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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 6, 2025)
E Coosh EEWA: The way it is Letters to the editor Agency District meeting on August 14 The Agency District will host a district meeting start- ing at 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 14 at the Agency Longhouse. Dinner will be at 5:30 p.m., and the meeting continues after the meal. Some of the issues on the district meeting agenda: Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs priorities. The Adoption referendum, and the Cannabis referendum. Museum membership drive in August The Museum at Warm Springs is holding their an- nual membership drive dur- ing the month of August. Last year’s membership drive raised more than $19,000, tripling their mem- bership. In 2025 and for the fore- seeable future the Museum at Warm Springs is continu- ing to focus on ‘renewal’ of our museum—both exterior and interior spaces. “This past spring it be- came apparent that we des- perately needed a new roof,” said Elizabeth Woody, mu- seum executive director. “Patching and other quick fixes were not doing the job anymore, so we reached a decision that we needed to do something as quickly as possible in order to protect our exhibits and priceless col- lections and archives from potential, irreversible dam- age.” With the generous sup- port of the museum boards of directors and regents, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, foundation partners—the Ford Family Foundation, the Round- house Foundation, and Oregon Community Found-ation and Oregon Community Foundation— and individual donors, the museum was able to quickly secure funding to make this important project possible. Annual museum mem- berships start at $25 and are tax deductible as allowable by law. All members re- ceive free admission for one year, 10-percent discount in the Museum Gift Shop, spe- cial invitations to exhibits and programs, and access to Oregon Historical Society’s reciprocal membership pro- gram, with free admission to a different Oregon mu- seum each month. Visit the museum website for infor- mation. Legal services Free legal clinics are com- ing up in Warm Springs in October and November. The clinics will be from 9 a.m. to noon at the Warm Springs Community Action Team office. If you qualify for services, the clinic can help with: Expungement of a con- viction. Tenant rights. Em- ployee rights. Protection from domestic violence. Big jackpot at Indian Head Casino A lucky guest from Portland hit it big at In- dian Head Casino, taking home a Wide Area Pro- gressive Jackpot of $52,172.54 while playing the Dollar Storm Pirate Machine. Eldar M., visiting from Portland, won the jackpot on July 29, with a $2 bet at $20 a spin. The popu- lar Dollar Storm series is known for its fast-paced play and life-changing payouts—and this jack- pot certainly delivered. “We love celebrating big wins with our guests,” said Shawn McDaniel, Indian Head Casino gen- eral manager. “Seeing someone take home over fifty thousand dol- lars on a single spin is a great reminder of how much fun and excitement there is on our casino floor. Congratulations to Eldar!” Indian Head Casino Winner, Eldar M. features a mix of slot ma- chines, blackjack, and the recently added craps and roulette. The casino also hosts outdoor summer concerts, with the final show of the season fea- turing Original KISS Gui- tarist Ace Frehley on Sat- urday, August 9. For more information about Indian Head Ca- sino, gaming, and upcom- ing events, visit indianheadcasino.com Spilyay Tymoo (Coyote News, Est. 1976) Publisher Emeritus in Memorium: Sid Miller Editor: Dave McMechan Spilyay Tymoo is published bi-weekly by the Confederated 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 Page 4 Spilyay Tymoo August 6, 2025 Many thanks you for help with incredible Japan journey To all my supporters, My 10-day trip to Ja- pan was an incredible journey and very insight- ful experience. It was in part of Madras High school under the guidance of Mr. Ian Garrett. But it was the help of many with the purchases from my fundraiser ef- forts as well as donations towards this trip for which I am ever grateful. Thank you to my par- Public benefits. Bankruptcy. Wills. To make an appoint- ment call 541-668-8352 or email: lauren.guicheteau@lasoregon. org Walk-ins are welcome but may need to wait. The legal assistance is provided by Le- gal Aid Services of Oregon, a non-profit law firm that offers free civil legal services to low-income people. ents, Shayla and Jar vis Stwyer, for taking on this ef- fort within a six-month time frame to reach my goal for this educational trip. I reached out for spon- sorship donations and am thankful to Indian Head Casino for their contribu- tion, and another extended gratitude to Power & Wa- ter Enterprise for their help towards my trip. Many much more pictures have been taken but here are a few to share from an un- forgettable experience. Thanks again to one and all with any help that contributed to my unfor- gettable trip to Japan. Julian M. Stwyer Court letters of apology I am writing this letter to express my sincerest apolo- gies for my actions in the beginning of June, when I got pulled over for drink- ing and driving behind the wheel while intoxicated, and fully understand that my be- havior also put others at risk. For that I am truly sorry. I take full responsibil- ity for my actions and am committed to making things right. I am taking full respon- sibility for my behaviors and am working diligently to make amends. Sincerely, Jarron Lopez. I am writing to express my sincere apology for my re- cent actions regarding driv- ing under the influence. I un- derstand that my behavior was not only against the law, but a betrayal to my commu- nity. There are no excuses for what I did, and I take full re- sponsibility for my poor judg- ment. I recognize that my actions could have had dev- astating consequences. And I am grateful that no one was hurt as a result of my mis- take. Sincerely, Moses Gil- bert. For the 2025 Community Wellness Center Baseball Camp The Community Wellness Center staff would like to thank all par- ticipants of the 2025 base- ball camp held in July at the ball fields (as in the photo): Mason Caldera age 11, Zatsto Clements age 11, Ross Kalama age 9, Rudy Clements age 8, Ryden Medina age 10, Gabrielle So happy age 10, Roy Heath age 10, Deshaun Palmer age 8, Roman Thomas 10, Ryker (Not pictured, Reyson Miller, coaches Richard and T-Mac. Johnson 10, Raysen Miller 11, Don Pichard 8 and Rac Pichard 10. The camp was to im- prove the basics of fielding, catching and throwing, hit- ting and running bases. The instructors were Daniel Lawrence Sr., Rich- ard Wolfe Sr. and Theron McDonald (T-Mac). Cooks were Carol Sahme and Shaun Sohappy. New chair for Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Ashton Picard, Nez Perce, recently was sworn in as the new Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commis- sion chair. Mr. Picard suc- ceeds Jeremy Takala, Yakama, who ser ved as chair since last July. “Ashton brings a thoughtful and grounded approach to the commis- sion table,” Ms. Takala said. “His reverence for the teachings of our elders and the voices of our youth are fundamental parts of his leadership that I both ap- preciate and expect will bring great strength to his time in this role.” Picard was elected to the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee in 2023, and cur- rently serves as chair of the tribe’s Natural Resource Subcommittee. He was ap- pointed to ser ve as a CRITFC commissioner shortly after being elected to the Nex Perce Tribal Execu- tive Committee. With the year-long term as chair ahead—each mem- ber tribe rotates the chair position swearing in a new tribal leader each July— Picard considers what first Fisher from a fishing family J Gavin/CRITFC Ashton Picard raises his right hand and recites oath of office during his swearing-in at the Clearwater River Resort & Casino. Jeremy Takala led Picard in his oath of office, as his last official duty as CRITFC chair before moving into his position as treasurer. drew him into public service in preparation for his new role. As chair he will be con- tinuing a family legacy of CRITFC service. During the previous Nez Perce rotation of the chair position, his uncle Ferris Paisano served as chair. His brother Andre Picard also sits as a CRITFC commissioner. “I was told by my elders that it’s time for younger people to begin stepping up into leadership. I was also told that if I waited much longer that I would no longer be that youthful voice,” Picard said. “That really stuck with me and I want to make sure the concerns of the younger tribal members are being heard and I will do my best to bring that perspective to the table while honoring the wisdom of our elders.” Though only a few years of experience in tribal and CRITFC leadership, his re- lationship with Xuyéelp— the Nez Perce name for the Columbia River—stems back to his childhood. Picard began fishing the Columbia as a young man with his fa- ther and uncles. He credits the experiences he had on those fishing trips for not only building a lasting con- nection and relationship with the river. “I remember being a kid down at Zone 6 fishing sites and seeing CRITFC Enforce- ment check in,” he said, “It helped me understand that our fish and wildlife commissions and CRITFC work hand-in- hand. That was my first glimpse into what CRITFC means to our people.” Picard shared that his up- bringing, cultural teachings, and experiences all guide his decision-making for the re- sources and the tribal mem- bers who rely on them: “By listening and learning, I hope to be an advocate for the river and all the living beings who depend on it.”
