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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2007)
Spilyay Tymoo, W^rrn Spings, Oregon Sanders encourages commitment to education By Leslie M itts Spilyay Tymoo Jeff Sanders is a busyman. Now that he is servingas the president of the Oregon School Board Association, Sanders won’t be slowing down anytime soon. But he’s not one JD complain about his commitnents—espe cially because he volunteers his time and energy is part of his passion for education. In addition t/working as ex ecutive director of the Warm Springs Housing Department, Sanders spends about a month and a half out of each year traveling for his various com mitments t> education. His sei/tice with the Oregon School Boards Association be gan about ten years ago when he was approached by the OSBA. “There’s very little represen tation east of the Cascades,” Sanders explained, and so they were looking for someone to represent this area of the state. As a result, Sanders served in an “at large” position for two years—but then, because the term limit is two years, he fin ished his responsibility. After that, friends encour aged him to tty for an executive position. The OSBA system of elections allows a candidate to begin as secretary/treasurer and then progress through the ranks of vice president, president elect, president and past presi dent. Sanders didn’t expect to win—instead he ran to satisfy those who urged him to run. “I thought well, here I am, an Indian from the Warm Springs Reservation and this is a statewide position,” Sanders said. He won the election by a landslide. Now, several years later, Sanders entered into his term as president of the OSBA for the 2006-07 school year at the annual convention in Novem ber. He wtill serve as past presi dent for the 2007-08 year. For Sanders, his service on so many different educational Jeff Sanders committees is all part of a big ger picture. “I believe that the reserva tion can only survive economi cally through education,” he said. “Education is the cornerstone to everything that our people do.” There is a definite change from older generations as well, Sanders said. In the past, many didn’t finish high school and very few pursued higher education. / According to Sanders, “It really narrows the focus of what they can do here for our tribal government.” In fact, Sanders dropped out of high school during his sopho more year because of social and discipline problems. “I’ve always looked back on that and said I wish I had fin ished,” Sanders said. For students todiy, Sanders hopes to help create more op portunities—something he feels is only available though educa tion. “I believe tt it education is the only way tl it you can go,” he said. It was thai very belief that prompted Saltiers to begin serv ing on the kjcal school board 18 years ago. When :j )ie was approached and aske</ to consider serving on the Jefferson County School Board, Sanders had no intention of mating it a long-term com- mitmet Instead he originally planned to sefve as a representative of the tribe until someone else could fill rite position. lut nearly two decades later, Sajiders still serves oh the Jefferson County School,Board. In addition to his commit- Wärm Springs Market [ndiân A rts ând Crâfts 7157 Wärm Springs St Wärm Sptmgs, Oft 97761 Pgge 5 Mgrch 1, 2007 Loans $ $ $ Loans ments to both the local and state school boards, Sanders has also spent 10 years participating in the national school board asso ciation as part of the Pacific Region. He’s served on the legislative and policy committee and even recently returned from Washing ton D.C. where he met with state representatives in order to ad dress education issues. For Sanders, the ability to help promote education is im portant on any level—and he feels that his work on any level is all part of the process. “The thing that drives me most about it is I see the impor tance of education,” Sanders explained. “Education is the key. It is paramount that we get our young people educated.” Locally, Sanders is part of a much larger group of people and organizations dedicated to education. GUNS - GOLD - TOOLS - ETC Cash and Release . We loan on anything of value Licensed Pawn Broker - N ow buying gold Jay (541) 475-3157 Serving Central Oregon : A ny condition 579 S.E. 5th Madras, OR 97741 See SANDERS on 10 Nathan’s Business Services $ $ FA ST C A S H $ $ TAX PREPARATION & Instant Refund Anticipation Loans(IRAL’s) (5411-553-1200 2197 Highway 26 Warm Springs, OR 97761 By Deschutes Crossing Monday — Friday 8 AM TO 6 PM Saturday 8AM to 5PM 'Our Customers Deserve Quality" Discount Carpet Floor Cohering Carpet - Ceramic - Repairs - Tile - Vinyl - Blinds (541 ) 475-4434 (541) 55^597 Your locally owned store since 1915 - $1.00 off any assorted donuts!
