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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (July 15, 2000)
JULY 15, 2000 5 Alligators everywhere in Southern Florida. By Brent Merrill With only nine of his ten fingers still intact, Seminole Nation Tribal Chair man and legendary alligator wrestler Chief Jim Billie, welcomed this year's contingent of Native journalists to the annual Native American Journalists Association conference. This year's event was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida the traditional homelands of the Seminole Nation. Billie showed off all nine of his re maining fingers and told the crowd how he lost one of them in a wres tling match with a local alligator. Billie welcomed the Native print, radio and television journalists to Southern Florida for the first time in the group's 16-year existence. "The Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) is one of the most important groups operating on behalf of Indians today," said Billie. "The power of the press has long been rec ognized and through NAJA, that strength is being transferred to Ameri can Indians across the continent." Amid the many conferences and workshops, which are a staple of NAJA conferences, young people with a desire to learn the trade took part in Project Phoenix. Students produced a 12-page publication that showed off their writing and photog raphy skills. The students worked closely with current mainstream and Native press journalists and gained valuable insight into their chosen field. Workshops focused on subjects like ethics and management, Native im ages in the media, environmental reporting, skills building and roundtable discussions on Tribal life. A job fair was held throughout the conference and information was shared on careers with publications like the New York Times, the Miami Herald and the Florida Sun-Sentinel. On the conference's last day, Chief Billie hosted a CD release party at Alligator Alley. Native groups Clan destine and Tiger, Tiger joined the Chief Jim Billie Band at the event. Trips were taken into the Florida Everglades and alligators were seen in their natural habitat along with a variety of natural wildlife indigenous to Southern Florida. At the NAJA awards banquet, neighboring Miccosukee Tribal Chairman Billy Cypress explained the importance of the everglades. "Every Tribe has a different way of doing things," said Cypress. "People Smoke Signals wins second award 1; J'f I - fir,- o-v Congratulations to Brent Merrill By Justin Phillips At this year's Native American Jour nalists Association (NAJA) Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Tribal member and Smoke Signals Staff Writer BRENT MERRILL took home honorable mention. He won his award for best newsfeature writing in a Native newspaper published twice a month category. Merrill's honorable mention story "Yesterday & Today: The long, rich history of Chemawa Indian School," is from the February 15, 2000 issue. Merrill worked for the Tribe from 1989 to 1991 as the editor of Smoke Signals. He returned last year in October as staff writer. According to NAJA, the organization serves and empowers Native communica tors through programs and activities designed to enrich journalism and promote Native cultures. NAJA recognizes Native Americans as distinct peoples based on tradition, culture and protection of the earth. NAJA encourages both mainstream and Tribal media to attain the highest standards of professionalism, ethics and responsibility so that Native communities will be well-served. need to understand each other and everybody has something they must teach their children. We (the Miccosukee Tribe) would not have survived without the everglades." Cypress explained that his people used the everglades to hide from con querors and survive. Now, he said, it is time to try and save the . everglades and each other. "We need to unite to save the everglades," said Cypress. "What can you do? At home where you are from you can save your wetlands. Now, our everglades are diseased and polluted." Cypress closed the conference with a word of advice for all indigenous people. "Be a good neighbor," said Cypress. "Look after each other." Gators Everywhere t Y COLLIN RAV6 SOLD OUT One show only at 7pm. Tickets for concerts at Spirit Mountain Casino are available in person at Spirit Mountain Casino, at all Fred Meyer Fastixx centers, or by phone at (800) 992-TIXX. Must be 21 or older. '1 aj.imf.iK i- 1 BOZ SCACQS TICKETS ON SALE NO W One show only at 7pm. Ticket prices are $25 and $35. Tickets are available in person at Spirit Mountain Casino, at all Fred Meyer Fastixx centers, or by phone at (800) 992-TIXX. Must be 21 or older. 1 BLACKJACK CAR GIVEAWAY O N E C A 11 G I V E N A W A Y - G U ARAN T E E D ! Stop by the casino or check our website to see if your ticket is one of trv lucky 200 drawn on August 1st. If so, join us August 16th at 7pm. when we'll give away a brand new Honda Prelude, guaranteed! WILLIE NELJON SOL D O U T One show only at 7pm. Tickets for concerts at Spirit Mountain Casino are available in person at Spirit Mountain Casino, at all Fred Meyer Fastixx centers, or by phone at (800) 992-TIXX. Must be 21 or older. I-8O0-760-7977 503-879-2350 Hwy 18, Grand Ronde, OR www.spirit-mountain.com 4 $100,000 BINCO SESSION Join us July 16 for our Beach Blanket Bingo Session with $100,000 guaranteed in payouts that range from $1,000 to $25,000 per game. Pre-reservations are being taken now at the Coyote Club desk. The buy-in price including two six-on packs is $150. p Additional packs are $25 each. Doors open at Ila.m. Everyone receives a free gift. Call us at JPIMT MOUNTAIN 1-800-760-7977 ext. 3307 to reserve your spot now. CASINO BEACH BLANKET BINCO SPECIAL Hwy. 18, Grand Ronde www.spirit-mountain.com
