JANUARY 15, 2000
11
Young Hero:
Ten-year old saves
coy sinus from fire
By Brent Merrill
Lea Pratt is a hero.
Lea, 10, was watching three
younger cousins at her grandfather's
house when a fire started; a fire that
eventually consumed the house and
burned it to the ground.
Tribal member Kim Contreras told
the story of her brave niece with
pride.
Contreras said Lea was attending
Willamina Elementary School, in the
fifth grade, until she recently moved
to the Hoopa Reservation in Califor
nia. "She (Lea) was playing Nintendo
with her nine year-old cousin when
they spotted smoke in the house," said
Contreras. "Lea said 'come on, come
on, lets go' and the smoke was al
ready so thick that they had to crawl."
Lea rounded up the other cousins
and tried unsuccessfully to get out
the front door.
"They crawled into the kitchen to
the back door," said Contreras. "The
back door wouldn't open, so she had
to kick it. She kicked four times and
on the fourth time she finally kicked
it open and she ran out with the kids.
She had a 14 month-old baby, a four
year old and the nine year old."
Once Lea got the kids outside, she
alerted her aunt, who was in the
shower at the time.
"They yelled to her 'the house is on
fire, the house is on fire' and when
she (Lea's aunt) opened the bathroom
door, there were flames so she had
to climb out the bathroom window,"
said Contreras.
Contreras said the bathroom win
dow was very small and by the time
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Lea Pratt's quick thinking saved
the lives of four family members.
the aunt got out of the house, flames
where at her feet.
"She barely made it," said Con
treras. "The house burned down to
the ground. Thank God Lea was
able to kick the door down.
"She is a hero," said Contreras.
"She didn't panic. We are proud of
her."
Contreras said Lea learned about
fire evacuation procedures from a
special fire safety assembly at
Willamina Elementary.
Sadly, all of Lea's Christmas pre
sents were burned in the fire.
Smoke Signals is starting a fund
to replace Lea's Christmas gifts. If
you are interested in contributing,
contact Tracy Dugan or Justin
Phillips at 1-800-422-0232, exten
sion 2190.
G230D33
Offered Only Once This Year !
Members who wish their non-tribal member spouses to be
considered for insurance need to call Valorie Sheker or Amy Justen
at 1-800-442-0346 so that information may mailed to you.
Remember, this insurance will be offered to Elder spouses only.
IMPORTANT: Applications will be accepted until January 25, 2000
for a retroactive start date of January 1, 2000.
If your application is not received by January 25, the next available
enrollment date is January 1, 2001.
New receptionist promoting
healthy smiles at the clinic
By Tracy Dugan
Toni Stahl has been working as the
dental receptionist for only six weeks,
and already has gotten to know tribal
members, spent more time with
friends, and sees relatives on a regu
lar basis.
The daughter of Charlene and
tribal member Tom LaChance, Toni
grew up in Dayton and has lived
there her whole life.
Now married and the mother of a
three-year old son, Toni is happy to
have a chance to be near other tribal
members, and says the reception
area for the dental office is good place
to be.
"I get to see friends and family
every day," she said. "My brother
works in maintenance, and it's been
great to be around him more."
Toni is not new to working in a
health care setting. Before coming
to work at the clinic, she worked at
Providence Internal Medicine in
Newberg, where a lot of clients were
senior citizens. She also attended
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Toni Stahl
Chemeketa Community College in
Salem, where she studied medical
assisting. She said she likes her new
job duties.
"I greet patients, make appoint
ments, handle all phone calls, and
work on data entry entering in
formation in the computer " she said.
To contact Toni for a dental ap
pointment, call 879-2020, or 1-800-775-0095.
Interested in working
toward the completion of
your G.E.D. certificate?
EARN YOUR
Tutoring can be arranged for
Mondays and Thursdays
between 10 a.m. and 6:33 p.m.;
and Tuesdays from
10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Please call Susan at
1-800-422-0232 or 879-2282.
- SILETZ -Jan.
10, 11. 12 and 13:
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- SALEM -Jan.
24: 4 to 7 p.m.
Jan. 25: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Jan. 26: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information:
contact Kitty at Siletz
1-800-922-1399, 279
Finanical Aip & Scholarship
INFORMATION WORKSHOP
Friday, January 21 from 9 am to 2 pm
Tribal Community Center
Lunch will be provided
Topics covered will be:
Federal Financial Aid application
How to write a successful
scholarship application
The college admissions process
Tribal Education programs
This workshop Is for:
High school juniors & seniors
Continuing college students
TO SIGN UP: please call the tribal
Education office at 679-2204.
JAN. 17
Happy
6
Birthday
little granddaughter J
JAMIE :
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Grandpa & Grandma
V Mom & Dad V
and bothers
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Triage Clinic
dDOPOGODGog
Wednesday, Jan. 19
10 am to Noon
Clinic Atrium
Refreshments Served
The Triage Clinic is an urgent
care service for patients without
an appointment.
Come in and check us out!