February 24, 2010 edition

Voting procedure ensures fair and honest election

By the Tribal Elections and Counting Boards

The Election and Counting Boards report to the polls prior to 8 a.m. to set up tables with all election material—ballots, sign-in binders, ballot boxes, pencils. These are provided by the Vital Statistics Department staff.

Tables are set up for the voters with pencils and copies of the Spilyay with photos and statements of all nominees.

The counting room is located away from the voting area where tally sheets are ready with the names of nominees listed for each district.

Each District has their own tally sheet. There are four counters: Three will be the talliers, or ones who mark the votes on the tally sheets, and one who calls out the names from the ballot.

All three districts are counted by all three counters. Callers can be rotated among the group if they so choose.

The counters begin counting the absentee ballots that have been received prior to election day. Ballots are separated into the three districts, each a different color, then counted one district at a time. The counters have no knowledge of who voted on these ballots.

When the counters are finished with the absentee ballots, a box with the local ballots is delivered for counting. This procedure continues throughout the day until all ballots are counted.

The registration table is located near the door to assist voters to sign in and they are given a ballot to the district they are registered in.

One or two members are called "runners." They deliver and return sealed ballots to the hospitals in Bend, Redmond and Madras if there are tribal members as patients, to the jails in Madras and Warm Springs, home-bound elders, voters with disabilities, or those who don’t have transportation to the voting polls.

Areas covered are from Simnasho to Seekseequa to Miller Flat/Sidwalter.

The judge oversees the registration and the counting areas to answer any questions or concerns.

Locally, after voters mark their ballots, they are folded and placed in the slot of the ballot box which is located next to or on the registration table.

After the polls are closed at 8 p.m. and the counters are finished counting the ballots, results are listed on forms provided for each district, and counters and the judge sign the result forms.

All material are locked inside the ballot boxes and delivered to the superintendent.

The next morning, the Election Board Judge and a staff from Vital Stats presents the results to Tribal Council for certification. The results are then posted in public areas of the community.

It is guaranteed that the election board performs their job in an honest, confidential and fair manner. In Warm Springs, everyone is related in one way or another and the election board members respect everyone’s decisions and privacy.

Results are never disclosed by the election board members until they are certified by the Tribal Council the next morning.

At every referendum, we receive ballots that have to be eliminated or voided due to it being marred in some way, including:

Voting for too many candidates, changing a vote by marking it out, writings or comments on the ballot, illegible markings, to name a few.

If you accidentally make a mistake, take the ballot back to the registration desk and trade for another. That way your vote will count. If you want to make a comment, do it on a separate piece of paper and not on the ballot. Another concern is of a fictitious character listed as a write-in candidate. A policy definitely is required for this disrespectful motive.

For the Tribal Council referendum, tentatively set for March 31, the polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., including the noon hour. If anyone needs to have a ballot delivered to them or anyone, please call the Vital Statistics Department at 541-553-3252 and they will be placed on the list.

If anyone has relatives that live off the reservation, please confirm with them that they have received their ballot. For questions, concerns or more information, call the Vital Stats office.

Native artist, athlete shine at Olympics

By Duran Bobb

Spilyay Tymoo

In 1894, Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee to breathe life back into the games that were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8

Fast Forward. The designer for the 2010 Winter Olympics medal is Corrine Hunt, an artist based in Vancouver, B.C. Hunt is of Komoyue and Tlingit descent. The Komoyues are the tribe that occupies the northeastern end of Vancouver Island.

Each athlete who wins a medal will also receive a scarf that will show them how their one-of-a-kind prize fits into the larger artwork depicting an orca whale. Hunt says that she chose the orca for the master design because the creatures live within a community.

"I felt the Olympic games are a community too," Hunt said. "The orca is a creature that has wonderful capabilities but can’t really survive without its pod."

People who don’t like the design for the medals absolutely hate it. Complaints range from "they’re too heavy" to "they look like potato chips."

But the people who like them absolutely love them. "I think they’re actually quite beautiful," one admirer commented online.

"From straight on, they’re round and traditional. I don’t have a problem that they’re wavy when viewed from edge. The fact that the artwork and shape has Aboriginal heritage is inspiring."

Forty-eight medal designs were submitted by artists for consideration. Six-hundred and fifteen medals were produced.

Callan Chythlook-Sifsof, 21, hoped to get her hands on one of those medals, whether people thought they were ugly or not. She’s the first Native Alaskan to make the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Olympic Team.

"When you come from where I come from," Chythlook-Sifsof says, "the Olympics are just something you see on TV. It’s never really real. I’m really proud to show people that this isn’t just something that you see on TV. That real people can do this. It’s for everybody."

Ice and poor visibility made the track at Cypress Mountain treacherous last week. Chythlook-Sifsof was sent crashing during her first qualifying run, as were many athletes.

Although she brought home no medal this year, this athlete has won a much deeper prize. Chythlook-Sifsof has become a heroine to Indians everywhere.

"I want to be an inspiration to other kids in my culture," she said. "and I want to show my culture to the world."

You go, girl!

Chythlook-Sifsof’s webpage is www.callanx.com.

th century BC to the 5th century AD. Winter games were added later on for ice and snow sports.

Feb. 10, 2010 edition

Oregon tribes should be united, not divided

By Jefferson Greene

Native tribes are a living legacy of the most spiritual, cultural, and traditional people to have ever inhabited what is now known as the Pacific Northwest.

Hundreds of thousands of Indigenous people built their livelihood on these very Northwest lands, maintaining networks of commerce, wisdom and spirituality since time immemorial.

The treaty days of the 1800’s set out to remove the Indigenous people from their usual and accustomed lands for the better migration of Europeans, devastating our nations and networks.

The Indigenous people were forced to cede tens of millions of acres to the United States and moved to nine reservations throughout Oregon. In having to move to less familiar lands, the people encountered many frustrations and personal battles throughout the reservations. These battles and frustrations were mostly with the U.S. government, but the nations continued to survive and adapt.

Now, over 100 years later, the expansive and diverse backgrounds of Indigenous individuals are spread across the state of Oregon, creating new and modern communities of culture, friendship and kinship.

But what we can also observe in Oregon, is tribal governments utilizing their sovereignty in such a way that it separates Indigenous nations over more modern issues such as commerce, development, and financial gains.

The development initiatives of some Indigenous nations have separated our once strong networks of friendship and sharing that should instead be united for a better overall presentation and view of Oregon tribes.

This new event called the Gathering of Oregon’s First Nations in the Willamette Valley is a presentation of our separation. The event was held last year in an effort to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of the state of Oregon, yet now appears to be an annual event for the tribes on the western side.

We are not quite certain as to why the separation, but we can be certain that it is unhealthy and unnecessary.

It is in my opinion that a Gathering of Oregon’s First Nations should be a presentation of our togetherness, not our separation.

It is in my opinion that when an entire state bares witness to the separation in our once-strong Indigenous networks that we further become vulnerable to the future.

We are constantly publicizing that our indigenous people have survived and are culturally and traditionally wealthy in modern times. Yet, the modern day competition over financial gain puts an end to it all and we begin to imitate the acts of a race that once dominated and devastated our nations.

I hope that in the future, we can come back together as the Oregon tribes we once were, standing culturally, traditionally, spiritually, and humbly together.

I hope that in the future, our Gathering of Oregon’s First Nations is truly a Gathering of First Nations and not a gathering of western or eastern tribes.

Togetherness is strength and tradition our future generations can follow, while separation shows a weakness and cowardliness our future generations may be left with.

The Adam Walsh Act

By John Bruhoe

Registration Administrator

The Adam Walsh Child Protective and Safety Act became law in 2006. Title 1 of the Adam Walsh Act is the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

SORNA requires tribes to implement the minimum standards of sex offender registration set forth in SORNA, or allow the respective state government to enter tribal lands in order to enforce the act.

Tribes were given until July 26, 2007 to pass a resolution to either "opt in" or defer.

In an effort to protect tribal sovereignty, and promote public safety on tribal lands, the Warm Springs Tribal Council signed Resolution No. 10,774 on June 18, 2007, electing to exercise jurisdiction under the Adam Walsh Act.

The purpose of sex offender registration on the Warm Springs tribal lands is to increase community safety and deter recidivism by the offender.

Public awareness of sex offenders living, working, or going to school on the Warm Springs tribal lands is an important tool to protect children and adults living on the tribal lands against further abuse by sex offenders.

Pursuant to SORNA, information regarding registered sex offenders residing, working, or going to school on the Warm Springs tribal lands will be available to the public on the Internet via the tribes’ sex offender registry website.

Sex offender registrations and periodic appearances will take place in the sex offender registration office, which is located upstairs at the Court House, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Individuals subject to registration under the tribes’ sex offender registration program are not limited to individuals who have been convicted or sentenced by the Warm Springs Tribal Court, nor to tribal members or Indians in general.

Rather, any person who resides, is employed, or attends school within the exterior boundaries of the Warm Springs Reservation or on property owned by the tribe in fee or trust regardless of location that has been convicted of a qualifying sex offense must register with the tribe.

Individuals who have been convicted and sentenced by the Tribal Court for a qualifying sex offence must also register with the Tribe.

When sentencing a defendant for a violation of the Warm Springs Tribal Code, the Tribal Court will make a finding as to whether the defendant must register as a sex offender.

Specific information about the tribes’ new sex offender registration program can be found in the tribes’ Sex Offender Registration and Notification ordinance, which will be codified as Chapter 380 of the Warm Springs Tribal Code.

The tribes’ sex offender registration office is also available to answer any questions about the tribes’ sex offender registration program.

(Editor’s note: Tribal Member John Brunoe has been hired as the Registration Administrator and Tribal Member Roxanne Johnson-Bisland was hired to assist in the efforts of implementing the Adam Walsh Project. The Sex Offender Registration Office can be reached at 541-553-2214 Monday – Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., or you can email John at john.brunoe@wstribes.org with any questions, comments or concerns.

Have a happy Valentine's Day

By Duran Bobb

Spilyay Tymoo

One story about Valentine's Day goes something like this: St. Valentine was a Roman who was punished when he would not give up his Christianity. On February 14, 269 A.D., he died and left a note for the daughter of his jailer, whom he had befriended. The note began, "From Your Valentine."

In our Indian language, there are no words for "Happy St. Valentine’s Day," said Dallas Winishut, Sahaptin Ichishkiin language teacher. "Instead, we use "Atawishamash Tmnakni." In shiapu, that means "I love you from the heart."

On the rez, love is strong and alive––whatever language you use.

Carol Sahme helped to coordinate the recent Warm Springs Recreation Sweetheart Sale. The 17 slots for local vendors went quickly, she said.

"We wanted to give local artists a chance to provide unique gifts for Valentine’s Day," Sahme said. "These are items that you can’t buy at any store, items unique to our local community. This was a perfect way for people to keep it local, on the reservation."

Vendors were well-known artists, such as Brigette Whipple, Eliza Brown-Jim. Lovey Colwash served up food from the kitchen.

St. Valentine’s Day is full of history. Aretha Franklin recorded "Respect" on this day of love. Oregon was admitted as the 33

Locally, Lincoln’s Pow-Wow will be taking place. This year, the event is in memory of the reservation’s own atwai sweethearts, story in this issue.

rd state on this day. And it was the day of Al Capone’s infamous Valentine’s Massacre in Chicago.

January 27, 2010 edition

Tribal sovereignity depends on tribal members

By Bruce Engle

Warm Springs Credit Enterprises

This article is about how tribal economies and sovereignty relate to each other.

The more important message is at the end; it’s about the children.

Sovereignty is perishable. It can be extinguished by conquest and by federal law. We Klamaths know this to be true; it happened to us—we call it "termination."

Fifty-five years ago Congress decided to go out of the Indian business; they had been talking about it for years. They passed a law. We were one of the four tribes Congress selected to show Indian Country how to do It.

Boy, did we show them. Even the government now admits it didn’t work! Nevertheless, it could happen again—with the same result. Indian Country needs to be prepared.

Sure, there are stimulus monies available now for a lot of different projects. So much for the short term; as the federal budget gets tighter, some members of Congress will surely resurrect the concept of termination.

A few of them already look at tribes as having vast resources and only a small minority of the population. In their world, we don’t count as many votes. Few votes, little clout.

Our best defense

A thriving economy is our best defense. It is not just about jobs; it is a sovereignty issue.

Economies and sovereignty have something in common; each needs the other and neither can endure long without the other. I know that may be contrary to what some of us have been taught but I think it’s worth considering.

Tribal ability to assert sovereignty depends much upon tribal economic strength. The same can be said for preserving, protecting, and defending tribal sovereignty. In other words, No cash, no clout!

Indian Country is similar to human groups throughout history. Nations and empires have appeared, become strong, become weak, and then disappeared. Sometimes the people survived the loss of control; usually, they suffered.

Self sufficiency

Here is how I see it for our tribes:

Complete self-sufficiency is a myth for our people. We are a couple hundred years beyond that.

Most people and nations are somewhat dependent upon others.

Co-dependence may lead to acknowledgment of, and accommodation for, common interests and needs. That can be wonderful, but there are risks. Some Co-dependents are stronger than others and may not be so accommodating.

Total dependence inevitably leads to subjugation to another’s self-interest.

Tribes might do well to evaluate their dependency situation. The answers will vary. Remedies may or may not be needed.

The less dependent we are, the more self-determinant we are. I suggest that is a worthy goal.

That brings us back to economics and my belief that economic strength enhances our ability to be tribally and personally self-determinate and able to preserve, protect, defend and assert sovereignty.

Model of success

Let’s tie those comments in to what I think Indian Country can do to take advantage of our economic opportunities. As I see it:

The strength of the U.S. has been, and is, in its people, its laws, and in its organizational structure.

Our successes at home and on the world stage are the consequence of an enterprise system that has both freed and harnessed the energy, the drive, the foresight and the inventiveness of our people to produce goods and offer services that meet our needs and the needs of others.

Tribes that have embraced similar visions of economic success and have instituted workable economic systems that are culturally compatible have prospered and seen their members become successful.

Group success depends upon individual success and vice-versa. That road goes both directions.

I believe we strengthen ourselves, our families, and our tribes when we do not depend for our basic income upon transfer funds from the federal government and/or per capitas from casino or other tribal enterprise revenues.

To do so in excess is to sacrifice our individual potential for success and feelings of self-sufficiency, self-determination, and self-worth.

Relying on our people

Our national systems of government and economic development were designed by previous subjects of totalitarianism from abroad who rejected kings and made royalty of the common man. Citizens were left relatively free to do business. Many did so, and successfully.

History has shown those "royal commoners," as a group, to have been economically pretty successful.

Indian Country has produced individual and tribal successes.

Members who have taught those concepts and the work ethic to their children have seen many of them succeed. Economic success has then become a generational thing.

How do we do that? We must rely on our people.

I remember elders asking about others, "Is he doing well?" and "Are they doing well?"

Those same elders encouraged their kids and grandkids to do well in school. Also, the children worked in the family businesses—mostly farming and ranching. They had chores. They were made responsible for getting them done correctly. They were made to feel that the chores were important.

As the children grew, their responsibilities and contributions to the success of the operation also grew.

So, the children learned the "business" and a work ethic. Parents were role models for the children. Parents and elders set the standards. They made the rules. They monitored the children’s progress. They corrected inadequate behaviors when necessary and a recognizable percentage of those children became successful.

So, what do we get from this?

Raising an economy

Tribal members make tribes successful. Tribal systems can enable or hinder those efforts.

Raising an economy is similar to raising successful children: It takes commitment, a clear vision of the final product, and a lot of work. Preparation is everything. Coaches and athletes say that. Good preparation prevents piddling poor performance.

We and our parents share some responsibility for our success. We and our children will similarly share responsibility for their successes. That is our load to carry—and theirs.

Dec. 31, 2009 edition

Civil legal help for victims continues

By Mark Matthews

Victims of Crime Services

Civil legal assistance for on-reservation victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking will continue through August 2010 with the extension of a grant.

The Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) grant makes available civil legal services and representation in tribal legal matters to eligible victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking arising as a consequence of their abuse or violence.

The U.S. Department of Justice funds the Legal Assistance for Victims grant through its Violence Against Women Office. This is a two-year grant.

Gwen Leonard is the civil legal advocate employed by the grant, and her office is located in the Victims of Crime Services (VOCS) building.

Leonard appears in court with eligible clients who need assistance with restraining orders, divorces, modifications of family and civil orders, guardianships and other civil legal matters arising from a situation involving violence or stalking.

Restraining order cases are the most frequent type of case where Leonard appears in tribal court as a spokesperson.

Leonard also observes at arraignment and other tribal court hearings those person crime cases relating to VOCS and LAV subject matter.

I am the LAV grant supervising attorney, and I assist Leonard with supervision, advice, and will substitute for Leonard when she cannot appear in court.

She is a great spokesperson and legal advocate for her clients. She understands the issues that her clients face because of her background as a victims advocate supervisor, and as a grandmother and community member.

Leonard has attended several trainings, including two trainings for legal advocates taught by the National Institute of Trial Attorneys, and seminar taught by the Southwest Center for Law and Policy.

Potential clients who need civil legal assistance from the LAV program must first have a confidential intake by a VOCS staff member.

If the potential client has legal problems due to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, then that person will be referred to Leonard.

Leonard will then determine if the potential client is eligible for LAV legal services. According to Office on Violence Against Women guidelines LAV legal services cannot be provided to those individuals who need legal representation for criminal defense or if their children are taken into protective custody. Also, the LAV advocate cannot assist clients in off-reservation courts.

Leonard will make a referral to either Oregon Legal Services in Bend, tribal Legal Aid, or off-reservation attorneys for those individuals who are not eligible for the Warm Springs LAV civil legal assistance services.

VOCS advocate supervisor Viola Govenor will assign a victim advocate to work with the client and Leonard with non-legal services and assistance.

The victim advocate may assist the client with emotional support, information or referral, or personal advocacy.

Referrals to the VOCS Evening Women’s Support Group, Warm Springs Community Counseling and other public service agencies are common.

Call 553-2293 during office hours if you need civil legal assistance resulting from domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking.

Quit demon weed tobacco in 2010

By Marta Wojas

Pharmacist, Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center

As the end of the year quickly approaches, people are starting to think about what their New Year’s resolution might be. Some think about losing weight, some would like to exercise more, and some want to spend more time with family.

However, one of the most popular resolutions is to quit smoking or chewing tobacco.

With the increasing prices of tobacco products, it’s no wonder more and more people are thinking about quitting.

The amount of money spent per year for a person who smokes a $5.50 pack of cigarettes a day is $2,008.

If that person wanted to quit through the Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center, the cost to him would be zero dollars a year.

That means that person would have more than $2,000 extra dollars in their pocket each year by being tobacco free.

If you decide to quit and seek help through the use of some form of tobacco cessation product and counseling, you have a seven times better of a chance quitting smoking than if you did it by yourself without any tobacco cessation products.

Luckily, there’s a quick and easy way to sign up for a tobacco cessation program that offers counseling and medications in one stop.

A pharmacist through the tobacco cessation program can meet with you Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and rest of the week between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

After your first appointment, you should follow up with one of the pharmacists every two weeks to see how you’re doing and if any adjustments need to be made.

If you’re interested in quitting smoking, contact your health care provider or pharmacist at the Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center, 553-1196.

And have a Happy New Year.

Dec. 17, 2009 edition

Spilyay Speaks

Christmas spirit on the reservation

By Duran Bobb

Spilyay Tymoo

The notice came through when the first bitter cold wave hit. In Bend, emergency shelters are opening when the temperatures are down below 25 degrees, but needy families must call to see if there is room available. If there is room available, folks need to be out of the shelters by 7 in the morning—from the shelter they are welcome to stay warm at the library.

I’m not one to dwell on the depressing things at Christmas time. My mom scolds me if she catches me watching such holiday movies as Christmas Shoes. But I can’t help it, I have a big heart… and just the thought of an entire family needing to stay in a library to keep warm, it touches me. "If you want to feel bad for someone," mom tells me, "then feel bad for somebody right here and help them out!"

A few years back, I did research into my family tree and found that I had to draw the line somewhere, where the branches would end. Because I realized that if I continued going and counting, everyone on the reservation would be related in some way—no matter how distant.

While I was getting ready to head out the door, KWSO reminded people to check on the elders in their families. Make sure that they have heat, the announcer said.

That sounds like a reminder from one family member to another.

Iva Pennington, one of our cherished tribal elders, told me that she will frequently purchase jackets throughout the year. "When the weather gets cold," she said, "I drive the jackets down to the folks that I see along the road, maybe take them a pot of stew."

That sounds like a gift from one family member to another.

As I write this, it’s cold enough outside that the water pipes at the new media center are frozen. The big casino sign told me that it was 4-below-zero as I drove by. There are reports of water pipes freezing all around the community.

In Warm Springs, there is no emergency shelter or warming station. In our community, family still depends on family in times of need. This holiday season, please keep the elderly and the needy in mind. That’s the bond that makes us a tribe. It is through that caring that we identify ourselves as family.

Help is available for your power bill

By Mark Matthews

For the Spilyay Tymoo

If you face the possibility of having your power shut off, there is help available for you.

Victims of Crime Services (VOCS) cannot help you pay your bill, but we can give your referrals that may help.

LIEAP

Tribal Social Services’ Low Income Energy Assistance Program, LIEAP, is the first program to contact.

The LIEAP program is open to all tribal community members living in the 97761 zip code regardless of tribal enrollment. This program is located on Holiday Street in the same building as the Commodities Program, and its telephone number is 553-3491. Lori Switzler or Gayleen Adams are there to help.

In the event that you have electrical power, but are having furnace problems and there is the a senior in your home, the tribal Social Services department has a limited number of electric blankets, electric bed pads, and electric heaters for the senior’s use.

Be prepared by bringing your latest power bill and financial information with you when you go to the Social Services building to apply for the Energy Assistance Program.

If the Tribal Social Services’ LIEAP Energy Assistance Program can only help you with a portion of your power bill, then you will have to access other social programs such as the local DHS-Food Stamp program, the NeighborImpact office if you live in Jefferson County, or the Mid-Columbia Community Action Council office in The Dalles if your home is in the Wasco County part of the reservation.

Seniors

The tribal Seniors Program has budgeted a one-time annual $240 maximum payment per tribal member senior for 2009 to help with power bills.

The Seniors Program is located on High Lookee Street, and its telephone number is 553-3313. Wilson Wewa, Lucille Schuster or Elton Greeley can assist you.

Unlike the Social Services department that receives federal dollars for its LIEAP program, the Seniors Program (because it is funded with tribal dollars) provides its energy assistance to seniors ages 60 years or older who are enrolled members of the Confederated Tribes.

State human services

The Oregon Department of Human Services may be able to help with income assistance, and your power bill, if you are low-income, have children, and meet its other qualifications. DHS has a part-time satellite office at the tribal Family Resource Center, 1144 Warm Springs St., telephone number 553-1626. It also has a full-time office in Madras at 678 NE Highway 97, Suite D, Madras, telephone number is 541-475-6131.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Social Services Program does not have funding to help tribal community members pay their power bills.

NeighborImpact is a non-government, non-profit organization headquartered in Redmond that can help tribal community members who live in Jefferson County with their energy bills after first applying to the Warm Springs for Low Income Energy Assistance Program at the Social Services department. NeighborImpact has a Madras office at 645 SW Marshall St., Madras, and its walk-in hours are 1-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is recommended to call 475-7017 for an appointment.

NeighborImpact can also assist consumers access the Oregon Heat Program if the customer has a good payment history with Pacific Power. The Oregon Energy Assistance Program is designed to prevent shut-offs that can have a life-altering effect on the family.

The Wasco County tribal residents who heat their homes with electricity from Wasco Electric Cooperative or Pacific Power may be eligible for help with their heating costs. The WECare program helps clients once every 12 months with Wasco Electric Cooperative that have a "shut-off" notice, and there are a couple of programs, Oregon Energy Assistance, and Oregon HEAT, that can help with Pacific Power clients. Contact the Mid-Columbia Community Action Council office in The Dalles at 541-298-5131.

If the above agencies are not able to completely help you with your power bill, then you may be able to take out a loan at Tribal Credit Enterprises.

From December 3, 2009

A disturbing incident

By Duran Bobb

Spilyay Tymoo

Ricky Graybael was angry when I talked to him at the store… not at all frightened.

At 3:09 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, someone shot at the home where he lives, a home that Ricky takes care of for the Baptist Church in Warm Springs.

"The bullet came about a foot from my head while I slept," Graybael said.

Two females, ages 19 and 26, were arrested, along with one male, 25. Two suspects fled and have not been apprehended. There appears to be a gang relationship between the shooters, although houses were targeted at random, according to authorities.

Public Safety Branch General Manager Jim Soules said that three houses in West Hills were sprayed with gunfire. "It’s frightening because there were children in those homes," Soules said. "It could have been a terrible tragedy."

Fortunately, there were no injuries. "Other than the trauma of having your house shot at in the middle of the night, nobody was hurt," Soules said.

Anybody who may have witnessed this senseless act is being encouraged to contact Det. Whitenburg at the police department, 553-1171.

We should all do our part in keeping our reservation a safe place, where young people can learn about our culture, and where this type of violence is never acceptable.

December 16

In other chat on the reservation, December 16 is just around the corner. Some people are overjoyed (both tribal members and otherwise, I presume). Some people feel as if a wrong move is being made toward the economic future of the reservation.

"We’re going to be in dire straights," one concerned tribal member said. "This is something that we really don’t need."

"I think of it this way," another tribal member told me. "There are people on the reservation that are really looking forward to December 16. They need this to make Christmas happen. They’re in dire straights right now.

These folks need food, clothes for their kids, gas in the car – not to mention gifts for loved ones. It’s not only a luxury, but a necessity for them, and I feel bad for them… so I’m proud that our leaders are doing this on behalf of the less fortunate.

Those people who don’t need [December 16] always have the option of giving it back. Or pass it on to someone who really needs it. That’s how it’s done in our culture."

On the outside of the correctional facility in Warm Springs, you can smell December 16 in the air. I can take this as a reminder to do unto others as I would like done to me.

I know that I wouldn’t like to have my house shot at in the middle of the night…so I won’t shoot at anybody else’s house, either. In fact, maybe I’ll do something nice for my neighbor both today and on December 16.

Return to HOMEPAGE

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Attention Tribal Council candidates

The Spilyay Tymoo and KWSO would like your candidacy statements.

The deadline for the Spilyay to process the materials for use in the March 24 edition is Wednesday, March 17. KWSO will begin running the statements in early March, first-come, first-served, until the election.

Please stop by the media center to drop off your written information for the newspaper and to record a 3-minute statement for the radio. We'll also try to photograph candidates for the Spilyay during this time.

We hope to offer Tribal Voters a comprehensive look at all candidates from all districts.

Census beginning Monday

The 2010 U.S. Census takers will be working throughout the Warm Springs community beginning Monday, March 1 through April 30.

The Census takers will be placing the 2010 Census questionnaire at your door.

Please complete the questionnaire and mail back in the self-addressed envelope.

Having an accurate Census count of the reservation population is important in order for the tribes to receive their fair share of funding.

People interested in working for the Census can take the employment test through March. Go to the Family Resource Center at 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.

The allocation of funding for many programs depends on the population count for the community. If you need help completing the questionnaire, contact: Urbana Ross, 2010 US Census Tribal Liaison, 541-553-3271.

Or call the Census help line at 1-866-872-6868.

AARP giving tax help in Warm Springs

The American Association of Retired People is offering free tax help to taxpayers with low to moderate income with special attention to those 60 and older.

The service is offered from 1 to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays at the Warm Springs Family Resource Center, 1144 Warm Springs St.

The service is also offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Madras Senior Center, 860 Madison St.

Visit warmspringsprogress.net to make an appointment; or call 541-553-3148, ext. 302 and leave a message with your name, phone number and preferred date and time.

Please bring the following when your come:

Current year’s tax forms and preparation booklet; copy of last year’s income tax return(s); W-2 forms from each employer; unemployment compensation statements; SSA-1099 form if you were paid Social Security benefits; all 1099 forms (1099 INT, 1099 DIV; 1099-B, etc.), showing interest and/or dividends and documentation showing original purchase price of sold assets.

Styrofoam floats to be replaced

Tribal representatives secured a pledge from the Oregon State Police that state police would not seek enforcement actions on tribal fishers using unencapsulated styrofoam floats until the fall fishing season was over.

That time has come: Oregon State Police are currently removing styrofoam floats from the Columbia and will take enforcement actions against tribal fishers placing new styrofoam floats back into the river.

The tribes urge fishers to replace styrofoam block fishing floats before the 2010 fishing season begins. Unencapsulated Styrofoam floats break down and harm fish and the river.

Alternatives such as styrofoam that has been sealed inside heavy vinyl, closed-cell foam floats, or other non-styrofoam floats are easier on the environment. Non-styrofoam floats are available at commercial fishing supply dealers at prices starting about $8 per float.

Immunization is strongly encouraged

Native Americans in Oregon haven’t been hit as hard by the flu as indigenous people in other states, according to the Oregon Department of Human Services. Healthcare workers from Warm Springs have been among those who have helped keep the virus at bay.

A study of 12 states, including Oregon, showed Native Americans died from flu at a much higher rate than the general population during the 2009 H1N1 season.

Only one Native American has died from pandemic H1N1 flu in Oregon since Sept. 1, 2009: a woman who had multiple underlying health problems.

Richard Leman, M.D., epidemiologist for Oregon Public Health, credits tribes and local health departments for their work to make vaccine available to Oregon’s native populations.

On the Warm Springs Reservation, for example, tribal health staff went to the homes of people at increased risk of severe complications from flu to encourage them to get vaccinated. Through this "Knock and Talk" program, they helped many people protect themselves from the infection.

The immunization is encouraged prior to the third wave of the disease, which will likely occur some time this winter.

Flu shots are being given in Pod A at the clinic on Mondays and Fridays from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m., and Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m.

Patients older than 6 months can also be vaccinated in the Medical Clinic, and adults older than 18 can also get flu vaccines from the Pharmacy on a walk-in basis.

Protect yourself and your loved ones from this virus that has infected 47 million Americans.

Call the clinic for details, 553-1196.

Council OKs regulations for non-member fishing on the reservation

The Warm Springs Tribal Council has approved proposed regulations for outsider fishing around the reservation. The season begins March 1 but actually starts in most areas in late April.

Season fishing permits cost $32 and allow a person, or husband and wife with children younger than age 14, to fish in most locations except for Area 2, where all people fishing need a license. The family also can camp in designated sections of Areas 1 and 2 during their stays.

Daily permits cost $10 per person, or husband and wife with children younger than age 14 to use Areas 1, 3 and 4. Again, all those fishing need a permit in Area 2. The family also can camp in designated sections of Areas 1 and 2.

Similar rules apply for the two-day and three-day permits that cost $16 and $21, respectively.

Campers pay $15 to use the Indian Park Campground at Lake Simtustus.

Some general tips: Pay attention to signs. Properly dispose of trash. Don’t damage or obstruct any waterways. Stay away from spawning areas, which are designated and marked. ATVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles can’t be used in tribal areas.

Maps will be made public to help people better recognize the areas so visitors don’t trespass in neighboring private sites.

Below are some other basic things that users need to abide by in each area.

In Area 1

Outsiders need to stay away from the huckleberries. The fruit is off-limits to people not in the tribes. Woodcutting also isn’t allowed. Keep dogs on leashes and keep horses at home. No motor-propelled watercraft, or riding ATVs, motorbikes and snowmobiles in the areas.

Bag limit: 15 trout.

In Area 2

Camping, fishing and landing on all reservation islands is prohibited. Launching boats, rafts or other floating devices from reservation land prohibited on Deschutes River. Don’t park vehicles at Dry Creek Campground overnight. No riding ATVs or motorbikes. No campfires at Dry Creek Campground. No woodcutting or gathering.

Bag limit: two trout; two steelhead. See regulation for other specific rules.

In Area 3

Boats, wave runners, wet jets are among watercraft prohibited from landing on the reservation side of the Lake Simtustus except at Indian Park. No trespassing off campgrounds, stay in designated camp areas. No ATVs and motorbikes. Keep firearms at home. Dogs must be leashed. No wood cutting or gathering.

Bag limit: There are limits on size and number of trout, bull trout and bass. Kokanee are considered part of the trout bag limit. Leave crayfish alone because only tribal members are allowed to harvest them.

In Area 4

No fires allowed. Houseboats and recreational boats prohibited from anchoring, mooring and landing along the north side of Lake Billy Chinook. And Chinook Island only allows boats to anchor, moor or land from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Bag limit: There are limits on size and number of trout, bull trout, and bass. Kokanee are considered part of the trout bag limit. Leave crayfish alone because only tribal members are allowed to harvest them.

Go to www.tribalpermit.com to purchase a license for Areas 1-4 or obtain details about what is and isn’t allowed as the season draws closer. The tribes’ Department of Natural Resources and various outside agents also sell licenses.

Inquire by dialing 541-553-2001.

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