E Coosb EEWA: The W3y it is 3.2005
Meeting held on
Jan. 27 brings out
many questions
By Selena Boise
Management Successor
So, what do you think of the
tribes' situation? Seems there
was a meeting held January 27,
and there were many people
with things to say. I had to drive
my kids somewhere so I wasn't
there, but heard
about it.
Is there anger
about the use of
this money from
the lawsuit?
Seems it is bringing out a lot
of questions about the tribes'
casino plans. Many were under
the impression that money was
being socked away for the ca
sino, and I have to admit that I
was also under this impression.
I don't remember where I got
this impression.
People are beginning to think
that they are not being well in
formed. Which brings out all
these questions.
My question is, Who will be
answering all these questions for
everyone? I'm thinking that it
will become clear sometime in
the future.
For now we continue to live
our lives, go to work, and tend
to our families.
Identification
I recently had an adventure
trying to obtain an ID for a per
son traveling by airline. I went
to the DMV and had documents
but they weren't enough to truly
prove who the person was.
I then went to the high school
to get an old student body card,
which would have picture iden
tification. They couldn't provide
that for us, so Foster allowed us
to use the phone to get more
documents faxed from Vital Sta
tistics. They faxed these items to us
at the high school and the DMV
still denied these documents as
proof, because they weren't
notorized or stamped by an of
ficial. We had to travel back to
Warm Springs.
Frustrated we went to the
courthouse to obtain official
court documents as proof. We
stood around there waiting for
a while. Thanks to Andrea, we
found that the documents we
wanted were at the warehouse.
But there was no one that could
be spared to go get them.
Leaving with even more
frustrated, we went back to Vi
tal Statistics to get a copy of the
court document we were look
ing for in the student's file, had
it stamped by an official, and ob
tained a Social Security card at
the same time.
We went back to the DMV
with this new proof.
Finally, we were able to prove
who the student was. We re
ceived state identification and
traveled to the airport in Port
land with only moments to
spare.
We were cutting it close but
we got there in time for him go
through the security search and
board the plane.
But just getting the docu
ments we needed was a trying
time. Vital Statistics provided a
lot of documents for us when
they faxed them to the high
school, but we still had to travel
back to Warm Springs to get
them stamped, making them
official. Andrea at the court
house was helpful, or we would
have stood in the reception area
for who knows how long. It was
frustrating hitting all these dead
ends. The DMV guy was sort
of helpful and patient with us,
as we kept trying.
But next time we'll book a
later flight. And if you need ID
start on the process early.
Spilyay
Speaks
Powwow
Matilda Mitchell, Nettie
Shawaway, Silvia Wallulatum,
Ellen Squiemphcn, Herb
Stwyer, Chief Amos Simtustus,
Lilli Heath, Grant Waheneka,
Norval Tufti, Florence Meanus,
Bill John, Isabell Keo, Edith
Queahpama, Clara Moody,
Pierson Mitchell, Geraldine
Blodgett, Romajean Joe, Gordon
Scott, Loiuse Hellon, and Laura
Crowe, these are the names of
the past Lincoln's Birthday Pow
wow committee members.
These past leadersmembers
worked really hard and sacri
ficed themselves in fundraising
and organizing the powwow ev
ery year. Even though this year
will be the 28th Annual, the pow
wow began well over 30 years
ago.
We the present powwow
committee thank those past
leadersmembers they really
made a strong foundation for
us. We the committee can only
try and meet the dedication and
sacrifice that they would expect
from us.
The Lincoln's Birthday Pow
wow, held every second week
end of February in Simnasho,
draws drummers, dancers, spec
tators and vendors from all over
the United States and Canada.
The powwow expects partici
pants as far away as Minnesota,
both Dakota's, Arizona, North
ern Alberta, and Saskatchewan
and every place in between.
This year we will start with a
Round Dance on Thursday, Feb.
10 at 6 p.m., then the first Grand
Entry will be Friday, Feb. 1 1 at
7:30 p.m., on Saturday at 1:30
p.m., and on Sunday we will
start at 2 p.m. There will be con
test drummingsinging and con- .
test dancing and other dancing ,
specials. During the powwow
the longhouse gets really full,
crowded, packed and hot, so
when you and your relative and
friend come to the powwow,
make sure and get there early
for a good start.
See you at the powwow.
Thank you for your time and
consideration.
The Lincoln's Birthday
Powwow Committee.
Thank you
We, his family, say thank you
to Tribal Council, Jim Quaid and
staff, Jose, Teeney and Marian,
Marie and Ollie Smith, Mary
Sam-Danzuka and family, Alex,
Phyllis Tohet and family, Mr.
and Mrs. Harvey Scott, Mr. and
Mrs. Harvey Jim, Marella Sam
and family, Char Herkshan and
Charter school would be a
At one of our first meetings
with the Tribal Council, we were
informed that our youth are a
high priority. I feel that as long
as the Council continues to of
fer solutions as the charter
school, we can keep
moving forward. When
no solutions are of
Opinion
fered, then, as a Tribe,
we have stopped caring about
each other.
I'd like to address the article
in the Spilyay. We do understand
that a charter school has to com
ply with the standards from the
school district. Our goal is not
only improved education, but
the quality of education for our
Tribe. Specifics have not been
decided as we are in the first
stages of planning. We will not
be modeling the school exactly
as other charter schools; we did
visit charter schools to get ideas,
opinions, suggestions, chal
lenges, etc
The charter schools we vis
ited are very encouraging. The
students were happy and proud
family for all the donations. Our
thanks to Rex Robinson, Fred
Wallulatum and all the drum
mers. To Pat Tanewasha and
Norman Lucei for the Shaker
services in the Poitra home.
Thank you to the cooks;
Sandra Clements and her daugh
ter Helen Poitra, Alberta Come
down and her daughter Heather,
Lucy Sam Williams and all other
helpers.
Many thanks to Bruce
Bennett and Larry Dick for pre
paring our loved one for his
journey.
Thank you all for your help
and support. Poitra and Wil
liams family.
Appreciated
My dear brothers, uncles
and aunties, George, Debbie
Williams and family, Jack and
MiMi Williams, Thomas, Lucy
Williams and family, Spencer,
Helen Poitra and family, Mary
Danzuka and family, Annie
Kalama and family, Marti (sis
ter), Seymour and Carol Hober,
Marie and Ollie Smith, for all
the dishes, pots, pans, towels,
and other needed items to our
home. To Marcella, Ursula and
Teri for the groceries. To Selena
Boise for making the memory
cards. We appreciate all the sup
port. Thank you Helen Poitra,
Fawn Begay, Sally Smith, Jenni
fer Smith and Lewis Poitra for
washing down the walls with
rose bush water, and yard clean
ing. A special thanks to Lewis
Poitra for traveling from North
Dakota to be with his brother,
nephews and niece.
Our heart-felt thanks,
Peggy . .Williams,1 .childreii
and grandchildren.
Condolences
I would like to send my
deepest heart-felt prayers to the
Poitra family. I am sorry that I
couldn't make the funeral to give
my friend the respect he
deserves. I'm proud to say that
I've known Silas most of my
life, from playing Uno in Carol's
Room, to playing ball with the
"Warriors" and "The
Sequel" and has always been a
good man.
He lived his life as he wanted
to and that is rare. When I think
of him I think of how every
time I saw him he was clowning
on somebody. Then I see his
smile and hear that laugh and it
makes me smile.
Over the years we did a lot
of their accomplishments. The
teachers were the key to the stu
dents' attitude. They were very
innovative, never taking "I
can't" for a response but find
ing other ways of reaching the
students. Taken away
from the environment
of negative factors, the
student thrived. The
graduation rate was very high,
98-100 percent. The informa
tion learned, the class projects,
were very impressive. The mo
tivation was very original. The
students all had different cir
cumstances in their lives. The
teachers never accepted their
circumstances as an excuse for
failure. Instead they focused on
the student's level of education
and inspired the student to suc
ceed. I'm not saying all charter
schools do this; what I am say
ing is that the teachers were
great, and it shows the possibili
ties for our students, and our
students have much potential.
We recognize that many
Warm Springs students utilize
Letters to the Editor
of stuff together, some good,
some bad, but it was always a
good time no matter what. I
truly believe that had his path
been a little different he could
bave been a mover of men.
As I write this and search for
answers, I find myself thinking
that the creator truly does work
in mysterious ways, and that my
elder Silas was called home for
a greater duty. So I don't miss
him, because I know that when
it is time for me to make the
journey home that Silas, all my
friends, and family will be there
to greet and welcome me.
Although I am far away from
home my heart is with his fam
ily and friends. I'm gonna re
member him the way I always
have.
In closing I would like to say
to all my people back home, be
strong, live well and may the
creator mess eacn and every
one of you. For all my relations.
Lamar Jackson and fam
ily. A prayer
To all my relations, I am
sorry; I'm not religious and I'm
not unreligious, missed a few but
I am there in my heart. My name
is Hul-ish-Qwat-Knot, my Chris
tian name is Wendell Greene. I
wasn't born with it, I earned it.
With that I'd like to say a prayer.
Ona-coo-maan e wa te-chum.
Coo-maan na e tum-a sho-ek
sha. Pia-toot-num xa-xike-me
na-te-tite me wow-nuk-shush.
Coo-maan na e tum-a sho-ek
sha. Pia-toot-num xi-xike me na-te-tite
me wow-nuk-shush. Coo
maan na e tum-a sho-ek sha.
Pia-toot-num xi-xike me na-te-tite
me"tumitia-na." Ona- coo
maan e wa te-chum coo-maan.
Na e tum-a sho-ek sha pia-toot-num.
Xa-xike me na-te-tite me
wa-xeesh wit. Qua-lees-see-mi
wa-xeesh I wow-nuk-shush I.
Qua-lees-see-mi wa-xeesh I
tumma-na yi. Qua-lees-see-mi
wa-xeesh I wa-xeesh-wit I. Quee-am-I
shook tush xa-xike me I
te-mush-I.
Quee-am-I shook tush xa
xike me I. Na-te-tite-me-I wow-nuk-shush
I. Amen. Wendell
E. Greene.
3 Warriors
We would like to thank ev
eryone that attended the Three
Warriors Birthday Celebration
that was held at the Simnasho
Longhouse on Jan. 26. We had
a great turnout and I hope ev
eryone enjoyed themselves.
good thing for Warm Springs
the Madras education system
and it works for them. However,
because we care about each
tribal member obtaining an edu
cation, a charter school is an
option we have. A charter
school is also an expression of
our sovereignty.
A charter school would pro
vide opportunities to students
and elevate the esteem of the
students and the community.
The charter school is a "posi
tive" for our community. We all
hope to see our members pur
sue an education, making our
community a place for our
youth to be proud, each student
able to choose to contribute to
the dignity of one's self, family
and community. We want our
youth to prefer to come home
and share in the progress of our
community. Our youth's dignity
can be strengthened by an ad
equate education suitable to the
indivuduaL
There are many ideas circu
lating in the community and we
will be having a meeting to wel
Each person attending received
a Three Warriors cup, key
holder and bumper sticker as a
token of appreciation for join
ing us for the evening of fun.
We want to thank the Washut
drummers (Lauren, Kodiak,
Evans, Jacob, Levi, Gene,
Wamblee, Leslie, Terry, Patrick
and Anthony) for helping us out.
A big thanks to you Charlotte
Herkshan, Nonnie Garrison,
Katie Smith, Faye Waheneka,
Eliza Brown, Minnie Yahtin,
Crystal Keo, Pam Cardenas,
Wilbur Johnson and Gail
Turcotte for donating all of the
food. The meal was a dandy. We
also wanted to thank Wa Wo
Kya, Quartz Creek and West
Spur for bringing their big
drums and singing. We greatly
appreciate all the help in the
kitchen during the clean up.
As reported during the meal,
during the first five years we
have grown at a tremendous rate
and with continued support from
the community we will only get
stronger. Comparing total sales
(fuel and groceries) from 2000
versus 2004, sales have in
creased by 60 percent. This all
happened with a staff of two
full time employees, three part
time clerks and two deli cooks
manning the store 365 days a
year. We hope to continue to
serve you to the best of our
ability. Roy Heath, Levi Keo,
Jack Williams, Gail
Turcotte, Maurica Cortez,
Katie Smith, Alveda Char
ley and Captain.
Settlement
(Statement regarding the
McQuinn BIowdown-HeHe fire
settlement.)
" Elected officials: Please be
reminded that it was in our name
that you filed claims for dam
ages done to our lands on both
the McQuinn Blowdown and
HeHe Butte fire. We are after
all the rightful stakeholders, col
lective owners, stewards of and
caretakers of the lands, and
shareholders in all assets and
profits and monies on our res
ervation. Those of us who are
direct lineage descendants of
Treaty Signers are the sovereigns
today who have a right and a
place to ask questions and seek
answers to our concerns.
It is high time that we as a
people begin to convene our
selves and exercise our collec
tive powers as a General Coun
cil. The secretarial vote is an
option for us to consider and
use and a right for us to exer
cise when we are convened in a
come everyone's concerns. Once
a charter school is in motion,
there are many opportunities
available. As soon as we can, in
conjunction with other depart
ments involved with education,
we will be having a community
meeting to address your con
Spilyay Tymoo
CCoyote News, Est. 1976)
Publisher Emeritus: Sid Miller
Editor: Dave McMechan
Management Successor: Selena T. Boise
Advertising Manager: Sam Howard
Staff Writer: Brian Mortensen
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 submit
ted 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 Subscription
rates: Within U.S.: $15.00.
General Council session. Hear
ings such as tonight protect
those basic rights and it is para
mount that we exercise those
sovereign rights.
I encourage my sovereign
people to make your voice
count. Demand accountability,
as we must harness this mon
ster that has run away spending
and no cost benefit to show for
it
Tribal Council: You have a
very important job to seek our
input. I am scolding you, as the
superintendent should never
have to prod you to do your job
and answer for yourself. You are
not elected to protect the inter
ests of a very few, to only pro
mote your own self serving in
terests or policies, nor do you
serve your people to entertain
personal gain or ill gotten profit.
I am talking about the great
harm that can come upon us if
we wake up and breath life into
those monsters called: greed,
lying, stealing, cheating can do
us no good and can do great
damage to our future days
ahead.
I do expect from my Tribal
Council representatives: Pru
dence, honesty, integrity, sobri
ety from alcohol and drugs, and
more accountability such as to
night. Which brings me to the
question: Why was the Power
Enterprise profits for $5 million
left out of this last mail out? Am
I to understand that all of what
is promised to the Kah-Nee-Ta
High Desert Resort and Casino?
That brings a total of $9 million
to KNTHDR&C, am I correct?
When the Health and
Wellness Center was built, Coun
cil demanded a whole and com
plete package be brought to the
people for funding. A referen
dum that included the building
costs, who would service, equip,
manage, staff, supply and pro
vide up-keep. I demand the
team putting the package to
gether for the Gorge casino do
the same thing. Not piece meal
us to death a million here a mil
lion there until hopefully we are
confused and begin to forget to
ask. No, it is not going to be that
way. We already have our trust
violated by not having input on
our own monies until tonight.
To the Gorge casino negoti
ating team: I want every penny
you have spent negotiating this
project to death accounted for.
I want to know how it benefited
us and how much did the tribal
attorneys make off of us so far.
Frank Peters Charley,
Lahomsh, Washmowit.
cerns. I'd like to apologize to
those that feel they have been
omitted from the planning. You
haven't been ignored. We are in
the beginning stages and look
forward to your positive input.
My opinion, Dorothea
Barney.