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