Nimiipuu Tribal Tribune, Vol 3, Issue 7 by Wild Horses Thunder

Nimiipuu Health Retirees

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

NPTEC Primary Election Results

Pages 12 & 13

Page 30

Page 31

N I M I I P U U T

Qeqiit’áal / April

Volume 3 / Issue 7

Dr. Mary Jane Miles Receives LCSC Lifetime Achievement Award Dr. Mary Jane Miles was Week Lifetime Achievement and the Native American Club the recipient of the 34th Annu- Award for 2021, from Lewis on Friday, March 19. She was al Native American Awareness Clark State College (LCSC) surprised while believing she was invited to solely offer an opening prayer, but additionally was recognized during the closing ceremony on the final day of the weeklong event. “I appreciate, love and cherish the wisdom from Mary Jane Miles that comes from lifetime experiences and sharing her story again, and again. What a blessing, I thank God for Mary Jane! Congratulations,” stated Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, Elizabeth Arthur-Attao. Some of the key areas for Dr. Miles receiving the award was for her promotion of education, leadership and service to others through her work with the Tribe and also with the Presbyterian Church. She was one of many Nez Perce women in the 1970’s and 1980’s who went to night school at LCSC working toward a degree and also through the Portfolio Program, where students received experiential credit for their life and work experiences. She credited late, Loretta ‘Chet’ Halfmoon for encouraging her and others to continue on with the Portfolio program and evening classes. “She was not assertive but ag-

gressive in getting us to night school, we were all workers and moms and she just insisted we go to night school.” Dr. Miles was born on the Nez Perce Reservation, between Lapwai and Spalding to Davis Miles and Elsie Reuben. She attended school at Clearwater Valley in Kooskia, up until her senior year of high school where she transferred to Lapwai to complete her final year and graduation. Following high school, Dr. Miles attended Junior College at Bacone, LCSC, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. During this time, she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Science from LCSC, her Master of Divinity, and became a Doctor of Theology. Currently serving her second term on the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee, where she has served in multiple roles over the years, she continues to serve for the benefit of others. She is a mother of three children, plus others she claims as her own. She is a grandmother of four and a great grandmother of two. “I am so honored,” Dr. Miles said while holding back tears. “I love this school and I am just so proud of the Native American Club and I am proud to be an alumnus here.”

CULTURAL

Nimiipuutímtki- The People’s Language (Nee-mee-poo-timt-key)

April

Baby Backwards Bad Big Blanket Bloom Blue Bread

Qeqiit’áal (ka-key-tall)

“qeqiit (wild potato) season”

miyapkáawit héelekipx qepsíis himéeq’is cíickan latí yoosyóos ‘ipéx̂

me-yup-cow-wit hal-la-kiph kep-see-s he-mac-kiss tseets-kin law-tee yose-yose e-pah

NIMIIPUU TRIBAL TRIBUNE The Nimiipuu Tribal Tribune is published twice a month, on the first and third Wednesday. Our mission is to publish a timely and credible resource for our loyal readers and provide local information relevant to the Nimiipuu people and surrounding communities. Our vision is to disseminate content of interest to readers and to ensure this news publication is accessible by all. In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, we are working to cut down on paper waste and printing cost. Hard copies will be available upon request only. Enrolled Nez Perce Tribal members are able to receive hard copies at no cost (limit one per household). For businesses and non-enrolled Nez Perce Tribal members, the hard copy subscription fee is $36 annually. The online version is free for everyone. Subscribe today! For more information regarding submissions, subscriptions, classified ads, display ad rates, dates and deadlines, visit: http://nezperce.org/government/communications/

Contact: Chantal C. Ellenwood 208-621-4807 chantale@nezperce.org Mailing: P.O. Box 365 Physical: 120 Bever Grade Lapwai, ID 83540

Qeqiit’áal | April

COMMUNICATIONS Publisher’s Post Unconditional love is accepting someone for who they are at their core. So many people are in relationships out of fear. Some people try to control their partners. They have to do certain things, think a certain way, act a certain way to earn their love. A big thing that I learned about love is it requires allowance, and that you can’t try to guilt, mold or blame someone into being what they should be for you. It’s actually quite unloving to do that to someone. I feel like I have had a lot of issues, so for someone to accept me for who I am now, I have become more and more grateful for them. One thing I remind myself daily is “love is patient, love is kind” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. It’s one thing to grow together and mature as a couple, it’s another thing to demand that somebody changes and becomes something that they’re not. That’s not every situation, there are those who have shown their true colors, and we just have to let them do their thing on their own. Something else that I have realized about love is

that ego cannot be present when learning how to love. I’ve had to evaluate some of my deepest fears and insecurities that cause me to be rude and angry in my relationships. I’ve noticed that ego needs to disappear because the egos were entangled in it all and I am also realizing that a lot of bickers and arguments have stemmed more from ego,

rather than from love or hate. That hardest thing I’ve had to learn was found deep within my pain. I’ve had to learn to be more open, be vulnerable. The pain that I had experienced in the past hurts, and that pain is enough to shut myself down; I’ll turn inward and keep everyone out. What I learned most in my pain, was to not go to that

dark place with ego and leave it there. It’s in that moment that we have to stop our egos from controlling our thoughts and actions. Whoever I am speaking to, whether it’s a partner or anybody else in any conversation, I think “Do I really want to give out a feeling of hate, what energy am I carrying with my words?” When I was younger I really went into a lot of my relationships feeling deeply entitled, or feeling like people owed me something, when they didn’t. I am not entitled to anything from anyone and knowing that anything anyone gives me- if someone decides to love me, if someone decides to befriend me; it’s a gift, not a given. That has helped me cherish my friendships and kinships, and the time I have with them. So now the challenge for me, is just dissolving all the ego completely, and being able to have more allowance with others. People aren’t here for me. I’m not entitled to anybody’s kindness or their commitment. I also believe that there is a God that is far bigger than any of this, that has the most unconditional love for me.

Communications Team Welcomes New Oﬃce Assistant, Vega Greene

Vega Greene, Nez Perce Tribe Communication’s Oﬃce Specialist

The Nez Perce Tribe Communications Department would like to introduce our newest member, Vega Greene. Vega is someone who loves helping others and has held several positions within the Tribe for the past five years, working in departments such as Social Services and Education. She is nervous, excited and finding her stride, “I am just so happy and thankful still for this opportunity,” she says. “We are one of the main sources of communications at all levels with our people,” Vega said. “My job is to be available, reliable and dependable at all times for my team, assist on getting those simple tasks completed, and to also bring joy and a sense of peace within the atmosphere of our team.” Vega believes with every barrier that may occur in her new position, it will only be a learning experience, paving the way to a bright future. “Most importantly I will always overcome any obstacle with my spiritual belief and walk,” she stated. Vega would like to thank all of the ladies in Communica-

Qeqiit’áal | April

tions, “They are all wonderful and so welcoming! Chantal and my sister Aqua Greene encourage me daily and even though that may not seem like much, to me it is huge and I am so grateful for these two Ladies, I love and appreciate them both so much!” Vega would like to give recognition to God, as well as her babies, her loving sisters, and even her pain and struggles. “Without any of my struggles and barriers, I wouldn’t have taken this step, the courage to apply. Praying really does help a lot, whether it is Higher Power, Creator, Jesus; your faith and peace you feel is all that matters,” she added. Vega’s next goal is a new home for her and her babies. “My Babies, my children, they are amazing, great kids; they inspire me. They are all I have, and I’m all they have. But I do want to clear up, I am not mean!!! People always think I mean, but I am so not!” she concluded. Congratulations Vega, and welcome to Communications, we are happy and grateful to have your knowledge and help on the team.

GOVERNMENT

The Celebration Over Deb Haaland Now Faces a Long To-Do List at Interior By Kirk Siegler, www.npr.org

With so much land under federal control in the West, it’s long been said the secretary of the Interior has much more of a direct affect on most people’s lives than the president. This experience could arguably be multiplied tenfold on reservations. In her confirmation hearing earlier this year, Deb Haaland of the Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico nodded to the fact that the department she now leads was historically used as a tool of oppression toward tribes. "This moment is profound when we consider the fact that a former secretary of the Interior once proclaimed his goal to, quote, civilize or exterminate us," Haaland said quoting an Interior report from 1851, under then-Secretary Alexander H.H. Stuart. "I'm a living testament to the failure of that horrific ideology." Haaland, the former

NPTEC Seat #1

Empathetic Truthful Thoughtful

Democratic congresswoman, made history Monday by becoming the first indigenous Interior secretary. She's promising to begin repairing a legacy of broken treaties and abuses committed by the federal government toward tribes. It's one pillar of a long and ambitious to-do list of reforms the administration is planning at the sprawling agency that is the federal government's most direct contact with the nation's 574 federally recognized — and sovereign — tribes. In much of Indian Country, the history is more than just symbolic. "It feels like we are moving and we are claiming what we could have done a long time ago," said Mary Jane Miles, 81, a member of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee in Idaho. Miles said a traditional song was sung and there was an impromptu celebration at her tribe’s headquarters the moment Haaland was formal-

“I am grateful to have completed two terms on the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee (NPTEC) and would like to continue to serve you and finish my work. My focus has been to be a liaison to all tribal members and pursue services that are necessary to meet their essential needs. I recognize the needs of our elders that should be afforded to ensure a safe and comfortable lifestyle in their senior years. I respect our veterans and know their needs for constructive amenities as well. My family, education, and life experiences provide me a good perspective on the need for these services and my values give me understanding for what more are needed for our tribal communities to endure and progress.” I would appreciate your vote for me

Mary Jane Miles

ly confirmed by the Senate. The Nez Perce, or Nimiipuu in their native language, consider much of the Northwest their ancestral land. But through a series of treaties they’re now confined to a small slice of remote Idaho river country. Like most tribes, their land is held in trust by the federal government and leaders here say the U.S. has long shirked its obligation to protect the land, its wildlife and other issues of cultural importance to the tribe. Today, the salmon and steelhead trout that were once abundant on the Snake and Clearwater rivers are nearing extinction. Miles also pointed to a legacy of toxic messes from mining that occurred on ancestral Nez Perce land often with little or no consultation by the tribe. “Sometimes when we look at some of the things that the past has done for our tribe, we’ve noticed that maybe we’ve been taken,” she said. Nationwide, tribal leaders believe the injustices of the past might start to be reversed under Haaland. The Biden administration has indicated it’s reinstating an Obama-era rule requiring consultation with tribes, meaning that any future lands development or right of way projects like pipeline must be signed off on by affected tribes. “Protection of this government-to-government relationship is all important to the tribes,” said Jon Echohawk, executive director and attorney with the Native American Rights Fund in Colorado. Echohawk said that relationship is fraught because Interior agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs have been chronically underfunded. He says the previous administration also spurned tribal input on major lands decisions like the opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, the Keystone Pipeline and the 85% reduction of the Bears Ears National Monument.

Qeqiit’áal | April

There is already pressure on the new administration to reinstate Bears Ears in Utah or possibly even expand it beyond its original boundaries. The land is rich with artifacts and other cultural resources considered sacred to many tribes. Haaland has said only she’s planning to travel there next month for a listening tour. Traci Morris, executive director of the American Indian Policy Institute at Arizona State University, said she expects Haaland to take a measured approach on a lot of controversial issues at Interior given the historic nature of her appointment. “If she goes in and is radical, you know, who comes behind her, what native comes behind her, all of us will get judged by what she does,” Morris said. For sure, there is a lot of pressure on Haaland in even just the first few days of her tenure. Back on the Nez Perce, tribal leaders like Casey Mitchell want Haaland’s ear on saving the salmon. “She would be able to give the indigenous people a voice, the indigenous people have always been on the other side,” Mitchell said. And he’s optimistic because unlike with with many previous administrations, he said, there’s no learning curve with the new secretary. “There’s always so much high turnover within government entities that sometimes that plays in as an excuse,” Mitchell said. “As a government entity there should not be any excuse for the trust responsibility that you hold to the tribes.” For the Nez Perce, that trust responsibility is at the heart of a new deal brokered by Idaho Republican Congressman Mike Simpson to remove four dams on the Snake River downstream from here, a plan they hope Haaland will put in front of the president soon. Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

GOVERNMENT Stephen Thede Selected as Superintendent of Nez Perce National Historical Park LAPWAI – The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Stephen Thede to serve as the superintendent of Nez Perce National Historical Park and oversee operations at Big Hole National Battlefield and Whitman Mission National Historic Site. He will report on May 9, 2021. Thede became a park ranger in 1981 and has worked at 12 NPS sites across the country including Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Badlands national parks, the National Park Service Headquarters in Washington D.C., Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, and Missouri National Recreational River. He currently serves on the National Park Service Wild and Scenic Rivers steering committee. “Steve brings 37 years of National Park Service experience to this new role,” said Acting NPS Regional Director Linda D. Walker. “His commitment to conservation and experience working with tribal partners make him

a great fit for this position.” Thede holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a minor in psychology, geophysics and volcanology from the University of Hawaii. He also completed post-graduate work in biomedicine and business administration at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Hawaii. “I am honored to have been selected for this position,” said Thede. “These park service sites tell remarkable stories and are an important part of the history we share as Americans.” Thede will be joined by his wife of 30 years, Cheryl who is a former park ranger. The two enjoy all aspects of outdoor recreation and look forward to becoming active members of the community. Nez Perce National Historical Park preserves a continuum of at least 11,000 years of Nez Perce culture. The park was established in 1965, and in 1992 Congress expanded the park to include 14 sites

in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. As part of this expansion, Big Hole National Battlefield was added to Nez Perce National Historical Park. Learn more at nps.gov/nepe and www.nps.gov/biho/ Whitman Mission National Historic Site was established in 1936 to preserve

a portion of the Weyíiletpuu homeland, interpret the tragic events surrounding 19th-century Christian missionary activities there, and seek healing together with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Learn more at the park’s website: www.nps.gov/whmi/

Stephen Thede, new superintendent of Nez Perce National Historical Park, overseeing operations at Big Hole National Battlefield and Whitman Mission National Historic Site. (NPS Photo)

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on the Emotional Moment Biden Oﬀered Her the Job

President Biden's Cabinet meeting on Thursday showcased the most diverse Cabinet in history, including the first-ever Native American to become a Cabinet secretary. "CBS Evening News" spoke with Secretary Deb Haaland at the Museum of

the American Indian in Washington, D.C. In her first TV interview as secretary of the Interior, she spoke about the emotional moment when Mr. Biden offered her the job. "What I remember saying to him was, 'You don't know what this means to Indian Country,'" she said. "It's significant. It's historical. It's meaningful. And I think we're all indebted to him." It was especially meaningful considering the department's past. "The Interior Department's job was to either assimilate or exterminate Native Americans," Haaland said. The Department oversees roughly one-fifth of all the nation's land, which includes 574 federally recognized tribes,

including Haaland's own, the Laguna Pueblo of New Mexico. "I think a lot of Native Americans have felt powerless," she said. "Often, it's been easy to take land away to drill and mine in sacred places." She's pledged to transform the department to confront climate change, raising fears within the oil and gas industry that she says are unfounded. "The fossil fuel industry will continue for years to come. We're not saying it's stopping tomorrow," Haaland said. "There is not a permanent ban. It was a pause on new gas and oil leases because, rightly so, the program needed to be reviewed. And so the existing gas and oil leases have continued." Haaland also spoke about her goals for the de-

Qeqiit’áal | April

partment, which include finding missing or murdered indigenous women. "That's a crisis that's been happening since Europeans came to this continent 500 years ago," she said. "And I'm really excited to announce that at the Department of Interior, we will have a missing and murdered unit that will focus specifically on this crisis and make sure that families can have some answers." American Indian and Alaska Native women are killed at a rate 10 times higher than the national average. "There are a lot of cases that are unsolved," Haaland said. "Those are the ones that we need to solve." © 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

NORTHWEST

Waking Up in Idaho Film Set to Record in September A movie shoot is coming to our area. The film is called Waking Up in Idaho. Michigan filmmaker Jonny Lewis will be shooting the story of two foster kids, with his cameraman Jason Ferrell, who lived in Kamiah back in 2012. The two foster siblings will be played by 18-year-old Samantha CraigAllen of Pendleton, Oregon, daughter of Sheldon Allen of Culdesac, Idaho, and 14-yearold Dekin Carney of Lewiston, Idaho. Samantha is of Nez Perce and Umatilla heritage, and Dekin is white. It is the first film role for both of them. Says writer/director Jonny Lewis, “We don’t usually see Native Americans in film or TV unless it’s about a Native American story. But why not just show a Native just as a regular person like everyone else?” The film is not about what’s wrong with the foster system, or the troubles of Native Americans. In fact, it’s a comedy. Jonny says, “We all

know what’s wrong with this world, but I wanted people to feel a little better about life after watching our movie. I confess, it’s a feel-good movie.” The story is also about the two new foster moms. They’ve never done this before, and they’re anxious. They never got the love they needed when they were growing up either. So it’s really a story of four very different people coming together over a long weekend of hiking and other activities— making mistakes, but trying to do what’s right, and eventually some true bonding takes place. Comedy, like life, is all about making mistakes. But if you truly care about the people you’re with, forgiveness and understanding poke their noses through from time to time. Local folks Eve BeanAllen and Sheldon Allen have suddenly become producers of the film, finding local connections and resources for a project they believe in. Possible

scenes in the film include outdoor archery, horseback riding, and standup paddleboards, as well as hiking through the beautiful Idaho countryside. Equine therapist Marla Mortimer, of Clearwater, Idaho, will be “giving riding lessons” to the foursome. In all these activities, mistakes will be made— but hopefully they will be hilarious. The real fun in life comes not from being perfect, but from encountering different people and trying new things. Speaking of new things, Jonny has made a couple dozen short films, but this is his first full-length film. He is delighted by all the cooperation he has received from Sheldon, Eve, Marla, the Kamiah KOA, and others. Jeanette Yoffe, a former foster care social worker, has been advising on the film. She was also a foster child herself. To add to the authenticity, Jeanette, who has also had some acting experience, will be

Qeqiit’áal | April

playing a social worker in the film. (She is also a Latina, with Yoffe being her married name.) Though Jonny will be bringing a small but professional crew with him—this is a lowbudget film—he also welcomes participation of eager locals who have some experience making films. He has already invited a 15-year-old First Nations girl, Kiya Bruno, to work as crew. “Kiya auditioned for the role of Anna, and didn’t get the part. But she mentioned that when she’s on a film set, she’s always checking out the camera angles. That told me she’s sharp enough to help out on our crew, so she’s going to be our script supervisor. That’s a big responsibility, so of course we’ll help her with it.” The main roles have been cast, but there may be opportunities for small acting roles, and for production interns. For more info, and to contact Jonny Lewis, visit: WakingUpInIdaho.film.

NORTHWEST Q & A with Waking Up in Idaho Lead Role, Samantha Craig-Allen Samantha Craig-Allen has been selected to play the lead role, Anna, in Jonny Lewis’ upcoming film Waking Up in Idaho. NTT: Have you participated in any acting gigs or ﬁlms? SCA: No, I have not. NTT: How long have you been acting? SCA: I have been acting for almost 3 years. NTT: What got you interested in acting? SCA: I’ve always had my love for films for nearly 15 years and how much it’s progressed from the early-to mid 20th century to now, always fascinated by these little steps we take from stop motion to CGI, how we can turn our imaginations into reality, how we were able to turn Black and White into Color, it’s like the possibilities are endless when it comes to filming. NTT: What were the steps you took to get into the ﬁeld? SCA: I have been writing for 5+ years and I started connecting emotionally with more characters outside of my books, it helped me understand all types of characters and become inspired to write more books. I took minor parts in skits and now being in the lead role is odd, but it’s the good kind of odd, trust me, all I was thinking was,”Really me? They want me to be the lead role?” NTT: Have you had to overcome any obstacles or barriers? SCA: Yes I have, I felt like I wasn’t going to be good enough to play the role of Anna. It was my first Audition for my first film and I was prepared for what came next, whether it was good or bad. It was my self confidence, that’s what always stopped me from going for what I’ve always wanted to do. NTT: What types of demands did auditioning require of you? SCA: I was more into the Drama type and hearing that this would also be Comedic, I knew that this would be challenging for me, but I’ve never backed down from a challenge and I have passion for learning. NTT: Is there anyone you

(Left) Dekin Carney, lead role Boyd, with his parents Crystal Reynolds and Josh Carney. (Right) Samantha Craig-Allen, lead role Anna, with her parents Sandy Craig and Sheldon Allen

would like to thank or anyone you are thankful for? SCA: I’d like to thank Jonny, my Director, for taking a chance to talk to me and hopefully become my mentor to understand Anna a lot more. My father for putting effort into the movie, for supporting everything I do. My mother for always believing in me, for going beyond her limits to help me achieve my dreams. NTT: Any special shoutouts? SCA: My Acting/English teacher Shannon, who was very open and extremely sweet to all of her students. She accepted everyone’s quirks and just welcomed everyone. My cheer coaches, Erin, Brandy and Shawna. They helped me build confidence to just go for it, don’t be afraid to take chances and even when there’s a mess up, just keep going. NTT: What do you enjoy doing outside of acting, any hobbies? SCA: I write books and dance. I’m an only child, so imagination was 24/7. I couldn’t draw or anything, so I began writing what was on my mind for a couple years until I started writing novels and one trilogy. My stories have been taking notice, the good and bad kind, since my novels are fictional with real life issues now, like this one that I’m

currently and have been writing for over a year, but it’s progress. I started dancing when I was young, I used to learn when Just Dance came out, I used to take dance classes, but my mother couldn’t afford them so we stopped going, except I was still dancing with Just Dance and Michael Jackson, The Experience. I kept it under wraps that I danced until I was 15 or 16, by then I started to teach myself how to increase my training with cheer and YouTube Channels such as Tmilly. In the end, Dancing has helped me get more in touch with my emotions for sto-

May 5th

ries, and writing has helped me express myself through choreographies. NTT: Is there anyone or anything that has inspired you? SCA: When I started writing, I did it as an outlet, to help myself and when I got better, I was still writing because I wanted to help others, let them know that it’s okay to feel sad. When I felt like I didn’t have a voice, I gave my characters one and they helped me give one. I love the idea of bringing a character to life and it’s fascinating, learning to understand why the characters are the way they are.

National Day of Awareness for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women

Qeqiit’áal | April

NORTHWEST

J Russell Excavation & Construction Gives Back to the Nez Perce People

Josh Russell, owner of J Russell Excavation & Concrete LLC, wanted to give back to the Lapwai community and the Nez Perce people. “My company does a lot of work for the tribe,” said Russell. “I hold the Nez Perce people at a high level of respect. We want to continue to be here for the community and always be able to lend a helping hand.” Russell coordinated with Nez Perce Tribe Veterans Program’s Mary Taylor, who introduced the project to the Nez Perce Tribe Executive Committee for approval. Russell and his crew excavated and leveled out the paths to the Tribal Cemetery so people now have easier access to the cemetery. Less mowing and main-

tenance will be required to maintain the area and more parking was added with easy vehicle access turnarounds. A total of $6,200 was donated in equipment, fuel, labor and material overall by J Russell Excavation & Concrete. The company used woven geosynthetic road fabric under the gravel to keep the mud and weeds out of the new gravel areas. The project lasted three days, there were no difficulties. “Honesty, dedication and loyalty are very important to me. We are a local company that invests in long term relationships,” said Russell. “We stand behind our work and believe in giving back.” Russell can be reached at jrussellexcavation@ gmail.com, 509-295-1162.

J Russell Excavation & Concrete create parking and walking pathways at the Tribal Cemetary

The Nez Perce Youth Advisory Board presents the BENEFIT GAME

High School

Native American

Featuring Native Student Athletes & Leaders invited from: Clarkston Kamiah Kooskia- CV Lapwai Lewiston Orofino

BENEFIT GAME

Charitable Event to benefit Nez Perce YAB at Clarkston, Clearwater Valley, Kamiah, Lapwai, Lewiston, and Orofino. The students develop an annual action plan to expand cultural, educational, recreational, and leadership opportunities in their schools and communities.

Basketball Showcase April 12, 2021 * Pi-nee-waus, Lapwai, ID 6:00 Girl’s game ~ 7:30 Boy’s game

Facility follows CDC guidelines. Separate Enter/Exit doors.

Donatiions accepted for admission.

Inquiries: Joyce McFarland, Nez Perce Education Manager, 208-621-4610 Thank you to our Sponsors:

Lapwai NPYAB is hosting the event with support from other YABs at CV, Clarkston, Kamiah, Lewiston, and Orofino

Qeqiit’áal | April

Royal Embroidery Supporter: Pi-nee-waus

NORTHWEST

Massey-Kane Wedding Announcement After a one year delay when the State of Arizona went on covid lockdown in March 2020, Annie Kane and Keith Massey, finally tied the knot on March 20, 2021. Both bride and groom are transplants to Arizona, with Annie being the hometown girl. She grew up in Lapwai, attended and played basketball for LCSC and found herself in Mesa, Arizona, when she was accepted at A.T. Still University for Physical Therapy School, and graduated three years later with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Keith, after a collegiate football career at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, moved to Arizona to explore career opportunities. He made his way to Arizona State University where he obtained his Master's Degree in Special Education. Annie's Maid of Honor was childhood friend Chelsey Leighton, now living in El-

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lensburg, Washington. Keith's groomsman was his cousin Scott Wilhelm from Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. Rounding out the wedding party were bridesmaids: Kayla Williams, from Los Angeles, California; Jaide Wilhelm, from Pullman, Washington; Tasha Bishop, from Phoenix, Arizona; Cassie De Los Heros from Phoenix, Arizona; Jess Giardino, from Chandler, Arizona; and Robin Wettstein, from Gilbert, Arizona; and groomsmen: Jake Reichard, from Allentown, Pennsylvania; Erik Frazier, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Matt Cohen from Allentown, Pennsylvania; Neil Harrison, from ; Allentown, Pennsylvania Geist, from ; Allentown, Pennsylvania Broyles from Allentown, Pennsylvania. The Officiant was Grace Guilfoyle from Apache Junction, Arizona. Family attending the wedding were Dan and Julie

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enty additional friends and relatives helped the couple celebrate their nuptials at Gold Canyon Resort in Arizona. The couple is making their home in Mesa, Arizona, where they are both employed, he, as a Special Education teacher and she, as a Physical Therapist.

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ENVIRONMENT

Vision Maker Media’s First Environmental-Themed Program in April will be Part of Organization’s 45th Anniversary Celebration LINCOLN, Neb., April 1, 2021 — Vision Maker Media (VMM) is marking its 45th anniversary in 2021 with a yearlong celebration of free “commUNITY” events, including thematic online film screenings, online virtual programs and more. PBS and the Cherokee Nation Film Office are sponsors of VMM’s 45th anniversary events. In April, VMM’s first environmental-themed program will acknowledge International Earth Day with a month-long community-themed online film streaming event, titled “commUNITY: Environment is Sacred,” and a panel discussion. The April programs are free and open to the public but registration is required. “commUNITY: Environment is Sacred” is a program of six films, featuring themes of water, energy, Indigenous food and health. The themes highlight important environmental issues that have a direct effect on Native lands and an Indigenous philosophy for the world to better understand. The films will be available April 1-30 for worldwide online streaming 24/7 at visionmakermedia.org. The six films include: “Crying Earth Rise Up” (2015,

USA, 57 min.); “Red Power Energy” (2016, USA, 56 min.); “Growing Native Northwest: Coast Salish” (2018, USA, 57 min.); “RETURN: Native American Women Reclaim Foodways for Health & Spirit” (2019, USA, 28 min.); “Rematriation Series: Joanne Shenandoah” (TBD, USA, 10 min.); and “The Seven Generation River” (2019, USA, 27 min.). For more information about the films and to register, visit visionmakermedia.org. “The Indigenous Rights of Nature Movement,” a panel discussion in partnership with Bioneers’ Indigeneity Program, will take place via Zoom on Tuesday, April 20 at 6 p.m. CDT. The idea that a feature of nature, like a river, is a living being is nothing new to Indigenous and other traditional peoples around the world. While the Western philosophical system is underpinned by the idea that humans are separate from nature and in dominion over it, Indigenous philosophical systems tend to conceive of humans as a part of nature, and in relationship with nature. It’s not surprising that Indigenous peoples are at the forefront of a growing movement to acknowledge the legal “Rights of

Happy Birthday Nakia Williamson, Dion Smith and Melvin Crow

Nature.” Indigenous environmental leaders share their approaches to adopting “Rights of Nature” into Tribal governance for protecting Mother Earth and Indigenous rights. “We are grateful for Vision Maker Media's shared mission to amplify the stories and voices of Indigenous peoples for a better future,” says Cara Romero (Chemehuevi), director, Indigeneity Program, Bioneers. For more information, visit: https://bioneers. o rg / i n d i g e n e i ty- p ro g ra m / About Vision Maker Media Vision Maker Media (VMM) is the premiere source of public media by and about Native Americans since 1976. Our mission is empowering and engaging Native people to share stories. We envision a world changed and healed by

understanding Native stories and the public conversations they generate. We work with VMM funded producers to develop, produce and distribute programs for all public media. VMM supports training to increase the number of American Indians and Alaska Natives producing public broadcasting programs. A key strategy for this work is in partnerships with Tribal nations, Indian organizations and Native communities. Reaching the national public and a global market is the ultimate goal for the dissemination of Native public media that shares Native perspectives with the world. VMM is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). For more information, visionmakermedia.org, visionmaker@ unl.edu or (402) 472-3522.

RADON RISKS

the silent killer You can’t see radon. And you can’t smell it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your home.

WHAT IS RADON? Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil. It enters your home through cracks in concrete floors, walls, floor drains and sump pits. As you breathe, the radon gas can release tiny bursts of energy that can damage living lung tissue and can lead to lung cancer over time.

In Idaho, 2 IN 5 HOMES TESTS HIGH FOR RADON

IF YOU SMOKE AND YOUR HOME HAS HIGH RADON LEVELS, YOUR RISK OF LUNG CANCER IS HIGHER

TEST YOUR HOME Testing is the only way to know if your family is at risk from radon. Testing is inexpensive and easy. Order a $10.95 test kit: www.radonidaho.org (includes test results & shipping) Questions, contact: ERWM Air Quality johnab@nezperce.org | 621-3821

Love, Mom, Sheryl, Sewaas, and Laurie Ann

Qeqiit’áal | April

ENVIRONMENT

Nez Perce Tribe Recycling Program Newsletter—April 2021 ’apaqa’ánno’ ’ee kaa ’epeqíicxnu’ wéetesne - Respect and take care of the earth. Nez Perce Tribe Water Resources Division - Solid Waste and Recycling Program Lapwai Contacts:

Jon Van Woerkom . (208) 791-3965 or Linda Nemeth . lindan@nezperce.org Nez Perce Tribe Housing Authority

Spring Cleanup—Lapwai & Kamiah March 29—April 2

“Talkin’ Trash” Tipping Fees

Plastic bags and film - #2 & #4

What are tipping fees? A tipping fee is a fee paid by anyone who disposes of waste in a landfill. Usually this fee is based on the weight of waste per ton. The Tribe pays $49.73/ton to dispose of trash at Asotin County Regional Landfill. Ever wonder how that compares with the rest of the country? A recent report by EREF shows that we are paying a little less than the national average of $53.72/ ton, and we are doing very well compared to average tipping fees for states in the Pacific region: $142.33-AK $58.48-CA $114.33-HI $59.02-ID $71.53-OR $95.99-WA We are fortunate, so let’s work together to reduce the amount we put in Asotin landfill and keep it open & affordable for a long time to come!

Car batteries

Reduce-Reuse-Recycle

Just a Reminder— What You Can Currently Recycle With Us #1 & #2 Plastic bottles - empty & rinsed* Aluminum cans - empty & rinsed*

Tin cans - empty & rinsed* Shredded paper - in clear plastic bags Newspaper Used printer/ink cartridges (no toner) Used candles Corrugated Cardboard - flattened

*If it is not rinsed, it is considered contaminated and goes straight to the landfill—the exact opposite of what we are all trying to do!

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated globally to support environmental protection. The day is celebrated on 22nd April every year. Having started in 1970, the event is now coordinated and celebrated internationally in more than 193 countries across the globe. The theme for Earth Day 2021 is “Restore Our Earth.“ Learn more at: https://www.earthday.org/toolkit-earth-day-2021restore-our-earth/

Qeqiit’áal | April

—Environmental Research & Education Foundation

Lapwai Recycling Schedule Community Recycling April 8 & 22 Pineewaus Parking Lot 11 am -1 pm

Office Collections April 1, 15 & 29

HEALTH Nimiipuu Health Holds Warm Good Bye for Two Employees

CNA Dave Arthur is retiring after 15 years with Nimiipuu Health

Nimiipuu Health’s Medical Secretary, Ayisha Bohanan has recently accepted a position with the Veteran’s Administration. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Dave Arthur is retiring after 15 years of service. They will both be dearly missed by team members and patients alike. Ayisha has 8 years of service with Nimiipuu Health. Starting as on-call, she has worked in several departments and has a very well-rounded wealth of knowledge within a clinical and office setting. Ayisha is a Certified Nursing Assistant and fills in for CNA’s as well if needed. She acknowledges both Loretta Penney, Executive Assistant and Kylena Guffie, Finanace Manager, thanking them for being her go-to individuals whenever she had questions with regards to Nimiipuu Health policies, procedures or anything in general. One of her duties was to ensure that employees were all properly licensed and in compliance, a very important role, to ensure quality care for our patients. The Executive Director mentions

that Ayisha is the one who keeps many people, herself included, in line and her attention to detail will surely be missed. We are very proud of Ayisha and as she is moving on to a place where she can provide care for Veterans. She shared the importance of working with Veteran’s, having a grandfather who served as well. Ayisha will be missed but we know that she will do an amazing job wherever she goes. Dave is retiring after 15 years with Nimiipuu Health. Being the person many patients ask for by name, we know that his absence will surely be noticed. Dave's positive mentality is one every staff should strive toward. In his speech he mentioned that he liked to keep the attitude that he didn't HAVE to go to work, he GOT to go to work. He also says he is going to miss “his girls” which is what he called the nurses he worked with. He says, “Anyone that I’m close to knows what I mean when I say ‘my girls’.” Having been with Nimiipuu Health for as long as he

Ayisha Bohanan accepted a position with the Veteran’s Administration

has, Dave sure has seen many things and at times had to deal with stressful situations. He was asked how he handles addicts with such care when he had seen them multiple times for the same reason. Being a recovering alcoholic himself for many years now, he said, “You don’t give up five minutes before the miracle, sometimes it can take several tries before the changes stick.” These words have powerful meaning with many of us who have loved ones

Qeqiit’áal | April

with addictions or have been caught in that battle ourselves. One last thing that Dave said will resonate with many health care providers and clinical staff alike, “The most important person in the building is the patient that comes through the doors to be cared for.” This is the type of care we strive to give every day and Ayisha and Dave are amazing at it. Thank you both for all of your years of service to our community. We were lucky to have you.

HEALTH Broncheau Retires from Nimiipuu Health

Angela Broncheau retiring after 35 years of service to Nimiipuu Health

Friday March 26th, 2021 Angela Broncheau walked out of Nimiipuu Health’s (NMPH) Kamiah Location, a retired woman. Angela served her community at Nimiipuu Health for 35 years, starting September 27th in 1986 as a Maternal Child Health Outreach Aide. Being one of Nimiipuu Health’s first employees, she was hired by resolution through the Tribe’s Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee (NPTEC). She remembered working in the Wa-A’Yas and there being only one room for them to work out of when she started. Mainly focusing on well-child appointments at that time, she reminisced saying that back then they didn’t have a baby scale so they would weigh themselves and then would hold the baby and jump back on the scale, figuring the baby’s weight by subtraction. A true definition of working with what you had and making the best of the situation, all in service to the people. Angela worked in Community Health where the primary goal of the program was disease prevention and patient

education. She loved working with the babies and educating families. She had an education board that she was responsible for maintaining and keeping current, and was known for having an information/education board at all General council meetings, both Spring and Fall. She would add little jokes on the board to see who would notice and to get an idea for who was taking the time to inform themselves. One of Angela’s duties was to do home visits, oftentimes to elders. She offered as a bit of insight as to the level of care she was providing to them by saying, “When you go to see an elder, you don’t rush. If they offer you something, don’t tell them no. Take time with home visits. I used to say, ‘If I’m taking a long time, it’s because they had something to tell me.’ Some elders do not want to disclose information in the clinic or to the providers.” This is the quality care that NMPH strives to work toward daily and Angela embodied that with the hard work and years of service she committed to her community. Angela taught CPR

classes in Kooskia, Kamiah, Orofino, and Lapwai. She lost count of the amount of times she trained these lifesaving skills. She held a voluntary position as an advanced EMT for 36 years. She even earned her ‘Stork Pin’ by delivering her own granddaughter in the back of an ambulance on the way to the hospital by mile post 49. It was a day she will never forget. She retired from her position as Advanced EMT in 2018. A luncheon was held in honor of Angela and all that she has given throughout her years at NMPH. She was gifted a Pendleton Blanket box which when she opened it up, much to her delight, turned out to be a star quilt. Many people got up and spoke good words for her and her retirement including NMPH Executive Director, Roberta José-Bisbee; Executive Assistant, Loretta Penney; and NPTEC Secretary, Rachel Edwards. In attendance were fellow employees of the Kamiah NMPH team and Angela’s family and friends including her siblings Nancy Wheeler, Dallon Wheeler and Marilyn Bowen. Her son Timmy drove his wife Janelle and their kids up from Middleton, ID for an added surprise. When asked what her plan was and how she would spend her future days, Angela mentioned that she had interest in volunteering at the Chil-

Qeqiit’áal | April

dren’s Home in Lapwai. She has experience in this area having been a licensed foster care parent with her husband in the past. She added, “I will still have my skills, and I will still help people.” Angela has also maintained an article in the Clearwater Progress since 1993 called EE-TOO-TUM-TINE which means, “What’s new”, and she intends to keep on writing. Her sister Marilyn warns Angela that she may have to learn how to say, ‘no’ and informed her that it is in her best interest to take time for herself as well. Angela will truly be missed as a NMPH Community Health Representative, but we are lucky to have had her for as long as we did, helping and educating our people. Now she will definitely have more time to share with family as she names off all of her beloved children and their partners, “I’ll start from oldest to youngest: Abraham and Susan Broncheau, Casey and Heather Broncheau, Alex and Jennifer Broncheau, Feather and James Holt, Delores and Daniel Higheagle, Zachary Broncheau and Olivia Morales, and Timmy and Janelle Broncheau.” Angela would like to wish everyone well and says she will miss the team, especially her long-time friend Renee Stanton. As Angela states in her latest EE-TOO-TUM-TINE article, “I believe it’s time for me to go play!”

COMMUNITY

Nez Perce Tribe Proceeding to Stage 4 in Pandemic Response

Lapwai, Idaho- Beginning April 1, 2021, the Nez Perce Tribe (Tribe) will change its COVID-19 response to correspond with Stage 4 of the Idaho Rebounds guidelines. As of March 26, 2021, Nimiipuu Health (NMPH) had a 14-day average of less than one positive COVID-19 case per day and a positivity rate of 4.17%. Given the steady decline in positive cases, the Tribe has determined it is appropriate to begin following the protocols of Stage 4 of the Idaho Rebounds guidelines. Stage 4 protocols permit gatherings of more than 50 people where appropriate physical distancing can occur and non-essential travel can continue. Safety recommendations will still require appropriate physical distancing, wearing a face covering, washing hands regularly, staying home if you do not feel well and sanitizing hard surfaces. “With the lack of need

for crisis standard of care and our persistent downward trend in our communities over the past 6 weeks, we can begin to return to normalcy with caution. We will continue to diligently observe the trends of this pandemic closely as we move forward to Stage 4,” stated NMPH Medical Director, Dr. Kim Hartwig. “Additionally, there is an all-time low regional prevalence of COVID-19 sitting at a rate of 1.8% as of March 21st.” NMPH continues to be ahead of the game in distribution of the COVID-19 Moderna Vaccine. As of March 26, NMPH had administered 2,617 doses of the Moderna Vaccine, 1,348 of those being prime doses. Ten doses of the Janssen Vaccine have also been administered. As of March 24, NMPH has opened vaccine administration to anyone, beneficiary or non-beneficiary. Proof of insurance is required.

Nez Perce Tribe Local Education Program Fund Lapwai, Idaho- The Nez Perce Tribe Local Education Program Fund (Fund) is currently accepting applications for the 2021/22 school year. Applications are available on the Nez Perce Tribe website at: https://nezperce.org/government/executive-direction/. Applications can be submitted via email, fax, or U.S. Postal service to the contacts listed below. The deadline to submit an application is Thursday, April 22, 2021 by 4:00 p.m. (PST). The mission of the Fund is to provide financial assistance to local education programs and schools located on or near the Nez Perce Reservation. The ultimate goal is to improve the mind, speech, manner, capability, and character of the human populace. The grants are funded through revenue from the Nez Perce Tribe gaming enterprises. Funds are distributed in accordance with the Indian Gaming and Self-Reliance Act of 2002 approved by Idaho voters through the Proposition One initiative.

Qeqiit’áal | April

Mail: Local Education Fund Nez Perce Tribe, P.O. Box 365 Lapwai, Idaho 83540 Fax: 208.843.7343 Email: Catherineb@nezperce.org

COMMUNITY

Sayq’is Greene Selected as a Top Model for Kali Photography Kali Photography is a local business that specials in senior portraits and weddings and is located in Lewiston, Idaho. Each year, Kali offers a senior spokesmodel program, where junior girls apply to be a part of a hugely sought after group of girls. Sayq’is Greene applied to be a part of Kali’s program, and out of nearly 100 applicants, Sayq'is was chosen as one of Kali’s top models to represent Kali Photography for the Class of 2022. “I am so excited to have her a member of the spokesmodel team, said Kali”. “This position is something that is hugely sought after and something to be so proud of her for achieving.” Spokesmodels are chosen based on their involvement in the community, their love for life, bubbly personalities and ability to show love to those around them. As a 2022 Kali Photography Senior Spokesmodel, Sayq’is will receive countless

perks and exclusives throughout her time on the team. She will receive a complimentary senior session with professional hair and makeup to kickstart her time as a spokesmodel, a session at the end of her senior year with her cap & gown, participation in styled shoots throughout the year, have exclusive access to multiple spokesmodel-only events, receive goodies from local sponsors, be selected as a model for other advertising events, and more. Additionally, she will receive a discount on additional sessions and prints/digital images. A senior portrait session with Kali includes two hours of shooting, a minimum of 100 fully edited images and an online gallery where you can easily download, share and print all of the gorgeous high-resolution files. It also includes three to four outfit changes and two to three locations in and around the Lewis-Clark Valley. Congratulations Sayq’is.

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The Nez Perce Tribe honored Pattie Soucek with a Pendleton blanket on Thursday, March 18, 2021. Pattie retired from the Payette National Forest Service after over 40 years of working for the Forest Service. Pattie worked closely on several projects important for the protection of the Nez Perce Tribe’s treaty-reserved rights and resources. She was instrumental in the Payette National Forest’s adoption of a decision in 2010 that provides significant new protections to culturally-significant bighorn sheep threatened by disease transmitted through

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contact with domestic sheep. This decision, which received the Nez Perce Tribe’s full support and was upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2016, is now being used as a model to address bighorn sheep and domestic sheep management across the West. Pattie has also recently assisted with coordinating review of the proposed Stibnite Gold Project. Several Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee members expressed their gratitude for her hard and commitment to upholding the Forest Service’s trust responsibility to the Nez Perce Tribe.

COMMUNITY

Tiny Tots Early Learning Brings Awareness for World Down Syndrome Day

Pete Wilson drums and sings after the fun run/walk

World Down Syndrome Day was celebrated on Sunday, March 21st. On World Down Syndrome Day, people with Down syndrome and their family members are able to celebrate what makes them unique and do fun activities to increase public awareness. It’s celebrated on March 21 to commemorate the three copies made of the twenty-first chromosome, which is what happens in the DNA makeup of an individual with Down syndrome. Tiny Tots Early Learning did a 5k Fun Run/Walk starting at the Tiny Tots Learning Center to Spalding Park at 9:00 a.m. The Fun Run/Walk was then followed by lunch at Spalding Park with Down Syndrome Awareness Cupcakes.

Qeqiit’áal | April

Drawings for beaded and Pendleton items as well as Down Syndrome T-shirts, stickers, and other promotional items took place after the Fun Run/ Walk with a guest speaker and rummer, Pistol Pete Wilson. This event was brought to the community by Tiny Tots Early Learning, and made possible by the Tiny Tots Parent Advisory Committee, Green Apple Project, Wilderness Coffee Kamiah, YAB “Youth Advisory Board” Kamiah, Evander Reyes and Family, Black Bison, Mateyis Penney-Jackson and Family, Chantelle Souther, Kamiah Properties Real Estate Agent, Karlee’s Coffee and Jacelyn’s Java Toppenish, Tradition’s Gift Shop Lewiston and all of the community that showed up to support World Down Syndrom day.

COMMUNITY Jerry Sobotta Helped Pave Way for Lapwai Hoops Boom

Member of Wildcats’ first district title team, who died recently, also played a season at Gonzaga

By Dale Grummert, Lewiston Tribune

Of the many members of the Lapwai-based Sobotta family who have played basketball with distinction during the past several decades, most are descendants of Bob Sobotta Sr. and his wife, Loretta. But Bob said his brother Jerry was a better player than he. “He couldn’t shoot free throws like I could, but that was the only thing I had over him,” he said. Jerry Sobotta, who helped Lapwai High School to its first district championship and later played a

season at Gonzaga, died March 21 at his home in Hermiston, Ore. He was 85. Two years older than Bob, Jerry Sobotta in the 1950s helped pave the way for Lapwai’s first brush with success at the state level, foreshadowing the school’s rich basketball culture of later decades. As a strong-rebounding 6-foot-1 senior forward in 1953-54, he shared top billing with Ed Madsen (another future Gonzaga player) on a team that claimed Lapwai’s first district title and placed second in the Idaho Class B tournament. The Wildcats lost Madsen to an ankle injury at State and narrowly fell to North Marsh in the championship game. The payoff for Lapwai and Bob Sobotta would come two years after Jerry’s departure when they captured the 1956 state crown. According to Bob Sobotta, the Wildcats’ beloved coach of that era, Harley Williams, told Jerry he was the best player he’d ever worked with. When he later paid the same compliment to Bob, they suspected he used

The 1953 boys basketball team from Lapwai High School made sure to keep their eyes on the ball in the hands of their coach, Harley Williams, as they lined up for their team photo. Team members were (back row from left) L. Taylor (manager), M. Wilson, J. Sobotta, J. Tilden, E. Madsen and D. Cosgrove; (front row) F. Davis, B. Sobotta, L. Ellenwood, B. Arthur and J. Arthur. (Lewiston Tribune photo, courtesy of Karen Eggers.)

such declarations to foster a spirit of competitiveness. It also triggered a lifelong comic trope between them. “Jerry and I got a big kick out of that,” Bob said. Williams, who went on to coach several other successful teams in the region, died this past December at age 94. Jerry Sobotta, as a first-year player at Gonzaga in 1954-55, swung back and forth between the varsity and freshman teams, and Bob remembers him scoring 37 points in a freshman game against what was then called Washington State College. The next year he transferred to WSC to pursue a degree in pharmacy. ThenCougars coach Jack Friel tried to recruit him to the basketball team, according to Bob, but Jerry decided to focus on academics and helping his wife, Kay, raise a young child. Jerry later teamed with another Sobotta brother, Jack, to purchase two drug stores in Hermiston, where he worked as a pharmacist for decades. The Sobottas essentially are the first family of basketball in north central Idaho

and southeastern Washington. Among the children and grandchildren of Bob and Loretta, at least 16 have played high school hoops in the area. One of Jerry and Kay’s daughters, Karin Sobotta, remains the career assists leader for the University of Idaho women, and one of their granddaughters, Annie Kane, led Lewis-Clark State in scoring in 2012-13. Jerry’s death wasn’t unexpected. Having recently suffered a severe heart attack, he was surrounded by loved ones when he died. In previous weeks he’d been heartened to learn the Lapwai boys had claimed their 11th state title, and he appeared certain Gonzaga would win its first national championship. At his funeral March 23 in Boardman, Ore., one of Jerry’s grandsons delivered to Bob a message from his brother — a final riposte in their sibling rivalry. He said it was Jerry — not Bob — whom Harley Williams had deemed the best player he’d ever coached. Grummert may be contacted at daleg@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2290.

The “L” Club at Lapwai High School is shown in 1953. Front row, from left: Ed Madsen, Benjamin Arthur, Eugene Heimgartner, Ronald McFarland, Billy Greene and Norm Bisbee; second row: Don Groseclose, Leroy Ellenwood, Laverne Reynolds, Lorin Eggers, Royal Rickett, Gary Eggers and Adrian (Twirp) Anderson; third row: Fred Davis, Micky McCormack, Jerry Sobotta, Don Cosgrove, Jim Arthur, Marcus Wilson, Marcus Wilson and adviser Harley Williams; back row: Billy White, Allen Pinkham, Morris Slickpoo, Jim McCormick, L. Taylor, Albert Walters and Alonzo Allman. (Lewiston Tribune photo, courtesy of Karen Eggers.)

Qeqiit’áal | April

HIGHLIGHTS

Oregon Teen Sets Sights on Becoming First Female to Compete in Professional Bull Rider’s Elite Circuit

By Jule Gilfillan, Oregon Field Guide

Fourteen-year-old Najiah Knight is friendly, outgoing and responds to questions with “yes, ma’am” as reflexively as most adolescents roll their eyes. But those aren’t the only qualities that make the poised, polite teen unique. This 80-pound daredevil rides 800-pound “mini” bulls because “it’s soooo much fun!” Rodeo is a big part of small-town life across Oregon, and tiny Arlington on the Columbia Plateau is no exception. For as long as there have been ranch hands, riders and stock animals, there have been rodeos to see who could ropeand-tie that calf quickest or ride that big bull the longest. Traditionally, girls like Najiah have competed in horseback sports like barrel racing or pole bending (a sort of high-speed slalom where horse and rider weave through a course of closely spaced poles). But from her earliest days, Najiah has been following her father Andrew Knight behind the chutes as he prepared for bull riding events and begging him to “put me on!” “She wanted to always get on something, before she could even dang near walk,” he recalls. “And I’m like, you’re too little, your time will come.” That time came when Najiah turned 3 and started riding sheep, a sport known as “mutton busting.” “She was a champion mutton buster. I mean, she just gripped on there like Velcro. And there wasn’t no getting her off,” the elder Knight recalls. “From there on, there was really no holding her back.” Along with being the first girl riding with the Mini Bull Riders (MBR) circuit, Najiah made history in early 2020, when she was the first girl to ride a bull at Madison Square Garden. She also beat all her (male) competitors in the third round. Standing out is some-

Arlington, Oregon teen Najiah Knight breaks barriers for female rodeo athletes. (OPB Photo)

thing she’s gotten used to. “Sometimes you feel like you’re just part of the boys. Like, you don’t feel any different and they just accept you. But sometimes they’ll be like, ‘So I can’t get beat by a girl.’ But, you know, you just gotta show him who’s boss,” Najiah jokes. Still, rodeo sports are about as dangerous as they come and having your daughter competing at elite levels (Najiah was ranked number seven at the time of her Madison Square Garden appearance) would give any parent pause. “My stomach goes up and down, probably every rodeo,” confesses her dad. One close call at a competition in Louisiana is a prime example. “She got a little out of position, got jerked down to the ground, got her face mask caved in. (The bull) stepped on her mask, pushed it into her eye and swelled her eye shut. But because she had another bull she had to get on that day, they said ‘you don’t have to get on this bull if you don’t want.’ But she was like, ‘I didn’t travel this far to sit here and watch.’ She showed everybody that she was there to compete.” “I haven’t broken any bones from bull riding yet. Thank goodness,” Najiah says, rubbing the scar, now barely visible beside her right eye. The maturity she demonstrates when asked about the possibili-

ty of mortal injury is impressive. “I know if it’s my time, then it’s my time. But it’s not my time yet, so I’m doing pretty good. Jesus is blessing me. Thank goodness,” she said. “So, yeah, I’m not afraid to get back on it all. I just, you know, shake it off and I’m ready to ride.” That strong faith will be needed to achieve her big goals. “My short-time, I guess you can call it, is to be number one this year. Number one in the world. Champion.” The COVID-19 pandemic put a crimp into Najiah’s packed schedule of competitions as well as her plans to win that championship in 2020. But she’s looking forward to 2021 and getting one year closer to her 18th birthday. “My longtime goal is to be the first girl in the PBR.” PBR stands for Pro-

fessional Bull Riders. Najiah aspires to compete in PBR’s “Unleash the Beast,” a circuit that includes the top bull riders from all over the world. As an Indigenous Paiute and member of the Klamath Tribes, Najiah hopes to represent the U.S. as part of “Team Wolves” in PBR’s Global Cup, a sort of Olympics of bull riding. “There’s two American teams: Team Eagles and then Team Wolves, which is the Natives. I would be part of Team Wolves because I am Native. I think that would be so cool. “Four more years,” she grins. Correction: This story’s headline has been updated to reflect the fact that, while women have competed in the sport before her, Najiah Knight’s goal is to be the first woman to compete in the PBR’s elite circuit.

Najiah Knight competing on a mini bull (Photo Courtesy of Phillip Kitts)

Qeqiit’áal | April

HIGHLIGHTS

Kiara Garcia Recieves Rising Star Award at Lewis Clark State Women’s Leadership Conference The LC State Women’s Leadership Awards honor an LC State employee, a member of the community and a current LC State student who exemplify leadership in their field of expertise or workplace, serve as a role model to other women and girls, who give back to and are respected in the community, and who advocate for positive change to close the leadership gap for women. The winKiara Garcia, recipiant of Lewis-Clark ners are chosen by State College’s Rising Star Award a selection com Lewis-Clark State Col- mittee consisting of community lege student Kiara Garcia was leaders and LC State personnel. one of four recipients of the Garcia, a senior in the college’s fourth annual Wom- Social Work program, has oben’s Leadership Awards. They tained the Rising Star Award. were announced during the She is an active student leader virtual LC State Women’s Lead- who is serving in multiple roles ership Conference in March. as the President of the Native

American Club, LC Work Scholars, Resident Assistant, and as a member of the President’s Diversity Commission. She has served on several search committees for new professional level employees at LC State. “I am so honored to be able to receive this award from LCSC and I am so thankful for everyone at LCSC for supporting me and helping me grow,” said Garcia. As president of the Native American Club, Garcia has been a role model for other club members and potential students. She has also worked with the campus and community attending LC State's Tribal Advisory meetings. Away from campus, Garcia improved electronic communications for the LC Valley’s Resilience Coalition, and continues to make a difference serving others through Blue Mountain Heart to Heart, and several area food banks (both on and off campus). Erin Cassetto, who nominated Garcia and is the director of Student Employment at LC

State, said because of Garcia’s involvement, she is able to demonstrate the ability to be involved on campus, work, and still be a successful student. Garcia shows how all of these extra activities fit together – connecting learning, life, her activities, and her future career as a social worker. Garcia was recently accepted into Boise State University’s Advanced Standing Master of Social Work (MSW) Program. She graduates with her Bachelor’s egree in May of 2021 and will begin the MSW program the following month. “I am so very excited for this opportunity to be able to continue my education,” said Garcia. Garcia is the daughter of Thunder & Crissy Garcia, her brothers are Kieran and Benjamin Garcia. Her paternal grandmother is Tonia Garcia, and her maternal grandparents are Dave and Sharon Bower. “I want to thank my family and friends for all their love and support over the years, I wouldn’t be where I am today without you all,” she concluded.

Nissan of Lewiston Highlights Newest Employee Nissan of Lewiston would like to recognize and congratulate their newest sales executive, Charli Moser. Moser grew up in Lapwai and attended Lapwai High School, where she later graduated in 1987. Moser is a descendant of the Nez Perce Tribe and a direct relative of Star J. Maxwell. Her parents are the late LaVern and Marie (Maxwell) Barden. Her children are Nathan Sahme and Chantal Ellenwood, and her grandchildren are Tyanne Hillman, Inez Taylor, Robert Taylor, Axel Sahme and Bronx Sahme. Moser would like to extend a warm welcome to the community from her hometown, and the Nez Perce reservation to stop by and visit her when they are ready to pur-

chase a vehicle. New or used, she can help get you into what you’re looking for, personally handling the sale herself. Nissan of Lewiston is a full service Nissan dealership and offers a variety of new and used vehicles from cars and truck, to SUVs and vans. Contact Moser anytime at 208816-6986 to make an appointment with her and test drive a vehicle, inquire about inventory, or to start your journey toward your dream vehicle. As a reminder for all enrolled tribal members, do not forget your tribal ID so you are tax exempt on any and all vehicles. Nissan of Lewiston Dealership is located at 2239 3rd Avenue North in Lewiston, Idaho. Stop by today and ask for Charli Moser.

Charli Moser stands in front of the Nissan of Lewiston dealership and models the 2021 Nissan Altima

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SALMON & ENERGY CONCEPT The Northwest in Transition Dams, Energy and Salmon; Northwest in Transition Myths & Facts

The Northwest has been caught in an unsustainable cycle of conflicts over salmon and energy. For over thirty years, lawsuits, appeals, salmon management directives and endless spending have prevailed, while salmon, energy, agriculture and transportation interests continue to suffer. This concept is a proposal to break that cycle and deliver certainty and security to the Northwest without picking winners and losers. Dams: The 4 Lower Snake River dams (LSRD) provide significant benefits for clean energy, transportation, agriculture and to communities. If the dams were to be removed, the benefits must be replaced. Suggestions in the concept include: • 35-50-year license extension for all public and private FERC licensed dams in the Columbia River Basin greater than 5 megawatts. • 35 year dam litigation moratorium related to anadromous fish under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the Clean Water Act (CWA) for the fourteen federal Columbia River System dams, the 12 federal projects on the Upper Snake River, and all FERC-licensed dams within the Columbia Basin greater than 5 megawatts. • Liability protection for irrigation districts, energy interests or any other entities that own a dam or other engineering structure that impedes the movement of fish. • Allows for the voluntary removal of nonoperational, marginal or high expense dams or diversions with irrigation protection. Agriculture and Transportation: Barging provides our agricultural farmers (especially grain) with a low-cost option that prevents them from becoming captive shippers to rail and trucking. They are a critical component in getting our agricultural products overseas. It is essential that the needs of the agriculture community are heard and met if these dams are to be removed. Framework includes: • A 25-year lawsuit exemption from Clean Water Act or Endangered Species Act lawsuits related to water quality issues for those participating in voluntary

watershed partnerships. • Incentivizes innovation and collaboration with waste management/digesters for dairy and confined animal operations. • Provides funding and legal indemnification to ditch districts or small energy entities to remove abandoned or non-functioning irrigation structures or dams. • Ensures irrigation mitigation in the Lower Snake River Corridor. • Guarantees resources for Palouse/Idaho grain farmers that utilize the Snake River ports to reconfigure/adjust their transportation options or create new opportunities. • Expands Tri-cities port as a regional hub with an emphasis on creating greater barging volume of agriculture commodities on the Columbia River than exists today. • Ensures economic adjustment protections for Snake River bargers. Energy: The 4 LSRD provide clean, low cost, renewable hydropower that is on-demand and helps to balance the transmission system. This energy can be replaced, and it can be done in a way that modernizes our energy landscape for generations to come. Suggestions include: • Projects must provide firm clean power replacement for lost generation. • Examples include: renewable to battery storage, pump storage, hydrogen storage, small modular reactors, etc. • Replacement must be built and online prior to any breaching. • Provide BPA with needed authorities and certainty to enhance their balance sheet. • Northwest Power Council will have an expanded energy role and be removed from fish recovery. • Establishes a new Center for Advanced Energy Storage colocated at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and a Lewiston-Clarkston Technology campus. Fish: All Idaho’s salmon and steelhead are listed as threated or endangered. Poor ocean conditions, warming rivers and reservoirs and the 4 LSRD are contributing to their demise. Removing the 4 LSRD isn’t a guarantee that Idaho’s salmon will return, but if those dams re-

main, our salmon and steelhead are on a certain path to extinction. Recovery efforts include: • Designates Columbia Basin States and Tribes as CoEqual partners in fish management. • Revitalizes salmon habitat through watershed partnerships. • Restores Non-ESA protected salmon runs in the Upper Snake and Columbia River Basin. • Address salmon fisheries infrastructure backlog. Communities and Recreation • Provides waterfront restoration for Lewiston / Clarkson. • Established economic development funds for Tri-Cities and Lewiston-Clarkston areas. • Designated Lower Snake River National Recreation Area. • Ensures tourism promotion for Lewiston / Clarkston and Tri-Cities/ Spokane Areas. • Grants mitigation funds for marina relocation, recreational boating, and impacted sport fishing. The Northwest in Transition Myths and Facts: Myth - There will be increased flooding risks if the dams are removed. Fact – The four Lower Snake River (LSR) dams are not flood control dams. If they were to be removed it would not affect flood control. Myth - If these dams are breached, all dams will be in danger of being breached.

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Fact – This concept would protect hydropower in the Northwest by locking in all other major dams in the Columbia River basin for the next 35-50 years and end Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act lawsuits. Myth - Congressman Simpson is writing legislation to remove dams. Fact – Congressman Simpson has released a concept; he has not written legislation—he is continuing to hold meetings and take feedback because he wants this to be a process where all stakeholders are creating certainty and security on their own terms for their own futures. Myth – Congressman Simpson doesn’t support hydropower. Fact – Congressman Simpson has supported hydropower for his entire career. The four LSR dams produce incredibly valuable low cost, clean reliable energy. Congressman Simpson’s plan would require that the power lost by dam removal be replaced with clean, affordable energy that would be online before any of the dams were removed. It would also lock in protections for all major dams in the Columbia Basin for 35-50 years. Myth - The four LSR dams don’t affect salmon runs. Fact – Idaho wild salmon that Continue Reading Salmon on Page 21

SALMON & ENERGY CONCEPT Salmon Continued from Page 20

must transit the four LSR dams have unsustainable survival rates when compared to the salmon that only are required to go through the Columbia River Dams. Salmon on the John Day River in Oregon - which negotiate three dams-have a smolt to adult return (SAR) ratio of around 4%, which is what Snake River salmon need to achieve recovery goals. The main stem Columbia River salmon go through four dams and their SAR is also roughly 3- 4%. Wild Idaho salmon that transit eight dams (four Columbia and four Snake River) have a SAR of roughly 1%, which biologists say is below replacement and on a trajectory towards extinction. Congressman Simpson believes that if the dams are removed, we must have a plan to protect Idaho agriculture, Palouse farmers, and our communities. His number one goal is to protect Idaho. Myth - More reasonable steps at saving salmon need to be addressed first. Fact – For over 30 years, working groups and collaboratives have been examining this issue and have attempted many solutions,

and none have proven to save the dying salmon runs. This plan protects Idaho’s right to control its water and economic future. It trades chaos for certainty. Myth - This concept just throws money at a problem. Fact – Over 17 billion dollars has been spent on fish recovery already, and there are more endangered salmon species in Idaho than when we began. The status quo is not fiscally responsible. Congressman Simpson’s shifts the investment from wasteful spending on failed fish experiments to Idaho’s economy and puts the financial backing for important projects that protect Idaho. Myth - The power from the four LSR dams cannot be replaced. Fact – Recent advancements in energy storage will be key to replacement power. This plan invests 10 billion dollars in firm clean power replacement such as; pump, battery storage, small modular reactor, or other technologies. Myth - Once the dams are breached, replacement power might not be online. Fact – All replacement power must be online prior to any breaching. Also, the dam infrastructure will remain in place, only the earthen berms

around the dams will be removed, so if salmon do go extinct, the dams could be restarted. Myth - Congressman Simpson is prioritizing salmon over people. Fact – While these fish matter, the people are the priority here. Congressman Simpson is the only one to insist that people must be made whole if these dams are to be removed. These dams have incredible benefits that must be replaced. Congressman Simpson is trying to protect Idaho from liberal federal judges. If that happens, our communities and industry will have no voice or say in the matter, and there is no chance all parties would be made whole. In this plan, everyone is invited to collaborate and have a say in their own future. Myth – Congressman Simpson is moving forward on this concept without agriculture. Fact – Congressman Simpson and his staff are in constant communication with a number of Idaho agriculture groups and water user groups. We have learned a great deal about how dam removal would impact their livelihoods. This plan was developed with their critical input and is an effort to find real solutions.

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Myth - This concept is only supported by environmentalists. Fact – There is a broad coalition of groups and stakeholders who recognize that the endless cycle of lawsuits and uncertainly around the four LSR dams is not working. Congressman Simpson isn’t asking people to support his plan, he’s asking if the Northwest wants to fix a problem that is only getting more difficult and expensive with no resolution in sight. Myth – Lower Snake River Farmers who use this water will not be able to irrigate. Fact – The concept provides resources for the water groups to reconfigure pipes and deepen wells to ensure irrigation continues without issue. Myth - Barging is the only way to transport goods from Lewiston. Fact – Road and rail are a reasonable alternative to barging. Also, the concepts would expand and reconfigure the Tri-Cities area ports so that they can become an even larger regional hub/destination for increased barging (agriculture, commodities and containers) with the goal of putting more annual barging tonnage on the Columbia River than exists today.

SPORTS

Titus Yearout Named 1A-DI Player of the Year; 8 Local Players Earn All-Idaho Honors

By Brady Frederick, KLEW

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Statesman has announced the 2021 All-Idaho high School basketball teams. As voted by the coaches in each classification, many local athletes are honored as the best players in the Gem State. Titus Yearout: 1ADI Boys’ Player of the Year The Lapwai Wildcats’ junior guard has now made the first team all three years of his high school career. This season, he led the wildcats through a dominant state championship run, surpassing 1500 career points on his way. He averaged 24 points per game, 8 boards, 5.5 half assists and 3 steals on the season 1ADI Boy’s AllIdaho First Team Kase Wynott joined Yearout on the 1A first team. The freshman earned tournament MVP honors as the Wildcats brought home their 11th state title. The freshman forward can do it all, scoring from three, midrange, and in the paint. He averaged 15 points

per game with 7 rebounds. 1ADI Boy’s AllIdaho Second Team Lapwai junior Kross Taylor earned second team honors, averaging nearly 15 points, 3 assists and 3 steals per game. Each member of the Lapwai Wildcats named to the All-State team is a junior or younger, putting the Wildcats in great position for another deep tournament run in 2022. 1ADI Girl’s AllIdaho First Team Prairie’s Madison Shears and Genesee’s Claira Osborne picked up first team honors. Shears averaged 13 points, 6 boards, 5 steals and 4 assists as she led the Pirates to a second-place finish in state. Next season, she continues her basketball career at the College of Idaho. Earlier, Osborne was named the Whitepine League Player of the Year, averaging a double-double, with over 18 points and 10 rebounds per game. The senior also shined on defense, good for four steals per night. 1ADI Girl’s All-

Idaho

Second Team Lapwai had a big showing on the 1ADI second team, with Grace Sobotta, Glory Sobotta, and Lauren Gould picking up spots on the team.

Each averaged over nine points per game guiding the wildcats to a Whitepine League Championship, and a second-place finish in the state tournament.

Titus Yearout named 1A-DI Player of the Year

Lapwai Throwers Make it to Finals and Break Records Three Lapwai girl throwers made it to finals, Alexis Herrera, Linnea Herrera and Soa Moliga. Soa threw 31’9. Soa placed second overall at the meet for shot. “She didn’t get to have track her freshman season due to COVID, so this was her high school debut,” said her mother Taricia Moliga. Sage Lone Bear also had a great start to his track season as a freshman. Lone Bear broke two Idaho standings for all of 1A D1 schools: White Pine League Standings and School records for 9th grade. “Its only his first meet,” said his father, Ben Lone Bear. “He’ll improve on these numbers and work towards Districts and State but it’s looking good so far.” Sage’s D1 football scholarship offer from Morgan State University also includes track so he wants to make sure he improves his throwing numbers over the next four years. “One step at a time,” said Ben. “…District Title and then State Title.”

Linnea Herrera, Alexis Herrera and Soa Moliga Lapwai throwers. Not pictured: Sage Lone Bear

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OUTDOOR

Tunnel Pond to Open in April Orofino, Idaho- Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, the Nez Perce Tribe Fisheries Department has decided to forego hosting an Opening Day Event at Tunnel Pond this year. In addition, the schedule for all 2021 events at Tunnel Pond is currently being evaluated and notice will be provided at a later date on the dates and times of any other events. Tunnel Pond will be open to the public April-October 2021 and will be stocked with 1,500 rainbow trout. Regular stocking of Tunnel Pond will continue throughout the season. Nez Perce Tribal Trout Fishing Permits are required for all non-tribal anglers ages

14 and older. Permits are available for purchase at the Orofino Marketplace, The Guide Shop (Orofino), Nez Perce Express II (near Clearwater River Casino), and Dale & Jill’s Sporting Goods (Kamiah) or can be purchased online at https:// www.nptfishpermits.com/. Permits are $5 for a single day, $25 for an Idaho resident annual permit, and $30 for a non-resident annual permit. The Tribe is still urging social distancing practices, wearing a mask when in close proximity to those outside your immediate family, avoiding large crowds, and practicing proper hygiene when fishing at Tunnel Pond.

For smoking up the air in your neighborhood & eating your firewood.

$300 REWARD

for your old dirty home heating woodstoves! Home heating stoves only: No camp stoves, barrel stoves, fire pits, chimineas, or burn barrels. Stoves must be in working order and free of firebricks, ash, and debris. Must live in 99403. Must be 18 or older. Limit 2 per customer & first 50 stoves received. Participants will receive a $300 check within 3 weeks. 1 Day Only: Friday, April 16th, 2021 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. ~ Pacific Steel & Recycling 604 12th St. N., Lewiston, Idaho For more information contact: (509)329-3400 AgBurnTeamERO@ecy.wa.gov

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Nez Perce tribal Elder Jesse LaRue Paul of Phoenix, Arizona passed on Saturday Feb. 27, 2021 after a long battle with cancer. He lived in Phoenix, Arizona during the winter months and summers in Craigmont, Idaho. He is the son of Titus James Paul and Maxine S. Caster Paul. He was born in Arkansas City, Kansas July 29, 1933. He was the oldest of five. The family lived in Arkansas City during the early depression years, when the Shell Oil refinery closed in 1937, the family decided to move back to the reservation. First at the Paul Ranch, but then moved to Kamiah, Idaho in Summer of 1938. Jesse started school In Kamiah. When WWII broke out, the Family moved to Bremerton, Washington in spring of 1942. All the Paul children attended schools in Bremerton. When the war ended the family returned to the Paul ranch in Spring of 1946. Jesse entered the 7th grade and graduated from Craigmont High school in 1951. He attended one semester at the University of Idaho, worked odd jobs then decided to enlist in the Air Force. He served four years, 2/05/53 to 2/14/57 and released with the rank of A3C. While in the Air Force he meet and married Dian Shafroth in 1956, this marriage had four children, Colleen, Greg, Kevin (died in infancy) and Gary. The marriage ended in divorce in 1963. He then married Patty Milshap in 1964, and adopted her daughter Jackie Lynn. This marriage ended in divorce. February 1997 married Bertha Morgan and was

OBITUARIES

Jesse Paul, 87, Phoenix, AZ the love of his life. They had been together since Sept. 1992. After the Air Force he began working for Bechtel Corporation which took him to several locations in the states. He was a book keeper. In 1973 he joined the Indian Health service at the Phoenix Area office as the Operating Supervisor Accountant and worked in Phoenix Area from December 1973 through May 1978. He then transferred to Indian Health Service Billings Area where he helped the Billings area move their systems to computers and the RADEN accounting system. In 1980 he transferred to the Indian Health Service Headquarters Office in Rockville, MD. He was the Chief of Systems Implementation, Review, and Analysis for five years. Jesse was a co-team leader in developing the Cost Accounting System and developed the then Budget Structure for Indian Health Service. Transferred to Aberdeen Area Indian Health Service as the Chief of the Financial Management Branch and served there from Nov. 1985 -June 1988. He finished his career at the Phoenix Area Indian Health Service as their Management Analyst. Just prior to his retirement he was awarded the 1997 Director’s Award for Excellence and commitment to the Phoenix Area Indian Health Service in implementation of Public law 93-638, Indian Self-Determination. He officially retired from the Indian Health Service Dec. 1997 after 25 years of service. In his retirement years he and his wife Bert had a business called the “Soaring Eagle Gallery”, they sold Native art and jewelry. They attended numerous Native American Organization conferences and pow wows. During the summer months would live in Craigmont, Idaho and return to Phoenix for the winter months. While living in Craigmont Jesse was active in the Craigmont American Legion helping with fund raising and putting on dances. Jesse liked to dance. He was also a member of the Lapwai Nez Perce Gourd Dance Society.

Jesse was instrumental in beginning the research of the Nez Perce Paul family heritage going back to 1793 Great- great-grandfather Chief Ut-sin-malikan, who was present when Lewis and Clark happened upon the Nez Perce in 1805. Who signed the treaties of 1855 and 1868, and traveled east via Steam ship to Panama by train across the Isthmus of Panama steam ship to New York City and then by train to Washington D.C. Utsin-malikan died and is buried there. While Jesse was living in the Washington D.C. area, he found the grave of Ut-sinmalikan in the Congressional Cemetery. This led to several family trips in honoring Ut-sinmalikan with the latest trip of placing a new headstone in October, 2018. He also helped with finding the Name of Great Grandfather Wa-tat-ooy-naptlah-hayne (Seven Days Whipping) who was a warrior with Chief Joseph in the war of 1877. Found the photos of grandfather Jesse Paul (Ka-Khun-Ne) (Black Raven) who attended Carlisle Indian Industrial School from 1880 -1888. Jesse L. Paul found the record that showed how Ka-Khun-Ne became Jesse Paul, a letter written by Richard Pratt the founder of Carlisle Indian Boarding School. Jesse L. Paul was an avid bowler having achieved a perfect 300 game in 1996. He had won six gold medals in the Senior Olympics of golf for his age group from 2016-2020. He is survived by his wife

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Bertha her daughter Lorna Morgan (Josue Mendoza), grandson Joshua Edmond Mendoza, Children Colleen Bachman, Greg, Gary, and Jackie Lynn. Sisters Jackie (LeRoy) Inglis, Roberta (Phil Wise) Paul, sister in-law Donna Paul, and Peggy Coursey Paul. There are 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He has numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews and several greatgreat nieces and nephews and many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his son Kevin, parents Titus J. Paul and Maxine S. Caster Paul, brothers, Wayne Richard Paul, and Warren Gilbert Paul. His maternal grandparents George Caster and Elizabeth Baker Miller. His paternal grandparents Jesse Paul and Lydia Conditt Paul, the paternal great grandparents Wa-tat-ooy-napt-lah-hayne (Seven Days Whipping) and Phoebe Lowery (Um-al-wat) and maternal Great Grandparents Jane (Wah-le-hoo) Parsons Conditt and Jason (Tintin-nae-khom-kan) Conditt, and Great-great-grandfather Chief Ut-sin-malikan and great-greatgrandmother E-wa-wah-a-poo. Burial and funeral services will be held during the summer of 2021 with date to be announced. He will be interned at the 2nd Kamiah Indian Presbyterian Cemetery, Kamiah, Idaho. Donations may be made to the Craigmont American Legion Post 38, PO Box 33, Craigmont, ID 83523

OBITUARIES Kathleen Diane Blackeagle, 72, Lewiston, ID

Kathleen Diane Blackeagle, 72, a Nez Perce tribal member, passed away during a spectacular snowstorm surrounded by family Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021. She was a miracle born Saturday, July 10, 1948, in Lewiston to Veda (Jackson) and Reuben Blackeagle. Kathy was the second child of eight siblings. Her maternal grandparents were the late Ruth Corbett-Jackson and Andrew Jackson. Her paternal grandparents were Mable Blackeagle and Norton Blackeagle. She grew up in the Kooskia area and attended school there. She also attended school in the California lower Bay Area while living with her paternal grandparents, Ruth and Andrew, during the Indian relocation era. She married the love of her life, George M. Albert, and they would have four children together. Later the marriage ended in divorce; Kathy never remarried. In 1977, Kathy moved from Kamiah and Kooskia, settling in Grangeville to raise her four children. In 2016, aging and health issues forced Kathy to move to Lewiston to be closer to her children. Kathy was very proud of her heritage and was a direct descendant of the Old Chief Joseph band from the original homelands in Wallowa Valley, as well as a direct descendant of the Old Chief Looking Glass band of Kooskia, and the St. Louis warrior, Blackeagle. Kathy enjoyed the outdoors, she loved to go on hunt-

ing adventures with her brothers and family. She had such excellent eyesight and could spot all kinds of animals and birds while out in the woods and would acquire the nickname “Eagle Eyes.” She loved her original 1855 Nimiipuu territory and loved to travel to all the usual and customary places like the Rapid River, Seven Devils, Lochsa and Selway areas to evoke her treaty rights. She also attended 1877 war trail ceremonies in White Bird and Big Hole, as well as the St. Louis warrior’s memorial. She was also very creative and created large scrapbooks filled with informative newspaper clippings of historical and current events of the Nez Perce Tribe. In her free time she also learned to loom bead, liked to draw and would often do word puzzles. Later she attended many concerts at the Clearwater River Casino and enjoyed playing games there. Kathy participated in a group known as “Peoples First” for many years and was active in the Grangeville community. This group would hold many fundraisers to attend retreats in Washington state. They would hold baked foods sales and host Halloween parties in the Elks lodge basement. They even sold water during the annual Border Days Fourth of July celebrations. This group was mostly known for the car washes held in the Rae Brothers parking lot in Grangeville. Kathy made many meaningful lifetime friendships while participating in this group. Kathy had a passion for music and over the years acquired quite the record album collection that included 45 single records and albums. She always had a radio playing in her house for local news and music. She loved to spend her Sundays cleaning house while playing her records; she had gospel albums, soul albums, rock albums and country albums. She enjoyed visits with

family and friends and would share stories of her alaat, pluckuut, eetsa, tootah and her nannats raccoon, Buster. Her stories often were about attending Talmaks Church camp and fishing with her dad. Sometimes her stories were of traveling to the Pendleton, Ore., area with her mom to work in the fields picking fruits and vegetables. Kathy was a strong humble Nimipuu iiyet, who rarely complained and overcame many types of barriers and obstacles in her life. She was quiet, bold and phenomenally fierce, yet full of compassion. Kathy enjoyed many types of TV shows and regularly watched “The Price Is Right” with Bob Barker, “Family Feud,” “Golden Girls,” “Lawrence Welk,” “American Idol” and “American Ninja Warrior.” She also enjoyed watching competitive sports and followed the local school sports, as well as college and professional sports. She was able to attend two Mariners games before the COVID-19 pandemic and loved the Seahawks. Her most memorable college basketball moment was when Gonzaga’s men’s basketball team made it to the championship game of 2017. Kathy also became a big fan of men’s

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and women’s tennis and was very fond of Serena Williams. She was preceded in death by her Nimiipuu ancestors and warriors; her maternal and paternal grandparents; her parents; her siblings Cynthia Blackeagle, Frank Blackeagle; a grandchild Baby Anicito Albert; nephews Cecil Blackeagle, Wilber and Norbert Campbell and niece Bessie Blackeagle. She is survived by her children Beverly Childers-Albert, Daisy Albert of Lewiston, Bobby (Tauna) Albert of Billings, Mont., and Jenny (Daniel) Albert-Blackeagle as well as her siblings Mildred Blackeagle, Norton, (Lynnette) Blackeagle, Joseph Blackeagle, Barbara (Ed) Fisher, Janet Blackeagle and many nieces and nephews. Kathy’s legacy lives on with her 13 grandchildren, John (Jessica) Altman, Louis Altman, Keith Childers, Joseph Albert of Montana, Tosha, Eric, Newton, Jacob and Teesha Pollan, Beth Hawker, Kody Hawker, Victor Arthur and Keilan Arthur; and six great-grandchildren. A private family dressing, memorial service and wake were held March 2. The funeral service took place March 3, with a burial ceremony followed by dinner. Trenary Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

On Thursday, March 18, 2021, we lost Annie Amy Ellenwood, 71, because of COVID-19. Amy, a Dine’ woman would fondly say, “I was born in the dirt ... in a hogan” Nov. 4, 1949, near Table Mesa, N.M. She was born to Dobie Benally and Marie Barber Benally. Her maternal clan is Red Running into the Water People clan and her paternal clan is Towering House clan. Amy was a fluent Navajo speaker (Dine bizaad) and learned English in elementary school. After a late start to school, Amy attended Chemawa Indian School in Salem, Ore. She made lifelong friends with other Native women from across the country and kept in touch with many of them. In the summer, she sought domestic work in the area to

OBITUARIES

Annie Amy Ellenwood, 71, Kamiah, ID earn money. After graduating high school, she relocated to the Bay Area to learn clerical work and lived with other Native women who pursued urban Indian dreams. In 1971, Amy married her Nimipuu lover and lifelong companion, Dewayne Ellenwood on Dec. 25. As a young couple they enjoyed powwows throughout California, with Dewayne fancy dancing. Amy enjoyed watching her husband play basketball at Indian tournaments and dance at powwows. Her love for tournaments and powwows was a skill she continued to hone with her own children, nieces, nephews and family across the West. Eventually, her urban Indian love story shifted to the reservation as the lovers returned to raise their family in Kamiah. She would remain a Dine’ woman in Nimiipuu country, and most people upriver knew her for her Navajo frybread or through her service to the Nez Perce Tribal Gaming Enterprises. It is said that before she retired from Itse’ YeYe Casino, “she ran the casino from her desk.” Amy enjoyed every aspect of working at the casino, especially her co-workers. After 15 years of service to the casino, she would of-

ten tease her Nimiipuu haama that she knew more people than he did — and he agreed. After retirement, Amy enjoyed being a snowbird in Tucson, Ariz., and spending time with her grandchildren, traveling and attending concerts with her husband, and constant texting or chatting with old California friends, family and siblings to keep updated on the joys of life. She was a Gonzaga basketball fan unless she was with her daughter in Tucson, and then she was a Gonzaga and Arizona basketball fan. She treasured her visits to her homelands and was honored when her sisters would butcher a sheep for her return. Most of all, she was a proud Dine’ who enjoyed living in Nimiipuu country. She had a quiet strength, a wealth of knowledge gained through lived experience, and the most beautiful laughter that her close family will miss. Her frybread and tortillas live on in her family, whom she shared her cooking with. After completing her journey to the spirit world, she will be greeted and embraced by her eldest son, Darryll D. Ellenwood, mother, Marie Barber Benally, father, Dobie Benally, and older sister, Sally Hogue.

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Blessed to share 50 years of a wnderful life together, she is survived by her “Lover” Dewayne K. Ellenwood. And her blood reigns on within her son Travis Ellenwood and daughter Cheryl Ellenwood. In Ellenwood tradition, several grandsons were honored to call her masani or nali, including Lorenzo Ellenwood, Awan Ellenwood, Moses Ellenwood, Teo Castro and Luca Castro. She continues to feel the love and strength of siblings Helen Stanley, Rose Willie, Lillian Lockwood, Alice Rakestraw, Louise Tonya Watchmen, and Roy and David Benally. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported the family with kindness, prayers, food or donations. The outpouring of support from friends, family and kind strangers has been overwhelming and uplifting. Qeci’yew’yew and Ahee’hee. For the safety of everyone, a private burial service will be held at a future date. A virtual private memorial will be held for her close friends and family members, both near and far. There is also an online memorial available at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com/tribute/ details/1332/Annie-Ellenwood/ obituary.html#tribute-start.

OBITUARIES

Mardel Henry, 73, Lapwai, ID

Mardel Henry was born to Albert “Wildcat” and Nora Frances “Pinchie” Henry Aug. 8, 1947, in Lewiston. She passed away Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at age 73. Mardel attended school in Lapwai and moved to San Jose, Calif., to live with her California family and attended Abraham Lincoln High School for two years in San Jose, Calif. She returned to Lapwai and graduated from Lapwai High School in 1967. Mardel enjoyed taking care of her nieces and nephews. She was a godmother to Jennifer Rodriguez and enjoyed taking care of Annie Kane and many other children who were her pride and joy.

Mardel enjoyed playing softball for the Nationettes, rafting and camping. She also enjoyed dancing and was known as a female “tough” boxer. She enjoyed traveling with her brothers and sisters on the elder trips and playing bingo. She was known as our “Aunt Regulator” who kept her nieces and nephews in line. Survivors include sisters Alice McCurdy, Lou Jean Benjamin, Frances “Rockie” Allen and Gail Patterson; and brothers Dale Henry, Melvin Henry and Alan Henry, all of Lapwai. She also had many nieces, nephews and family. Preceding her in death were Albert Henry, Nora Frances Henry, Ronald Henry, Marvella Henry, Arnold “Muggs” Henry, Leroy Henry, Linda Lou Henry, Jennifer Rodriguez, Katherine Rickman and Raymond Rickman. The family will have a private dressing at 2 p.m. today at Malcom’s Brower-Wann. The funeral services and viewing will be at 10 a.m. Saturday for all to attend. Burial will follow at Jonah Cemetery. A meal will be provided to take and go due to the pandemic restrictions and to ensure everyone’s safety.

Gerald Thomas Henry, 78, Lewiston, ID

Gerald Thomas Henry passed away Monday, March 22, 2021, at home surrounded by family. He was born Nov. 22, 1942, to Marion and Oliver Henry in Lewiston. He was a member of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and was a descendant of the Nez Perce Tribe. Gerald, or “Jerry” as he was known to his friends, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater from the University of Idaho and was active in the Civic Theatre in Lewiston for several years. He moved to Boise in 1970 to be part of the Boise Free Theatre where he serviced as a director, actor, costumer, scenic artist and manager. After the theater closed, he joined friends at the Free Theatre in San Francisco. Jerry lived and worked in San Francisco for more than 30 years where he was part-owner in a metal fabrication busi-

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ness before returning home to Lapwai in the early 1990s. He worked as the office manager for both Gem Electric and Clearwater Electric before joining the Clearwater River Casino as a prep cook until he retired. Gerald was an avid reader, an intellectual with strong political opinions and encouraged his family and friends to vote in every election. He loved his two dachshunds and enjoyed an annual road trip with his brothers. He served on the Festival Dance Board for several years and was responsible for bringing ballet classes to the Lapwai Elementary School. He enjoyed cooking and catered many events, parties and weddings. He is survived by his siblings and their spouses, Rudy Henry, Jenny and Dwight Williams, Lawrence and Rhoda Henry, Susan and Rick Carlin, Elizabeth Henry, and Stephanie Evans. Gerald is also survived by many, many nieces and nephews whom he loved and supported throughout the years and his grandson, Brandon Morganflash. Because of the pandemic, there will be small, private burial at the family cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Gerald’s memory to Festival Dance. Donations can be made online at www.festivaldance.org.

Submit Nez Perce tribal members, Nez Perce decendant, and community member obituaries, deaths & funeral announcements for free in the Nimiipuu Tribal Tribune. Send content to Chantal Ellenwood at chantale@nezperce.org

OBITUARIES

Loni Laine LaCour, 26, Lawrence, KS

Funeral services for Loni Laine LaCour, 26, of Lawrence, Kan., will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday at Indian United Methodist Church in Lawrence. Loni will be lying in state for a wake until 8 a.m. today at the Indian United Methodist Church. Loni passed away Tuesday, March 23, 2021, in Prairie Village, Kan. Loni was born June 13,

1994, in Lawrence, Kan., the daughter of David and Laurie (Corpuz) LaCour. She was a member of the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma and a descendant of the Nez Perce Tribe, the Yakama Tribe, the Kiowa Tribe and the Philippines. She attended elementary schools in Lawrence, Kan., Lapwai and Union Gap, Wash. She graduated from Lawrence High School May 2012. She attended the University of Kansas from 2012-14. She met her beloved partner, Jason Kane, in 2016 and together they raised two dogs, Chalmers and Mhysa, in Kansas City. Loni followed in her late father’s footsteps, by becoming a woodworker and small business owner. She started LaCour Design Co., where she handmade wooden signs, art pieces and other creations to

sell at the Strawberry Swing indie craft fair, local retail stores and online. She took pride in using her dad’s tools to create works of art. Woodworking and being a small business owner allowed her to flourish as part of the Maker Community. Loni’s other interests included watching and attending sporting events, listening to and playing music, watching movies, craft beer tasting, going to dog parks, enjoying the company of friends and having a vivacious sense of humor. Survivors include her mother, Laurie LaCour, sister Lucinda LaCour, brother-inlaw Thy Nguyen, grandparents Max Corpuz Jr. and Grace LaCour, her beloved partner, Jason Kane, and her dog best friends Chalmers and Mhysa. Loni was preceded in death by her father, David

LaCour, and grandparents, Elaine and David Ashlock. Loni was a Nimiipuu child who comes from a large family in Lapwai. Her greatgrandparents are the late Dan and Louise Higheagle and late John Jack McFarland. She is survived by her grandmother Elaine (McFarland) Ashlock’s siblings Carol Wheeler, Sandra Higheagle, Gordon Higheagle Sr., Evie Higheagle, and Jon and Rosa Yearout, of Lapwai; her godmother, Angel Sobotta, of Lapwai; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews from the Corpuz, McFarland and Higheagle families and their relations. For more information or to post a condolence or send flowers go to warrenmcelwain.com. A GoFundMe has been started to help with funeral expenses.

Jerome Omer “Jerry” Sobotta, 85, Hermiston, OR

Jerome Omer “Jerry” Sobotta was born to George Sobotta and Ann Grieser Sobotta Feb. 12, 1936, in Arcadia, Wis. He passed away Sunday, March 21, 2021, surrounded by family in his home at the age of 85 years. Jerry attended schools in Lapwai where he met his childhood sweetheart, Kay Maxwell. Jerry and Kay married as he attended Gonzaga University, where he played basketball, and then Washington State University, where he became a lifelong Cougar. After receiving a degree in

pharmacy, he went to work as a pharmacist in Richland and later purchased Hermiston Drug with his brother, Jack, also a pharmacist. They expanded by adding a second store, Orchard Pharmacy, located near the medical center. To describe Jerry in one word, it would be “kind.” He loved each member of the family (and many an extended family member) for who they were, he supported each of us in whatever we desired to do. We felt it. He dispensed good, kind and always smart advice, but only if asked. He was a spiritual man who always felt blessed, even though his good planning, his kindness, his positive attitude and his hard work — along with his faith — were the true reasons for his success and the success of his children and grandchildren. He coached, he encouraged, but most of all, he believed in and was confident in our individual ability to complete a degree, find a job, or marry the right person. No matter what though, we, his

children and grandchildren, always knew he would love us and would be there to pick us up and dust us off, if we failed. He was a true athlete. He played basketball for Gonzaga University, then supported family members in playing almost every kind of sport, but mostly he was a believer in just staying active. He attended many, many sporting events to watch children, grandchildren, (or their friends) or just someone he knew from his hometown, Lapwai. He is now in heaven, watching the Men’s and Women’s NCAA Championships and looking forward to a Gonzaga championship and the baseball season. Preceding him in death were his parents, George and Ann; his siblings, Richard “Dick” Sobotta, George “Junior” Sobotta, Gloria Mullay, Rosemary Webb and John “Jack” Sobotta; and his oldest son, James Jerome Sobotta. Survivors include his wife, Kay; his brother, Bob (Loretta) Sobotta; his children, John Sobotta, Julie (Dan) Kane,

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Karin Sobotta, Diana (Steve) Lilley, Scott Sobotta, Steven Sobotta and Joshua Sobotta; grandchildren Jon, Annie, Ashley, Michael, Kyle, Jacob, Alyssa, Jessica, Tina, Denise, Benjamin, Kayce, Nicole, Arielle, Mariah, Kylee and DawnRose; great-grandchildren Haley, Lucas, Jare, Knox and numerous other great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Because of the limitation on gatherings because of the pandemic, a family Mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Boardman, Ore., with burial to follow at the Hermiston Cemetery, Hermiston, Ore. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Jerry’s memory to the Hermiston Little League or the Agape House c/o Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, P.O. Box 289, Hermiston, OR 97838. Please share memories of Jerry with his family at www. burnsmortuaryhermiston.com. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Ore., is in care of arrangements.

OBITUARIES

Loretta “Chet” J. Halfmoon, 87, Lapwai, ID

Loretta “Chet” Joyce Halfmoon was born April 22, 1933, to Pete “Fox” McCormack and Mary Sarah (Ellenwood) McCormack in Spalding. She attended elementary in Lapwai and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1951. Loretta graduated with a Bachelor of Science in education in 1975 from LewisClark State College. She was a traditional dancer, basket weaver and gatherer. She learned to played both alto saxophone and the piano. Her early years in the work force included being a tutor and teacher aide for the Lapwai School District. She provided tutorial assistance in math and remedial reading to “underachievers” in both elementary and secondary schools. She also assisted with coaching of girl’s physical education. Loretta Greene started work at Washington State University in 1974 and retired in 1979. She started as the educational advisor for the Native American Program, which included being the recruiter for admissions. Chet exceeded her record every year as a recruiter in the number of new Native American students to WSU. She helped raise money for and started the first WSU Pa-loots-Pu (the Place of the Palouse) powwow in 1975. The Ku-au-mah (Cougar) Alumni Society was started under Chet’s guidance in 1975.

She contacted every student graduate’s tribe to send them a Pendleton blanket, and they received them at the Graduate Honor Dance during the WSU powwows every year after the first one. She took her job very seriously and made sure each student was given every assistance and opportunity to make sure they graduated. The rate of student graduation escalated to a high rate under her guidance. She retired as Loretta Chet Halfmoon. She continued her employment as program director for Cay-Uma-Wa Pre-School for Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation in Pendleton, Ore. She moved back to Lapwai and worked for the Nez Perce Tribe in various capacities. Chet’s first position was alcohol education coordinator, then director of Head Start and finally Senior Program director. Loretta married Jesse Greene, and they had seven children. They later divorced in 1974. While married to Jesse, they fished on the Columbia River. Her first experience was at Celilo Falls, Ore. Along the Columbia River, many knew her as outspoken and candid about treaty fishing since 1953 along the main stem, fishing commercially with her family and providing stability to the protection and maintenance of tribal treaty rights for the Nez Perce Tribe and all members who exercise such rights. Chet valued the treaty right to fish as one of the female warriors whose lifetime achievement were celebrated in 2014. She was recognized as “Indigenous Women of the Columbia River.” This celebrated three well-known females (Loretta, Shirley Iman and Mary Settler) for fishing on the Columbia River main stem known, as usual and accustomed places for the Nez Perce Tribe. All three women had dedicated their financial resources, invested in homes

and were jailed repeatedly. They were honored for their active defense of Treaty Rights to fish in “usual and accustomed” areas and their tenacity to never give up. She continued to help maintain the fishing site “Preacher’s Eddy” with her own resources and has two homes which her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, utilized during the fishing seasons. Loretta was also recognized by the Columbia River InterTribal Fish Commission for her dedication to Treaty Fishing on the Columbia River. She met the love of her life, Ronald Halfmoon, while working at WSU. They married April 2, 1977, at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Pendleton. They were approaching 44 years together. Throughout their marriage they had lived in Lapwai, Thorn Hollow, Pendleton, Spokane, Rufus, Ore. and Pullman. They shared their faith as devout Catholics, which took them to travel nationwide to Kateri conferences, New York being the most memorable. This trip included their daughters and granddaughter. Prior to the conference, they enjoyed sightseeing around Times Square, carriage rides through Central Park, and visiting the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty. They enjoyed years traveling to basketball tournaments, family gatherings, elders’ national conferences, and NCAI and NEIA conferences. A highlight was the Rose Bowl Game when WSU made the bowl. They also enjoyed several trips to Hawaii over the years. Loretta’s early membership with professional, civic and community organizations included the North American Indian Women’s Association, National Indian Education Association, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Nez Perce Nation Athletic Association, Museum of Native American

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Cultures, Spokane Urban Indian Ministry, Local Indian Child Welfare Advisory Committee and Eastern Oregon Regional Arts Council. Lastly, she served on the State of Idaho Transportation Committee, Nez Perce Tribe’s Utility Board and Circle of Elders. In 2013, Loretta received the Lewis-Clark State College Lifetime Achievement Award. She was recognized for her dedication, strong influence, years of professional work ethic and personal accounts of fishing on the Columbia River. She was a continuous role model for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Ronald Halfmoon; children, Ethel Greene, Scherri Greene of Lapwai, Kerma (Charles Petras) Greene of Garfield; nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Jeffery Brian Greene and Michael Dana Greene; daughters, Barbara Deane Greene and Mary Lee Greene; siblings, Robert “Hood,” McCormack, Mickey McCormack and Joseph “Esky” McCormack; sisters, Veronica “Mae” McCormack Taylor, Vera Ann McCormack Tuell and Shirley “Shell” McCormack. A rosary and memorial services are set for 6 p.m. Monday, March 22. Viewing at this time only. Catholic services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 23. No viewing and no burial. All services will be held at the Pi-NeeWaus Community Center, 504 Main St. S., Lapwai. Arrangements have been entrusted with Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home. Meal prepared by the Arthur Family. All Idaho COVID-19 protocols will be followed. Social distancing and masks required, no exceptions. Sanitizer and masks will be provided at the door.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Opinion Piece: I humbly ask, hear my words There are certain expectations each of our families have instilled into us, growing up as an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe and living on the Nez Perce Reservation. We are constantly told, “Vote for your family,” or, “Vote for this because it’s best for our Tribe.” As a teenager, fresh out of high school, I did as I was told. It wasn’t until I started my College experience that

I started to realize how deep my love is for my people, my tribe, my community, and my family. I started to see the error in how I was raised. I began to research, I read in between the lines, and allowed myself to have my own voice. I started to offend those who raised me, by answering to their comments with, “I’m going to vote for the best candidate, whether

By: Anonymous

they are family or not,” or, “I need to read the Resolution to make an informed decision.” Family ties are a strong bond, but the future of our people and our homelands should be more important. I write this letter as a young individual concerned for our people and our homelands. I hear so many negative comments and so many complaints about how our Tribe is ran, or about

Upcoming Local Basketball Tournaments

how so-and-so did this or that. We can all talk a good talk, but when it comes to walking the walk, we fall short and just want to speak words that hold no weight. Our people need to see action. Our homelands need the stewardship we talk so much of. I write this letter in hopes that my words may hold some weight. I do not demand to be listened too, but I humbly ask, hear my words.

NMPH Patient Notice Nimiipuu Health Monitoring and Tracking of Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on Reservation. Updated 4/1/2021. Numbers are subject to change on review.

5th Annual Sleeping Chief Shootout April 16-18, 2021 Nez Perce Rez Lapwai, Idaho * Young Men’s Division (All Indian) * Women’s Division (All Indian +2)

Vaccine Information: 2,400 Doses Received 1,600 Primary Doses and 800 Booster Doses.

5th Annual Sleeping Chief Shootout April 23-25, 2021 Nez Perce Rez Lapwai, Idaho * Men’s 40 & Over Division (All Indian) * Men’s 50 & Over Division (All Indian) * Women’s 35 & Over Division (All Indian +2)

Vaccines Administered 2,728 Updated 4/1/2021 Total Doses Received 3,400 Updated 4/1/2021

Play in Your Mocs Lewiston & Lapwai, Idaho April 23-25, 2021 High School Divisions: * 9/10th Grade Girls & Boys * 11/12th Grade Girls & Boys

Moderna Prime/Booster: 3,300 Janssen: 100 Updated 4/1/2021

Play in Your Mocs Lewiston & Lapwai, Idaho May 14-16 Younger Divisions: * 7 & Under Coed * 3/4th Grade Girls & Boys * 5/6th Grade Girls & Boys * 7/8th Grade Girls & Boys

NMPH COVID-19 Vaccinated Bracelets

Announcement Congratulations to the following winners from the random drawing of all participants that attended the March 17th, 2021 401(k) meeting! 1. Don Anderson 2. Tammy Everson 3. Kip Kemak 4. Crissy Garcia 5. Carm Bohnee Each individual will be contacted on how to collect their prize. There will be additional meetings in the future for participants to have another chance to win prizes.

The NPT Executive Direction (ED) Office has purchased ‘COVID-19 Vaccinated’ Bracelets. If you would like one, please stop by the ED Office to pick up yours. • Must show your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card • Record must show that you received both doses of the vaccine (for the Janssen, only 1 doses is required) • Date of pick up must be at least 2 weeks after receiving the final dose of the vaccine • Must pick-up in person (if this is not possible, call the ED Office to make arrangements ext. 3670) • One bracelet per person, cannot pick up for others These bracelets were purchased to assist in recognizing who is vaccinated in effort to comply with the CDC’s recent update stating: “If you’ve been fully vaccinated: You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.” Thank you for doing your part to help keep the work environment, our community and our people safe!

Nimiipuu Tribal Tribune Advertisements Place an ad in the Nimiipuu Tribal Tribune. Flyers: Full Page $504, Half Page $252, Quarter Page $126, Classified Ads and Job Announcements: .25 cents a word, Birthday Shout-Outs $10 an issue. Submit letter to the editor for free, obituaries and death notices for free. To submit an article, inquire about previous publications, or to subscribe, contact NPT Communications. 208621-4808, communications@nezperce.org Keep watch for Communications surveys for a chance to win prizes!

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcement

NMPH Announcement

Church services at Northfork Presbyterian Church in Ahsahka have started back up.

To: Nimiipuu Tribal Tribune hard copy subscribers: We are truly sorry for the delay in mailed newspapers. The Lewiston Post Office has been understaffed and has worked diligently to get recipients their paper. We appriciate your understanding with this inconvenience

Nimiipuu Health will be reducing appointment availability March 29th through April 30th This will be for the implementation of our NEW Electronic Health Record! We are transitioning from RPMS (IHS system) to Greenway as a step into the future. • One unified system for all NMPH departments • Streamlined patient communication and access to your medical records

Services are held every 2nd and 4th Sunday at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome to join. Thank you!

NPT Senior Citizens Program Notice

Please bear with us as we learn to navigate the improved capabilities to better serve our community

CRITFC Job Announcement

Given the steady decline in positive cases, the Nez Perce Tribe has determined it is appropriate to begin following the protocols of Stage 4 of the Idaho Rebounds guidelines. Stage 4 protocols Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission is recruiting for permit gatherings of more than 50 people where appropriate the following position: physical distancing can occur. Position: Police Officer Full-Time, Regular. Four (4) vacancies The Senior Citizen Program Dining Lobby will be open for sit New! down beginning Monday, April 5, 2021. Lunch will be served for Location: Hood River or Boardman, OR sit down or take-out meals from 11a – 1p Job Summary: Columbia River Inter-Tribal Enforcement (CRIT***Safety recommendations continue to require appropriate physical FE) Police Officers are directly responsible for carrying out all distancing, wearing a face covering when not seated and when you enforcement and protective patrols by foot, vehicle, and boat are done eating your meal, washing hands regularly, staying home if on the main stem Columbia River (Oregon and Washington you do not feel well and sanitizing hard surfaces*** shores) and its environs and also patrol at the In-lieu and Treaty Fishing Access sites (TFAS). Patrols are dictated by Mileage Club 2021 CRITFC/CRITFE policy, Tribal policy, contractual obligations of the Law Enforcement Department, and at the direction of April Event Days patrol supervisors. April 1st 11:30-1:00* LHS Track April 6th 11:30-1:00* LHS Track April 15th 11:30-1:00* LHS Track April 19th 11:30-1:00* LHS Track ** New Mileage Club ** We’re baaaaaaaaack! Come join us at the LHS track to run or walk laps in our mileage club program. You will receive the monthly charm when you complete 1 mile. There will be bonus days as well where you can earn multiple charms for every 4 laps completed. The walking club will be a year round program. Staff will be at the track from 11:30-1:00 come rain, snow, wind, hail, or shine. Feel free to stop in whenever you can during this time to get your laps in so you can earn your monthly charm. Hope to see you there! For more information call: Crissy Garcia or Julie Keller at 843-9375

Job Requirements/Qualifications: DPSST certified or certifiable in the State of Oregon with knowledge and experience of general enforcement duties and techniques. Knowledge or ability to learn tribal fishing rights and tribal, federal, and state enforcement codes. Ability to maintain composure and professional behavioral standards in highly complex and stressful situations. Ability to become familiar with equipment and patrol techniques for effective enforcement in the main stem Columbia River area. Work well as a team member with other CRITFE officers and CRITFC staff, officers from other tribal enforcement agencies and non-Indian enforcement agencies. Possess self-initiative and ability to function with minimal direct supervision in conducting productive protective and enforcement patrols. Possess tact and good communications skills, both verbal and written. Possess basic computer Non-Partisan Primary Election Results skills for report writing, CAD/MDT operations, messaging, etc. Six candidates advanced during a non-partisan primary election Maintain physical standards required of an enforcement officer for three positions on the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee. for purposes of health, safety, agility, and professional appearance. Ability to work long hours and rotating shifts to provide In-person voting was done in Kamiah, Orofino and Lapwai. coverage related to enforcement needs and to the seasonal aspects of fisheries enforcement. Residence must be within 30 Seat 1 minutes driving time from the CRITFE’s Hood River EnforceMary Jane Miles and Ryan Oatman ment Office or CRITFE’s Boardman Enforcement Office Valid Seat 2 driver license, excellent driving record and no criminal history. Samuel Penny (139 votes) Must be able to meet standards of CRITFC’s Motor Vehicle Ferris Paisano (126) Operation Policy. Seat 3 Shirley Allman (461) James Spencer (63)

The final election for the three seats will be held May 8

Starting salary range: $50,506 - $55,157 Closing date: April 30, 2021. Employment application and full job announcement located https://www.critfc.org

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