and all
other races begin at 10 a.m.
from the Kah-Nee-Ta Village
front gate.
Separate male and female di
visions will be available for
these age categories: 13 and
under; 14-18 years; 19-29 years;
30-39 years; 40-49 years; 50-59
years, and 60 and over.
Prizes will be given to the top
three finishers for males and fe
males in all age categories after
the race.
Pre-registration prices (reg
istering before April 14): $12
with t-shirt of your size; $8 with
out t-shirt.
Day-of-race registration:
$15 with t-shirt; $8 without t
shirt. If you have any questions,
you can contact the Warm
Springs Recreation Center at
(541) 553-3243.
Simnasho
Everyone is welcome.
This event is to promote the tribal
culture and traditions. ' 1