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In the
, spirit of
the holidays
By Selena Boise
Management Successor
So, are you ready for the
New Year? It seems as if the
holidays had just started.
But then when you think
about it, the shiny ornaments
and garland are up
before Thanksgiv
ing. This celebra
tion is more of a
holiday for me this year because
I feel open to the spirit of Christ
mas. Some years it comes and
goes, and I somehow miss it.
I hope everyone is enjoying
this festive time of year with
family and friends. Have you
made contact with your friends
who you haven't seen in a long
time?
I sent out e-mails to my
friends who live across the
country just to say hello and
wish them well this season. I
wish that I could see them again.
I went away to boarding
school for three years and now
I have friends I met in Okla
homa, Utah, and then college
friends in Kansas.
I enjoyed being at these places
and meeting new people and
making friends. But the down
side is that they live across the
states and I may never see
them again.
So I always reflect back to
the times we had as friends in
school, and I remember their
faces, back in the times you
didn't let anger, resentment or
bad feelings get in the way of
being happy.
Sure, there were disagree
ments, but we never let it last
long, because we knew that our
time at school together would
end and we may never see each
other again.
So at Christmas, I try to re
member times that I had with
my friends because they were
happy times.
I hope everyone can let go
of whatever regrets, bad feel
ings, anger, jealousy or hatred
may be inside, and remember
friends, family, and loved ones
who are important.
I know that I have made ter
rible mistakes and said things
that I regret and now I am think
ing that I should try to fix it. It
may happen and then it might
not, but it would be worth try
ing. The New Year
With the New Year in the
near future, resolutions are
about to be made or renewed.
Usually if I fail at my resolu
tions I just keep trying. I'm get
ting there.
Last year I vowed to get or
ganized, and I can honestly say
that it wasn't easy. I'm not quite
there, but I am organized
enough to make life easier.
This year's resolution for me
is to try and remember that life
with family and friends is here
now
Do not live in the past or fret
about what happened in the
past. Do not worry about what
will happen in the future.
To live for today - I believe
that if I could do this, then my
life would be much better for
me.
I hope you make a resolution
that will make you happy, and
keep yourself on the straight and
narrow path to success.
Happy New Year to you all.
Toe Ness
Two secretaries were talking
about their dates the previous
Saturday. One said, "My date
was terrible. Not only did he lie
about the size of his yacht, but
he made me do the rowing!"
Yikes!
Spilyay
Speaks
Great life
In October 2003 the Con
federated Tribes of Warm
Springs lost a treasure, 102-year-old
kuthla (grandmother),
atwai (now in the spirit world)
Nettie Shawaway. There is a
confounding discontinuity of
the cultural knowledge and ex
perience she cultivated in com
parison to the diluted efforts we
are attempting to maintain and
preserve in this millennium.
Against all odds, she conducted
her life in the fullest realm of
our culture; She spoke the na
tive Sahaptin language, ate only
the native wildlifeorganic foods
(over a dozen varieties of roots,
huckleberries, deer, elk, bear,
salmon and other
native vegetables and fruits),
and served as a mentor to gen
erations of young girls and
women in the kaatnam
(longhouse) spirituality where
she had a powerful "voice."
She attributed her long life
to her diet and spirituality. It is
estimated that her mother
Sk'wai ampt lived to 106 years
of age. It is the inspiration and
mystery of a remarkable matri
arch that I approach life-long
learning.
During the span of Kuthla's
lifetime, she heard the stories of
the Indian wars, the treaty with
the United States government,
and she had firsthand experi
ence of the federal boarding
schools and the challenges of a
new way of life on an Indian
reservation. In comparison, my
life-world involves the interac
tion in a drastically different
social world divided between
modern and cultural traditional
ways. ,
As I reflect on the strength
and resiliency of our culture
following the postcolonial assault
on our traditional way of life, I
am grateful for Kuthla's leader
ship in the longhouse. On a per
sonal note, I am grateful for the
enrichment of traveling with
Kuthla as my chaperone when
I served as Miss Warm Springs,
sewing and beadwork from her
and her sisters atwai Sylvia
Wallulatum and atwai Matilda
Mitchell, and the gift of an In
dian name for my son Victor
Watlamet "Mixaiki."
My trip to Wyoming for the
Miss Indian America pageant is
my favorite memory with her. I
was driving and decided to stop
at the Custer Battlefield and she
was mad at me for stopping
there. I was ay-ya-yaash and
headstrong - I thought I knew
everything at the age of 17.
We walked around exploring
the site and then Kuthla climbed
over a fence. She was in her 80's
at that time, but her spryness
made her seem more like half
her age. I watched her in curi
osity and wonderment of what
she was up to. She went directly
to the General Custer monu
ment and kicked it with her
moccasined feet!
I have the utmost love and
respect for the faithful liveli-
Birthday and
Happy holidays to all our
family and friends. With love
from the del Nero kids,
Cassandra, Wah'ske'siw and
Trevin.
Happy Holidays to Rheianna
Wolfe and Joshua Warner.
Mommy loves you.
hood of our beloved Simnasho
elders Kuthla Nettie and her sis
ters, as well as my Kuthla Sadie,
Tilla Tom, Pusha Herb Stwyer
Sr. and Ulla Lucinda Heath
Stwyer. I also have gratitude for
those Miss Warm Springs am
bassadors who are no longer
with us, atwai Dorothy Pebbles
George, Sally Rhoan, and
Trudee Clements. Nai!
Nak'ishayat (Aurolyn
Stwycr-Watlamet)
A thank you
I wanted to take this time to
thank my mother Lolita Greeley,
my sister Maria Godines, and
her husband Angel Godines, for
their recent donation to the
Simnasho Long House. They
donated two long benches with
blue padding and backs to
Simnasho Long House. These
benches came from a church in
Bend that no longer needed
them. It makes me feel good
that my family thought of the
long house and did that. My
mom said she thought of elders
who could sit on the benches in
comfort and rest their back also.
Olivia Kirk Wallulatum.
In appreciation
This thank you message may
come a little late, but there are
many caring people out there
who deserve a big thanks. All
those who helped our family
through a very trying time prob
ably don't realize how much
each of you very kind people
have helped us.
Our mom was a very special
person who took time to see that
each one of her family mem
bers were treated equally and
fairly. , , .
In our personal lives, school,
sports, 4-H, whatever, we can
truly say she was 100 percent
supportive. She did her best to
keep us humble, to respect and
love your people, do the best
you can and enjoy and feel
proud of what you have done.
She had a one of a kind very
friendly smile. But she was one
person who would let us know
while we were growing up "the
realities of life." Her work here
on Earth was done. She com
pleted her "circle of life" and
our Creator has called her
home. We will miss her, but her
teachings will always remain with
us. Her spirit will be with us the
rest of our lives.
Here is a list of people we
want to thank. For each of you
a tremendous thank you and a
big hug for all of you. If we
missed anyone please don't take
it personal. Thank you to:
Our cousins Janice Clements,
Lucille Suppah, Shirley Sanders,
Myra Johnson, Irene Towe,
Wilson Wewajr. The parents of
Deborah Mae Quinn who is
Bob and Marilyn Gregory, our
local doctors, Dr. Creelman, Dr.
Rudd, Dr. Ohlman, Mountain
View Hospital staff, the Hospice
staff at Mountain View, our
Washut drummers, Shaker
people, Madras EMTs. And any
holiday wishes. . .
Wishing my daughter Jessica
(Ms. Independent) a Happy
Birthday for the 21s.
I know it's been difficult for
you to let Melinda go, but you've
really done a wonderful job with
both of my grandchildren, and
I love you very much. Keep
being strong-willed and support
ive for Melinda and Kurtis, and
they will continue to make us
proud.
And watch out for Lester's
prunes! Happy birthday, Jessica.
Love, Mom and your brothers
in Taholah.
Letters to the Editor
people who donated their time
and energy, food, money, dona
tions, and it's very important to
remember all who offered
prayers.
This is only a small part of
the people we want to thank and
all of you out there who weren't
printed, thank you too. We wish
and pray everyone will be care
ful these holidays. God bless you
all. From Tillman, Walt,
Willy, Jack, Dob, Lowell.
New attitude
Dear friends and family of
Warm Springs,
I'm now sitting time for some
trouble I've gotten myself into
(drug related). I'm really miss
ing my kids right now and well,
just simple things. Cooking din
ners, bathing the kids, getting
ready for bed, going to the store,
drinking pop or going for a walk.
I hate what I've gotten my
self into and what it's doing to
the people I love. Although, ev
erything happens for a reason.
I now realize there's a lot I was
taking for granted.
Finding myself rethinking a
lot about life. What I do with
my free time, the kind of
people I chose to call friends,
and future goals.
Please forgive me for what
I've done. For all the children
who look up to me, I'm sorry.
I'm working on bettering myself
and what's around me. Thanks
for your time. Sincerely, Rose
Brown-Antunez.
Craft night
The staff and students of
Warm Springs Elementary
School would like to thank the
following businesses for their
generous dollar donations, which
enabled us to have our Third
Annual Winter Family Craft
Night: Warm Springs Forest
Products Industries, DE Com
posite, Kah-Nee-Ta High Desert
Casino and Lodge, Warm
Springs Power Enterprises.
We appreciate your generos
ity in supporting our program,
and most importantly, our stu
dents. Sincerely, Dawn Smith,
principal.
Rodeo rider
Well this letter is long over
due. It's been two months since
I represented your tribe at the
Indian Nationals Final Rodeo in
Saboba, Calif. I wanted to get
this letter out sooner but work,
family, the holidays and other
business have kept me from
getting this out in a timely fash
ion. I'd like to start out by thank
ing my parents Pete and Mar
garet Bruised Head for always
being there for me. Dad, I don't
know if I'll ever be able to fill
your shoes, you are my inspira
tion champ. Mom, thank you
for getting on me when I needed
it. I love you both.
Many thanks to my mother-in-law
Frances Allen for all that
she has done for us this year and
A very Merry Christmas to
my "Mom" Margie and "Dad"
Joe Tuckta. Yes, you too sunshine.
Jermayne, Keno and family, sis
ter Cena and family.
Merry Christmas to my
honey, Allan Warner. Love
you. Thank you for standing
by my side. Love you.
Wishing you a Merry
Christmas and Happy New
Year, Mom and Dad. And
happy birthday, Mom. Love,
Dare.
continues to do. From
babysitting to fundraising, her
encouragement, she's as solid of
support as I can get.
Thank you Auntie Arlene
Bryant for your raffle donations
and fundraising, for loving my
kids, for the positive words you
encourage me with when I don't
win.
Thank you, Lyman Cauli
flower, for allowing me to ride
your horse to win the steer wres
tling at the INFR, and Casey
Green, for passing your seat to
me in the calf roping.
This year's accomplishments
couldn't be possible without the
support of my boss Glen Car
penter and Leslie Cochrin
Davis. Thanks to both of you.
Also Steven Stewart and Ernie
Scott for picking up the slack,
thanks, guys.
Thank you, Joann Smith and
Bridgett Whipple, for the raffle
items, and thank you, Joann, for
your raffle sales.
Verleen Tom (Holliday by
now), congratulations and best
wishes for your and your new
husband, and thank you for ev
erything you have done and
continue to do. Winona Strong,
you crazy lady, thank you, too.
Thank you Warm Springs
Forest Products Industries,
Letters of apology
To the Warm Springs Reservation I apologize for my ac
tions that took place in Nov. 2004. 1 won't let this happen
again. I know alcohol is affecting our people, and I now un
derstand that we lose so many Natives due to driving while
intoxicated. Again, I apologize. Stephanie Belgard.
To the Warm Springs police officers and also my family
and community, I am truly sorry for my bad behavior and
wrongful attitude when I was under the influence of alco
holic beverages on Halloween Eve. Bad spirits were partly to
blame but I've been through court and was dealt with in a
fair manner in the disposition. Thank you Judge W. Smith
and prosecution for your professionalism on this matter, and
I will try to make a positive out of this again. Thank you
Judge Smith for your compassionate justice. Merry Christ-
. mas and Happy New Year. Murray Kalama.
I would like to apologize to all tribal members of the Con
federated Tribes of Warm Springs for violating Warm Springs
Tribal Code No. 350.210.20 section 2a. I have taken full
responsibility for my actions when I was stopped on Oct. 24,
2004. 1 appreciate and am grateful for the rights tribal mem
bers are so very privileged to enjoy. I realize that when we
violate the tribal laws that have been put in place to protect
us all, we put those rights at risk for all. I now regret violating
the law and will take care to follow all tribal laws and regula
tions in the future. Tommy Fuentes.
The years I've been here were more welcome and the
actions that occured here I've lived, were the problems had
with my ex-wife. I am saying that I am sorry to her. Hope
fully as the years go by we can get along again for our chil
dren. Douglas Jones.
To the people in the community of the Confederated
Tribes of Warm Springs, please accept my humble apologies
for the crimeoffense of driving under the influence. On
the evening of Nov. 5, 2004 on Tenino Road. I put my pas
senger, myself and others out on the road that night in dan
ger. There was no excuse for my willful misconduct. And to
officer Whittenburg, sorry about my attitude. Once again,
I'm sorry fpr my actions and I will see to it that this never
happens again. Friends don't let friends drive drunk. Respect
fully submitted, Damion C. Katchia.
I would like to apologize for my actions on Aug. 7, 2004.
I was driving a vehicle and had gotten stopped about 11:30
p.m., then charged with DUII. I didn't mean to put anyone in
danger but by driving that way I did once again. I would like
to apologize for my action. Since then I have made a choice
to a better life. Thank you. Rachel Winishut.
To the community of Warm Springs, I would like to apolo
gize for my actions on Dec. 5. 1 was driving under the influ
ence of alcohol. I had put a lot of people at risk that day. I
am glad no serious things came of my choice. William
Clements Sr.
I Henry Yahtin would like to apologize for driving un
der the influence of intoxicants and resisting arrest. I am
sorry for those actions and will seek counseling and anger
management.
Thank you for writing to
the Spilyay Tymoo. Letters
may be mailed to: Spilyay
Tymoo, P.O. Box 870, Warm
Warm Springs Ventures,
Rodney Smith Logging, DMJ
Automotive, Pete Peterson
Heavy Equipment Repair, The
Chance Corp., the Blood Tribe
of Standoff, Alberta Canada,
and Kenny and Frances Allen
for your financial support. I was
proud to represent you.
I'd also like to thank my beau
tiful kids Ashton Summer (Ashy
Poo), Hazen Lane (Jake), Jessie
Alex (Cowgirl) who think I'm the
best even if I get bucked off
or if I miss a calf or steer.
Thanks to my wife Sammy
for all the sacrifices, for keep
ing the horses in shape, for do
ing all the book work, knowing
what I did wrong, bluntly telling
me, and helping me to improve,
and for being my wife. I can't
think of a better team. We
whipped 'em again, Josey.
And a big thank you to the
Warm Springs community, all
family and friends near and far,
and to the Regulators (you know
who you are).
I can truly say there is hardly
any greater feeling than living the
dream. Last but not at all least,
I thank God for all my bless
ings. Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year. Clint
Bruised Head.
Springs, OR 97761.
Letters may be up to
350 words in length.