Spilyay Tymoo, Warm Springs, Oregon
December 2, 2020
~ 2020 Review ~
April
A great example of why the
Confederated Tribes need a strong
membership showing in the 2020
U.S. Census is happening now, as
the tribes contend with the present
national health crisis: The federal
CARES—Coronavirus Aid, Relief
and Economic Security—Act is $2
trillion legislation that includes sev-
eral billion dollars specifically to
tribes across the U.S.
The supplemental funding could
help tribes address some costs of
the Covid-19 response. The im-
pact on tribal essential services, and
each tribes’ demographics would
play a large part in how the billions
are allocated among the 573 fed-
erally recognized tribes.
The community profile gathered
during the census would help guide
this determination. This is just one
of a myriad of examples of the
vital need for membership census
participation: Until the next cen-
sus in 2030, the 2020 count will
determine the allocation of fed-
eral funding for Medicare and
Medicaid, housing, public safety,
transportation, water and other es-
sential services.
A mong the highest of
Tribal
Council priorities has always been
the education of the young
membership: The future of the
tribes relies upon this, literally, said
Valerie Switzler, general manager
of the tribal Education Branch.
There are any number of fu-
ture educational paths a young per-
son may take, Ms. Switzler said:
Training, vocational or technical
school, higher education, to name
only some. These are the choices
that will define the future of the
Confederated Tribes.
As with anything worth doing,
this is always a challenge; and these
days the challenge has taken on an
added context: The schools are
closed—meaning self-discipline
and support of family, friends and
community are essential for the
tribal youth now more than ever.
The school district continues to
provide breakfast and lunches to
the students. And at these pick-up
sites the district has been making
available printed home education
material. This is now leading up
to the adoption this week of ‘Dis-
tance Learning for All.’
I n mid April, Tribal Council
took two key actions regarding
the immediate work future of most
tribal employees. Council ex-
tended the organization shut-down
stay-at-home administrative leave
policy for an additional two weeks,
through May 8. Council also
added a coronavirus relief provi-
sion to the employee 401-k plan.
The 401-k plan addition gives
employees, who experience finan-
cial hardship because of the pan-
demic, a means to access their
retirement account funds without
the immediate 10-percent early
withdrawal tax penalty. The
amount withdrawn will be subject
to taxation, to be spread over a
three-year period.
The change to the 401-K policy
came on the recommendation of
the tribal Pension Committee, as
presented by Catherine Langford,
committee attorney.
The Council vote to add the
coronavirus hardship provision
to the retirement fund policy,
like the vote on the extension of
administrative leave, was unani-
mous.
The change to retirement fund
access, and waiver of the 10-per-
cent penalty and tax deferral,
would be in effect through De-
cember 31. The change is called
a ‘coronavirus-related distribution,’
or CRD; and is part of the
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Eco-
nomic Stability—Cares—Act.
R esidents at long term care fa-
cilities are among the highest at
risk from the coronavirus. In the
starkest of terms, the long-term
care residents are the most likely
to die from the coronavirus, given
their advanced age and the preva-
lence of other health conditions,
according to the Centers for Dis-
ease Control.
During the Covid-19 pandemic,
these facilities are among the hard-
est hit: In Oregon half of all
deaths from the virus have hap-
pened among residents of long-
Page 7
(Continued )
term care facilities. Clearly, extreme
precaution is required to protect
our most vulnerable, and those who
care for them.
The staff at High Lookee
Lodge are taking all measures to
best ensure the safety of the 16
residents and 15 staff, 24 hours
seven days a week. Yet there is an
issue being addressed in these ex-
traordinary times:
High Lookee Lodge is closed to
the general public. Staff only, with
the exception of medical provid-
ers and necessary delivery work-
ers—following all proper precau-
tions—are allowed in the building.
At the same time High Lookee
Lodge is a fully licensed assisted
living facility, meaning the residents
themselves are allowed to come
and go as they wish. In a vehicle
family or friends can pull up in
front of High Lookee, pick up a
resident, go for a drive, stop by a
residence or store; and then return
to the lodge.
T he 2020 Census is under way
on the reservation and among
tribal members. Because of the
coronavirus and stay-at-home re-
quirements, the time to submit
your census information is ex-
tended from the previous end date
of July to October 31.
M onitoring the Covid-19 situ-
ation on the reser vation, the
War m Springs Health and
Wellness Center by mid April had
tested about 200 residents.
Thankfully, many of the test
samples came back negative;
while eleven have come back
positive, as of mid April.
The state lab where the samples
are evaluated is taking between one
and two days for results, said Hyllis
Dauphinais, Health and Wellness
Center chief executive officer. In
a satement Mr. Dauphinais said:
‘Today and every day since we
stood up our incident command
and our Tribal Partners Response
Team, I have worked together with
an amazing team of committed
community members in response
to the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘This team has been tasked with
providing recommendations to the
Tribal Council. I would like to rec-
Early 2020 Tribal Member Exhibit artwork by Ellen Taylor.
ognize the members of the cur-
rent Tribal Partners Response
Team.’
B allots are out for the May
19 Oregon Primary. There are
local, state and federal candidates
on the ballot, partisan and non-
partisan. Examples of more lo-
calized races:
Carina Miller is running in the
Democratic primary for Oregon
State Senate District 30. Incum-
bent Lynn Findley is running in the
Republican primary for Oregon
State Senate District 30.
A position is open on the
Jefferson County Board of Com-
missioners. The candidates for
county commission position no. 3
are Kenneth Bicart, Wayne Fording
and Kim Schmith.
May
T he Warm Springs gaming
enterprise continues to monitor
closely the Covid-19 pandemic.
The enterprise has made the fol-
lowing statement:
After much consideration, ex-
tensive review of current situa-
tions with our Tribal Council and
board of directors, Indian Head
Casino management has extended
the voluntary closure until further
notice. At this time, we cannot pro-
vide a definite reopen date.
(Review continues December 16)
Sue Matters/KWSO
In the Tribal Court of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Confederated Tribes of
War m Springs, Petitioner vs
Russell Charley jr., Respondent;
Case No. FG11-19. TO: Russell
Charley Jr:
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTI-
FIED that a Pre-Trial Hearing has
been scheduled with the Warm
Springs Tribal Court. By this notice
you are summoned to appear in this
matter at a hearing scheduled for
January 6, 2021 at 3:00 pm
Confederated Tribes of
War m Springs, Petitioner vs
Preston Tom, Respondent; Case
No. CR215-20. TO: Preston
Tom:
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTI-
FIED that a Discovery Hearing has
been scheduled with the Warm
Springs Tribal Court. By this notice
you are summoned to appear in this
matter at a hearing scheduled for
January 6, 2021 at 3:00 pm
Confederated Tribes of
War m Springs, Petitioner vs
URSELA RUSSELL, Respon-
dent; Case No. CR170-20. TO:
Ursela Russell:
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTI-
FIED that a Show Cause Hearing
has been scheduled with the Warm
Springs Tribal Court. By this notice
you are summoned to appear in this
matter at a hearing scheduled for
January 5, 2021 at 8:00 am
Confederated Tribes of
War m Springs, Petitioner vs
Shanell Kalama, Respondent;
Case No. CR180-20. TO:
Shanell Kalama:
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTI-
FIED that a Discovery Hearing has
been scheduled with the Warm
Springs Tribal Court. By this notice
you are summoned to appear in this
matter at a hearing scheduled for
January 6, 2021 at 3:00 pm
PROBATE
In the matter of the estate of
Mernie C. Polk, W.S., U/A, de-
ceased. Estate no. 2011-PR01. To
Cecelia LeClaire, Alvin Wells, Travis
Wells, Michelle Wells, Anthony
Guerin, Raymond Wells, Angel
Wells and Martirai Ramsey:
You are hereby notified that an
informal probate hearing is sched-
uled for 2 p.m. on December 16,
2020.
In the matter of the state of
Darrell Anthony James Smith,
W.S., U/A, deceased. Estate no.
2015-39. To Cheryle Smith and
Mackalin Kalama:
You are hereby notified that an
informal probate hearing is sched-
uled for 11 a.m. on December 28,
2020.
Confederated Tribes of
Warm Springs, Plaintiff, vs Katie
Smith, Defendant; Case No.
CR160-20. TO: Ellery Leclaire:
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTI-
FIED that a Criminal Arraignment
Hearing has been scheduled with
the Warm Springs Tribal Court. By
this notice you are summoned to
appear in this matter at a hearing
scheduled for December 29, 2020
@ 8:00am
Confederated Tribes of
Warm Springs, Plaintiff, vs Jayce
Allen, Defendant; Case No.
CR563-19. TO: Jayce Allen:
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTI-
FIED that ORAL ARGUMENTS
has been scheduled with the Warm
Springs Tribal Court. By this notice
you are summoned to appear in this
matter at a hearing scheduled for
January 14, 2021 @ 9:00am
Confederated Tribes of
War m Springs, Plaintiff, vs
Eller y Leclaire, Defendant;
Case No. CR162-20. TO: Ellery
Leclaire:
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTI-
FIED that a Criminal Arraignment
Hearing has been scheduled with
the Warm Springs Tribal Court. By
this notice you are summoned to
appear in this matter at a hearing
scheduled for December 29, 2020
@ 8:00am
Confederated Tribes of
Warm Springs, Plaintiff, vs Louis
Tewee Jr., Defendant; Case No.
CR151-20; CR81-20; CR560-19.
TO: Louis Tewee Jr.:
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTI-
FIED that a SHOW CAUSE
HEARING has been scheduled
with the Warm Springs Tribal Court.
By this notice you are summoned
to appear in this matter at a hearing
scheduled for December 8, 2020
@ 8:00am
A safety and parking logistics planning meeting at the clinic
among Yvonne Iverson, Amy Whistler and Dr. Locker (from
left).