E Coosb EEWA: The vvy it is spuTymoo iwer 8.2005 Letters to the Editor Tournament First of all, I would like to thank the two teams from our area that attended the First An nual Chester C. Smith Sr. Me morial Tournament held at Ycrington, Nev. The teams are "Tigers," coached by Rose and Brent Gray, and the "Blazin' Blazers," coached by Tony Holliday Sr. Both of these teams came home the champions. MVPs for the Tigers are Abby Scott and Jessie Wallulatum. The All-Stars are Ada Polk Lopez and Chuba Caldera. For the Blazin' Blazers are MVPs Mariah Stacona and Jarrod Pichette. All-Stars are Tony Holliday Jr. and Jordan Leonard. It was an honor for me to hand out these awards to these teams and coaches. Also, Alvis Smith III won a T-shirt in a shootout. Our daughter Hester Scott Taylor and daughter Kayla were able to attend this first annual memorial tournament for their grandfather and great grandfa ther. All the relatives in Yerington were glad to see them both, as her dad and I were. Hester and daughter flew into Reno from Norfolk, Va., to be at the tour nament with aunties, uncles and lots of cousins. I would like to thank the rela tives of these young players who were able to attend the tourna ment to watch the children play. I know it is a long way to travel to play ball. Hope you all had fun. Florence and Harvey Scott and family and the sis ters and brothers of Florene. Don't forget In today's society and in today's world, it is easy to get caught in the mix of what is going on around us. We are liv ing in the time of the "Quick Fix". We want everything right now, and we don't have the time, patience, sacrifice or com mitment to wait or work for what we want. Some of us who are a little older remember the time when we didn't have cell phones, digi tal phones, cordless phones, credit cards, remote control, microwaves, cable, disc players, computers, etc. We remember a time when we had to get off of our behinds, get up, walk to the TV, telephone or whatever it was and manually change the channel, turn the TV off or on, answer the phone, etc. We even used to have to go outside and turn the antenna to get one of the three channels that we had to come in. If that were to happen today, Spilyay Tymoo (Coyote 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 Confeder ated Tribes of Warm Springs. Our offices are located in the white house at 1 1 00 Wasco Street. Any written materials submitted to Spilyay Tymoo should be addressed to: Spilyay Tymoo, P.O. Box 870, Warm Springs, OR 97761. Phone: (54 1 ) 553-1 644 or 553-3274. FAX No. (54 1)553-3539. E-Mail: spilyaytymoowstribes.org. Annual Subscription rates: Within U.S.: $15.00. people would think you were crazy. Well, some of us back then were a little crazy. We made do with what we had, and al though we didn't have much, we appreciated it and made the most out of it. We have lived, survived and made it through some pretty rough times, and it wasn't easy. It was a humbling experience. It took a lot of sacrifice and commitment, and it took a lot of hard work. Most of us re ally struggled, but we made it. Our parents, grandparents, elders and ancestors also made sacrifices and a commitment. In fact, we wouldn't even be here today if it weren't for them. They made a life long commit ment and sacrifice for us. Many of them endured more pain, hurt and humiliation then we will ever experience. They didn't do things for fame, personal gain or personal acknowledgment. They did things from their hearts. They made that sacrifice and commit ment for something that they believed in. It wasn't for any thing that they wanted. It was something that they believed. Rosa Parks was a good ex ample of it. I watched a special on her this morning on the 'Word Channel', which is a Christian channel, and all she did was stand up or should I say sat down for something that she believed in. She made a big dif ference by saying, "No!" She didn't want to go to the back of the bus any longer. Another example that I heard recently was from a guy by the name of T.D. Jakes. In his message, he said, "People want the product, but they do not want to go through the pro cess." People in today's society always want, but they don't want to give. Most of you reading this to day know who I am, what I am all about and what I believe, and most of you remember who I used to be and what I used to do. Today, things are different. I'm not the same person I used to be, but I haven't forgotten who I am or the hard work, sac rifice or commitment I made to be where I am at today. Unfortunately, some people let their name, tide, position or a few letters behind their name determine who they are, and they let it get the best of them. They forget who they are, where they came from, what they are doing and where they are going. In a way, they are lost. They have lost their identity and fo cus of who they are and what they are supposed to be doing and it is hurting them and our people. Regardless of how far you have come or what you are do- ing, never, never, forget who you arc, where you came from or what it took you to get where you are. A quote I read recently said, "Be nice to those you meet on the way up because you will meet those same people on your way back down." Solo Greene Gaming I have read articles from sev eral different newspapers re garding the ongoing battle of the Cowlitz and Warm Springs tribes in their attempt to secure permission to build, and oper ate, off-reservation casinos. One of the articles that caught my attention was "Or egon tribes testify on casino pro posal," The Oregonian, Nov. 10, 2005. This article was about the Congressional hearings that are taking place in an attempt to change the wording of the In dian Gaming Regulations Act of 1988. Many tribes signed on to this agreement because they be lieved that it would reduce law suits from states that wanted to shut down their gaming opera tions. I'm sure they never imag ined that some of the opposi tion would come from other tribes. The opposition wants to change the wording so that the two aforementioned tribes will not be allowed to build their off reservation gaming enterprises. The opposition made a few weak and arrogant arguments based on technical and cultural history. Their patronizing ideal that views choice and freedom as something as something the powerful can give to others is a dangerous and imperialistic ide ology. It's the exact mindset that the Europeans had and practiced after their arrival to this conti nent. But let's be clear. The op position is still motivated by greed, selfishness and material ism under the guise of their weak technical and cultural ar guments. It is time for the indigenous people of this continent to gather together and return to the spirit of sharing and self-sacrifice. We should use our unique identity as the first people of this continent to help one another out. We have 500 years of what this capitalistic, selfish, self-absorbed, colonial ideology has visited upon the indigenous people of this land. Looking forward into the past. That's where all the real learning took place. There is no future in our current situation or for the rest bf the world if we do not change our path. Let's remember how our grandfa thers and grandmothers lived. Set aside the petty arguments. There's plenty to go around for all concerned. I support the Warm Springs and Cowlitz tribes. Sincerely, your Native brother, Frank Windels, Gros Ventre tribal member, Fort Decisions Almost every conversation that mentions Tribal Council has derogatory remarks. If Tribal Council isn't walking on water, then it isn't doing its job. I em pathize with Tribal Council and its inability to come up with some supernatural ideas to solve our tribal dilemmas. In I Timothy 2:1 and 2 (in the New Testament), it tells us to pray for our authoritieslead ers, and Romans 13:1 says to be subject to the authorities be cause it was God himself who placed them in those positions. In I Samuel 9:17, it says God ordained King Saul to be the first king of the Jews. But in I Samuel 1 5:23, it says God later rejected Saul as king and re moved him as king. Our tribal council has God's blessing, but if it fails its duty, he will remove its members inevitably. In per sonally know a Pima Indian who was accused of murdering by sniping three of his Tribal Coun cil members simply because he was formerly in the Green Be rets. He was innocent. Those murders remained unsolved to this day. That is an extreme ex ample of removal, but it says that those three members weren't on the up and up. God could have saved them. Elders say that in times past, leaders were chosen because of their spiritual guidance from Grandfather. Prayers were a must before any meetings that concluded with a decision to be made. Do we still choose lead ers in the same way? I Kings 3:9 says King Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead his people and it was granted. According to I Kings 10:8, the Queen of Sheba praised Solomon for how happy his people were. The Council didn't fire the tribal judges. Tribal legislature states judges were to serve a three-year term and once that term was up, they could be re assigned a new term or be re placed. The Chief Judge just retired. New judges were se lected. Consequently, if the ex isting judges fail to remain fair, objective and non-biased and Council gets wind of it, they can exit their benches after three years. The bonus dividend used to be determined by our profit made during the current year. Now it has become a bonus ex pense for the following year, eating up our Rainy Day Fund. I admit it. I am not one of the spoiled ones, though, which ex pects a bonus each year. The bonus has become a liability that Council becomes damned if it's granted and damned if they don't grant it. Small businesses, as a solu tion, is paddling upstream, also. Demographics show there are only two marketing targets: the tribal community market and the Highway 26 market. Tribal community sales are hard to make feasible, because we can't own business property and are charged an arm and leg for leas ing. Coupled with that is for businesses to prosper, an entre preneur needs to be extended credit. But people extended credit, become a bro or sis quickly and feel they have a right to forgive themselves of the debt. The two primary needs, food and vehicle repair, are al ready monopolized by two dif ferent families. So we still feed Madras's economy (they adver tise Rez cars). As for the High way 26 Market, it has sales po tential. However, franchises aren't viable due to land owner ship issues; business zoning isn't allotted, and the Uniform Com mercial Code is still botdenecked by indecision. Kah-Nee-Ta as a casino lo cation couldn't, and never would, match other Indian casi nos in revenue because of its remoteness, lack of traffic, and Mount Hood as a barrier dur ing winter. Now membership has put all its eggs in one basket, namely Cascade Locks. Employment will continue to be a problem due to govern mental downsizing and tribal personnel managers' insubordi nation towards Tribal Council's directive to enforce the Tribal Member preference resolution. The Seneca Tribe already laid off an ovcreducated white man and hired the less educated but qualified Indian. Tribal prefer ence mandates the Indian only needs to be qualified. Just what does it take to be qualified for millwork, house keeping, for estry or common labor? A Green Card? The Great White I lope? To say, "caught between a rock and a hard place," is an un derstatement for all the issues and concerns that Tribal Coun cil faces. It seems we don't want to "Walk in Tribal Council moc casins." We'd rather throw thorns in their paths and snivel about the path they arc compelled to take. We need to understand and believe Tribal Council is trying its very best and pray for its members to keep a clear mind through their frustrating prob lem solving dilemmas. May the Great Spirit give them wisdom and courage and a sound mind. R.T. "Shy-Lumce" Th ompson Parade We are recruiting for volun teers to help with the Christmas tree lighting, the parade, barbe cue and caroling on December 12. The events are a coopera tive effort of the Warm Springs Community Center and Recre ation Department, and the OSU 4-H Extension office. Once again this year, we need more help. Sign up with Carol Allison at the Community Center, or Birthday and other wishes... Happy birthday, Ellise. We love you! Love, faraway Grandma Sharon and Aunt Sam. Happy birthday Tyrece "Turkey Boy" David! Have a great sixth year. Love, Uncle Butch, Auntie Angie, Ellise, Harlee and Brady. Happy birthday to a great little guy, Chad Thurbyl Love, Butch, Angie, Ellise, Harlee and Brady Congratulations to Juian Wallulatum on an awesome football season! It was your first year play ing high school football and you ended up making the Big Fir All League Honorable Mention team and Defensive Player of the Year for your team, the Co qui lie Red Devils. Can't wait to see how wres tling goes. So proud of you. Angie, Butch, Ellise, Harlee and Brady. Letters of apology I would like to apologize to the people who were on the car owned by Mary Culps. The people I'm saying sorry to are first of all my daughter Greta Lynn, then the others Angela Bellinger and Miko Cooper for busting that window up when you were on there. And I would like to say sorry to Mary Culps for breaking your window. I did jail time and got some fines. Well, sorry to all. Jerrod Kalama. I would like to take this time to apologize to everyone on the west side and everyone that saw and heard me discharg ing my weapon. I've got charged with discharging a weapon and a few other charges. I'm sorry to all of you and the community. I'm doing jail time for my wrongful actions. I got probation, and fines along with this apology letter to you. I'm sorry. Jerrod Kalama. I sincerely apologize for my actions that took place the early hours of 10-22-05. It definitely was a serious mistake " that endangered my life and lives of others if they were on the road during those hours. I'm very sorry. Duane Miller Jr. I would like to apologize to the Confederated Tribes for my actions when I was coming back from Rainbow Market. I picked up a person who shall remain nameless but he was in the process of breaking the law and so was I and I would like to apologize for getting a DUII. And IU never do it again. Herman Weaselbear. Ar le ne Boileau at OSU Exten sion for one of the planned ac tivities. We need the following volun teers: Three people to help cook hotdogs from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Three to five people to help serve the food from 7 p.m. till finish. One person to directstart parade from 5-7 p.m., when the parade gets going. One person to do parade line up from 5-7 p.m. One person to lead caroling after the Christmas tree is lit. From 7:45 p.m. till finished. Three to five people to help clean up after everything is over. The following is the tentative schedule for event: 5-6:45 p.m.: float preparation (at Wasco Street by CPS, Education and school buildings). 6:50: parade line up. 7 p.m.: start parade. 7:15-7:50: start meal. 7:50: light Christmas tree. 7:55-8:15: caroling; and 8:15- 9 p.m., clean up Please come forward and volunteer your time to make this a successful event for our community. If you would like to attend a planning meeting, or for more information, please join Carol and Arlene at the Community Cebter on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. in the Education Room. You can reach Carol Allison at the Community Center, 553-3244. Wow, Julian, you made it! Happy 18th birthday on Janu ary 2. Love from all of us, the Davids. Happy birthday Uncle Wally Scott, Dec. 6. Love you, hugs and kisses, Elysebeth Scott, Kelly Ann Luton. Happy birthday Wally. Love you. Vernon Tias and Sonya Scott Happy 6th Birthday to Ellise Rose David! We are so proud of you, and love you more than you can imagine! Let's rodeo, cowgirl! Love, Mom and Dad Sissy, You are the best! Thanks for always letting me tag along! Happy Birthday! Love, Harlee. To my Nana, Ellise, Hope you have a great birthday! Love you tons, From "Boo Boo".