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' i
E Coosh EEWA: The W3y it is
^4 family
mourns an
elder and
special person
By Selena Boise
M anagement successor
Page 4
Spilyay Tymoo
April 27, 2006
Letters to the Editor
Miss First Nations
Hello, everyone. My
name is Sisiley Scott. I am
17 years old and a junior at
Madras High School.
On April 16 at Seattle, I
was crowned Miss First Na
tions for the University of
Washington Powwow.
There were four girls
competing for this title. We
had to give a speech in front
of the audience on our cul
tural background, and our
goals. Then we had to Owl
Dance and tell why we
picked our partner, which ing on. I am on track of
was my cousin, Orin John graduating next year.
Allen.
My parents are Toba and
I picked him because he Deborah Scott, and I live in
is always there for me when Seekseequa. I have three sis
I have to dance the Owl ters who support me always,
Desiree Allen, Shelby and
Dance.
Then I had to sell tickets JoeAnn Scott, one brother,
during the powwow, and last Israel Scott. I am enrolled
of all I had to dance my Warm Springs/Wasco.
I was so surprised when I
style, which was Traditional.
I make all of my own was the last girl called up for
dresses and sew my own the crown of Miss First Na
beadwork. I have one old tions. I will be representing
buckskin dress that was my the University of Washington
grandmother’s, made by her for the year 2006-07. I
mother.
wanted to share this with all
One of my goals has been my family and friends here
to complete a fully beaded in Warm Springs.
dress that I am now work
Health care
Greetings WSCT: I have
been on the Health & Welfare
Committee for 1.5 years. It has
been a very interesting
experience. The information
I’ve received is what I’d like to
share. So in this letter I would
like you to know that this is my
opinion, and I am not speaking
for the committee.
Which ones of us have not
been affected by ‘Priority One’?
Priority One is the term used
when many cannot get the medi
cal services necessary. Another
definition is ‘Life or Limb’. What
that also means is that Managed
Care will not pay for services
unless it means your life or limb.
I am not agreeable with that
decision. It is frustrating when
you go to see the Doc and they
cannot ask for a MRI so the
docs have to work around that
and use only the services
available. For example, if your
shoulder has chronic pain, the
docs cannot diagnose it properly
and will likely give you pain pills
and send you to physical
therapy. I personally believe that
if you take care of the small
medical situation, you won’t be
paying ten times as much when
it reaches the life or limb
priority. As far as I know, Man
aged Care has made this decision.
We have at least $1,000,000
in Managed Care, but it is to be
saved for next year for the over
flow of medical expenses. This
is what that says to me. It tells
IHS that we have extra dollars,
so all our medical services must
be met. We as tribal members
know that is not true. We do not
have a list of medical services
denied, which is called a deferred
list. To fne, that data would jus
tify receiving more funds for
Managed Care. Another half of
the story is that much of our
funds go to alcohol and drug
related incidents. So to the Po
lice Department, I hope you can
use that as an incentive also in
focusing on the alcohol and drug
problems.
If you are concerned about
It is a sad season for all of
Warm Springs, as we mourn the
passing of our elder of the year,
atwai Irene Towe. It was a sur
prising turn of
events for her fam
ily as she is remem
bered as the one
who was full of life,
and so active.
She will be missed at many
events throughout Warm
Springs. She shared herself and
her self-confidence was refresh
ing to anyone who was feeling
down. She brought out a smile
from most people who greeted
her at public gatherings.
The one that keeps coming
to my mind is the Honor Seniors
Day event. She was the one who
greeted all the elders and wel
comed them to the day’s events.
No one could ever replace
such a greeting for such an
event as this. It was a day of
honor for her as well but she
shared much of herself in the
way she carried herself through
out the day.
As we made the memory
cards I recalled many times I
enemies. If you have extra time,
saw her dancing the Wasco
write me. I won’t be going any
dances that she helped teach the
It’s been the hardest three where soon. My sisters Sophie
young children.
There aren’t many elders months of my life. I miss you, and Krysten and my brother
who can perform these dances Shanell. I’m sorry I had to go Jayce, take care of things for
but she did with such life. You away for a while. I promise it me. I love you all. Jarrod Allen,
could see her heart smile as she won’t happen again. I love you. No. 15101284, 777 Stanton
performed for the Senior Citi Jazell, daddy misses you and Blvd., Ontario, OR 97914.
zens at Honor Seniors Day. I your mom and I think about you
remember it like it just hap every day. All my family, I
apologize for making bad deci
ji
pened.
Hello,
I’m
currently
looking
sions.
I
miss
you
and
love
you
Coming together as a family
brought a lot of joy to her be all. My friends, I don’t know if for someone to start corre
cause due to day to day life for I have much left but to Evil, K- sponding with. The person I’m
us all, a family gathering let us Dogg and the rest of you, I’ll searching for can be anyone (fe
relax and see each other with be waiting for a letter from you. male) who enjoys life and needs
out the daily stresses of work My people, I’m sorry for dis a good listener. So if you feel
honoring you. I’ll do my best you’re the same, please don’t
and sometimes life.
She was a wonderful cook when I get out to help my reser procrastinate. Alonzo Nolan,
and the food she brought so vation, instead of being a bur No. 1098268, 2500 Westgate,
such family gatherings will be den. I miss everyone even my Pendleton, OR 97801.
missed by all her family. We will
always remember her potato
salad, one with onions, and one
without onions.
A family mourns this year,
but remembrance will always be
By George A guilar
bia River people. When white (w w w . t h e o u t l a w s . c o m /
there because who could forget
Mythical stories the likes of men recorded the Native Ameri indians4.htm).
a person who had so much life
Kushiat’s story-telling father
the following were told by Na can stories, some of them may
within her?
tive American river people, and have lost some of their glitter Yel-pum may have portrayed
Not me.
this story to the young people
there are several versions of this and metaphorical meanings.
“Long before recorded his in his time era in this manner:
particular story. These stories
were unwritten. Until modern tory began, Indian legend says
Thank you for writing to
Long ago quarrels and fierce
times they were told only the the people of the Great River
the Spilyay Tymoo. Please,
generations by guardian spirit had much difficulty visiting fighting broke between the spirit that
when writing, keep in mind
friends and loved ones on the lived in the river and the evil spir
that letters should be of no
inspired story tellers.
more than 350 words. Let
opposite
bank. In response to its that lived in the mountains above
The Bridge of the Gods story
ters that are too long will
is shared by several tribes of the their pleas, the Great Spirit built it. In one o f their battles, the moun
have to be cut. Please sub
Pacific Northwest, specifically a bridge of stone that a gift of tain demons built a rock wall across
mit only one letter per per
the stream and tied to it the chief
the Klickitat, Wishram, Wasco great magnitude.
son per edition.
“Modern scientists claim that o f the river spirits.
Cascade, and all of the Colum-
Tut the river spirit, strong in his
about 1,000 years ago, the
mountain on the Washington anger, broke the ropes. Then he
side of the Columbia River, called upon all his powers and gath
near what is now the small town ered together all the river spirits.
Spilyay Tym oo
of Cascade Locks, caved off, With their help he cut a hole and
CCoyote News, Est. 1976)
blocking the river. Prior to this then a long tunnel through the
time it was believed there was a rocks. This made a broad stone arch
Publisher Emeritus: Sid Miller
huge lake locked in behind the over the river, a wide natural bridge
Cascade Mountain range on the which people and their dogs could
Editor: Dave McMechan
eastern side of the present day cross.
Management Successor: Selena T. Boise
The Great Spirit, whose home
prairies of Washington and Or
Advertising Manager: Sam Howard
egon and as far away as Idaho. is in the sky, called together the
Staff Writer: Brian Mortensen
The waters of the vast inland tribes living on both sides o f the
Media Advisor: Bill Rhoades
fresh water sea found a weak river. ‘We shall name this bridge
Spilyay Tymoo is published bi-weekly by the Confeder
spot, and rushed out, tearing o f the Tahmahnawus, ’ he told them.
ated Tribes of Warm Springs.
away more of the earth and ‘I t will be the bridge o f the spirits,
Our offices are located in the white house at 1100 Wasco
rocks until a great tunnel was buy yo u people also may use it. As
Street.
formed under the Cascade long as you are good and friendly
Any written m aterials subm itted to Spilyay Tymoo
Mountain Range. The Native and peaceful, the bridge will span
should be addressed to:
people were awed by the now the river. But i f yo u become selfish
Spilyay Tymoo, P.O. Box 870, W arm Springs, OR
beautiful bridge left by the wa and greedy, i f you quarrel and fight,
97761.
ter. In grateful thanks to the it will be destroyed. Then the rocks
Phone: (541) 553-1644 or 553-3274.
Great Spirit for saving their w illfa ll into the water below. ’
FAX No. (541)553-3539.
The people crossed over the Bridge
bridge from total destruction,
E-Mail: spilyaytymoo@ wstribes.org.
the Natives gave it a new name o f the Gods, and they passed un
Annual Subscription rates: Within U.S.: $15.00.
... The Bridge of the Gods.” derin their canoes. Then they would
No vacation
Please write
an incident, treatment, etc., IHS
does have a ‘complaint’ form.
For issues, incidents to be ad
dressed, this would be to the
patients benefit. The person to
call, or see while you at IHS is
Michelle Gemelas at 553-1196.
Alcohol and drug program
We all know this program has
to be addressed. Right now I
would just like make the state
ment that I am embarrassed
about the apology letters sub
mitted in the Spilyay. I’ve talked
to a Counselor and he said it was
part of the treatment. Here’s
my point. This paper goes to
Central Oregon and I’m sure
many other places. The public
must think we are all a bunch
of drunks and drug users. That’s
the message I’ve heard. When
people speak of the Rez, they
acknowledge we have this
problem. Duh, so does
everyone. However, there was
concern about the negative im
age the media has portrayed of
Warm Springs, so the apology
letters does not help that image.
It is mandatory I understand
that the letters be written. Please
try sending the letters person
ally to the people of
concern. Regarding facing up to
the problems publicly, isn’t that
addressed in AA/NA meetings?
Humiliation hasn’t worked in the
past, so I would suggest
‘change’. After all, it is counsel
ing services and that would in
volve encouragement instead of
a public flogging. Submitted by
Dorothea Barney.
Contribution
A big shout out to Mr. and
Mrs. Alvis Smith III, Vivian,
Wahneeta and our Warm
Springs Dental Clinic. It was
good to see Wahneeta from our
IHS Dental Clinic helping with
this lil’ Springers basketball tour
nament. .. Contributing part of
their life to our Warm Springs
children. Can’t beat theinefforts
and attitudes. Thank you.
Not very many people are
willing to contribute their time.
They all want money to be paid,
eight to five it, then escape our
glorified concentration camp,
Rez, to the free world. Why
doesn’t our sick, very sick
Uncle Sammy give our people
freedom! So we can create our
own town, city, business commu
nity. Good job, Third and Vivian
and others. Bobby Eagleheart.
Happy birthday wishes...
Best birthday wishes
to my nephew, Adrian
Lance Coulter Jr.
I send all my love.
Your Auntie, Jeanette
Thompson.
I want to wish a happy 17th
birthday to my fia n c é S hanell
Kalama, from y o u r man Jarrod
A llen. I love you , Shanell. Stay
strong, I ’l l be back to hold y o u
my arm s soon. L ove, J a rr o d
Æ len.
Happy 21 st birthday to Samuel Scott on A pril 23. From the family.
Happy 18th birthday on April
26 to my baby sister Jeleah Sam.
No matter what goes on in life,
you know that I will always be
your loving sister. I wish you the
best in life. Love from Elsie.
Happy birthday ante
“OOAH”. Love you. Thanks
for putting up with me all the
time. Love from Clarance
Vernon LeRoy Sam.
Happy birthday to Ante
Plum. Love from your two
brats Clarance and Janthian.
Hope to see you soon.
Happy birthday to my Na-Na
Tlum. Thanks fo r always being there
when I need you. Love from Elsie.
Happy anniversary April 26
to my Grandma, Grandpa, Eliza
and Harvey Jim . Love from
elsie and Clarance Sam.
Timely history on the Bridge of the Gods
Regarding letters
pray to the Great Spirit fo r cour
age and guidance as they paddled
through the long dark tunnel. For
many yea rs the Indians on both
sides o f the river lived in peace and
friendliness. They met together fo r
fishing, hunting, huckleberry pick
ing, camas digging, races, games,
gambling, Indian trades, and the
winter spirit dances. But in later
generations bitter feeling grew up be
tween the tribes, and warfare fo l
lowed. A t last, quarrels over who
owned the bridge turned into a
bloody battle that lasted fo r days.
Suddenly, in the middle o f the
night, the earth began to shake and
tremble. The mountain demons
belched forth flam ing thunderbolts
and great clouds o f smoke hid the
sun. The hurled white hot rocks set
forest firesfa r and near. They hurled
hot stones and liquid rocks upon
the water below. Great plumes o f
white steam reached fo r the heav
ens.
Angrily the river spirit dashed
the waves against the supports o f
the bridge. The huge rocks began
to shake and tremble. Then with a
noise like the Thunderbird on the
mountain, the Bridge o f the Gods
fell. Rocks, earth, trees came tum
bling into the angry, whirling wa
ters o f the river.
A nd all the Indians on the both
sides o f the riverfelt tpe earth shake
and heard the great crash. They had
seen the flam es and the hot rocks
thrown by the mountain demons.
Runners were immediately sent out
in all directions. ‘The Bridge o f the
Gods had fa llen 1.’ they called out.
‘The Great Spirit has spoken. ’ Ref.
Ella Clark.
But in happy days to come,
jubilation will reign supreme
when the Native Cascade people
return to the place where the
Creator of all good placed
them.
Our chiefs and the white men
have smoked the pipe of friend
ship; and another Bridge of the
Gods now spans the river where
the Bridge of the Gods was in
the days of our old people. Not
as glorious as the natural God
given bridge, but nevertheless it’s
a bridge.
And maybe, just maybe, there
will again be games played like
the Wacculcul, large swimming
pools, being river people they
were in all probability once the
best swimmers of any culture
of their time. There might even
be wrestling arenas featuring
championship Indian type wres
tling, and big wigwams for the
tourists who like Queen Sheba
may come to visit our God given
country. And maybe there will
be a big place to show what the
river people’s civilization was
like many snows ago.
(The excerpt abovE is from
the seventh chapter of George
Aguilar’s next book, titled The
Shattered Civilisation.) \