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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2004)
8 MARCH 1, 2004 Smoke Signals Songbird: Tribal Member Becky Youso Lends Her Voice To Tribal Events By Peta Tinda & Toby McCIary Tribal member Becky Youso is probably best known in Grand Ronde as the at tractive blonde girl who sings the Lord's Prayer and national anthem so beautifully at Tribal events such as pow-wows and rodeos. Most recently, Youso sang for the Veterans' Memo rial dedication and the Tribal Restora tion Celebration. Youso, who lives in Salem, is the daughter of Susie and Ray Gillam and granddaughter of Verna and the late Edward Larsen, Sr. She is also the niece of Tribal Council member Ed Larsen. Youso said that singing comes naturally to her, "and I really enjoy the performance aspect of it," she said. She said that she was always interested in sing- Becky Youso ing and took her first lesson at age 14. "I was so nervous at my first lesson," she recalled. "Because if I had no potential, I was afraid I might not get asked back." Fortunately, she had the knack for it and her instructor, Brian Swingle, was her first and best teacher, she said. "He gave me a lot of confidence." Youso really enjoys what she does. "I like to en tertain and touch people emotionally," she said. She also takes great pleasure in singing for the Tribe because it has so much personal meaning to her. Youso works full time as an insurance claims ad juster in Salem. She went to Western Oregon University and gradu ated with bachelor's degree in business, with a mi nor in vocal music. Youso sings in a soprano voice. "It goes from low to high, with baritone the lowest, then tenor, alto and soprano being the highest," she explained. In college Youso learned in the classical style, sing ing arias from operas and other "art songs." She was taught proper breathing techniques, enuncia tion and the tonal aspects of singing. "You have to keep practicing. If you don't practice, you lose your flexibility and vocal range." She also sings at wedding and funerals, mostly for friends and relatives. Youso said that one of the most difficult phases for her is getting over the butterflies that come with any performance. "I sometimes psyche myself out. I used to get stage fright really bad. I was always afraid I'd forget the words." But she manages to over come the jitters when she performs. For the time being, Youso said she wants to stay with her current job, but she said she would like to do musical theater, or perhaps try out to sing the national anthem before a Portland Trailblazers game. "Some day I'd love to sing in a choir," she added. Youso said that she always considers it an honor to be asked to sing for the Tribe. "I like the opportunity to do the singing for the Tribe, to kind of give back a little the Tribe's done so much for all of us. And it always makes my grandma, Verna Larsen, very proud." Her favorite aspect of singing is when she is right in the middle of a song, when she is putting all of her energy and concentration into her performance. She uses her whole body for singing, making sure to stand straight and breathe deep, while paying close atten tion to her posture. "You have to put everything out of your mind and concentrate. It's stressful, but once you're singing you don't think about it," said Youso. "And when I'm done, it's a great feeling, knowing I did it and all the practice paid off." Tribal Member John Gregg Joins The Education Department's "Family" ByTobyMcClary One of the Education Department's newest em ployees is looking forward to becoming a permanent fixture here. Preschool Teacher's Aide and Tribal member John Gregg is hoping to become a Lead Teacher for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and is working to get his associate's degree in early childhood development. "I have a great concern for the direction of the Tribe," said Gregg. "If education begins at an early age it will usually continue throughout life. Point ing children in the right direction early will hope fully develop a great group of leaders." Gregg grew up in Spokane, Washington and moved to Otis when he was thirteen. He worked at Chi nook Winds Casino in their childcare program for two years, but found he wanted to be more involved with the Grand Ronde people. "I was made to feel like family right from the be ginning," said Gregg, about his best experience since joining the Education Department in August of 2003. Gregg said he enjoys his job and the people in volved so much that he has convinced his brother, Tribal member Jeff Gregg, to get a job at the pre school as a high school intern when school lets out this summer. John's father, Tribal member Ken Gregg, works for Spirit Mt. Casino as a Manager on Duty (MOD) during swing shift. John also enjoys artwork and likes to play football. He likes to cus tomize cars as a hobby and occasionally teams with his father who also shares the same interest. Gregg just received his Commercial Driver License, so that he can now drive the school bus in the Willamina and Sheridan area for the preschool pro gram. He is also an assistant to the teachers and helps the children work on projects. "John is advancing very quickly in his job," said Early Childhood Education Director, Vikki Bishop. "The thing that impacted me the most about John was his motivation and his want to work for the Tribe. John takes advantage of the programs that the Tribe has to offer and is very enthusiastic," added W' jT J Q 1 John Gregg Bishop. John explains that the most rewarding part of his job is when the children tell him that they had a good time that day and are excited to see him in the morning. "We have the greatest bunch of kids here," said Gregg. "I am happy to finally be on board." New Indian Child Welfare Caseworker Brings Passion To The Job By Peta Tinda Molly Matthews is the new In dian Child Welfare Caseworker for the Tribe's Social Services Department. She grew up and attended high school in Sheridan, before enrolling at the University of Oregon, where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree with a double major in Sociology and International Studies. Matthews' parents are Steve and Karen Rogers of Sheridan and her grandparents are Bill and Rena Barnes of Willamina. "I'm definitely a local kid," said Matthews. "Being from the area has helped me a lot in knowing the community and the chal lenges that local families face," she said. In her new position she works closely with in dividual families to help them achieve a healthy relationship that fosters growth and a sense of security. She has around 8 to 10 families that she works with, living in places as far away as California and Portland and as close as Sheridan and Dal las. "My biggest responsibility is to work with par ents that may be having issues to become healthy ( 'I 1 S 1 o 1 JZ -,, . , L . -. .r a. Molly Matthews parents with treatment that fits their situation, like drug and al cohol treatment, domestic violence treatment and parenting classes." Matthew's job extends beyond the usual 9 to 5 working hours. She often does home visits with families, stopping in to check on her clients after school. Kristy Petite, who is Matthew's supervisor, said that she is work ing out very well. "She jumped right in, she came to the program with skills and the ability to work with different cul tures. She's up and running by all means." Petite said that Matthews is very engaged with the families she works with and that she is a strong advocate for both them and the program. The Tribe's Social Services program and the state foster-care programs work together to try to bring the best services to families, both Tribal and non-Tribal, that are in need. "It's a federal law that says that the state has to provide an active effort for these families," said Petite. "Unfortunately, because of the state worker's overwhelming caseload, this is some times questionable. One of our roles is to make sure Indian families get the service and that is required by ICW law." To that end the program hires caseworkers like Matthews and others to ensure that the fami lies are given the required level of service. Though her job sometimes exposes her to the unseen abuse that occurs in families, Matthews never loses her faith in the parents' concern for their children. "Even in the worst situations I've been in, there's never been any doubt in my mind that the parent loves their child," she said. The best part of her job, Matthews said, is when she gets to see one of her families re-united. "That's my goal with every single family I work with," she said. On her days off, Matthews likes to be outdoors, enjoying wakeboarding, snowboarding and sports in general. She is married to Tyler Matthews, who is a quarterback for the Linfield College Wildcats. Matthews said one of her primary goals in life is to take care of people; to help in anyway she can. Her future goals include getting her masters degree, so that she can take her casework "to the next level." B
