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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 7, 2026)
Spilyay Tymoo Coyote News, est. 1976 January 7, 2026 - Vol. 51, No. 1 The Salmonfly Project Here are some details of the Salmonfly proposal, as stated in the assessment: “The project would de- velop up to 250 megawatts of solar generation and up to 250 megawatts of battery storage on roughly 2,000 acres of reservation land south of the Warm Springs community, con- necting into the grid at the tribe’s 230 kV bay at Round Butte substa- tion across the river on U.S. Forest Service land. “It is designed for at least a 30- year life under a long-term lease, with an option for the tribes to as- sume ownership of the facilities.” In developing the assessment for public comment, the team looked at environmental, cultural, and economic implications; and setting clear condi- tions that any approval must follow. Continues on page 8 ECR WSS Postal Patron U.S. Postage PRSRT STD Warm Springs, OR 97761 Wiyak’ik’ila – Winter - Anm Salmonfly solar project open to public comment The Branch of Natural Re- sources 30-day public comment period is open regarding the assess- ment of the Salmonfly Solar and Energy Storage Project, proposed for the reservation. The project is a partnership be- tween Warm Springs Power and Water Enterprises and BrightNight Power to build a commercial-scale solar and battery facility on tribal land, supporting tribal sovereignty, climate goals, and long-term com- munity benefits. Under the tribes’ Integrated Re- source Management Plan, the Branch of Natural Resources and Project Inter-Disciplinary Team last week released the Project Assess- ment for public comment, ending January 31. There are copies of the 31-page Salmonfly assessment avail- able at the Branch of Natural Re- sources and Forestry offices, and at the Warm Springs Post Office. Com- ments can be made online at: forms.gle/4aNdB71o2C7KQMYT7 Or contact Natural Resources, 541-553-2001. A little over a year ago, BrightNight hosted a 4-hour public scoping meeting at the Greeley Heights Community Center: “The event was attended by over 25 tribal members and employees, who participated in a comprehen- sive project review presentation. At- tendees engaged in thoughtful, con- structive dialogue with project de- velopers, who carefully documented all feedback, questions and concerns. “The insights gathered during this meeting will play a critical role in shaping the project’s direction, en- suring that the voices of commu- nity members are fully integrated into the planning and development phases of the proposed solar initia- tive.” The current comment period continues the public participation in the decision-making process: PO Box 489 Warm Springs, OR 97761 The 2026 Miss Warm Springs Crown and Sash are now ready for this year’s Pageant. With very beautiful beadwork, Sandra Danzuka, Tribal Council office manager, made the Crown; and Kelly Moody again made Sash, also of great beauty. Kelly made the 2025 Sash as well. Currently, as the 2025 Miss Warm Springs, Waurica Miller has been a great cultural ambassador for tribes. The date for the 2026 Pageant is not yet confirmed, though coming up soon. Any young woman 18 to 24 who is interested in becoming the 2026 Miss Warm Springs, please contact the Tribal Council Office, and talk with Minnie Yahtin or Sandra. Their emails are: minnie.yahtin@wstribes.org sandra.danzuka@wstribes.org $1 million for tribes’ residential treatment work The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have received $1 million state allocation to help fund more residential treatment options on the reservation. The tribes are weighing how best to use the funding to help with residential treatment available to tribal members, said T.J. Foltz, general man- ager of Health and Human Services, which includes the Behavioral Health Services. An option for the new funding, as an example, is us- ing the $1 million in conjunc- tion with an existing plan, ex- panding its potential, Mr. Foltz said. There is a current plan in an early stage, for instance, to build new residential units in the area of the Warm Springs IHS Clinic and Early Childhood Edu- cation Center. There could be new residential housing in the area, in addition to residential treatment housing. Health and Human Services- Behavioral Health have past ex- perience working with the Warm Springs Housing Authority. Their cooperation in 2024 led to the development of the Per- manent Supportive Housing project, located on Park Place Court in the trailer court area. This development is to help chronically homeless members of the community. The project also used a state of Oregon allocation, the first time Housing used a state grant for such work. The recent $1 million to the tribes from the state is part of $65 million overall that Gov. Kotek awarded to various entities across the state. In all, the total alloca- tion is intended to add 146 new residential behavioral health treat- ment beds, including the five for the Warm Springs Reservation. The funding was made possible through House Bill 2059 from last year’s legislative session, to in- crease the capacity of residential behavioral health services provid- ing withdrawal management, resi- dential treatment, and psychiatric inpatient care services. Projects were selected to meet urgent local needs and to open as quickly as possible, with new beds expected to come online between December 2026 and January 2028. The Spilyay this year turning 50 The first edition of the Spilyay Tymoo came out on March 19, 1976; so the present year marks the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Spilyay. KWSO this year is also marking its Fifty- year anniversary. This year marks the Fifty- Year Anniversary of the Spilyay Tymoo, the first edition having been published early in the year 1976. KWSO is also marking its 50-year anniversary, the station having first broadcast in 1976. The first edition of the Spilyay came out on March 19, 1976. On the front page is an explanation from the editor at the time, atwai Sidney Miller, who wrote: “This first edition of the ‘Spilyay Tymoo’ (Coyote News) is an effort to keep tribal mem- bers informed of reservation ac- tivities, as well as national and state news that is pertinent to the tribe; to try to bring the tribal members in closer contact with the tribal, Bureau of Indian Af- fairs, and community organiza- tions, as well as individuals who have a direct bearing on tribal matters. Emphasis will be on ac- curacy and impartiality...” Interestingly, at the time of the first publication, the name Spilyay Tymoo was not necessar- ily considered permanent. As the note from the editor also says: “The choice of S p i l y a y Tymoo as the title for the paper the Spilyay masthead, as Pub- lisher Emeritus. A top story of the first edi- tion was the swearing-in of two new Tribal Council members: Orin Johnson and Wilbur Johnson. Two vacancies had happened on the Council after two members, Nick Kalama and Robert Macy, resigned. Mr. Kalama had resigned to be- come the Paiute Chief. Some other news from the first Spilyay: Sarah Greene be- came the 1976 Miss Warm Springs; and the Kah-Nee-Ta Golf Course hosted the Kah- Nee-Ta Pro-Am Invitational. The edition includes an in- depth interview by J.P. Patt of the Kah-Nee-Ta general man- ager at the time, Dan Myles. There was also an emphasis on local sports coverage like basketball, boxing and golf. Most of the old Spilyays, from the very beginning up to the current time, are now online, thanks to a history pres- ervation project a few years ago by the University of Oregon Library. The site is: oregonnews.uoregon.edu was an arbitrary one by the news- paper staff, as no suggestions were submitted to our office by press time… If there are any other sug- gestions, feel free to drop them by the office.” There were two staff on the Spilyay at the time: Sidney Miller, editor, and Olney Patt Jr., reporter- photographer. Mr. Miller worked at the Spilyay for more than three decades, and his name remains on
