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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 18, 2026)
Culture and Heritage Teacher Highlight – Roxanne Kelly ~ by Gina Ricketts, Career Counselor, Confederated Tribes, Education Roxanne Kelly has been in Cul- ture and Heritage since 2016, teaching Numu in the Warm Springs k-8 Academy, Early Childhood Education Center, and now at the Madras High School. She has been in the Numu lan- guage since she was growing up just listening to her family in Ne- vada and Oregon, and every- where with her relatives. She never thought she was going to be a teacher until she met Pamela (Smith) Cardenas, who in- troduced her to Shirley Tufti, a teacher at Culture and Heritage. She was the one who persuaded her to be a teacher of the Numu lan- guage and to never let it go. When Roxanne started she was happy to see there was writing al- ready being done, and that she was able to read and understand the things that were once written. At the time, she didn’t even know it could be written! As a teacher she gets to carry it on with new learn- ings and lessons. She believes that anyone can learn the language if they are ea- ger to learn or try. “Study when possible or ask people who do know,” Roxanne says. “Never be scared, because it’s our identity, our culture. “It has preserved our ways of life. There are meanings in our songs, our churches and our health with prayers.” Roxanne believes that the con- nection between language and well- being is our cultural identity, our health, our community belonging, and ancestry knowledge of what was passed down. She continues to stay con- nected with her current teaching practices by talking with family, attending teacher trainings on us- ing technology in her classes with the Warm Springs Academy and Madras High School; as well as language conferences or gather- ings at curtain places like the Na- tive Indian Language Institute in Eugene. Zipline drone test site meetings “ Never be scared, because it’s our identity, our cul- ture. It has pre- served our ways of life. There are meanings in our songs, our churches and our health with prayers. ” She also does a lot of research on Numu to continue with what she wants to know to pass on to her students. Film about Commissary business center to tell tribes’ story The Warm Springs Community Action Team received a grant that will support the production of A Bridge to the Future, the first-ever film to tell the story of the Warm Springs Reservation and its people into the present. The film is written, filmed and edited by and with tribal members. The story uses the Community Ac- tion Team Commissary small busi- ness development center project as a central metaphor. Through the history, present and future of the Commissary, the film explores how the Warm Spring people use the tools of the colo- nizer to dismantle oppression and build something new and power- ful, shaped by tribal hands and in- vested in a tribal future. The recent grant funding, total- ling $75,000, comes from the America 250 Oregon Commission, celebrating the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States. For the grant project, the com- mission worked in partnership with Oregon Heritage and the Oregon Historical Society. The Commissary history film is one of 25 funded during the recent commission award round. All of the projects help com- Notes... Conceptual rendering of the Commissary small business center. Crews are currently working at the site, that will include the business center itself, and outside food court area. memorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. With the Community Action Team, two other Central Oregon organizations are recipients: ClearPath Healthcare of Redmond, and the High Desert Museum in Bend. nd . Details of their plans for the funding are in the list below. These grants are in addition to an initial $50,000 in total Summaries of Tribal Council December 1, 2025 The meeting was called to or- der by Chairman Dennis White III. Roll call: Lincoln Jay Suppah, Chief Jefferson Greene, Raymond ‘Captain’ Moody, Alvis Smith III, Vice Chair man Carlos Calica, Jonathan Smith Sr., Lonnie Rosie Tom, Brigette McConville, Chief Joseph Moses. Minnie Yahtin, Re- corder. Invocation given by Captain. . Bureau of Indian Affairs up- date with Ken Brochert, acting su- perintendent. . Other business: Discussed the request from the Cannabis Project, to be scheduled. . Federal and legislative updates by phone calls. . Tribal attorney update with Howard Arnett, Josh Newton and Ellen Grover: Letter to Land Conservation and Development Commission. Consensus approving the Chair- man to sign the letter, with cor- rections. Executive session, 2:54-4:40 p.m. Motion by Alvis to adjourn at 4:55. Second by Captain. December 2 The meeting was called to or- der by Chairman White. Roll call: Lincoln Jay Suppah, Raymond Captain Moody, Alvis Smith III, Chief Jefferson Greene, Brigette McConville, Vice Chair man Carlos Calica, Lonnie Rosie Tom, Jonathan Smith Sr. Minnie Yahtin, Recorder. Invocation given by Chief Greene. The tribal community is invited to attend a meeting regarding the Warm Springs Zipline Drone Testing Site opportunity. The proposed project is presented by Warm Springs Economic Development. The meetings are sched- uled from 6 to 8 p.m. as fol- lows: This Wednesday, Feb- ruary 18: The Warm Springs Agency Longhouse. Thurs- day, Febr uar y 19: The Simnasho Longhouse. The Seekseequa meeting was for Tuesday of this week. The agenda for the meet- ings includes a light dinner, followed by introductions, project overview, and com- munity discussion. Hosted by Warm Springs Economic Development and Zipline, the presenters are seeking input on the project proposal, and invite the com- munity to participate as part of the tribes’ Resource Man- agement Interdisciplinary Team review process. You can learn more about Zipline at the website: zipline.com You may RSVP for a meeting at: wsed.info@wstribes.org · Introduction to Lonny Macy, Planner. · Kah-Nee-Ta storm damage claim with Jim Souers: Motion by Jefferson approving the request of $1.2 million insur- ance claim. Second by Joe. Ques- tion: Rosie/abstain, Joe/yes, Cap- tain/no, Jay/no, Alvis/no, Jefferson/yes, Brigette/yes, Carlos/ yes, Jonathan/yes, 5/3/1, Chairman not voting. Motion carried. · Tribal member concerns: Off the record, 4:27 p.m. · Associate Judge resolution dis- cussion with Edward Henderson: Motion by Alvis adopting Reso- lution No. 13,290A, that Anita L. Jackson be appointed as Associate Judge to term as noted, beginning November 19, 2025. This resolu- tion rescinds Resolution No. 13,287, approved November 18, 2025, ap- pointing Anita L. Jackson as Judge Pro Tempore for 2026. Second by Carlos. Question: Rosie/yes, Cap- tain/yes, Jay/yes, Alvis/yes, Jefferson/yes, Brigette/yes, Carlos/ yes, Jonathan/yes, 8/0/0, Chairman not voting. Motion carried. · Other business: Discussed fol- low up on the tribal member con- cerns. Motion by Brigette to adjourn at 4:59. Second by Carlos. December 15 The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Carlos Calica. Roll call: Lincoln Jay Suppah, Raymond Captain Moody, Alvis Smith III, Brigette McConville, Lonnie Rosie Tom, Vice Chairman Carlos Calica, Chief Jefferson Greene, Jonathan Smith WSCAT funding awarded to 13 organiza- tions last October. “From highlighting Indigenous histories to honoring the sacrifice of Oregon’s veterans to instilling a love of history in our youth, these initiatives provide an oppor- tunity for Oregonians to engage in our shared story,” saidAmerica 250 Oregon Commission Chair Kerry Tymchuk. ”We are grateful to the Oregon State Legislature for pro- viding the funds that made these grants possible.” A third funding cycle will open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4, and grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eli- gible projects. More information about the Oregon 250 Grant Program can be found at: oregon250.org Sr., Chief Joseph Moses. Minnie Yahtin, Recorder. · Joint Health Commission up- date with Caroline Cruz and Tammy Wilson. · Indian Health Services update with Tammy Wilson. · Health insurance plan, 2027 prices, discussion with William Sam and Tyler Moore. Motion by Captain to adjourn at 11:55. Second by Brigette. the Bankruptcy Plan, and acting through the authorized law firm, SKIKOS CRAWFORD SKIKOS & JOSEPH, LLP, hereby elects to be- come a participating Tribe as defined therein, and release all Released Claims against all Released Entities as defined therein; that the Tribal Council Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary-Treasurer/CEO are authorized to submit the Conflict Waiver attached as Exhibit “C” to this Resolution on behalf of the Tribe, signifying that the Tribe understands and waives the conflict of interest cre- ated by the SOR; that SKIKOS CRAWFORD & JOSEPH, LLP is authorized to submit on behalf of the Tribe the Tribal Participation Form attached to this Resolution as Exhibit “D”; the Authorized Repre- sentatives are hereby directed and au- thorized to take any reasonable and necessary actions to carry out the pur- pose and intent of this Resolution. December 16 The meeting was called to or- der by Chairman White. Roll call: Lincoln Jay Suppah, Raymond Captain Moody, Chairman Den- nis White III, Alvis Smith III, Lonnie Rosie Tom, Chief Jefferson Greene, Chief Joseph Moses, Jonathan Smith Sr. Minnie Yahtin, Recorder. Invocation given by Chief Greene. · Secretary-Treasurer update with Edward Henderson. · January agenda with Edward Henderson: Motion by Alvis approving the January 2026 agenda. Second by Brigette. Question: Joe/yes, Cap- tain/yes, Jay/yes, Jonathan/yes, Alvis/yes, Jefferson/yes, Brigette/ yes, Rosie/yes, 8/0/0, Chairman not voting. Motion carried. · Draft resolutions with Pam Douglas, acting Secretary-Trea- surer: Opioid settlement discus- sion with Sarah Monkton: Motion by Captain adopting Resolution No. 13,295, that the Tribal Council, in order to obtain, and in consideration for, the ben- efits provided to the Tribe pursuant to the Direct Action Settlement and Social Dance Classes are held Wednesdays from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Wellness Center 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, 541-553- 3290. The Warm Springs Academy Native American Student Union for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students is meeting this Wednesday, February 18 during the lunch period the Academy community room. Second by Alvis. Question: Rosie/ yes, Joe/abstain, Captain/yes, Jay/ yes, Jonathan/yes, Alvis/yes, Jefferson/yes, Brigette/yes, 7/0/ 1, Chairman not voting. Motion carried. · Joint Health board appoint- ments with Taw Foltz: Motion by Alvis adopting Resolution No. 13,296, that the Chairman of the Tribal Council is authorized to confirm Heather Crow-Martinez to continue to serve an additional three-year term, Deborah Jackson continue with two-year term and Caroline M. Cruz to continue with one year term on the Joint Health Commission. Second by Jonathan. Question: Rosie/yes, Joe/yes, Captain/no, Jay/yes, Jonathan/yes, Alvis/yes, Jefferson/yes, 5/2/0, Chairman not voting. Motion carried. Summaries continue on 3
