WarmSprings.com - Spilyay Tymoo - Spilyay Tymoo, the newspaper of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, is updated bi-weekly. The online edition features a sampling of stories from the print edition.

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From March 10, 2010 edition

Dave McMechan/Spilyay

Golf instructor Austin Maki watches Rabe Clements take a swing.

Golf season gearing up at Kah-Nee-Ta

By Dave McMechan

Spilyay Tymoo

Warmer weather means the busy golf season at Kah-Nee-Ta is getting started.

In recent months some young tribal members have been improving their golf games with lessons from Kah-Nee-Ta Director of Golf Instruction, Austin Maki.

Some junior golfers have taken 20 to 30 strokes off their games after one year of lessons, said Maki.

Two of his students last year received the "most improved" award at their schools.

Older youth have taken 10 strokes off their games, said Maki.

Rabe Clements is a good example. Clements is a senior at Madras High School. He’s taken a lesson a month for a year, and has taken several strokes off his game.

The Madras High School golf season begins this month, and Clements looks to be one of better players on the team, said Maki.

Clements has a love for the game, and plans to pursue a golf career after he graduates. He’ll be taking a PGA of America course that is similar to going to college, said Maki.

The course includes working with the golf pro, and studying subjects such as golf club repair, fundamentals of teaching, the business of golf, golf course maintenance and design, and so forth. "It’s a full golf career study course," said Maki.

Annual pass, lessons

The Kah-Nee-Ta resort golf course offers a special rate for tribal members: $300 for an annual pass. The pass includes the green fees and cart fees.

For non-tribal members the annual pass costs $375, and cart fees are $8.

If you are interested in improving your golf game, or learning the game, call Maki for a lesson. His number is 541-460-0729.

For tribal members, the cost of a 90-minute lesson is $40. Employees of the tribes get the same deal.

For non-members the cost is $70 for a 90-minute lesson. The rate for a 45-minute lesson is $40.

You can also take four lessons for the price of three. Instruction is available seven days a week through Nov. 31.

Lessons are done individually or in groups.

Club repair is also available at the Kah-Nee-Ta pro shop. Club repair is $20 a shaft, and $2 per grip.

Green fees are at winter rates through April 19 at Kah-Nee-Ta: $40 for 18 holes, which includes the cart; or $20 for nine holes with a cart.

Council election set for March 31

By Terri Harber

Spilyay Tymoo

Nearly 40 people – 38 nominees and one known write-in candidate — are running for the eight open seats on the Tribal Council this term.

The final election will be on Wednesday, March 31. Tribal officials are still determining where voters living on the reservation can cast ballots that day and expect to announce that location soon.

They expect the polling location to be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Absentee ballots were sent out late last week, and a small number already have been returned, according to Olivia Wallulatum, Vital Statistics supervisor.

It is too late for voters to change districts for this election, she emphasized.

The next edition of the Spilyay Tymoo will focus heavily on the election. The newspaper will publish candidate-provided statements and other available information on March 24. Our sister radio station KWSO is running three-minute statements voiced by the candidates.

The Spilyay’s deadline for taking these written statements is March 17. Also come prepared for a head-and-shoulders photograph.

The radio station is recording the candidates’ statements on a first-come, first-served basis and will run them as broadcast time allows.

The tribes hold overall Tribal Council elections every three years.@There are 1,936 tribal members total who are eligible to vote and call the reservation home. There are 845 tribal members who live elsewhere and can vote for council members, according to Vital Statistics records.

That’s 2,781 voters total.

Agency has 1,604 voting members. Of this number, 1,096 live on the reservation and 508 live off of it.

Seekseequa has 945 voting members. Of this number, 670 live on the reservation and 275 off of it.

Simnasho has 232 voting members. Of this number, 232 live on the reservation and 62 off of it.

"We’re hoping for a good turnout," Wallulatum said.

All eight incumbents were nominated for reelection.

The tribe is represented by the eight elected Council members and the confederation’s three leaders: Chief Delvis Heath, Warm Springs; Chief Nelson Wallulatum, Wasco; and, Chief Joseph Moses, Paiute.

Candidates

Agency (three seats open): Luther Clements, Leona Ike, Garland Brunoe, Stanley (Buck) Smith Jr. (inc.), Bernice Mitchell (inc.), Eugene Austin Greene Jr. (inc.), Alex Smith, Redine Billy, Suzanne Moody, Rita Squiemphen, Lyle Rhoan Sr., Daniel Martinez, Mona Smith (Cochran), Lola Sohappy, Randolph Smith, Agnes Lumpmouth, Catherine Katchia, Roy Spino, Kahseuss Jackson-Williams. Richard Macy publicly declared his interest in being a write-in candidate for Agency members.

Seekseequa (two seats open): Fran Moses-Ahern, Scott Moses, Reuben Henry, Vesta Johnson, Jolene Hintsala, Wendell Jim (inc.), Bridgette Whipple, Wilson Wewa Jr. (inc.).

Simnasho (three seats open): Raymond Tsumpti, Sylvester Sahme Sr., Priscilla Frank, Frank Charley, Francelia Miller, Aurolyn Stwyer-Pinkham (inc.),@Rafael Queahpama (inc.), Ronald Suppah (inc.), Olney Patt Jr., Ellison David, Leslie Bill.

* (Inc.) stands for incumbent. This is the Spilyay’s addition to the list. Macy also was added to the list by the newspaper.

Spreading awareness about the Minor’s Trust

By Duran Bobb

Spilyay Tymoo

The tribes and the US Bank held a meeting last week to help tribal members better understand the Minor’s Trust.

The fund was established by Tribal Council Resolution No. 1352 in 1957. The Minor’s Trust Fund, MTF, held Celilo Settlement Agreement per capita payments for minor tribal members in trust until they became adults.

According to information given to attendees at the meeting, a resolution amended the MTF document between the tribes and US Bank to clarify its "…purpose of providing funds to assist in payment of continuing education costs of tribal members" and to authorize the deposit of future per capita payments into the MTF.

The accounts are initially invested for growth, but are gradually converted into safer investments by the time an individual first becomes eligible for distribution.

"Some people might think that the safest place [for your money] is the shoebox under the bed," said Louie Pitt, head of tribal government affairs, at the opening of the meeting. "But it’s not – inflation will eat it up there, too. At the end of the year, your dollar will be worth four cents less, so you’re losing money."

"We have upwards of 2,000 minors all over the U.S.," Matt Rast, portfolio manager with US Bank said. "It’s quite a job to keep records in place and have everybody accounted for."

US Bank was contacted by the tribal staff in 2005 to see if they could find a solution so that when the distributions went out they might be closer in value, Rast said.

"We realize that there’s a difference," Rast said. "Some people get a lot. Some people get less. A lot of that has to do with stock and bond markets."

"Having stocks and bonds," Councilman Wilson Wewa said, "you have an x-amount of big dollars to invest in order to make that work."

Ninety percent of the minor’s fund will be invested in stocks from birth to age 10. The remaining 10 percent will be invested in bonds. From age 11, the percentage invested in stocks will decrease and the percentage invested in bonds will increase by 10 percent. From ages 18 to 21, 10 percent of the fund will be invested in stocks, and 90 percent will be invested in bonds.

"Stocks tend to produce more return over a longer period of time," Rast said. "Bonds tend to have a little less return – but they tend to be more stable in value. So beginning at age 10, we reduce the amount of stocks and increase the amount of dollars they have invested in bonds. That’s going to provide some safety as [tribal members] approach distribution."

As of the end of 2009, the minor’s trust fund is $7.1 million contained in 22 accounts. Expenses charged by US Bank are less than 1 percent a year.

Bob Depew, Charitable Trust Services for the bank, said that they meet with tribal council to go over all of the investments regularly. "It could be as often as they need us to come out. We do meet quarterly."

To be eligible for distribution, an 18-year-old must have graduated from high school with a cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 or higher. Youths who don’t graduate or whose cumulative GPA is less than 2.0 must wait until the next regular cycle before they may reapply for a distribution. The default distribution age is 21.

"The bank sends lists to Vital Stats," Charles Jackson, fiduciary trust officer, said, "and those lists go to the Education Committee. They determine eligibility. The lists also go to tribal court to determine whether or not a minor might have unpaid fines or fees. When that clears, the information goes back to the bank. The bank then calculates how much the distribution should be. That information comes back to the tribe. We then send out letters to the individuals."

"Let’s say that you’re 18 and you’re going to get a distribution," Jackson said. "You have an opportunity to take that money and buy a car. Or you can take it and get an education. Or invest that amount on your own. You have that opportunity.

"What we should be doing is this: starting at age 16 or 17, educating young people so that they have an idea. They’re going to have to start making those decisions for the rest of their lives, when purchasing cars and houses, when sending their own kids to school, making decisions about their health and so on."

One of the main concerns at the Minor’s Trust Fund Meeting was the difference in amounts received during distribution.

"A couple of years ago," Ray Potter, CFO for the tribes said, "kids were getting their distribution at the height of the stock market. Then the stocks went down, so the next set wasn’t so good. That was noticeable in the youth who were one or two years apart. Some people are asking, ‘Why did one get more?’ So we spent a lot of time working with the trustee on this, along with the Investment Advisory Committee."

"I look at it as gambling," Wewa said. "The simple answer is that you’re actually gambling your money, trying to find a place that you’re going to maximize your interest for getting the most money back."

"We will have more of these meetings so the public will be more informed on how the investments are done," said Urbana Ross, tribal planner.

Target distribution dates are March 15 and December 15, 2010.

For details, contact Ross at 541-553-3270 or Jackson at 541-553-2442.

Information about shooting still sought

By Terri Harber

Spilyay Tymoo

Police are still investigating a gang-related shooting that occurred on Highway 26 near The Museum at Warm Springs.

Fred Wallulatum, 28, was struck in the leg after an altercation outside of the Rainbow Market. He was treated for his injury at Mountain View Hospital.

The suspect and victim were in separate vehicles traveling north between the two locations. Occupants in each vehicle are believed to have been shooting at one another, according to police.

Police also say the victim, who wasn’t arrested, didn’t provide them with any information about the incident.

The shooting occurred less than a week after two episodes of firearm discharges happened in West Hills. These incidents aren’t directly linked to the Wallulatum shooting, but also have been classified as gang related, said Police Chief Carmen Smith.

"Everything has been quiet since (the shooting), but we still have extra manpower out during the evenings," Smith said. "We don’t want this situation escalating."

Police are asking for help from residents to keep gang activity under control.

"We want the community to report any shots fired, any incidents that they come across," Smith said.

A hotline has been set up by police to take information that might help solve these types of cases. People can leave messages – anonymously if they choose – by calling 553-2201.

Smith emphasized that people need to call 911 for emergencies.

The department plans to hire two additional officers who would be dedicated to HUD housing on the reservation. Recruitment for this new detail continues, Smith said.

On the reservation, gang activity isn’t exclusive to HUD housing. Extra personnel focused on this community might prove helpful to the department in reducing the number of gang-related crimes by their mere presence and their interaction with residents, however, Smith added.

Those involved in the shooting traveled from Jefferson County into tribal land. This fact coupled with the nature of the crime resulted in other law enforcement agencies being involved with the investigation. Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputies, Oregon State Police, U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI are also helping with the case.

February 24, 2010 edition

Lincoln's Powwow

Photos by Louis Scott

Battle Axe of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, was among the drum groups at the Lincoln's Birthday Powwow in Simnasho.

Eugene Cardinal traveled from Kehewin,

Alberta, Canada for the 33rd annual powwow.

New program:

Cultural approach to court sentencing

By Dave McMechan

Spilyay Tymoo

Leona Ike knows the tribal law enforcement system as well as anyone. She is the supervisor of the Parole and Probation Department, where she has worked for 17 years.

During that time, she said, the tribal jail has been either full or very nearly full. Many people, she said, go through court system, serve jail time, and go through treatment.

But they don’t make it to sobriety, and then end up back in court.

Clearly, Ike said, a key element is missing in the way the tribes have been trying reduce crime on the reservation.

"The missing piece," she says, "is the tribal culture."

Ike began discussing the situation with Myra Johnson-Orange, director of the Culture and Heritage Department. The two have developed a new program—an alternative sentencing program—that they believe can address some crime issues on the reservation.

"It’s a way of giving the language and culture back to the people," said Johnson-Orange.

The idea is to give offenders of the tribal criminal code an alternative to community service: The alternative would be participation in a culture and heritage class.

People in class will meet one evening each week for eight weeks. Classes will be offered Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the basement classroom of the Education building. March 1 is orientation.

The classes will teach the history of the tribes, the languages and traditional knowledge, such as how to conduct a giveaway, name-givings, the purpose of the Feasts, Washat, legends, the First Kill and First Catch ceremonies.

History of the tribes would be a topic of discussion: From the Columbia River, to relocation on the reservation, the boarding schools experience, and "what our people have endured to reach this place in life," Ike said.

Teachers will be the Culture and Heritage teachers and other speakers who may be called on to give talks on the Treaty of 1855, the tribal Constitution and By-Laws, the tribal Code, and other topics.

Anyone would be welcome to attend the classes, not just offenders, said Ike.

"But it would be recognized as community service, so people would receive credit at Parole and Probation," she said.

Ike has been considering the alternative sentencing program for some time now, and she is happy to have Culture and Heritage to help her start the new program.

"I always say that Culture and Heritage is the most important department in the tribal organization," she said.

The first class has been set for Monday, March 1. Anyone interested in details can call her at 553-3293. Or call Culture and Heritage at 553-3290.

Ike will monitor the court docket to see if there is a reduction in the number of people who end up back in the court system.

Officials hear opinions on use of Phase II fund

By Duran Bobb

Spilyay Tymoo

Economic development, the gorge casino and tribal member hiring preference were on the minds of many of the participants in last week’s Phase II Council Meeting.

Phase II litigation settlement history includes $32 million in unrestricted funds from the 2009 trust land mismanagement settlement as well as $36 million in restricted funds from the 2010 trust land mismanagement settlement.

"It came up to a sizeable number," secretary-treasurer Jody Calica said at the Phase II meeting. "Many have seen what came out of the Cobell Settlement. What you see in that settlement, in class action, is that they all settle for pennies on the dollar. That’s basically what happened to our trust fund and mismanagement claim… Tribal Council made the claim, this is our homeland. This is the land that our forefathers and our ancestors bargained for. The government owes us to restore it back to the purposes that our people want and need."

The $68 million Phase II settlement breakdown sets aside $1 million which is mostly restricted for compacting costs, $6 million which is restricted for litigation reimbursement and planning and monitoring, $29 million restricted for restoration projects, and $32 million that is unrestricted.

According to the Confederated Tribes’ cash flow chart, the tribes will start to use up their revenue reserve funds in 2010. From there, Calica says, it’s a steep slope.

"We’re going into some tough times," he told those at the General Council meeting last week. "As far as our enterprise revenue, it’s going to be bleak. We have to make some choices. Tribal Council is faced with making these choices quite often, and they recognize that the membership has some needs. Based on revenue projections, we don’t know if we’re going to be able [to provide stimulus payments] again in the future."

Lyle Rhoan raised the issue of tribal spending, particularly with the travel budget. "You would think that you would pull yourself in and say ‘let’s stop this spending,’" Rhoan said. He was also concerned about pay raises within tribal government.

"I don’t want to make my salary the highest priority," Council vice-chairwoman Aurolyn Stwyer-Pinkham said in response. Stwyer-Pinkham, who regularly provides travel reports to her district, said that she sometimes has to rely on help for her meals during her travels. "That goes for Bernice, Buck, Delvis and the chiefs. We have caring people who are looking out for our best interests."

Leroy Bobb talked about the constitutions and by-laws. "I’m not an expert...," he said, "but that blue book says you’re obligated to protect the people and resources for future generations."

Anita Jackson spoke about affirmative action. "Our old people put money away for the future," Jackson said, "so that we could go to school and come back and work for the tribe." Jackson said she knows two people with advanced degrees who have been told they’re not qualified for jobs.

"We have to employ our tribal members, especially those that are educated," she said. "If we’re not going to hire our own people, then why go to school?"

Neda Wesley had another suggestion on making improvements on the reservation. "I have a big dream," Wesley said, "to turn High Lookee Lodge into an alcohol treatment facility. When I go there to visit now, there’s hardly anybody around. We have so many empty rooms there today."

Emma Smith agreed that a treatment center would be beneficial to the tribes. "High Lookee is going to roll that money over every month. A treatment center would probably bring in more money. Another suggestion," Smith said, "is that we start developing along [Highway 26]. We’ve been stuck in this hole now for how many years? We need to expand."

"I’m happy to see younger people on Tribal Council," said Eliza Brown-Jim. "We have Aurolyn Stwyer-Pinkham, who is a financial wizard. We have a gaming expert on our Council. We have an expert in the field of education. We have an elder expert… Today we have more seniors than we’ve ever had, because we’re living longer. I don’t agree [with what was said earlier], ‘out with the old and in with the new.’ We do need our elders, as our consultants."

At the Phase II Meeting, Stwyer-Pinkham announced that the tribes were granted a Tribal Economic Development Bond from the Department of Commerce. "This means $5.1 million for infrastructure and upgrading our tourism," Stwyer-Pinkham said. "It’s good news, because our water storage tanks are maxed out. This has been a high priority."

Canoe team looking for 30 rowers

By Duran Bobb

Spilyay Tymoo

The volunteers for the Warm Springs Canoe Voyage have broken up into two groups, each with a specific task in mind. One group will handle the ceremonies and meals objectives. The other group will tackle recruiting rowers and public outreach for the project.

The main goal at this time is to launch the Warm Springs canoe at Pelton Park on Saturday, March 27. In order to reach that goal, there is some planning that needs to be done.

"We’re looking for at least 30 volunteers who would like to row," said Randy Scott. "People who are interested can contact me at 541-553-1516. Particularly, we’re looking for tribal members ages 14 and up."

Rowers for the project will have to familiarize themselves with the code of conduct set forth by the Tribal Journeys web site. The rules, available at tribaljourneys.wordpress.com, prohibit the use of alcohol, weapons, drugs, gang activity and fireworks. The handbook for the 2008 Tribal Journeys also cautioned that "this is not an event intended for the weekend warrior."

Volunteers for the Warm Springs Canoe Voyage are estimating that the initial launch, which will reconnect the three tribes with the heritage of canoes and water, will be attended by as many as 200 to 500 people.

With the help of Eagle Tech, project volunteers are now able to give updates to the community via the Internet. The NW Canoe Journey Blog can be found at eagletech.org.

At last week’s meeting, volunteers talked about possible funding sources for the life jackets which rowers will be required to wear. "The questions come up," Jefferson Greene said, "what sizes do we need?

"Are they all going to be one color? What about silk-screening? Are we going to have an official design for our team?"

Roberta Kirk, a volunteer working on the ceremonies and meals task, said that the group would still need to find a cook for the launch ceremony. "We also need to come up with a budget for a meal that would feed up to 500 people."

The next meeting for recruiting and public outreach is at 10 a.m. this Wednesday, Feb. 24 at the tribal administration building. The next meeting for the ceremony and meals will be at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 1 at the museum. And the entire group of volunteers will meet again at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 19 at the museum.

Former officer charged in stabbing

By Terri Harber

Spilyay Tymoo

A Warm Springs man was indicted by a Deschutes County grand jury last week in connection to the stabbing of a Madras man.

Kalles Lenso Hanchor, 29, is accused of stabbing Robert Anthony Medina, 32, while they and others got into a fight at Eagle Crest Resort near Redmond early Sunday, Feb. 14.

The jurors decided that a case should be brought against Hanchor, said Mike Dugan, Deschutes County district attorney.

In Deschutes, felony cases are presented to a grand jury for consideration before court proceedings can begin.

Hanchor will be charged with second-degree assault. This could result in a prison term of up to 10 years for the man if he’s found guilty of the offense, Dugan said.

Deputies say the victim, Medina, knocked on a door of a dwelling on Golden Pheasant Road seeking help after being stabbed. He wanted to come inside the residence, but the people there wouldn’t let him in. They called authorities for help, according to sheriff’s deputies.

Emergency personnel arrived and transported Medina to St. Charles Hospital for treatment of what deputies described as "serious injuries from apparent knife wounds."

Medina was treated and released the next day, according to the hospital.

Suspect Hanchor worked part-time for the Warm Springs Police Department from November 2005 to Dec. 31, 2009 as an hourly employee. He was classified as a "limited duration" employee with no benefits, Police Chief Carmen Smith wrote in a statement.

"The Warm Springs Police Department is saddened by this incident and hope the victim has a successful and speedy recovery," the communication noted. "At the time of Mr. Hanchor’s arrest he had no affiliation whatsoever with the Warm Springs Police Department."

Dugan said Hanchor’s court appearance is scheduled on Feb. 23.

No other arrests have been made in relation to the incident. The investigation is continuing.

February 10, 2010 edition

Dave McMechan/Spilyay

Joycelynn Spino (front) and Gloria Brown admire the tribes' new canoe.

Tribes launch
Canoe Journeys project

By Duran Bobb

Spilyay Tymoo

This year, the Warm Springs Tribes will be represented in the annual Tribal Journeys Canoe Voyage, thanks to volunteers on the reservation.

"We’re calling it the Warm Springs Canoe Journey," said Tribal Court Chief Judge Anita Jackson, one of the volunteers for the program.

"It involves our tribal youth, the museum, the Culture and Heritage Department and Committee. The language people are involved, as well as some of our tribal elders."

But Jackson says this is a project that is intended for the entire reservation community. "We really want it to be for the whole tribe. It’s not just for any one tribe of the three, it’s not for any one family… this is for everybody to become involved with."

First launched in 1989 as a celebration of Indigenous peoples’ relationship with the ocean, Tribal Journeys is one of the most prominent cultural events associated with the North American Indigenous Games.

As many as 100 traditional ocean-going canoes from a variety of canoe cultures and nations will make the one- to three-week journey to Neah Bay during Tribal Journeys Canoe Voyage 2010, hosted this year by the Makah Tribe.

Neah Bay is located on the most Northwest point of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.

Canoe Landing and Protocol will be on July 19, with other events continuing for several days. The theme for this year’s event is Journey to the Beginning of the World.

"We have been a land-locked tribe for over a hundred years now," Jackson said. "We came really close to losing our traditional knowledge of canoes."

Fortunately, there are tribal elders who are able to help. Adeline Miller and Viola Kalama have been helping the team prepare for the challenge by teaching canoe songs and giving instruction on the Canoe Dance.

"Aurolyn [Stwyer-Pinkham] from Council has been there to see the Tribal Journeys before," Jackson said. "She’s also involved in the Potlatch Fund grant that donates a thousand dollars to each Canoe Family. Our tribes now qualify as a Canoe Family, because she participated in Potlatch Fund meetings."

For now, the Warm Springs Canoe Journey team is looking at funding sources.

"The museum has some funding available," Jackson said, "and hopefully we’ll be able to use our Department of Justice grant. We have other team members exploring various kinds of funding that might be available to us."

During the next few meetings, the Canoe Journey team plans to set up the structure of their program. It’s the goal of the team to launch their maiden voyage near the re-regulating dam during March, right around spring break.

The Canoe Journey team was able to obtain a canoe from a tribe in Canada, with the help of secretary-treasurer Jody Calica. Judge Jackson says that the team is very fortunate that this help came just in time.

The canoe came with enough paddles for 18 people. But any youth who want to become involved will have the chance to learn how to craft their own paddles.

"One thing we need to look at," Jackson said, "is, Will we be ready to participate in Canoe Journey this summer? That’s in July, at Makah. So that would mean canoeing in the ocean. There are a few people here that have been in canoes and have been on the journey. I guess it’s pretty rigorous. Some days they say you’ll go 75 miles… that must be incredible!"

Several tribes are guiding the Canoe Journey team in their quest. Tribal members from Coquille and Grand Ronde have been serving as consultants, volunteering their time to help the Canoe Journey team with their goals.

"And the good thing about it," Jackson said, "is that all of the political issues between tribes just don’t exist on the Canoe Journey. We’re just out there, all of us working together as Native American people."

The team is a positive step forward in helping the reservation’s youth, Jackson said.

"This is really going to help our Indian kids identify more with their own Indian heritage. It gives them another positive reinforcement about who they are. Of course, it’s going to connect them with the water––even more so than we have been with fishing and water rights. I’m just really happy that I can be a part of this."

Those who are interested in becoming a part of the Warm Springs Canoe Journey team may call Anita Jackson at the tribal courthouse, (541) 553-3278; Jody Calica at the Secretary-Treasurer’s office, (541) 553-3232; Carol Leone at the museum, (541) 553-3331; or Aurolyn Stwyer-Pinkham at the Tribal Council office, (541) 553-3257.

The next Canoe Journey meeting will be held at the Museum at Warm Springs on Feb. 19 at 8:30 a.m.

Danielle Gabriel/courtesy photo

Chanea Gabriel (left) shares the Olympic flame with torchbearer Brook Bobb-Reid on Feb. 7 in Seabird Island, near Vancouver, B.C.

Youth carries Olympic torch

By Terri Harber

Spilyay Tymoo

Warm Springs tribal member Chanea Gabriel was a torchbearer for the Winter Olympics, which begins this week in Vancouver, B.C.

Chanea, 18, has lived much of her life on Seabird Island, in the Seabird Island First Nation, located 75 miles east of Vancouver. Her connection to the tribe is through Ivan Gabriel, her grandfather. She is a senior at Seabird Island Community School.

"I thought it would be a good experience, a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and really fun," Chanea said of carrying a torch for the Winter Olympics.

Chanea was chosen to bear a torch from among 100 hopefuls. She was one of just two area teens running. The other torchbearer is her longtime friend, Brook Bobb-Reid, who also lives in Seabird.

A tribal elder blessed the flame during that portion of the run on the morning of Feb. 7. Brook ran with it, then passed it to Chanea who, in turn, ran, then passed it to yet another runner so the flame could continue its journey.

The two teens wore specially designed Olympic tracksuits as they each ran with the flame. Chanea also wore a cedar hat she had made especially for the occasion.

Chanea and Brook were among approximately 12,000 people who carried the flame from its native Greece through Canada. The flame will end up in the host city of Vancouver.

This has been one of the warmest winters on record in the Vancouver area and Olympic organizers were hurriedly bringing in snow so all of the athletes can compete.

Chanea hoped it would snow during her run. The lack of snow was only a slight disappointment.

Danielle Gabriel, her mother, reported that while it didn’t snow it was "chilly."

"It was awesome," Danielle said. "I’m so proud of her."

To practice for the run, Chanea ran while holding a brick in place of the torch, which she expected to weigh about five pounds, she said.

"It’s a pretty big flame," she said, adding that she planned to be careful.

While Chanea doesn’t consider herself a runner, she is athletic. She has powwow danced since she was a toddler. She does watch figure skating and curling events during the Olympics. She even tried curling once but thought it was hard because it takes great balance.

She gets to keep the running attire and a replica of the torch as mementos.

Another reason why Chanea wanted to be a torchbearer was that she thought it would help her "be a good role model to the community and the youth," she said.

"If you want to do something in your life … believe in yourself."

Chanea enjoys other Native cultural pursuits as well, such as going to powwows and spending time in sweat lodges, her mother said.

Aboriginal people of Canada partnered with the Vancouver Olympic Committee because many events will be on Native land. Roughly 10 percent of the Olympic contracts have gone to Aboriginal businesses and an Aboriginal artist designed the medals. It’s a deeper partnership than other Aboriginals have had with Olympic hosts for past games, according to the BBC.

The Vancouver Olympic games begin Friday, Feb. 12 and end Feb. 28.

Danielle might be familiar to many readers. She graduated from Madras High School and worked for fire management. Mayann Frank, who worked in the personnel department for the Warm Springs tribe, is Chanea’s grandmother.

Lincoln’s Birthday Powwow this weekend at Simnasho

By Duran Bobb

Spilyay Tymoo

The Thirty-third Annual Lincoln’s Birthday Pow-Wow will be held at the Simnasho Longhouse this Friday through Sunday, Feb. 12-14.

This year’s powwow is being held in honor of the Queahpama Sisters: (atwai) Nettie, Matilda, Sylvia, and Fern.

Anna has helped to coordinate the powwow for several years, and is on the Lincoln’s Birthday Powwow Committee

The Queahpama sisters, she said, also loved to dance and enjoy themselves, traveling to various powwows. "They invited their friends and relatives from other tribes. They lodged them and fed them, along with the participants."

At the first powwow, Clements says, it was all social dancing. There were no contests. Later on, it became competition with prizes.

"The sisters whole-heartedly supported the powwow by fund-raising with generous gifts," Clements said.

"They also gave monetary donations, sewing, beading, and whatever they could donate."

Both Matilda and Sylvia served their people as members of the Culture and Heritage Committee.

The Queahpama sisters were ceremonial leaders in the community, and were seldom absent from funerals, memorials, name-givings, etc.

"The sisters were bead workers," Clements says, "and they also tanned their own hides, gathered roots, made tule mats, and passed their knowledge down through legends and story-telling."

"Today," Clements says, "we’re carrying on this tradition for the family, to benefit our future generations."

During the pow-wow there will be a Warbonnet Special in honor of Calvin Queahpama (Kwi-a-pum-a). This event will be for men 45 years and over.

There will also be a women’s (Old Style) Highstep War Dance, short fringe shell dress special, for those 18 and older.

Local drums are being encouraged to bring their own chairs. Candidates for Powwow Queen are selling raffle tickets in an effort to raise funds. If you’re interested in purchasing tickets, the candidates are: Inez Gomez-Queahpama, Lupita Tohet, and Meleah Collins.

The powwow Grand Entries are Friday evening at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 1 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m. For drum contest information, call Mackie Begay at 541-553-9230. For one-man hand drum information, call Kyle Queahpama at 541-553-6908.

For vendor information, call Sandra Greene-Sampson at 541-553-6619.

This year, look for the Central Oregon Community College Native American Club frybread and chili concession stand.

Duran Bobb photos

Deschutes River below the Round Butte dam and fish passage facility.

Cook Nola Queahpama visits with Power and Water Enterprises board chairman Benson Heath at the dedication ceremony at Overlook Park.

Following dedication, fish facility ready for busy season
By Dave McMechan

Spilyay Tymoo

The fish collection tower at the Round Butte dam on the Deschutes River should see greatly increased smolt activity in the coming weeks.

From later this month into June, the tower is expected to see the annual peak salmon and steelhead smolt downstream migration, said Greg Concannon, environmental services manager for Portland General Electric.

PGE and the tribes own and operate the fish passage facility, called the selective water withdrawal tower.

The facility has been in operation since early December 2009. Since that time, workers at the tower have collected hundreds of early salmon and steelhead smolt, as they migrated down Lake Billy Chinook.

The fish were captured at the tower, transported past the dam and then released back into the Deschutes.

During the peak migration time, from later this month into June, the tower could capture several thousand smolt each day, said Concannon. "We’re excited to see how the facility will work," he said.

Last week, PGE and tribes hosted a dedication of the fish tower at the Round Butte Overlook Park. Representing the tribes were councilmen Stanley Buck Smith, Wendell Jim and Austin Greene Jr., Chief Delvis Heath, and Warm Springs Power and Water Enterprises manager Jim Manion.

Power and Water Enterprises board member Don Goddard and board chairman Benson Heath were also on hand for the event.

The selective water withdrawal tower project at Round Butte, said Heath, will benefit the fish and fishermen.

"Naturally, with Warm Springs being fish people, we’ve always encouraged the propagation and continuation of the species," said Heath. "If you look back over time, we’ve always preferred to the continuation of the species, even if it meant higher power rates."

The fish species, he said, must continue no matter what man-made obstacles, such as dams, are put in their way.

"Hydro-projects are made by man, and the problems that hydro-projects cause can be solved by man," Heath said.

The Round Butte dam has been around for about 60 years. For most of that time the project was owned solely by PGE. During relicensing 10 years ago, the tribes became part owners, and the two parties agreed to construct the fish passage project, which cost over $100 million.

PGE had been more profit-oriented, said Heath, because the company answered to its shareholders. The tribes have been more interested in restoring the fish, he said.

"It took co-licensing to get us on the same page," said Heath. "And the end product will be very beneficial."

Tribes complete snapshot survey of elk and deer

By Terri Harber

Spilyay Tymoo

The tribes completed an annual wildlife count of elk and deer—males, females and young—on the Warm Springs Reservation, and found percentages of males to females are down.

The Natural Resources Branch completed a survey of these animals that focused on the eastern portion of the reservation. This is where they feed when the weather is cold.

Knowing how many of the animals are around can help officials determine length and rules for the next hunting season. It helps determine how many offspring will be possible.

Extremely low numbers might even require officials help ensure the animals survive by changing one or more characteristics of their habitat to make it more hospitable, said Jamie Hurd, wildlife biologist with the Natural Resources Branch.

This survey is done from above by helicopter. The animals’ antlers help experts determine the sex of the adults and can be easily spotted from the air.

This is why the count needs to be completed in late fall or early winter, before the animals shed their antlers and it becomes too difficult to tell males and females apart.

After the mating season, the males no longer require the appendages, she said.

The percentages of deer: There were 15 bucks for every 100 does. The goal is 20 bucks for every 100 does.

And the percentages of elk: Six bulls per 100 cows. In 2008 there were 14 bulls per 100 cows. The goal is 15 bulls per 100 cows.

Stated goals are the amounts experts say ensure enough offspring are born to sustain the population.

Another number that gives officials cause for concern: Only 1,200 deer total were sighted. The reservation should be able to support 15,000 because of its size and overall characteristics, Hurd said.

Hampering population increases here on the reservation are a number of events, natural and manmade, Hurd explained.

Land around Mount Jefferson still is recovering from being scorched in a wildfire. This is why summer grazing food the animals require to survive won’t be as plentiful during the foreseeable future, she said.

Wild horses also need to eat and there seems to be more of them around the reservation. They are competing with the elk and deer for food. And a rising number of dogs are seeking out elk and deer as prey along with more common predators, she said.

Problems with or sightings of predatory animals should be reported. Call the Department of Natural Resources at 541-553-2001.

The current poor economic picture has brought with it an upswing in the amount of illegal hunting. It has also brought the need to sustain jobs by logging in areas critical to big game habitat. And a growing tribal membership increases the number of hunters vying for the available game.

One bright spot is that recent testing for Chronic Wasting Disease has come back negative. Officials need to be diligent about monitoring for it because it can be devastating to the animals in a region where it occurs and "is always fatal to the animal that catches it," Hurd said.

Hurd emphasized that hunters and others interested in the area surveyed — and the animals that inhabit it — can help shape policy by adding their opinions to the Integrated Resources Management Plan. It is being updated now.

The next scoping meeting for the Integrated Resources Management Plan will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the Agency Longhouse.

Dave McMechan/Jaycelene Frank is Miss Warm Springs 2010.
January 27, 2010 edition

January 27, 2010 edition

Pageant winner named

Jaycelene Frank is the new Miss Warm Springs, having won the close pageant competition last Friday at the Agency Longhouse.

Jaycelene, 20, is daughter of Yahteen Frank and Sheila Spino. She attends Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, where she is studying for her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.

The pageant competition on Friday was between Jaycelene and Carina Miller.

Each candidate did a great job, the four judges agreed.

"They were excellent and performed incredibly well," said Jefferson Greene, one of the judges. "It was quite a race from my point of view."

Where Jaycelene may have scored some extra points was during the traditional talent performance, when she played the hand-drum and sang a traditional song.

She was the first runner-up at the Miss Warm Springs Pageant last year.

She had second thoughts about running again this year, but friends and family encouraged her, and she decided to try one more time.

Through this year she will represent the Confederated Tribes at powwows, parades and other tribal events in the Northwest.

Jaycelene’s grandparents are Jacob and Winona Frank, on her father’s side, and Rosealine Moran on her mom’s side. Jaycelene’s Indian name is Lepukt. When not at school she lives in Simnasho.

Rodeo is one of her favorite things. Jaycelene is a two-year member of the Northwest Professional Rodeo Association.

"I love to travel to rodeos not just to barrel race," she said, "but also to watch my little brothers ride."

After getting her degree at Blue Mountain Community College, Jaycelene wants to get a four-year degree in Early Childhood Education, and then return to Warm Springs to work at ECE. She worked at ECE before leaving for college.

"I love working with children," she said. "What you teach them while they are young is what they will use in the future."

Jaycelene is a 2007 graduate of Madras High School, where she was on the junior varsity and then the varsity basketball team.

Basketball is still one of her favorite hobbies, along with rodeo and beadwork.

Sissiley Scott, Miss Warm Springs 2009, presented Jaycelene with the 2010 Miss Warm Springs Crown at the conclusion of the pageant.

"I want to say thank you to my family for helping and supporting me," Jaycelene said.

Tribes, Cascade Locks await release of EIS

The Cascade Locks casino project is moving closer to a final decision by the federal government, as Warm Springs leaders prepare for public release of the BIA’s final environmental impact statement.

The final environmental impact statement (FEIS) will be published in the Federal Register in the "near future," according to a Dec. 17, 2009 letter from Larry Echo Hawk, the assistant Secretary of Interior for Indian Affairs.

The FEIS has been in the works for several years and must be finished before the Secretary of Interior can approve the tribes’ request to take the Cascade Locks 25-acre gaming site into trust.

Publication of the FEIS will be followed by a 30-day public comment period, and will set the stage for Secretary of Interior, Ken Salazar, to issue the final approvals taking the land into trust and making it eligible for gaming.

Last fall, the FEIS was finished in the BIA’s Northwest Regional Office and sent to the BIA Central Office in Washington, D.C. for final review and release to the public.

Since then, the Cascade Locks FEIS and dozens of other proposed tribal gaming decisions have been slowed while the Secretary of Interior undertakes a comprehensive policy review of Indian gaming.

Warm Springs leaders feel strongly that there is no justification for holding up public release of the FEIS.

Support for the project, and urging immediate release of the FEIS, have been conveyed to Interior Secretary Salazar by current and former Oregon political leaders, labor unions, other tribes, local jurisdictions, and in cards and letters from Warm Springs and Cascade Locks residents.

Meanwhile, strong local community support for the project was expressed at a Jan. 14 meeting in Cascade Locks. The meeting included discussion of the new Interstate-84 interchange that will be built as part of the casino development.

The community meeting will lead to development of the Interchange Area Management Plan, which must be completed prior to approval of the new interchange by the Federal Highway Administration. Faced with high unemployment and the recent closure of Cascade Locks High School, Cascade Locks community leaders have been working hard together with Warm Springs tribal leaders to bring the casino project to their town.

Dave McMechan/Spilyay

Housing mamager Tom Strong presents house keys to Paulette Henry. With Henry are her three daughters.

Celilo project brings 8 new homes

By Dave McMechan

Spilyay Tymoo

Paulette Henry had a hard time keeping the news from her three daughters.

But she wanted to surprise the girls, so for weeks she kept the information to herself.

Then after school one day last week, when everything was ready, she finally showed them the surprise: their new home.

"I love this house," said Paulette, who works at the Early Childhood Education Center. "It’s a place I can purchase that can be mine."

She had been renting a much smaller place, but qualified to buy one of the new modular homes going in at the trailer court area, on Oitz Loop and Little Oitz.

This is a project of the Warm Springs Housing Authority, and will bring eight nearly-new homes to the area. Paulette and her daughters were the first family to move in. She had been on the Housing waiting list for a number of years.

Along with the homes themselves, this project has also involved extensive infrastructure work, said Tom Strong, project manager.

The water, sewer and power lines to the homes are all new, he said. The lot sizes were increased in size by 75 percent, so there is plenty of yard for the children to play in.

Housing workers improved the nearby playground, and soon will grass-seed and landscape the whole area around the new residences.

The homes are immaculately clean, with new paint and nearly new kitchen appliances, and washer and dryer.

By looking at them you would think the houses are brand new but they actually were lived in for about a year at Celilo Village.

A few years ago the federal government approved the long-overdue Celilo restoration project.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removed the old houses at Celilo and built new ones. During this construction, the families needed somewhere to stay, so the Corps of Engineers brought in the modular homes.

When the work was done last year, the families moved into their new houses, and the Warm Springs Housing Authority purchased the nearly-new modular homes.

Housing had the modular homes transported from Celilo to Warm Springs, where they were stored for several months at the industrial park.

Meanwhile, the Housing crews prepared the sites at Oitz and Little Oitz loops. They installed the utility lines, improved the lots and poured the foundations for the eight new houses.

Then they moved the structures from the industrial park to the home sites, and gave them new coats of paint.

Last week the reward for this work was seen in the happy expressions of Paulette Henry and her three young daughters.

Personnel heading to Haiti

By Terri Harber

Spilyay Tymoo

An employee with the Confederated Tribes is organizing a team of professionals who will help aid Haitians in their recovery from the deadly and destructive earthquake.

Dan Martinez, the tribes’ Fire and Safety director, said he expects the group of Native American-based emergency workers will travel to Haiti in February.

The professionals originate from various tribes in the region and will focus on the massive recovery effort expected in and near Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The city is located close to the epicenter of the 7.0 earthquake that occurred Jan. 12.

Northwestern tribes have sent emergency professionals to help after an array of disasters, including 9/11, hurricane Katrina and various wildfires across the U.S., Martinez said.

"I already have a list of people," he said.

An estimated 200,000 people died or may soon succumb to injuries that resulted from the quake. At least 1 million people have been displaced and are living in the streets. Strong aftershocks continue to strike the region and chaos still reigns as first responders struggle to reach those needing help, according to the Associated Press.

"That country will need a lot of help for a long time," Martinez said.

Additionally, "they’ll need people with different skills at different times."

Rescue efforts are winding down and the long clean up and recovery is just beginning. Volunteers wanting to help the Haitians come back from this disaster are numerous across the United States and Indian Country. Finding people with the right skills at the right time — and places for them to stay — isn’t easy right now, however.

Trackers, paramedics and other emergency professionals from the region are among those planning to travel there soon as aid efforts take shape.

Martinez also plans to arrange for a mental health professional to join the regional team.

"This is for the victims and the people volunteering," Martinez said.

Only after recovery efforts are completed can the rebuilding begin. Martinez won’t be involved with coordinating any subsequent demolition and construction efforts.

Martinez also warned people to choose carefully when giving donations to Haitian relief. He took a call last week from someone saying they were collecting money for the effort. The person probably only wanted to make money for himself, however. The caller couldn’t provide proper details so Martinez figured he had been contacted by a scammer, he said.

"They wouldn’t stop. They wouldn’t get off the phone. I finally told this person, ‘You called a fire and safety office,’" he said. "Then they must have gotten the message. They hung-up."

Only donate to people and groups you know and can truly trust, Martinez emphasized. Among well-known organizations involved in Haiti relief: the Red Cross, UNICEF and Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.

Market stays in the family

By Dave McMechan

Spilyay Tymoo

Some things about the Warm Springs Market never seem to change. For instance, the store remains a central and busy place in the community. And over the years, the market has stayed in the same family.

For the past decade and a half, Bobby and Maria Macy owned and operated the store. Before them, Bobby’s brother Jimmy and his wife Luana were the owner-operators.

And before them, Bobby and Jimmy’s dad Dan Macy and wife Priscilla owned and ran the place, starting back in 1944.

The tradition continues, as Bobby and Maria are passing the place on to Bobby’s son Terry and his wife Diana.

Bobby and Maria were the store owners since 1994, and it’s time for some free time, said Maria. The store is a lot of work, she said.

Bobby and Maria made a lot of improvements to the market, such as installing air conditioning, replacing the roof, updating the security system and adding the price scanners at the cash registers.

They also greatly increased the inventory of the store.

Terry and Diana plan to make some improvements as well. They plan to fix up the museum area of the store, which includes several fascinating Native American items worthy of any museum.

They plan to add more shelf space, and they are cleaning out the back area and basement of the store. Last week, they had the old laundromat washers and dryers hauled away for recycling.

"We doing this in phases," said Terry. "First we’re getting rid of some of the stuff that’s accumulated over the years."

This would make room the new shelving, he said.

Terry is already familiar with the store operation, as he’s worked there for seven years.

Diana recently quit her job of 15 years at the North Unit Irrigation District, in order to help in their new venture at the Warm Springs Market.

January 13, 2010 edition

New year will see 25th Tribal Council

By Dave McMechan

Spilyay Tymoo

Tribal members this spring will elect the Twenty-Fifth Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

Within the next several weeks, the membership of the three districts will nominate their candidates for the Council.

The current Council took office on May 1, 2007; so the new Council will take their oath of office around that same time this year. As stated in the tribal Constitution of 1938, the elected Council members serve terms of three years. The incumbent Council members are:

Simnasho District representatives: Ron Suppah, Council chairman; Aurolyn Stwyer, Council vice-chairwoman; Councilman Rafael Queahpama; and Warm Springs Chief Delvis Heath.

Agency District representatives: Councilmen Stanley "Buck"@Smith and Austin Greene, Councilwoman Bernice Mitchell; and Wasco Chief Nelson Wallulatum.

Seekseekqua District representatives: Councilmen Wendell Jim and Wilson Wewa, and Paiute Chief Joseph Moses.

The Tribal Constitution and By-laws of 1938 established the Council as including one chief from each district (serving for life); three representatives from Agency and Simnasho, and two from Seekseequa.

There are currently 2,844 members who are qualified to vote in the election.

Tribal members 21 and older, or married, have the right to vote in the election. Current voting data from the Vital Statistics Department reflects the youthful makeup of the Confederated Tribes. The data shows the number of qualified voters in each age group.

There are 127 qualified voters who are 21 years of age, the single largest group. Next largest is the 23-year-olds, with 123 qualified voters.

Third largest is the 25-year-olds, with 108 qualified voters; followed by 26-year-olds, and then 24-year-olds.
Council powers
The elections are "by secret ballot or prevailing custom, as desired by the people of the district," according to the Tribal Constitution. Secret ballots counted by the Election Committee has been the means of election for the at least the past several Council elections.

The Tribal Council is the central governing body of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The Tribal Constitution defines the powers of the Council. Some of these powers are, for example:

To manage the economic affairs of the Confederated Tribes and to appropriate available funds for public purposes; and,

To charter subordinate organizations for economic purposes and to regulate the activities of all cooperative associations of members of the Confederated Tribes, among several other enumerated powers.

Police weigh benefits of
non-lethal weapons

By Terri Harber

Spilyay Tymoo

The Warm Springs Police Department may add some new weapons to their arsenal, specifically devices that are less deadly than firearms.

The Tribal Council requested information on the viability of having police officers use non-lethal weapons and heard about the subject during a meeting on Jan. 5.

A taser can be "a very effective weapon" because it can reduce resistance to arrest, which, in turn, would reduce injuries to officers and suspects, said Jim Soules, branch general manager of public safety for the tribe.

"I’d imagine we’d want to do P.R. work before we introduce it," said Council Chairman Ron Suppah. "They’d be shocked – pardon the pun!"

"If we do bring it, it won’t be popular with the people who’d get it used on them," Soules replied.

Residents will be made aware of the addition of any new weapons before officers start using them in public, he emphasized.

Using a taser instead of a gun can have drawbacks, however, especially when a suspect continues to fight after being hit once with a 50,000-volt shock. Suspects heavily under the influence of alcohol and drugs often require multiple shocks because they’re more likely to struggle. And the more shocks someone receives, the more likely the weapon will cause physical harm, he said.

Suspects with severe mental problems, specifically psychosis, also try to fight through taser shocks, he said.

No suspect apprehended at departments where he’s worked during his career died from taser shock. And worldwide, death by stun guns is "a rare thing," he said.

"It’s not as lethal as a gunshot."

Other possibilities would be rifles that shoot beanbags and pepper ball guns, Soules told the council.

"The whole purpose is to make people safer," he said of potential additions to officers’ toolkits.

Each weapon has specific purposes and situations where it might work best. Tasers, for instance, are electric guns with probes that produce a shock that would incapacitate most people, but not cause them permanent harm. The weapon is best suited for a shooting length of up to 25 feet, Soules said.

And each type of weapon "has different applications and carries some potential hazards for side effects," he said.

According to news reports, pepper and beanbag projectiles have killed people on occasion, particularly when used improperly or when trying to control crowds. Both types of these arms are sometimes referred to as "riot guns" and are usually designed to work best from a distance.

A traditional firearm might not be appropriate for officers to use when a suspect is highly despondent and armed. The person could be talking about committing suicide while holding a gun or knife and randomly turning it toward himself or herself, at police, or at anyone else nearby, for example, Soules told the council.

An array of armaments would "provide us with more options," he said.

Warm Springs officers currently carry pepper spray, baton, handcuffs and firearms. The department also has a dog that goes out on patrol and tracks suspects, among other duties.

A test of the safety and effectiveness of pepper ball guns was expected this week, Soules added.

No tests or demonstrations of other non-lethal weapons are scheduled.

Buffalo bounce begins

By Dave McMechan/Spilyay Tymoo

The White Buffalo girls varsity basketball team players are: (back row left to right, name followed by grade) Rachel Simmons (11), JoElla Smith (11), Marissa Ahern (12), Abby Scott (10), Klesia Plazola (12), Cheyenne Wahnetah (11), and Karlen Yallup (12); (front left to right, name and grade) Merima Made (12), Krisit Olney (12), Kali Kaltsukis (12), and Mallory Smith (10).

Hoop season under way

The Madras White Buffalo girls basketball season is under way.

The girls had an 8-2 preseason record, but then lost their opener last Friday to Summit. This Friday, Jan. 15, they play Pendleton at Pendleton, and then face Mt. View at home on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

In past years, girls from the tribes have been some of the key players on the White Buffalos, and this year is no exception. There are nine players who are tribal members or closely tied to the tribes.

Police seek help with drug, gang enforcement

By Terri Harber

Spilyay Tymoo

The Warm Springs Police Department is pursuing designation of a High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, according to Police Chief Carmen Smith.

"I believe we’re going to get it," he said. "I think it’ll work for everybody."

Better known as HIDTA, the classification would allow the tribe’s police to better work with other tribes to gather and share information about drug and gang activity.

It would also pave the way for other cooperative law enforcement ventures among area tribes, and help the Warm Springs department boost its chances for obtaining grants to offset operation costs, he said.

This might include, for example, officer training on how to spot and safely avoid booby traps set near illegal marijuana growing sites, Smith said.

Keeping track of suspects and known offenders is crucial because, Smith said, these people tend to move from one tribal area to another "when things get hot."

The recent discoveries of marijuana farms and the increase in gang activity here on the reservation make obtaining this designation important, he said.

Four large pot-growing sites have been found on the Warm Springs Reservation since July 2007. The most recent discovery, in August 2009, was of a location where authorities found more than 1,600 plants, according to previous reports.

Though the focus is primarily on drug and gang activity, Smith believes the designation could also assist Warm Springs and other tribes’ police forces to keep order during large-scale events, such as at multi-tribe pow wows.

Reservations have small law enforcement agencies because they police areas with low populations. Money to pay for borrowing officers as the need arises could be more easily found that it is now, he said.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, an area that qualifies for HIDTA status "must be a major center of illegal drug production, manufacturing, importation or distribution; have state and local law enforcement agencies already engaged; have a harmful impact on other areas of the U.S.; and, require a significant increase in federal resources."

There have been 31 of these areas designated across the U.S. since the program began in 1990. Warm Springs would be the first HIDTA in Indian Country, Smith emphasized.