E Coosh EEWA: The way it is
Page 4
Spilyay Tymoo January 2, 2019
Letters to the editor
Howlak Tichum
To Agency
District members
Dear Agency District mem-
bers,
The purpose of this let-
ter is to follow up on the
Agency District nomination
meeting held in December,
and the “motion to hold a
primary election for the
Agency District to identify
the top eight candidates that
will be advanced to the Gen-
eral Election on April 4.”
As the Wasco Chief and
permanent chairman of the
district, I’ve determined that
a primary election for
Agency District candidates
will not be held for the fol-
lowing reasons:
Non-representative
and invalid vote
As of the September
2018 report of district vot-
ers, there are a total of
2,078 eligible Agency Dis-
trict voters, of which 1,283
are on-reservation voters,
and 795 are off-reservation
voters. The total votes cast
for this vote on the motion
to hold a primary election
was 47 (Yes—29, No—18).
This represents approxi-
mately 2 percent of all eli-
gible district voters, if the
vote was valid.
The validity of the vote
was challenged in writing by
an Agency District stating
that the individuals voting
did not have their age or dis-
trict membership qualified
prior to the vote. I concur
that this was not a valid vote.
Insufficient time to
hold a primary elec-
tion ahead of the April
4, 2019 election date
The elections for the
Twenty-Eighth Tribal Coun-
cil will take place on April 4,
2019, and the Twenty-Eighth
Tribal Council will be sworn
in on May 6. To meet the
provisions of Ordinance
44—Election, the election
has to be held 30 days prior
to the expiration of the
term of office of the cur-
rent Tribal Council, and pro-
vide voters a minimum of
60 days to change their reg-
istration or register to vote
for the first time. The dead-
line to take these actions for
all voters is February 3,
2019.
The proposed primary
election is by definition an
election: As such Ordinance
44 applies. Due to the
timeline mandated by the or-
dinance, there is insufficient
time to hold a primary elec-
tion that meets the require-
ments of Ordinance 44 and
does not result in disenfran-
chising tribal members that
are voting absentee or off-
reservation. These ballots
are sent by mail and require
sufficient time to be sent, re-
ceived and returned.
Budget limitations
For each tribal election
held, it costs the tribe ap-
proximately $14,000. In the
current budget there are not
funds to support an addi-
tional election in 2019.
Conclusion
During the nomination
meeting, 16 individuals ac-
cepted nominations to run
for an Agency District seat.
I strongly believe that each
individual who has been
nominated and is eligible to
run should have the oppor-
tunity to participate in the
process.
Further, I fully support
taking actions that ensure
the greatest participation of
district members in the vot-
ing process. In the 2016 elec-
tion, only 37 percent of all
eligible voters from all three
districts cast a ballot. It is
my hope that in the upcom-
ing election, at least 60 per-
cent of all eligible voters in
the Agency District (1,247)
cast a ballot.
Finally, I support the re-
quest from the meeting at-
tendees for an Agency Dis-
trict candidate forum, and
have scheduled that for
January 9, 2019 at the
Agency Longhouse. Addi-
tional information will be
posted in the coming days
to help candidates to pre-
pare.
Sincerely,
JR Smith, Wasco Chief.
The election schedule:
February 3, 2019: Dead-
line to change registration or
register to vote for the first
time. April 4: Tribal Coun-
cil election day. May 6:
Swearing-in of the Twenty-
Eighth Tribal Council. For
more information on elec-
tions visit:
Warmsprings-nsn.gov/
program/elections/
Empowering
There has come the time
when the message is “to pre-
pare for what will be com-
ing at our tribes in the fu-
ture.”
There are may compart-
ments that effect our gov-
ernment and tribes in par-
ticular. The broader spec-
trum is to look outside the
box.
Unwritten laws and writ-
ten laws were put into place
to protect, maintain and sus-
tain our people. There was
promise in the unwritten
laws. Unwritten laws could
never be changed, giving
solid foundation to our “sov-
ereign law.” There are rules,
Spilyay Tymoo
(Coyote News, Est. 1976)
Publisher Emeritus in Memorium: Sid Miller
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.
Any written materials submitted to Spilyay Tymoo
should be addressed to:
Spilyay Tymoo, P.O. Box 489, Warm Springs, OR
97761.
Phone: 541-553-2210 or 541-771-7521
E-Mail: david.mcmechan@wstribes.org.
Annual Subscription rates: Within U.S.: $20.00
structure and responsibility
for “all Indian people.”
Therefore, the primary
interest and focus I have to
share is “Humanity Aspect,”
the inclusion—ownership
and committed participa-
tion—and the responsibility
and dynamics to strengthen
our future generations and
community development.
The linking collaborative
resources are our Human
Services departments, and
our security of financial
management to allow pro-
gressive order to occur. Pro-
fessional working dynamics
and structure bring an order
to all things.
Everyday, I visit different
public sights, community
events, school personnel,
church events and support
groups. I witness the poten-
tial of giving and sharing,
many skills being developed
and people maintaining
bonding relations. Many
ideas are discussed and
shared. This is the commu-
nity leadership of all of our
people. There is trust, faith
and hope.
It is the people of Warm
Springs making strides to at-
tain small simple goals that
effect our total community.
We, the people can join hands
to strengthen our people,
our community “be as one
people,” to love and respect
one another—the traditional
practice. Generations com-
ing along are looking and
seeking structure, a model to
follow, to stand firm on a
good enforcing foundation.
Restore inclusion, owner-
ship and responsibility to our
people to become a power,
positive mechanism to suc-
cessful achievements.
Thanks to Simnasho
Chief Delvis Heath: His
message to our Indian
people, logic and good com-
mon sense education.
There have been good
leaders that paved the way
for generations to follow.
Continuity in future decision-
makers is key.
Good luck to all candi-
dates to provide leadership
for the people. There has
to be professional working
dynamics among all tribal
members and working com-
munity resources, to main-
tain continuity in the struc-
tural plan. The greatest
force of strength is indi-
vidual involvement in
Remembering Judge Owen Panner
Federal Judge Owen
M. Panner passed away in
late December. He was
94.
Judge Panner served
many years as attorney
for the Confederated
Tribes, from 1955 until
being appointed to the
federal bench in 1980.
Judge Panner was
born July 28, 1924 in
Chicago. He grew up in
Oklahoma, attended the
University of Oklahoma
for a time, and then en-
listed in the Army in 1941.
After World War II,
Judge Panner returned to
the university, going on to
law school on a golf schol-
arship.
He moved to Bend in
1949. Among his clients
was the Confederated
Tribes of Warm Springs.
He served the tribes for
25 years. A 2004 Judicial
Profile recounts:
Working for the tribes,
“Judge Panner attended
General Council meet-
ings, which in the early
days were held in the
achievement. Empower the
community with honest fair-
ness to build trust among one
and all.
Priscilla Frank
Now recruiting
Heart of Oregon Youth-
Build is recruiting youth ages
16-24 years for the winter
2019 cohort, starting Janu-
ary 21.
Through
the
AmeriCorps ser vice at
YouthBuild the student can
arn the AmeriCorps Segal
Education Award worth
$1,566 towards post-second-
ary goals.
There is a 12-month com-
mitment to the program, fol-
lowed by a year of follow-
up services.
You must attend one of
these information sessions
to be considered for the
YouthBuild
Program.
(Please bring a government
issued photo ID, birth cer-
tificate, and Social Security
card to the information ses-
sion.)
· YouthBuild program,
Great Hall with dirt floors
and one wood stove. Meet-
ings were often conducted
in Sahaptin and translated
into English for Panner by
an interpreter.
“Panner worked with the
Tribal Council and worked
closely with a loved but
feared tribal member, Ella
Wolf, the self-appointed
‘meanest woman on earth.’
His efforts on behalf of the
tribes included establishing
education trusts for children,
investing in tribal develop-
ment, overseeing the devel-
opment of hydropower,
overseeing the sawmill op-
eration, helping with electri-
fication for tribal residents,
providing protection of
Tuesday, January 8, 5-6:30
p.m., 68797 George Cyprus
Road, Sisters.
· Thursday, Januar y
10, 5-6:30 p.m., Prineville.
· Tuesday, January 15,
5-6:30 p.m., YouthBuild in
Sisters.
tribal fishing rights, and
performing similar tasks
meant to improve the
tribes’ future.”
Through his work
with the tribes, Judge
Panner was offered the
position of Commis-
sioner of the Bureau of
Indian Affairs under the
Kennedy administration,
a position he considered
but declined.
Judge Panner served
as a U.S. District Judge,
and as Senior Judge from
1984 to 1990. He took
senior status in 1992,
though continued going
to work twice a week un-
til 2015.
The Oregon State
Bar’s litigation section pre-
sents an annual award for
professionalism in honor
of Judge Panner.
Judge Panner had a
strong influence on the
Oregon federal court. He
encouraged succinct writ-
ing, collegiality among the
judges, and apolitical de-
cision-making—stan-
dards that remain today.
Please reach out to
YouthBuild at 541-526-
1380.
Or
email:
katie.bauer@heart
oforegon.org
For information contact
Katie, program assistant, by
email, or call 541-526-1380.
Land Use Planning, 9
a.m. to noon, conference
room three.
Monday, Januar y 21:
Fish and Wildlife Com-
mittee, 3 to 5 p.m., confer-
ence room 3.
Tuesday, Januar y 22:
Range and Ag Committee,
10 a.m. to noon, conference
room 3.
Wednesday, February 6:
Land Use Planning, 9 a.m.
to noon, conference room 3.
For more information
contact Tribal Council office
at 541-553-3257.
Committees
Eagle art
The following are up-
coming committee meet-
ings of the Confederated
Tribes:
Thursday, Januar y 3:
Fish and Wildlife Com-
mittee. Three to 5 p.m. in
the administration building
conference room 3.
Tuesday, Januar y 8:
Range and Ag Commit-
tee. Ten to noon in the ad-
ministration conference
room 3.
Wednesday, January 16:
The Confederated Tribes,
PGE, Oregon Parks and
partners are hosting a youth
art contest for the 2019
Eagle Watch. Submissions
are due by January 23.
Youth can turn in artwork at
school.
Art is preferred with bald
or golden eagles, hawks, fal-
cons, vultures and owls. For
information contact Ranger
Erin Bennett at 541-546-
3412. Email:
erin.bennett@oregon.gov
Indigenous foods good for your health
been shown to fight prostate
and colorectal cancer cells.
Native foods and drinks
are good for your health,
and are proven to help fight
cancer. Here are some of
the best indigenous foods
for a healthy life:
Leafy greens
Berries
Native people continue
to harvest berries. Some are
widely known, like huckle-
berries, blueberries and
blackberries. Others might
be less familiar, like buffalo
berries and chokecherries.
While the nutritional
properties of berries vary,
nearly all types are low in
sugar and high in fiber, sug-
gesting anti-inflammatory
benefits and the potential to
decrease the risk of
colorectal cancer. Further,
the phytochemicals and
compounds found in berries
Courtesy photo
Huckleberries, healthful traditional food of the tribes.
have been found to protect
cells at several stages
throughout the cancer
stages.
Sage
Sage has been used since
time immemorial as a sacred
medicine. When properly
used in a cultural context,
the smoke from sage is said
to have cleansing and pro-
tective properties.
Recent studies now show
that ingesting sage as an herb
can also help prevent a num-
ber of diseases, including cer-
tain types of cancer.
Several studies have
linked the benefits of ingest-
ing sage extract through tea.
The compounds in sage have
The rich color in dark
leafy greens is evidence of
abundant vitamins, minerals,
and phytochemicals which,
like berries, when incorpo-
rated into a daily eating regi-
men, have been proven to
help prevent lifestyle-related
diseases and cancers.
Amaranth leaves are one
of the most prominent and
commonly found varieties of
dark leafy greens that are ac-
tually Indigenous to North
America and have been eaten
by Native peoples for thou-
sands of years.
This article was provided by
the American Indian Cancer
Foundation.