Spilyay Tymoo, Warm Springs, Oregon
August 17, 2017
Video project gives tribal views on climate change
N ative people see and ex-
perience climate change
more than most. This is be-
cause of the traditions that
come with the changing sea-
sons, from root, berry and
other harvests, to fishing and
hunting.
In recent years members
have noticed how the start
of these harvest seasons
have changed, coming ear-
lier by weeks or more.
Eight tribal members
have produced videos on the
effects of climate change on
the community, tribal culture
and local environment.
“These stories address the
very local impacts of climate
change, and show what is
happening in the War m
Springs community,” the
StoryCenter introduction
says of the videos.
The stories address envi-
ronmental degradation, loss
of traditional resources and
livelihoods, and health chal-
lenges related to extreme
weather events.
“As a collection, the sto-
ries serve as an urgent call
to action for climate change
preparedness and mitiga-
tion.”
This was a project in part-
nership with the Oregon Cli-
mate and Health Program,
with the Oregon Health Au-
thority.
Tribal members who par-
ticipated are:
Brenda Scott, video title
Traditions.
Danny Martinez, Cycle
of Life.
Karlen Yallup, Survival.
Neal
Morningowl,
Changing Seasons.
Edna Gonzales, Much to
Learn.
Tamera
Calhoun,
Through the Eyes of a Na-
tive Veteran.
Scott Kalama, Water is
Life.
Lorena Medina, Ready.
The videos range be-
tween two and three minutes
in length.
This effort is part of the
Oregon Health Authority
Climate and Health Program
‘Resilience Plan,’ released
earlier this year.
The plan identifies
storytelling as an important
method for increasing
awareness and building com-
munity partnerships to bet-
ter prepare, plan, and re-
cover from climate risks.
Creating videos that high-
light the concerns of com-
munity members is one way
to work together and lift the
voices of people on the
frontlines of climate change.
The videos were created
in a workshop co-facilitated
by
the
nonprofit
StoryCenter.
Each participant devel-
oped their own story, picked
out their own images, and put
it all together using a digital
editing software program.
There was a screening of
the videos last week in Warm
Springs. You can see them
all on Youtube at:
y o u t u b e . c o m /
playlist?list=PL2zMrq22-
Y2uED5WqdwMJUiMZXM
w4ZSMN
These are the preview summaries of the member climate change videos:
‘ Wa t e r i s L i f e ’ b y S c o t t
Kalama:
Scott remembers when
Warm Springs residents
didn’t give a thought to
whether or not their
drinking water sources were
safe, and contrasts this with
recent events that have
suggested blue-green algae
is making the tap water in
the area undrinkable.
He recalls how his
grandfather told him he
needed to “choose his
battle,” and shares that he
has found it, in the form
of his ongoing concerns
about access to clean
water.
‘Traditions’ by Brenda Scott:
A story about the loss of traditions, the importance
of ceremonies, and efforts to bring back the old ways.
In this powerful story, Brenda paints a vivid picture
of life in Warm Springs when she was a girl.
Horses were the only form of transportation, foods
were gathered rather than bought in markets, and
children were honored for their accomplishments.
Brenda sees hope in efforts within her family and
within the community, to revive aspects of a vanishing
way of life.
‘Cycle of Life’ by Danny
Martinez:
Danny talks about his
lifelong love of salmon
fishing, which continues to
be a major source of
sustenance for his family
and the broader Warm
Springs community.
He touches on the
changes he is witnessing
and adapting to, as water
temperatures rise, and he
reflects on the importance
of addressing what’s
happening with the local
environment, before it’s too
late.
‘Through the Eyes of a Native Veteran’ Tamera
Calhoun:
In this story Tamera talks about her work in the
Warm Springs community to ensure everyone has
adequate heat during the winter and air conditioning in
the summer. She has witnessed the impacts of extreme
heat and cold snaps on the community.
She also points to the infrastructure that is likely to
fail during longer periods of use. She challenges those who
refuse to believe that climate change is real, and urges
viewers to acknowledge what is happening.
‘Changing Seasons’ by Neal Morningowl:
Neal recalls his love of the huckleberry season, when
as a child he went with his family up into the mountains
to pick berries. He remembers the ceremonies, to honor
various foods, and he sadly reveals the destruction of the
huckleberry fields. Neal wonders how the community’s
traditions will continue to shift, as the impacts of climate
change continue to play out.
‘Survival’ by Karlen Yallup:
Karlen shares her
desire to protect the land
in and around Warm
Springs, which for her is a
way of also protecting
tribal culture.
She talks about the
impact of increased
wildfires and air quality on
children and elderly
residents, and how her
efforts as a firefighter led
her to get involved in
documenting local green-
house gas emissions.
‘Much to Learn’ by Edna Gonzales:
A story about salmon, the wisdom of elders, and
family bonds.
Edna reminisces about her experiences as a young girl
in Warm Springs, when the salmon were bountiful and
every part of the fish was put to practical use.
She talks of the warnings made by elders about what
would happen when the rivers in the area were dammed,
and she ends by appreciating her mother for passing along
so much traditional knowledge.
‘Ready’ by Lorena Medina:
Lorena is a young
woman who works with the
Warm Springs Emergency
Preparedness program. In
her story, she shares the
challenges her step-father
has faced in finding agricul-
tural work due to changes
in the seasons, and the
impact this has had on her
family.
She also talks about
rising food prices and
concerns about water
shortages. Lorena ends by
acknowledging she never
expected to see impacts of
climate change so close to
home.
Page 3
Clothing drive for
Back to School BBQ
The Papalaxsimisha
Program at Health and
Human Services is host-
ing a clothing drive, with
all items to be donated to
the Warm Springs Back
to Barbecue.
The clothing drive will
be through August 30.
The drop box is at the
Family Resource Center.
Papalaxsimisha is rec-
ommending new or gen-
tly used clothing, shoes,
new socks and new un-
derwear for all ages.
For more information
contact
Er vanna
LittleEagle at:
ervlileagle@gmail.com
Or call Jaylyn Suppah
at 541-280-1933.
Wild Horse Race Memorial
in Simnasho next month
The Jamie “Chili Guy”
Tohet Wild Horse Race
Memorial is coming up in
September at the Simnasho
rodeo grounds.
Events include the Wild
Horse Race (two head and
final), 2+1 Wild Horse,
ranch bronc riding, team
roping, junior wild colt race
(ages 7-12; two head aver-
age); senior wild colt race
(ages 13-17; two head aver-
age); mini buckers (8 and
under); junior broncs (ages
9-11), and senior broncs
(12-14).
Extra kids events: AUJ’s
junior barrels (10 and un-
der); Blade’s wild sheep race
(6 and under); Rubyanna
stick horse race (5 and un-
der, bring your own stick
horse).
There are entry fees for
the events, except for the
stick horse race, with 100
percent payout to contes-
tants.
Books open September
15 and close on the day of
the event, September 30. To
enter call either Gladys at
541-460-9290; or Angela at
541-325-2518. To enter
team roping, call Dustin
Suppah at 541-325-6347.
The president of the
Jamie “Chili Guy” Tohet
Wild Horse Race Memorial
is Jimmy Tohet Jr.; vice presi-
dent Daniel Gilbert; secre-
tary-treasurer
Gladys
Graybael, treasurer Angela
Tohet.
Fair, memorial race Aug. 25-26
The Wasco County Fair
and Rodeo is next Friday and
Saturday, August 25 and 26.
Friday night is the Vernon
Ray Spino memorial kids
match race: Half track for
8-12 year olds. The race is
limited to six riders.
Saturday night is the
Vernon and Nellie Spino
three-quarter mile memorial
race - $1000 winner take all.