Page 2 Spilyay Tymoo, Warm Springs June 14 Tribal Council and MMIP team review response plan Tribal Council met June 5 with the Public Safety Branch General Manager Nancy Seyler, the Warm Springs Chief of Police Cr ystal Levitt, Assistant U.S. Attor- ney Tim Simmons, and Ce- dar Wilke Gillette, the U.S. Attorney’s MMIP coordina- tor for the District of Or- egon, who have been work- ing together in the develop- ment of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) Response Plans, and who are the MMIP Pi- lot Project Group. Discus- sion and an update on the plans took place regarding implementation and the timeline. The Confederated Tribes are one of six tribal nations across the U.S. selected to develop these pilot project MMIP response plans, work- ing with local law enforce- ment and U.S. Attorney’s Offices. Tribal Council in 2021 signed an agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Of- fice to participate in the pro- gram. The tribes’ MMIP Re- sponse Plan, when imple- mented, will be designed for the specific circumstances and customs of the Confed- erated Tribes of War m Springs, in the handling of such cases. Eventually, as the six pilot project tribes de- velop their response plans, other tribes will develop their own MMIP plans re- flecting their own particular situations and customs, us- ing the pilot projects as ex- amples. At the Council meeting last week, the Pilot Project planning group presented four different guidelines of the draft plan. The four guidelines, or protocols cover: Law enforcement, victim services, public me- dia and communication, and community outreach. Each of the guidelines includes components for prevention of MMIP cases, and the best response efforts when a situation arises in the tribal community. The U.S. Attorney Gen- eral in 2019 identified the incidence of MMIP in the U.S. as an epidemic, making this a priority for U.S. At- torneys Offices with juris- dictions that include Indian Country: U.S. Attorney’s Offices have jurisdiction of major crimes that happen on Indian reser vations within their districts. The team putting to- gether the MMIP Response Plan for the Confederated Tribes began the process in 2021 with a listening tour in Warm Springs that evolved to the former Tribal Coun- D.McMechan/Spilyay The Madras High School Class of 2023 (above) celebrated their graduation over the weekend, to a great turnout of family and friends. For instance, at left, Norma Heath, Doris Miller, Chief Joe Moses and grandson Joseph cheer on their graduating student Waurica Miller; as Rusty Miller and many other parents and family members enjoyed the ceremonies. Pi-Ume-Sha: Friday through Sunday, June 23-25 (from page 1) There was really not a choice though, as the settlers were arriving in waves, claiming the land and push- ing out the Indians. Relinquishing ownership claims, the Treaty Signers had the foresight to reserve the traditional use rights to the Ceded Lands. Today, there are many tribal mem- bers who fish for smelt along the Sandy River, harvest eels at Willamette Falls, fish along the Columbia River, and hunt and gather roots and berries in various places throughout the state. So the Treaty lives on in the every- day lives of the people, both on the reservation and off. And the tribes continue to protect this above all else. Pi-Ume-Sha Treaty Days The first Pi-Ume-Sha cel- ebration happened in 1969, during the Vietnam War when several tribal members were serving in the Armed Forces. The Pi-Ume-Sha founders wished to honor the men and women serving, and this tradition continues today. The following is a rememberance of the origi- nal team who first planned and hosted the powwow, all of whom have now passed: atwai Arthur Mitchell, who was Chairman, and Bernice Mitchell. Sammy Colwash also served as Chair. Grant and Emily Waheneka were members of the original powwow committee, along with the following: Linton and Eva Winishut. Andrew and Edna David. Joe and Ruth Estabrook. Clarence and Florence Meanus. Nathan ‘8-Ball; Jim, the Master of Ceremonies. Chief Amos Simtustus Sr. Prosanna Williams, grounds and vendors coordinator. J. Silas Williams, contest coordina-tor. Verbena Greene and Perry Greene, Parade organizers. Jimmy Macy and Carla Macy. Ella Jane Jim, Elder. Adeline Miller. Lar r y Calica. Millie Colwash, El- der. Ada Sooksoit. Eliza- beth Rhoan. Geraldine Jim. Wilford Jim. Mr. and Mrs. Lar r y Stanley. Clark ‘9- Ball’ Livingston. Wally Chamnu. Donna Olsen. Pi-Ume-Sha 2023 Com- mittee Chair man Gorky Mitchell announced that Louise Katchia, as a former committee mem- ber, is serving as mentor this year, and will be tally- ing the points for the danc- ers at this year’s competi- tions. Dave McMechan cil sanctioning this pilot project. Meetings were con- ducted via Team meetings due to the pandemic. Fami- lies and friends of MMIP victims met some weeks ago and shared their stories with Tribal Council. The guidelines of the draft plans are detailed in regard to each of the four components: In the Law En- forcement guideline, for in- stance, there are details of three aspects of an MMIP investigation. The three as- pects of an investigation are: The receipt of the initial report and preliminary inves- tigation; the response to a confirmed report of a miss- ing person; and the ongoing investigation procedures, with details for each of the phases. The Victims of Crime as- pect of the plan brings VOCS for mally into the MMIP process. This is clearly essential, during any search effort, and following whatever the result may be. The goal of the MMIP Community Outreach guide- line says: “The overall goal of this guideline is to identify potential non-law enforce- ment partners to assist in the response to missing person cases on the reservation; to assist the police and VOCS’ efforts to resolve the cases; address family and commu- nity needs as early as possible by involving those agencies and professionals who may be able to provide resources and assistance; and support the establishment of the MMIP prevention and education pro- grams.” The goal of the Public Communication and Media component is assist in the “recovery of missing sub- jects, to seek public assis- tance where appropriate, seek justice for victims, and produce a timely and accurate account of law en- forcement efforts.” As mentioned, each of the guidelines is detailed as the team, the community and Tribal Council work toward its adoption and implemen- tation. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs will be the fourth tribal nation out of the six selected to complete this pilot project.