Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 7, 2026)
E Coosh EEWA: The way it is Letters to the editor The year at the museum The Museum at Warm Springs shared its most re- cent newsletter, highlighting the events and accomplish- ments of the previous 12 months. Highlights included the museum’s three main exhibits of the year, starting with the Thirty-First Annual Warm Springs Tribal Mem- ber and Youth Art Show; then the summer Saddle Up: Ranchers and Rodeo Life of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; and ending with the Thirty-Second An- nual Warm Springs Tribal Member and Youth Art Show, currently on display through early March. Master Class, capital projects, new staff The Columbia River Pla- teau Shell Dress Making Workshop in 2025 was a four-day, two-session ‘Co- lumbia River Plateau Shell Dress Making’ master arts class workshop. The work- shop was sponsored in part- nership with the Museum at Warm Springs and the s’gwi gwi’altxw, House of Wel- come Cultural Art Center at the Evergreen State College; with additional support from First Nations Development Institute and the Oregon Cultural Trust. Program Specialist Linley Logan, of the Tonawanda Seneca, from The House of Welcome Cultural Art Center at Evergreen State assisted in the administration of the workshop and shared stories with the participants. Instructor Roberta Kirk of Warm Springs was the workshop’s master instruc- tor. She was assisted by her granddaughter Tashina Eastman. Museum activities and grants The museum published its 2024 Annual Report in February. The total awarded from grants, according to the report, was a little more than $1.8 million. Roof replacement p r o j e c t . In the early spring of last year it be- came apparent that the museum needed a new roof as the current one hadn’t been replaced since the building was con- structed more than 30 years ago. The total cost was $130,869. Donors for the project included: The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the Ford Family Foundation, the R o u n d h o u s e Foundation, the Oregon Community Foundation, the Michael Templeton Es- tate, the museum’s Board of Directors, Bill and Kathy Nicholson, and Doug and Jennifer Goe; and the Museum’s Board of Regents, Anne Gordon; St. Charles Health System, Janet and Bob Frey, Kristan Knapp, Ofelia and Larry Svart, and Mor- gan Stanley, as a gift through Danielle and Sand- ers Nye. Per manent Exhibit renewal project. In Au- gust the museum was awarded $1.5 million in state funding for the re- newal of its aging Perma- nent Exhibit. The funding officially kicks off the museum’s capital campaign for the project, to update technical equipment and provide more information on the progress of the Con- federated Tribes of Warm Springs. The museum was one of 13 Oregon arts and cultural organizations that was awarded state funding, which will be distributed through the Cultural Resources Eco- nomic Fund. Museum staff worked in close cooperation with the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon—the only statewide nonprofit dedicated to advocating for public support of the arts, culture, heritage, and humani- ties—throughout the applica- tion and legislative process. The $1.5 million grant rep- resents the ‘half-way’ point in overall funds needed for the realization of the project. New museum staff. The museum suffered greatly dur- ing the Covid-19 pandemic, from late Januar y, 2020 through early May 5, 2023. The museum saw lengthy building closures and loss of staff. Since 2019, largely due to the pandemic, the mu- seum lost eight out of its 11 full-time staff employees. In 2025, the museum added four new employees, which brought the staff to- tal to seven with additional hires planned for 2026. Annual membership drive. The museum’s annual Page 4 Spilyay Tymoo January 7, 2026 membership drive this past fall raised $18,170. Mem- berships continued to come in after the drive had ended, and by late December the membership revenue was $22,850. Membership to- taled 193. Regional and statewide cultural organizations and other entities helped spread the word about our mem- bership drive and encour- aged membership in the museum. Our collaborators included: The Central Oregon Landwatch; the Deschutes Land Trust; the High Desert Museum; the Jefferson County Arts Association; and the Art Adventure Gal- lery. Also: The Jefferson County Historical Society; KWSO 91.9 FM Warm Springs Radio; the Madras-Jefferson Country Chamber of Commerce; the Old Mill District; Our Children Oregon; Redmond Chamber of Commerce and CVB; the Roundhouse Foundation; the Spilyay Tymoo; the Environ- mental Center and Visit Cen- tral Oregon. Oregon Historical So- ciety reciprocal member- ship program. The mu- seum once again partici- pated in the Oregon Histori- cal Society’s 2025 recipro- cal membership program. Museum members re- ceive free admission for themselves and three guests of any age to a different Or- egon attraction each month. We were the featured at- traction in July, and as a re- sult saw a substantial in- crease in the number of visi- tors from across Oregon during that month. We will participate in the program again in 2026. Notes... There is a Senior Lunch this Wednesday, January 7 at noon at the Warm Springs Senior Cen- ter dining area. Senior meals are free for all elders age 60 and older. Guests are welcome to join the seniors for lunch. Cost is $1 for youth, $5 for adults, or you can assist with clean-up af- ter the meal. Social Dance classes are Wednesdays from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Community Cen- ter Aerobics Room. Classes are open to all ages, and no sign-up is required. If you have questions, contact Deanie Johnson at Culture and Heritage. New year wish from Papalaxsimisha Papalaxsimisha KsKs Nukwashái Ayats Patlapa, ceremonial basket hat by Natalie Kirk, 2025 Judge’s Choice-Traditional. As we start a new year, our team would like to ex- press our gratitude to our families, our community, our partners and our funders for the support, the love and the grace, as we navigated a tough 2025. We experienced loss, grief, hardships and everything that comes with change in life. Although it had been a tough year, it was also a transformative and healing year for us, and we are excited to share and celebrate with all of you in the new year. Our team took a little time to rest during Decem- ber, to take care of our- selves, our families, and be in community during the holidays. One of our values is community care and self care. We thank you for your time, your presence and sup- port throughout the year, from Papalaxsimisha. Council seeks to fill board, commission vacancies The Tribal Council is looking to fill a number of positions on tribal boards of directors and a commission. The posi- tions close by 5 p.m. on Friday, January 16. You can apply by sending a letter of interest and re- sume to, by mail: Secre- tar y-Treasurer/CEO, PO Box 455, War m Springs, OR 97761. Or drop off at the admin- istration building, addressed to S-T/CEO. Included with the letter and resume, please include a signed criminal and credit background check: Forms can be emailed or mail to you. Information will be confidential to the S-T/ CEO. Trial Credit: One tribal member, one non-member. Tribal Employment Notice to horse owners: Multi-State Equine Herpes Outbreak Blue Flamez logo by Terry Lynn Stradley, 2025 Judge’s Choice-Traditional. Spilyay Ty moo (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 from the Warm Springs office of OSU Extension The Oregon Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian’s Office is aware of an outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus/ Equine Her- pes Myelo-encephalopathy in horses that were at or as- sociated with barrel racing and rodeo events in Texas and Oklahoma. There are no confir med cases of EHV/EHM in Oregon at this time. The Oregon Depart- ment of Agriculture is co- ordinating with the affected states and the state Veterinarian’s Office is cur- rently awaiting to receive additional infor mation from Texas and Oklahoma on Oregon horses that may have been exposed. If the office receives in- formation on exposures from other states, they will contact those owners di- rectly and issue quarantine orders to mitigate further spread of the disease. Recommendations for horse owners: If your horses traveled to Texas, Oklahoma, or other equine events where EHV exposure may have occurred, please contact a veterinarian for specific guidance regarding isolation and monitoring: · Exposed horses should be isolated for 21 days af- ter last known exposure. · Appropriate isolation in- Rights Office commission: Four tribal member positions. The Warm springs In- dian Head Casino board of Directors: Three posi- tions, tribal member and non- members. War m Springs Com- posite Board of Directors: Four positions, tribal mem- bers, and non-members. Warm Springs Housing Authority Board of Com- cludes restricted access to other horses, avoiding the sharing of equipment or per- sonnel, and utilization of pro- tective barrier precautions. · Exposed horses should be monitored twice daily for elevated temperature (above 101.5*), respiratory signs (nasal discharge, coughing), and for clinical signs consis- tent with equine herpes myeloenceophalopathy (neurologic symptoms in- cluding inability to stand, difficulty walking, lethargy, and urine dribbling). · If elevated tempera- ture, respiratory signs, or EHM-compatible clinical signs are noticed, owners should contact their veteri- narian immediately. Equine herpes virus EHV 1 is spread from horse to horse through contact with nasal dis- charge or spread as aero- missioners: One position. Warm Springs Power and Water Enterprises Board of Directors: Two positions, tribal member and non-member. The Telco Board of Directors: Three posi- tions, member (one posi- tion); and non-members (two positions). Water Board: Two po- sitions. sol droplets. Infected horses may not show clinical signs of the vi- rus but may still act as carriers. Horses can also contract the virus by coming into contact with contaminated sur- faces such as stalls, wa- ter, feed, tack, and transpor t vehicles. People can spread the virus from horse to horse by contaminated hands and clothing. It is important for owners to watch for signs and symptoms and practice biosecurity measures. Questions about horses or livestock? Con- tact OSU Extension’s Scott Dug gan at scott.duggan@oregonstate.edu or call 541-447-6228
