E Coosh EEWA: The way it is
Page 4
Spilyay Tymoo December 10, 2014
Letters to the editor
Communication
and good
governance
By Alyssa Macy
East Indian leader Ma-
hatma Gandhi said, “Truth
never damages a cause that
is just.” The current tribal
government has taken some
steps to ensure an informed
citizenry, and this is a posi-
tive and important step for-
ward.
Let’s celebrate this and
work together to increase
transparency and communi-
cations within our commu-
nity—it will have a positive
impact on our efforts to build
this Nation.
Communication has been
identified by the United Na-
tions Commission on Hu-
man Rights as an important
attribute of good gover-
nance.
Our tribal government is
tasked with managing tribal
resources and conducting af-
fairs on behalf of over 5,000
tribal members, keeping in
mind future generations and
working within our cultural
understandings of who we
are as a people.
One of the key aspects of
good governance and democ-
racy in general is communi-
cation, specifically transpar-
ency and access to informa-
tion. Our tribal government
is working hard to improve
the livelihood of our commu-
nity, and in order to success-
fully affect change, govern-
ment must build support
amongst the people. This re-
quires effective communica-
tion internally and externally.
In meetings, we often hear
the many divergent views,
some of which are not based
on facts. Transparent and
timely information sharing on
tribal issues is important as it
reduces misperceptions and
rumors. We may not all agree
on an issue, but when facts
are available, time and energy
can be focused on the issue
at hand.
Information has to be ac-
cessible. It is helpful for in-
formation to be presented vi-
sually and in writing. To en-
sure effectiveness of meet-
ings, information should con-
tinue to be provided in ad-
vance through common out-
lets but should also available
online. This helps the tribal
members to understand the
issue, for mulate relevant
questions and ultimately build
support for an issue.
Communication is a two-
way street. Our voice is heard
through the voting process
and by engaging in public life.
This includes attending meet-
ings, working on facts (not
personalities) and choosing to
be a part of change-making
that works within the frame-
work of our Constitution and
By-laws. You can’t complain
if you refuse to engage in the
process, no matter how diffi-
cult, and we must respect the
governance framework that
we operate within.
Governments, elected of-
ficials and citizens who com-
mit to the concept of trans-
parency and communication
ultimately strengthen the
work they do.
By being transparent and
ensuring that information
reaches the people and vice
versa, trust is developed be-
tween all involved.
Transparent and timely in-
formation reduces mis-per-
ceptions and rumors, and al-
lows energy to be focused on
building support for ideas.
Transparency and com-
munication of government,
elected officials and commit-
tees is a great way to demon-
strate the positive work being
done, ensures accountability
and is an effective measure
towards reducing rumors.
Indian Business Talk
Avoid harmful
holiday debt
It’s a darn shame that
Christmas has become such
an economic event. I don’t
remember it that way as a kid.
But then, what do kids know?
More important is, what
do kids remember? What will
they remember?
How about cutting their
own tree; sled rides and snow-
ball fights; making angels in
the snow; or the hot choco-
late when they get home?
And dad-made and mom-
made presents. Or grandpa
and grandma-made presents.
Those were special pre-
sents and special Christmases.
My wish for you and
yours is that this Christmas
be special for all your family
and may next year continue
in that fashion.
You know I have to bring
something about talking busi-
ness into this so here it is.
Please, don’t go into se-
vere debt funding a huge pile
of presents for under the
tree.
What is severe debt?
Payday loans, car title
loans, and maxed out credit
card debt would qualify as
severe debt. The interest
rates for the first two can
exceed 400 percent.
I suggest that any debt
Spilyay Tymoo
(Coyote News, Est. 1976)
Publisher Emeritus: Sid Miller
Multi Media Specialist: Alyssa Macy
Managing Editor: Dave McMechan
Spilyay Tymoo is published bi-weekly by the Con-
federated Tribes of Warm Springs. Our offices are
located at 4174 Highway 3 in Warm Springs.
that takes more than two
months to pay off might be
thought of as severe.
Down home I would say,
“Kai an dada.” Don’t do that!
Instead, be inventive. Do
something else that is a lot
more fun and much less in-
jurious to your financial plans
for next year.
How about that Christmas
tree hunt? Or the sledding?
Or the snowball fight?
Definitely, enjoy the hot
chocolate?
Merry Christmas.
Bruce Engle, loan of-
ficer, W.S. Credit
Great event
It was honorable to attend
a well organized event by the
Housing Department staff.
People were greeted and
acknowledged at the door.
Staff brought in pies and
other food items.
Saphronia was head chef,
and she had a big smile for
everyone, which made her
food even more tasty.
The holiday cheer of
Thanksgiving was observ-
able, the children were mak-
ing friends, and the laughter
was cheerful.
This was the most genu-
ine social event I have at-
tended. There were many
people who mingled together
with joyful spirit.
Thank you Scott Moses
and your entire Housing De-
partment team for such a
good time. The environment
was great.
People will be celebrating
the holidays and the end of
the year, and bringing in the
New Year. May God bless all
people and keep each one
safe during this holiday sea-
son. Enjoy the snow as
nature’s cleansing takes place.
Respectfully,
Priscilla Frank.
Phone: 541-553-2210 or 541-771-7521
E-Mail: dave.mcmechan@wstribes.org.
Annual Subscription rates: Within U.S.: $15.00
Better tomorrow
The winds of time have
been taking away our old
ways and our traditions. Our
culture is rapidly disappear-
ing.
Soon, our native tribes will
be as naked as a tree that has
lost all of its leaves. No longer
are we guided by the old ones
but are, instead, ruled by poli-
tics.
What happened to unity of
the people? Did it also die with
the wise elders?
It seems that we are resi-
dues of a once great nation—
the American Indian of yes-
terday. It seems, today, many
of us are only part time Indi-
ans who have lost or forgot-
ten the greater things, such as
walking the good red road.
A solution cannot be
found when we are led by
blind leaders who are so piti-
fully lost within two worlds.
We do not want to be lost. We
want to be found. And we
want to see again.
Thank you great Creator
for giving us the tools we
need, such as prayer and hope
for a better tomorrow.
Charles Littleleaf
Grant helps tribes’ Dream Catcher education program
The Oregon Community
Foundation recently awarded
$68,415 to the Confederated
Tribes of Warm Springs for
a k-8 education program.
The grant was through the
foundation’s K-12 Student
Success: Out of School Time
Initiative.
The initiative was strength-
ened and expanded through
a partnership with the Ford
Family Foundation.
The grant to the tribes will
help fund Dream Catcher, of-
fering Native American stu-
dents skills that make them
successful in school, resulting
in positive impacts on aca-
demic achievement and
higher graduation rates.
The grant to the tribes was
part of an overall award of
more than $550,000 in grants
to different nonprofits
around Central Oregon.
The awards this year in-
clude first-time grants from
the Small Arts and Culture
program.
Arts and Culture
Any written materials submitted to Spilyay Tymoo
should be addressed to:
Spilyay Tymoo, P.O. Box 870, Warm Springs, OR
97761.
Happy Holidays, from Warm Springs artist Travis Bobb.
Recent research revealed
that of the 1,468 registered
arts and culture nonprofit
organizations in Oregon,
more than 60 percent have
budgets under $100,000.
Although these organiza-
tions are central to the vital-
ity of Oregon’s communities,
they are often not eligible or
competitive for traditional
grant programs from many
foundations.
In response to this need,
the Oregon Community
Foundation board decided to
invest $300,000 annually for
five years to support small
community-driven arts and
culture organizations.
The Oregon Community
Foundation’s Central Oregon
regional team serves the coun-
ties of Jefferson, Crook,
Deschutes, Sherman, Wasco
and Wheeler, and the Warm
Springs Reservation. Their
main office is located in
Bend.
In Central Oregon for
2014, Small Arts and Culture
grants totaling close to
$17,000 were awarded to:
The Archaeological So-
ciety of Central Oregon in
Bend. The society received
$780 for protection of endan-
gered archaeological sites.
Crook County Parks and
Recreation Foundation in
Prineville. This foundation
received $5,000 to offer a
safe environment for adults
and children to celebrate
Christmas in the Pines festi-
val of lights, and enjoy the
spirit of the season.
Fossil Players of Fossil.
They received $5,000 to pur-
chase a new or used portable
performance stage and back-
drop flats for theatrical and
musical performances in the
community.
The High Desert Cham-
ber Music in Bend received
$2,000 for general operating
support of High Desert
Chamber Music’s seasonal
concert series.
Rise Up International
of Bend; $2,000 to conduct
interactive art workshops
with the focus on collabora-
tive murals and screen-print-
ing.
ScaleHouse of Bend re-
ceived $2,000 for general
operating support.
Regional nonprofits
In addition to Small Arts
and Culture, and the K-12
Student Success grants, the
Oregon Community Founda-
tion awarded more than
$466,000 in 68 grants to
nonprofits in Central Oregon
during the recent fall grant
cycle, contributing to a total
of $7.6 million awarded state-
wide. Additional grants in the
region included:
· Central Oregon Veter-
ans Ranch, Bend; $4,500 to
establish a multi-generational
program that offers transi-
tional and hospice care to
aging veterans in a rustic set-
ting while engaging younger
veterans and other commu-
nity members in sustainably
managing the farm.
· Kids Club of Jefferson
County, Madras; $20,000 for
capital improvements to
space used for homework,
the Brain Domain tutoring
program operated in partner-
ship with the Jefferson County
School District, and programs
that help Hispanic and Na-
tive American families bridge
the digital divide.
·
Jericho
Road,
Redmond; $7,900 for food
and assistance programs for
homeless and hungry persons
in Deschutes County.
· The Landing Youth &
Tutoring Center, Prineville;
$10,000 for out-of-school
programs for middle and high
school students.
· Oregon Natural
Desert Association, Bend;
$15,000 to increase collabo-
ration among diverse partners
and expand volunteer-driven
habitat restoration work in
Crook, Gilliam, Harney, Lake,
Malheur & Wheeler counties.
· Sisters Schools Foun-
dation, Inc. , Sisters;
$17,000 for the Seed To
Table project, providing nu-
trition science education and
access to fresh unprocessed
produce to students and their
families.