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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 17, 2009)
E Coosh EEWA: The way it is Christmas spirit on the reservation By Duran Bobb The notice came through when the first bitter cold wave hit. In Bend, emergency shelters are opening when the tempera tures are down below 25 degrees, but needy famiEes /*--------- > must call to see if Spilyay there is room avail Speaks \________/ able. I f there is room available, folks need to be out of the shel ters by 7 in the morning—from the shelter they are welcome to stay warm at the Ebrary. I’m not one to dweE on the depressing things at Christmas time. My mom scolds me if she catches me watching such hoE- day movies as Christmas Shoes. But I can’t help it, I have a big heart... and just the thought of an entire family needing to stay in a Ebrary to keep warm, it touches me. “I f you want to feel bad for someone,” mom tells me, “then feel bad for somebody right here and help them out!” A few years back, I did re search into my family tree and found that I had to draw the line somewhere, where the branches would end. Because I reaEzed that if I continued going and counting, everyone on the res ervation would be related in some way— no matter how dis tant. While I was getting ready to head out the door, KWSO re minded people to check on the elders in their famiEes. Make sure that they have heat, the announcer said. That sounds Eke a reminder from one family memjaer to another. Iva Pennington, one of our cherished tribal elders, told me that she wiU frequently purchase jackets throughout the year. “When the weather gets cold,” she said, “I drive the jackets down to the folks that I see along the road, maybe take them a pot o f stew.” That sounds Eke a gift from one family member to another. As I w rite this, it’s cold enough outside that the water pipes at the new media center are frozen. The big casino sign told me that it was minus-4 de grees as I drove by. There are reports of water pipes freezing aU around the community. In Warm Springs, there is no emergency shelter or warming station. In our community, fam ily still depends on family in times of need. This hoEday sea son, please keep the elderly and the needy in mind. That’s the bond that makes us a tribe. It is through that caring that we identify ourselves as family. Page 4 Spilyay Tymoo December 17, 20 09 Letters to the Editor Thank you James, Alex, William and I would like to take this opportu nity to thank you all for the cards, letters, gifts and donations to the Alex Johnson Fund that we received. Thank you Leminnie Smith, Beulah Tsumpti and the VFW Ladies A uxiliary to E llio tt Palmer Post 4217 for present ing us with the gift blanket. It is truly beautiful. The outpouring o f support from our friends, family, em ployers and strangers has been very humbling. Being so far from home and having to rely on strangers made us realize what a blessing it truly is to be from a small community like Madras. Receiving mail in the hospi tal was always a surprise. From letters, to handmade cards from school children, they made us realize what an impact a single person can make on a commu nity. We are very proud of Alex and his sacrifice that he made for his country. He has come a long way since that first night that we saw him lying in the hos pital. And we will share his progress with all of you as he continues to heal and go through what is sure to be the most trying times of his young Efe. We ask that you please con tinue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. T h e Jo h n so n family, Jam es, Alex, W illiam and Anna. Rescue effort multiple other emergency re sponders. This single event brought out the best in people and created an example of what mutual aid and shared resources is all about This event although tragic 'and heartfelt has created I be lieve a renewed commitment that people can see the benefit to engage in mutual aid and the sharing o f resources and per sonnel in times of emergency. As a side note, I appreciated very much seeing more of In dian culture and the tribal mem bers’ sense of family. When the family said they were going to stay until their loved ones were found, that said a lot about family. The willing ness for the other relatives and friends to stay “no matter how long it took,” gave me a perspec tive I had not seen before. Sincerely yours, Ken M atlack, M orrow County sheriff. anyone who was associated with the Indian boarding schools and hospital on our reservation. Many Natives from all over the state and out o f state were brought to these schools and hospitals and we want to cap ture their stories. Our records indicate that Warm Springs tribal m em bers w ere am ong the people brought to our reserva tion to attend these schools and hospital. We would like to collaborate w ith as many tribes in the Northwest to get this story out. Please contact me if you would like to help with this project. Thank you. Amber Santiago, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Historic Pres ervation, 3009 East Portland Ave., Tacoma, Wash. 98404. Ph. 253-573-7965. Email: amber. santiago@puyalluptribe. Time is now I just want to thank those w ho rem em ber me and my brothers, and our special day. It’s been years since I’ve spoken to some of you that remember us, and it really touches my heart. Thank you to mom Marlena, au n t M yrna F., Jolina W., Nachelle K., Vallejo B., so that you all may know your families are always prayed for. I love you guys and God bless you all. An Pursuit o f tribal government wisdom: Colors o f political activism working the Rez, recycling of the same excuse for under-de velopment of economics. O bvious m oney-m aker, Highway 26 being pushed aside, no excuses; just wanting the same old families to come into the revenue. Money players getting richer from tribal enterprises existence. Enterprise boards not being for our livelihood or our self-suffi ciency. Quit the forked-tongue now and move on to honoring your tribal members. Time to let our 640,000 acres become our paradise, time to realize reality, time to turn in side out and see where your heart really is. Peace. Special day tonio V. Becerra. Still waiting Assets in a measure of time a good example is Kah-Nee-Ta resort which has been running in the red since day one 1962. One half century ago so far and the Indian Head Casino was built in 1995 a decade and a half ago then they merged together as one a decade ago in 2001. The casino claims to generate four and a half million annually in revenue. W hat are those people the executives and super visors doing with the fortune of money, are they receiving a pricey incentive bonus paid for at the expense of the deprived tribal member owners, many of whom have been waiting a Efe- time for any dividends but re ceive the anticipatable nothing PC Courtesy photo. Sharon John (at center with award) traveled to Washington, D.C., recently to accept the Indian Health Services Directors Award. John worked at the Warm Springs clinic for three years before moving to Yakama, where she coordinates the Healthy Heart Program, for which she was recognized at the award ceremony, held at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. The dress that Mrs. John wore to the event was made by Janice Clements of the Warm Springs Health Board. Also pictured are Robin John (left), lead case manager; Heather Peterson, pharmacy director, and Sharon’s husband Lehigh John. except the wrangling sob stories plus all the annoying resort and casino traffic on Highway 3. Most of the tribal members are oppressed and are tired of their non producing assets of their enterprises and the sob stories every single year. Bigot-nepotism and racism are thriving family hiring family and the networks o f racist cronies unite similar to the three musketeers. Everyone wants and exploits everything we have money, resources and land. The old divide and conquer sys tem is utilized. It is weU known alone we can do virtually noth ing we need to be more Eke the old saying goes “alone we’re Eke a finger, weak, but put the fin gers together in a fist it becomes strong.” We need to be united regardless of agenda and assert our rights to get what is right- fuEy ours or we wiU just hear the predictable annual wrangling sob stories for another year, decade, another half century, another Efetime. Respectfully, A nthony To the.Warm Springs Natural Resources Branch, I am writing to thank you for sending your boat to the Sep tember 2009 search and rescue efforts near Three Mile Islands. Emma M. Smith. As you might recall, on Septem ber 14, five members o f the Warm Springs tribes— a father, two sons, nephew and son-in- law—were fishing on the Colum Hello, My name is Amber Santiago bia River near Three Mile Is lands when their fishing boat and I work for the Puyallup Tribe o f Indians in the Historic capsized due to strong winds. Upon receiving 911 calls for Preservation Department as a Littleleaf. help, the M orrow C ounty research assistant. Our depart Sheriff’s Office activated search ment is currently looking for and rescue operations. Immedi ate calls for mutual aid were sent out and a large scale search and rescue mission was initiated. The search and rescue efforts were unfortunately unsuccessful A special Congratula Congratula in rescuing two men who were C h r is tm a s tions to Davina tions Darina missing in the Columbia River. prayer to all of Lynn Lucei on However, the initial search and Lynn Lucei! our family and your successful the later recovery efforts pro Know that we friends. completion of duced a “feeling o f family” by are very proud of When it O .N .Y .C .P . numerous individuals, tribes, you. Continue on comes to count Class o f2009! agencies, police and fire and with your great ing blessings, We had faith work. We knew you could do it! Lots of love, Mom, in you and knew you could do it! there are surely brothers and sisters (Erickson, Sh Now the journey begins, set your very few as pre Spilygy Tym oo goal high, and push yourself be cious and mean annon, Tyrone and CarolAnn). yond that! Love, Uncle Sterling Sr., ingful as family (Coyote News, Est. 1976) Auntie Eileen, and your cousins and friends as Publisher Emeritus: Sid Miller Congratu- Aiyana, Noelani and Sterling Jr. you. lations to our A n d th a t’s Editor: Dave McMechan s w e e th e a rt the special rea Reporters: Duran Bobb and Terri Harber Advertising Manager: Sam Howard son fo r this Media Advisor: Bill Rhoades C h r is tm a s To my achieving an prayer. God little prin All Star Spilyay Tymoo is published bi-weekly by the Confeder bless each of you Award on D ecem ber 1, cess, Happy ated Tribes of Warm Springs. foryour thought 2009. K eep up the great B i r t h d a y , Our offices are located in the white house at 1100 Wasco fulness and keep work! You m ake us so Jayda Allen. Street. you in his care! proud! Love, Daddy, L o v e , “Good people will be remem Mommy, sister Noelani and Grampa. Any written materials submitted to Spilyay Tymoo bered as blessings. ” Proverb 10:7. brother S ter’ Jr.! should be addressed to: Merry Christmas and a blessed Spilyay Tymoo, P.O. Box 870, Warm Springs, OR New Year! 97761. A ll our love, Sterling Kalama Happy 18‘b birthday H appy D ecem ber Sr., Eileen Frank, A iyana to Kendall bobb. Love, Birthdays to my three Phone: (541) 553-2307 or 553-2210. Kalama, Noelani Kalama and Grammy, Mom, A m y, s is te rs : M a rle n e , Advertising: 749-0424 Sterling Kalama Jr. Jessie, Travis, Michael, A nnette, and Carol. E-Mail: spilyay@wstribes.org. Freddie, and Ron. Love, Myrna. Annual Subscription rates: Within U.S.: $15.00. \ ___7 Looking To family To the family o f D ustin “Dippy” Wahsise. I want to sed my love and respect to you aU. Uncle Sam, Joey and Marlen. Sorry to hear ab o u t my brother’s passing. Locked up in the state prison so I couldn’t be there to help send my brother off in a good way. Stay Strong. May he rest in peace. Humbly and respectfuUy, Stu-Man Stuart A. Smith Sr. Apologies I am sorry I broke tribal law on Aug. 24, 2009 by breaking tribal code 305.466, possession, N D DH D times two, drug para phernalia and attem pt. I am sorry to aU who were involved. Fawn Begay. I am sorry I broke tribal law on 9-24-09 by not wearing my seatbelt, no operating Ecense and for NDDHD. I apologize to P. and J., and to the poEce department and the community. Shari Miller. Happy birthday and other wishes... H appy birthday to m y daughter Eleana J.H . Lawson from your father Elliot Lawson Jr. I know I haven’t been the best father for the last birthdays you had. This time in jail game me time to think. During the time I spent drinking I forgot about the little heart that breaks. I wish I could be there to at least taste the cake. It’s going to be another birth day I miss due to another mistake. I’m sorry I won’t be there to watch you turn 8. I hope this will be the last time I let your heart break. I can’t change the past but I can plan for the future. I love you, Leana, from your brother, Elliot Lawson Jr. ---------------:-------- ----- - Merry Christmas, Tyson. W ith much love, Nonners and Holly. s______,_________________ _> More Wishes on page 5
