Spilyay Tymoo
Coyote News, est. 1976
Wasco
Chief
election
Families and individuals of the
the Agency District last week nomi-
nated candidates for the Wasco
Chieftainship election. There are
seven candidates at this time:
Leona Ike, nominated by Lena
Ika and seconded by Natasha Ike
DeBiaso.
Alvis Smith III, nominated
by Mona Smith Cochran and sec-
onded by Leona Ike.
Garland Brunoe, nominated by
Urbana Manion and seconded by
Cecelia Brunoe.
Wissie Smith, nominated by
Marcia Smith Soliz and seconded
by Alfredine Smith.
Danny Martinez, nominated by
Rosemary Alarcon and seconded by
Caroline Cruz.
Dondi Hoptowit, nominated by
himself and seconded by Austin
Smith Sr.
John Katchia Sr., nominated by
Sharon Katchia and seconded by
Rayann Satanus.
A suggested timeline and the
Agency voting list is available for
review. By the timeline, the election
is scheduled to happen in April.
Free water
filters with the
Chuush Project
Learn more about the Chuush
Project on Friday, March 1 at the
Community Wellness Center Social
Hall.
The evening will include an
opening song and blessing, and a
meal. There will also be informa-
tion and a demonstration of water
filters for homes and community
locations. This will be a chance to
sign up to receive a free water filter.
The PacificSource and Colum-
bia Gorge Health Council are con-
tinuing to work with the Confed-
erated Tribes of Warm Springs
Health and Welfare Committee,
Emergency Preparedness, Pre-
vention, and Fire and Safety to
help find reliable, cost effective
and sustainable solutions for dis-
tribution and access to safe driv-
ing water for the tribal nation and
community.
Free pet health
clinic in April
A Warm Springs spay-neuter
clinic is coming up in April, for both
dogs and cats. Free services include
spay or neuter, vaccines, microchip,
and flea and tick preventions. The
clinic dates are April 20-21 at Warm
Springs Fire and Safety. To register
call 503-451-0765, or see the
website:
Firstnationsvet.com/war m-
springs-nation
February 21, 2024 - Vol. 49, No. 2
Wiyak’ik’ila – Winter - Anm
PO Box 489
Warm Springs, OR 97761
ECR WSS
Postal Patron
U.S. Postage
PRSRT STD
Warm Springs, OR 97761
New vehicle for optimum fire response
A
new addition at Warm
Springs Fire and Safety is a
class 3 fire response vehicle—
the first brand new Fire and
Safety truck in more than 20
years—equipped with four-
wheel drive, allowing crews to
respond to both structure and
nearby wild land fires.
“This is a tremendous help,”
said Scott Spaulding, Chief of
Fire and Safety. “We can now
respond to areas where before
we couldn’t.” Fire and Safety
had been limited in fully re-
sponding to a fire burning in
grass or trees with the blaze
moving toward a structure or
neighborhood, for instance. The
new vehicle helps with these and
similar situations.
Chief Spaulding consulted
with Public Safety General Man-
ager Nancy Seyler, Secretary-
Treasururer Robert Brunoe, and
assistant fire chief Chelsea Bea-
ver in determining the type of
new vehicle that would best
serve the community. The class
D. McMechan/Spilyay
Fire crew members Chelsea Beaver, J’Von Smith, Cayden
Martinez and John Brown by the new fire truck.
3 four-wheel drive, also providing
greater water and equipment capac-
ity, was the clear choice.
The vehicle is top of the line,
coming in at $315,000. Chief
Spaulding worked with the Oregon
Fire Marshall in Salem to secure the
funding.
Fire and Safety often works in
coordination with Fire Manage-
ment, and in mutual aid with other
agencies of the region, in respond-
ing to fire emergencies. The new
truck is a great addition to the fire
safety resources of reservation
community, Chief Spaulding said.
Another project that is in the
planning phase is a new fire station,
A vote to
determine
CP expansion
The Daminwa health and
pain relief products are the
tribes’ first hemp-based market
items. Daninwa, Kiksht for ‘of
all time,’ is a collection of hemp
tinctures and topical lotions or
ges, as marketed by the Warm
Springs CP Enterprise. The
items are available online and
at the Plateau Travel Plaza.
A proposal from War m
Springs Economic Develop-
ment and the CP Enterprise is
to expand the availability of this
and possibly other hemp and
cannabis products at a retail
D. McMechan/Spilyay
Toya Pérez, showing some of the Daminwa products, works
at the Plateau Travel Plaza, where Daminwa is available.
as the current FEMA trailer facili-
ties are getting old, and the brick
part of the building is currently un-
usable.
“A new station would be tremen-
dously helpful,” Spaulding said, “so
we could fit everything inside, and
always have the vehicles warmed
up and ready to go.”
Meanwhile, a new four-bay
structure will be going in across the
street from the current facilities,
in order to help house the vehicles
and equipment. The department
and Public Safety worked on this
project with the Bureau of Indian
Affairs.
Fire and Safety strives to have
the best tribal member recruit-
ment program. “We bring on
qualified tribal members,” Chief
Spaulding said, “and we can also
bring on people with no training
who have shown an interest in our
field. We can put them through
school, and we’re doing that here
in-house. It’s specifically for tribal
members.”
Fire & Safety continues on 2
store or stores, located on trust
land, such as at the Travel Plaza,
or on the reservation. That is the
referendum question the mem-
bership will answer on April 3.
The effort could help further
carry out the tribal referendum
of 2015, allowing the tribes to
operate in cannabis production.
“Shall the Confederated
Tribes of the Warm Springs Res-
ervation authorize the Tribal
Council to: Allow, license, regu-
late and operate a tribally-owned
retail sales facility to be located
on-reservation and-or on trust
land for sales of marijuana and
related products for the legal
possession and use of small
quantities of marijuana by adults
21 years of age or older on-res-
ervation,” is the specific question
of the April 3 referendum.
At the Simnasho Traditional Powwow
The Simnasho Traditional
Powwow committee would like to
extend a heartfelt thank you for
all the assistance in seeing
through a successful alcohol- and
drug-free event and social gath-
ering. A special thanks to In-
dian Head Casino for their con-
tribution in recognizing our vet-
erans and elders; to Papalaxisha,
Vio Vaeth, Charlotte Herkshan
and committee for Tiny Tots; and
to those who we honor and, of
course, our upcoming future.
Thank you to Master of Cer-
emony, Mr. Carlos Calica, and
our floor managers (Whips); our
cooks for making the wonderful
meals: Amy Suppah and
Shamona Charley, also Charlotte
Herkshan and Minnie Yahtin on
meal contribution; and outgoing
Lincoln’s Powwow Royalty Cha
Cha Ramirez, many thanks for
second, third etc.):
Sue Matters/KWSO
In place of the annual Lincoln’s Powwow,this year Simnasho
hosted the Simnasho Traditional Powwow. Visitors and locals
enjoyed specials including Inter-Tribal, the Owl Danc, and
more. The event was a great one, enjoyed by all!
carr ying our title as Lincoln’s Pow-
wow ambassador.
As powwow chairman, for the
hard work of the committee in the
planning process to make this event
successful: You are appreciated. A
good time was had by all! Austin
Greene .
Simnasho Traditional Powwow
The following are the official
champion results of the 2024
Simnasho Traditional and Social
Powwow (in order of finishing, first,
Friday Specials:
Women’s Put’laPah Contest.
Katrina Miller, Yakama. Audrey
Olney, Yakama. Kristina Kal.
Men’s Round Bustle Contest.
Xander Danzuka, Warm Springs.
Cecil Jackson. Wilbur Oatman.
Tiny Tots, sponsored by
Papalaxamisha, Charlotte Herkshan
and Vio Vaeth.
Saturday, February 10 powwow
Junior Girls’ Fancy-Jingle:
Alexis Payre, Alimae Jackson and
Laritta Culps.
Junior Gir ls’ Traditional:
Joletta Begay, Katerra Jackson and
Marlene Miller.
Junior Boys’ Fancy-Grass:
Darrius Walsey, Amader Tewee and
Wocatsie Kolano.
Continues on page 4