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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 1999)
NOVEMBER 15, 1999 11 Elder Spotlight: Ila Bowel Continued from page 10 well for a family in Grand Ronde dur ing that time period. Ila and her sisters Martha, Eula and Velma have been very prominent El ders in the current tribal culture. One of few living tribal Elders to still speak Chinook jargon, Ila remembers when others spoke jargon as well. She said her parents spoke jargon all the time and spoke it to each other almost exclusively. "Among themselves (her parents) they talked jargon all the time," said Ila. "We didn't talk jargon back to them, we talked English. But, we learned from them. When we were growing up we always knew the jargon words. The jargon words that I retained were the words I heard my parents speak." Ila said when the family got their first telephone, they used to talk jargon back and forth to each other, and that Eula taught jargon classes. She re members Eula learning and studying jargon so she could teach more jar gon language than they actually used between the family and friends. Ila said children should learn jargon because it is an important link to the past. "I think they should learn," she said. "To me, because I know jargon, it is a fun language. In fact, I am in favor of everyone learning it." Ila beamed as she described being asked to say the Lord's Prayer at pow wows and other gatherings. Ila said she would like other Elders to join her in saying the Lord's Prayer at the ' Grand Ronde Pow-Wow. "I'm glad the children are learning jargon," said Ila of the jargon classes aimed at tribal youth. "I have a little great-granddaughter, she's five. She knows jargon and many of the chil dren that age are learning jargon and doing a very good job." Ila said if there is one thing she could tell the tribal youth, it would be to believe in God and listen to their parents. "I want them to have religion in their lives and to listen to their parents be cause their parents know more than they do," said Ila. "Children always think they are smarter than their age, but you always find out later that your parents were right. There comes a point in your life when you realize they knew what they were talking about." Ila offered advice for parents as well. "Always remember to teach your children about the Lord and to listen to your children when they want to talk and take an active part in their lives," said Ila. "I always appreciated my par ents for doing that." Ila married Joe Dowd in 1930. She has a daughter, Joyce; three grand children; and seven great-grandchildren. Ila, who will turn 91 this Thanksgiv ing, said she has slowed down some as far as taking trips with the other Elders, but she does look forward to going to the mealsite. "That's my job now," said Ila of her visits to the Elders' mealsite three times a week. "I like going there. I don't want to miss it it is a big point in my life. I'm happy because that is the main thing in my life going to the mealsite and I go to church. That satisfies me. I go eat and I go to church on Sundays and my life is complete." If you suffer from diabetes, there is a lot you can do to stay healthy. Research shows that if you keep your blood sugar and blood pressure under control, you may prevent or delay serious health problems. Consult your health care provider to establish a diabetes plan that suits your lifestyle. Take care of your mouth, eyes, heart, and feet by following these easy steps. - MOUTH Keeping your blood sugar normal can pre vent tooth and gum problems. People with diabetes are more likely to get gum problems than people who do not have diabetes. Severe gum problems can make the blood sugar go up. Once a gum infection starts in a person with dia betes, it takes a long time to heal. A person may lose teeth. Take good care of your gums and teeth as well as your diabetes. Brush between the gums and teeth with a soft bristle toothbrush. To clean between teeth, place the rubber tip of the toothbrush between the teeth and move it in a circle. EYES Diabetes can lead to vision loss or even blindness. If you catch problems early, you can save your sight. However, you may not have any symptoms. That is why it is important to have an eye exam each year. To take good care of your eyes: Keep you blood sugar under control. Bring high blood pressure down. Get a dilated eye exam by an eye doc tor every year. You eye doctor will use drops to enlarge your pupils to look inside your eyes. See your eye doctor if: Your vision is blurry; see double; see spots or floaters; one or both eyes hurt; feel pressure in your eye; can't see things at the sides like you use to; or you have trouble reading. HEART People with diabetes are twice likely to de velop high blood pressure that people with out diabetes. If untreated, high blood pres sure can lead to heart disease and stroke. It can also cause eye and kidney problems. To have a healthy heart: Lose weight, if you are overweight. Become more physically active. Have your blood pressure checked at each health care provider visit. Ask your health care provider what your blood pressure goal should be. A blood pressure level under 13085 mm Hg is the goal for most people with diabetes. Don't smoke. FEET Diabetes can harm the blood vessels and nerves in your feet. When it does, you may not feel a cut or blister on your foot. Untreated, a cut or blister can lead to infection and possibly loss of a limb. To keep your feet healthy: Keep your blood sugar in control. Take off your shoes and socks and have your feet checked at least once a year more often if you have any foot prob lems. Wash your feet every day. Dry them, even between toes. Check daily for cuts, blisters, redness, and swelling. If you cannot see the bot tom of your feet, use a mirror or ask some one for help. If you find anything, con tact your health care provider- no mat ter how small the problem. Never walk barefoot. Wear shoes that fit well. If you have lost feeling in your feet, ask your health care provider for advice on proper shoes. Cut your nails straight across and file the edges. Shake out your shoes before putting them on. A small pebble can lead to prob lems. reprinted from Diabetes: What to Know, Head to Toe, American Diabetes Association. Policy Council for Pre-school The pre-school is currently looking for two community members who would like to serve on the Policy Council for the school. For more in formation please call Mychal Leno at 879-3730 or Tracy Biery at 879-2017. Wedding Announcement Tribal member Veronica Eileen Gaston is pleased to announce her engagement to Mr. Charles Wil liam Starling Jr. The two met each other on the Internet and fell in love. They will meet each other in person for the first time and get married in New York City in February 2000. Veronica is the daughter of Donna Casey and the late Oren George Pichette. Charles is a full time firefighter for the Groveland Fire De partment in Florida. The couple will live in Groveland, Florida. If you would like to send a con gratulations letter or wedding card, you may do so by sending it to: Veronica E. Gaston, 921 Rosemont Ave. N.W., Salem, OR 97304. Special offer from MPG Tattoo The tribally-owned business MPG Tattoo in Salem will be holding a canned food drive at their shop through December 19. For each can of food a customer donates, he or she will receive 5 off of the cost of a tat too, with a maximum discount of 20. All canned food will be donated to the Salvation Army. Please call for an appointment: (503) 588-2082. Tiny Tot visit with Santa Dec. 13 Salem Mill Creek Inn 3125 Ryan Dr 585-3332 (Located next to Costco.) For children ages 5 & under PLEASE COME JOIN US FOR: safety & prevention activities arts & crafts refreshments photos with Santa & Rudolph mm Congratulations SYFJON ALLEN Grand Ronde Elementary Student of the Month for October Synon is in the 1st Grade and her I fc teacher is Ms.Deshone. I ' . ; Good job! i Love, Mom. J j ' a Dedicated to Peachie Hamm from Joseph j TUMBLEWEED A lonely sprout in the earth grows tall and proud, m t not knowing of Its future. Mother Earth nurtures it to maturity, cradee it in her arms, a than lets the new tumbleweed go, from the storms of summer It Is set free. a Through the winds and rains, the tumbleweed is ready for its journey. As the winds carry It across prairies, to mountains, deserts, valleys and plains, the tumbleweed grows weary, weathered and worn. Its seen snow oh' so deep, rivers swollen, and has been blown a by the winds of time. Taken through cities tall and wide, through mountains and valleys a so green. But the passing of time has taken " Its toll, yet the tumbleweed has had a good life, quiet and free. As the land becomes frozen and cold, " time stands still, and the tumbleweed lays down its weary soul, back in the loving arms a of Mother Earth, only to start its journey over aqar. ..,. i .... 1 'til KAT HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX 5 years old November 13 Love, your parents, grandparents, and sisters. MONDAYS from 9 to 1 1 :30 a.m. Nov. 15: Windows 9598, part 2 Nov. 29: Microsoft Excel, part 2 WEDNESDAYS from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 17; Microsoft Word, part 2 THURSDAYS from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 18: Word Perfect, part 2 FRIDAYS from 9 to 11 :30 a.m. Nov. 19: Web Page Design
