HAPPY
FATHER’S
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This issue is dedicated to all of the amazing dads out there who provide and teach traditions, guidance, wisdom, and love to their children
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Nez Perce Tribe Memoral Walk for 215 Children Found at Kamloops
said François Poirier, TC Energy’s president and chief executive officer in a statement. The pipeline has been front and center of the fight against climate change, especially in Indigenous communities. Native people have been speaking out, organizing, and in opposition of the project for several years. “OMG! It’s official,” Dallas Goldtooth, Mdewakanton Dakota and Diné, wrote on Twitter regarding Keystone XL’s termination. “We took on a multi-billion dollar corporation and we won!!” Goldtooth is part of the Indigenous Environmental Network. The network said it has
On June 7th, 2021 the Nez Perce Tribe held a memorial and walked the streets of Lapwai, Idaho. Attendees walked to the B.I.A grounds and the Fort Lapwai building where 215 red pictures of people were placed in the ground to symbolize the children. “One of the things that is on my mind is my children,” said Ashton Picard, Nez Perce Tribe Indian Child Welfare Education Trainer. “Just to even imagine them being taken from my house and being sent off hundreds, thousands of miles I can’t even imagine it, it’d be devastating to me.” Between the 1870s and 1990s, more than 150,000 Indigenous children were placed in residential schools, most of those schools were ran by the Roman Catholic Church, to assimilate them into modern society. Many of the children were forcibly taken from their families and endured physical, mental and sexual abuse. Large numbers of Indigenous children never returned home from those residential schools. It is believed that more than 4,100 Indigenous children died in the schools, based on death records, but the
Continue Reading Pipeline on Page 5
Continue Reading Walk on Page 4
Nez Perce tribal members block Highway 12 from a 300-ton megaload truck going through Nez Perce land in August of 2013. (Photo from The Spokesman Review)
The Keystone XL pipeline project is officially terminated, the sponsor company announced Wednesday. Calgary-based TC Energy is pulling the plug on the project after Canadian officials failed to persuade President Joe Biden to reverse his cancellation of its permit on the day he took office. The company said it
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Keystone XL is Dead
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would work with government agencies “to ensure a safe termination of and exit from” the partially built line, which was to transport crude from the oil sand fields of western Canada to Steele City, Nebraska. “Through the process, we developed meaningful Indigenous equity opportunities and a first-of-its-kind, industry leading plan to operate the pipeline with net-zero emissions throughout its lifecycle,”
CULTURAL
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Nimiipuutímtki- The People’s Language (Nee-mee-poo-timt-key)
June
Tustimasáat’al (too-stee-ma-saw-tall)
Man Boy Teenage Boy Infant Friend Relative Man’s Son Man’s Daughter Father Paternal Grandfather Maternal Grandfather Uncle (mom’s brother) Uncle (dad’s brother) Husband
“Time to go up to higher country for root gathering, sun is high.”
Háama Háacwal Te’éx̂ et Miyapkáawit Láwtiwaa Himíyu Peqélis Páplax Tóota Qaláca’ Piláqa’ Píitx̂ Píimx̂ Háama
Happy Father’s Day
ha-ma hots-wall ta-ehh-het me-yup-cow-wit laow-tee-wah him-me-you peck-qal-lis pop-lak toe-ta ka-luts-a pil-lucka pit-h peem-h ha-ma
éeys’nin pisitpim léeheyn (eye-snin pisit-pim la-hayn)
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
Tustimasáat’al | June
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CULTURAL Louis Harris, His Own Story
Louis Harris is employed through the Nez Perce Tribe TERO Program with All Rail Construction as a laborer. Harris is a very hard worker, removing and installing guard rails. Harris considers TERO an important department as it provides tribal members with work experience and income. “TERO is a very important resource for our people, therefore, I am sincerely grateful for their employees,” said Harris. “TERO gave me and many others the opportunity to work where jobs are lim-
ited and they help with variable issues that may arise.” Harris would like to see every qualified and capable tribal member given the chance to work full-time jobs at the Tribe regardless of personal barriers and limits. There is a real demand for hard workers so he does not like to see nepotism and bias favoritism within work environments and encourages tribal departments to expand to give all tribal members work opportunities. When he is not working, Harris enjoys playing Texas Hold’em poker. His family inspires him daily along with elders who have a lot to teach. Harris would like to thank all of the employees at TERO and also the Elder Advocate Program for making his job easier for him. He’d like to give a special shout out to Laatis Lawrence and Lita Federico, “they are great at what they do, I wish our people took advantage of their capabilities. Thank you TERO,” he said.
WHITE BIRD MEMORIAL June 17, 2021 10:00 a.m. White Bird Battlefield ( 3823 Two Moon Trail Whitebird, ID 83540 )
Photo of Jack Yearout at the 2020 White Bird Memorial
Publisher’s Post Hearing the news of the 215 children that were discovered at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia has had me very emotional, to say the least. I get sad thinking about the idea of my own children having to endure such meaningless pain. I also get worried thinking about who we trust and who we get assistance from. How could 215 deaths of children go undocumented? Then I feel angry, because this is real, it was covered up and all I can hear is the ignorant remarks made by people who are clearly uneducated on the issues that my own people and all of indigenous people have gone through. Richard Pratt, founder of Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania is known for his phrase “kill the Indian, save the man.” The whole reason for boarding schools was to educate and modernize the Indian. How
is this not considered a genocide? The very definition of genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group. A message to anyone who disagrees with me: Look at your child, your baby nieces and nephews, your baby siblings, and think about yourself as a baby. Now think about strangers who don’t speak the same language as you, who don’t look like you and who don’t even like you; imagine them coming into your home and stealing you from your family, throwing you onto a big wagon with other kids like you, and taking you hundreds and thousands of miles away to a building where you are lonesome and beat for being you. Beat for crying, beat for speaking your language, beat for not using your white name;
beat and starved. Children and toddlers would be forced to stand in a line, and until they understood English they were to remain in that line, where they were whipped; tired, cold, hungry and even having to go to the bathroom on themselves in that line. Yet, that wasn’t even the worst of it; clearly, given this recently released estimated death count. It’s not that us as Indigenous people are stuck in the past. Everyone has to reflect on their roots and their own family histories. To put this into perspective of generations, for my grandparents, this was only one generation before them that were forced into boarding schools. This brutal trauma that was done to Indigenous children is still alive today. The military-model teachings of these schools are still being passed down, generation to generation. Everyday Indig-
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enous people deal with the historical trauma, every day is a battle for some to fight the urges they have to numb the pain. The so-called leaders and founders of the “new land” intended to end the Native languages and ban Indigenous cultures. They deliberately beat, raped, and covered up their murders. We now live on Indian reservations and are assigned enrollment numbers to prove our blood quantum with the intent that one day we will die off and be no more. Still think we should just get over it? Still think it’s in the past? It is very much alive and here today, right in front of our eyes. No matter your ethnicity, whether you can relate or not, have overcome similar circumstances, or are part of the many that struggle daily, just remember we are still here; you make a difference in the world and you do matter.
INDIAN COUNTRY
4 Walk Continued from Front Page
true total is likely much higher. On May 21st, 2021 preliminary findings from a survey of the grounds at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia uncovered the remains of 215 children buried at the site. A ground of United Nation human rights experts have asked Canada and the Vatican to conduct an investigation into all former residential schools in the country. Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, said “we have to start taking the Catholic Church to court, I am very hopeful that religious leaders will understand that this is something they need to participate in and not hide from.” Pope Francis has expressed pain over the issue, but has not offered a direct apology. Thousands are calling for government action.
Indigenous communities are remembering and honoring those children who lost their lives by congregating a march and wearing the color orange. “Hopefully now with what has happened, we can identify and bring this information out so that it is known to people and that maybe from that point we can move forward and really begin the process of healing because right now, that history was buried. A lot of very traumatic things happened at that time, not only dissociating with our language, our culture, our identity, but also some things that I think a lot of our elders didn’t really speak about,” said Nakia Williamson, Nez Perce Tribe Cultural Resources Director. “This is a time for healing and what happened in Kamloops B.C. only sheds light on that broader experience of Native people, not only here but in Canada as well.”
Participants walked the streets of Lapwai, wearing orange to remember the 215 children that were found at Kamloops Indian School.
Jaycee Harris holds a justice sign in front of the old Fort Lapwai building. (Photo by Jessica Ford)
Participants walked to the old Fort Lapwai building where there were 215 signs in the grass representing the children that were found.
In Loving Memory of the
children found at Kamloops Tustimasáat’al | June
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INDIAN COUNTRY Pipeline Continued from Front Page
been organizing for more than 10 years against the pipeline. “We are dancing in our hearts because of this victory!” wrote the network in a statement. “From Dene territories in Northern Alberta to Indigenous lands along the Gulf of Mexico, we stood hand-inhand to protect the next seven generations of life, the water and our communities from this dirty tar sands pipeline. And that struggle is vindicated. This is not the end - but merely the beginning of further victories.” The network noted that water protector Oscar High Elk still faces charges for standing against Keystone. Construction on the 1,200-mile pipeline began last year when former President Donald Trump revived the long-delayed project after it had stalled under the Obama administration. It would have moved up to 830,000 barrels of crude daily, connecting in Nebraska to other pipelines that feed oil refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Biden canceled it in January over long standing concerns that burning oil sands crude would make climate change worse. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had objected to the move, although officials in Alberta, where the line originated, expressed disappointment in recent weeks that Trudeau didn’t push Biden harder to reinstate the pipeline’s permit. Alberta invested more than $1 billion in the project last year, kick-starting construction that had stalled amid determined opposition to the line from environmentalists and Native American tribes along its route. Alberta officials said Wednesday they reached an agreement with TC Energy, formerly known as TransCanada, to exit their partnership. The company and province plan to try to recoup the government’s investment, although neither offered any immediate details on how that would happen.
Flags of Indigenous tribes from across the United States and Canada line the enterance to a protest encampment. (Photo from CNN)
“We remain disappointed and frustrated with the circumstances surrounding the Keystone XL project, including the cancellation of the presidential permit for the pipeline’s border crossing,” Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said in a statement. The province had hoped the pipeline would spur increased development in the oil sands and bring tens of billions of dollars in royalties over decades. Climate change activists viewed the expansion of oil sands development as an environmental disaster that could speed up global warming as the fuel is burned. That turned Keystone into a flashpoint in the climate debate, and it became the focus of rallies and protests in Washington, D.C., and other cities. Environmentalists who had fought the project since it was first announced in 2008 said its cancellation marks a “landmark moment” in the effort to curb the use of fossil fuels. “Good riddance to Keystone XL,” said Jared Margolis with the Center for Biological Diversity, one of many environmental
groups that sued to stop it. On Montana’s Fort Belknap Reservation, tribal president Andy Werk Jr. described the end of Keystone as a relief to Native Americans who stood against it out of concerns a line break could foul the Missouri River or other waterways. Attorneys general from 21 states had sued to overturn Biden’s cancellation of the pipeline, which would have created thousands of construction jobs. Republicans in Congress have made the cancellation a frequent talking point in their criticism of the administration, and even some moderate Senate Democrats including Montana’s Jon Tester and West Virginia’s Joe Manchin had urged Biden to reconsider. Tester said in a statement Wednesday that he was disappointed in the project’s demise, but made no mention of Biden. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the top Republican on the Senate energy committee, was more direct: “President Biden killed the Keystone XL Pipeline and with it, thousands of good-paying American jobs.” A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for
Tustimasáat’al | June
comment on TC Energy’s announcement. In his Jan. 20 cancellation order, Biden said allowing the line to proceed “would not be consistent with my administration’s economic and climate imperatives.” TC Energy said in canceling the pipeline that the company is focused on meeting “evolving energy demands” as the world transitions to different power sources. It said it has $7 billion in other projects under development. Keystone XL’s price tag had ballooned as the project languished, increasing from $5.4 billion to $9 billion. Meanwhile, oil prices fell significantly — from more than $100 a barrel in 2008 to under $70 in recent months — slowing development of Canada’s oil sands and threatening to eat into any profits from moving the fuel to refineries. A second TC Energy pipeline network, known simply as Keystone, has been delivering crude from Canada’s oil sands region since 2010. The company says on its website that Keystone has moved more than 3 billion barrels of crude from Alberta and an oil loading site in Cushing, Oklahoma.
SALMON
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Salmon Face Extinction Throughout the US West. Blame These Four Dams Salmon are headed to a point of no return throughout the US west. And the impact on Native American communities could be devastating
Mike Tuell dip net fishes with Nat’aani McCaskey, 12. (Photo by Mason Trinca/ The Guardian) By Hallie Golden, theguardian.com
Knee-deep in the rumbling waters of Rapid River in western Idaho, Mike Tuell guided his dip net between boulders and tree branches in search of the calm pockets where salmon rest. It was a Tuesday evening in May, and his first time out fishing this season. The spring-summer Chinook were just beginning their treacherous journey back to their natal spawning areas. His shoulders tensed as he pushed the net deeper. With each passing stroke, Tuell, 53, a member of the Nez Perce tribe, settled into a rhythm with his net, becoming less an intruder on the river and more a natural part of its ecosystem. Crouched on the rocks behind him was his girlfriend’s 12-year-old son, Nat’aani McCaskey. Decades ago, Tuell had been taught to fish along this same waterway by his uncle, and he was now passing that knowledge on. “If we want to have the way of life we have now, or the life we used to have, he’s got to learn to do it now and do it right so he’s not wasting fish or doing it for the wrong reasons,” explained Tuell, who also serves as production division deputy director for the
tribe’s fisheries department. Not quite big enough to manipulate the pole himself, Nat’aani held a knife and club, ready to take over once Tuell caught a salmon. He listed off the steps: “Hold it by its tail, club it, cut its gills out, and then put it in the ice.” But the opportunity never came. After nearly two hours, with sweat glistening across Tuell’s forehead, the pair weren’t able to catch a single salmon. It’s a scene that has increasingly played out in recent years across the 1,078mile Snake River and some of its tributaries, due in large part to four towering and closely spaced dams in eastern Washington state. The dams act as massive hurdles to the salmon’s migration. Today, experts have voiced concern that the salmon are headed toward a point of no return. The loss of these anadromous fish along a waterway that twists through western Wyoming, Idaho, Washington and Oregon, would wreak havoc on over 130 species that depend on salmon – from salamanders to whales – and leave a gaping hole in a region that prides itself on hosting them. Thirteen populations of Columbia-Snake salmon and
Mike Tuell and Nat’aani McCaskey at Rapid River. (Photo by Mason Trinca/ The Guardian)
steelhead are protected under the Endangered Species Act. But for the Nez Perce community and other Columbia River basin tribes, whose physical sustenance and cultural and spiritual practices have been tied with salmon for millennia, it would be pure devastation. “It puts us in a situation where we start asking the question, who would we be if we didn’t have salmon? If they became extinct, then as salmon people, who would we become?” said Alyssa Macy, CEO of the Washington Environmental Council and a member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. “Obviously, that’s a question that none of us want to answer.” Just as the situation reaches a fever pitch, an unlikely pair of bipartisan US congressmen out of Idaho and Oregon have come on to the scene, championing a $33.5bn solution centered on breaching the four dams. Mike Simpson, the Republican congressman from Idaho who first introduced the proposal, is resolute in his efforts to get ahead of what he described as an impending “train wreck”: the Bonneville Power Administration – the federal agency which markets electrical power from 31 hydroelectric dams – facing key fi-
Tustimasáat’al | June
nancial problems due in part to salmon mitigation costs, or the dams being removed without any thought to the communities and industries that rely on them, or ultimately the salmon disappearing altogether. While many different political choices can be made, “salmon don’t have a choice”, he said. “They need a river. And right now, they don’t have a river.” The dams back up the water flow for miles, increase water temperature and create an overall much longer and thus more dangerous journey for them, explained Jay Hesse, director of biological services for the Nez Perce tribe. Mitigation efforts involve a complex and costly system of fish ladders for adults, spillways for juveniles to get through, a barge transporting them down river, and even wires and loud noises to keep predators away. The proposal to breach the dams is timely: the Biden administration has signaled an appetite for big spending on infrastructure; the flood of renewables have created uncertainty for hydropower; and leaders in a wide array of sectors have signaled interest in finding solutions, explained David Moryc, senior direcContinue Reading Salmon on Page 7
SALMON
Lower Granite Dam seen on the Snake River in Pomeroy, Washington. (Photo by Mason Trinca/ The Guardian) Salmon Continued from Page 6
tor of wild and scenic rivers and public lands policy at the non-profit conservation organization American Rivers. In other words, he said, there’s a unique merging of both crisis and opportunity. In north-east Oregon, the creation story for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation begins with a sacrifice by the salmon, explained Don Sampson, a member of the tribe and an advisory board member for the Northwest Tribal Salmon Alliance. Out of a crowd of animals, they were the first to respond to a call from the Creator warning that the humans were coming and would need nourishment. The story goes that the salmon’s responsibility would be to travel through the waters, ingesting food in order to provide nourishment to humans. In exchange, the tribe was given the sacred duty of taking care of the salmon and honoring them through prayer and ceremony. “This is part of our religious belief. We do it every Sunday at our church,” said Sampson. “We sing our ceremonial
songs. We teach our kids about who they are by these religious beliefs and the relationship to the animals and the plants. And that is our identity.” Similar stories can be found across the Pacific north-west. For thousands of years, both the salmon and humans remained largely in step. The Native communities would eat what they needed, while large portions of the population would be left to complete their lifecycle of hatching in fresh water, traveling downstream to the ocean and then returning to their birthplace to spawn and die. But a little over a century ago, the situation started to shift. Initially, largely unregulated commercial fishing fueled by the expansion of salmon canneries resulted in the population declining. In the years that followed, the runs were further strained by habitat loss. By 1975, the US army corps of engineers completed construction of a series of four dams across just 137 miles of the lower Snake River in Washington in an effort to produce renewable energy while facilitating barge transportation. After construction of
the dams was completed, wild salmon returns fell by more than 90%, according to American Rivers. The Idaho Conservation League reported that before the dams, about 1.5 million spring-summer chinook salmon returned each year to the Snake River. By 2017, only about 5,800 wild spring-summer chinook completed that journey. The impact is especially evident when looking at the smolt-to-adult returns below the dams, compared with above. While 3.5% of salmon
7 survive the ocean and make it through three dams to return to the John Day River to spawn, only 2.4% return to the Yakima River after passing through four dams (2% is considered the minimum needed for salmon persistence). By comparison, less than 1% of salmon return to the Snake River after crossing eight dams, according to Trout Unlimited, a conservation non-profit organization. The dams are spaced so closely that they have created a type of “pressure point” for the salmon population, explained David Montgomery, author of King of Fish: The ThousandYear Run of Salmon. Removing them wouldn’t get rid of all of the historical impacts that there have been, according to him, “but it’s an impact that can be undone in a single stroke that is acknowledged to be very likely to have a major effect”. Last February, 68 of the country’s top salmon and fisheries experts sent a letter to north-west leaders stating that in order to avoid extinction and restore the once abundant salmon runs, these four dams would need to be removed. Two months later, the American Rivers listed the Snake as the country’s most endangered river, citing the dams, along with the climate crisis and poor water quality, as its biggest threats. A Columbia River system impact statement last year Continue Reading Salmon on Page 8
Juvenile salmon are captured, tagged and vaccinated at Juvenile Bypass System at Lower Granite Dam. (Photo by Mason Trinca/ The Guardian)
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SALMON
Juvenile spring Chinook are unloaded in holding tanks at Pittsburg Landing along the Snake River. (Photo by Mason Trinca/ The Guardian) Salmon Continued from Page 7
reported that breaching these dams would have the greatest positive impact on Snake River salmon. But the report, which was authored by the US army corps of engineers, Bureau of Reclamation and Bonneville Power Administration, ultimately did not endorse such a plan due to the “adverse impacts to other resources such as transportation, power reliability and affordability, and greenhouse gas emissions”. In 2016, it was reported that the four dams were producing on average over 1,000 megawatts of energy each year – or enough to power 800,000 American homes. But as the renewable energy sector continues to shift and hydropower competes against low-cost renewable energy, including solar and wind, there is some uncertainty when it comes to what the future will look like for the industry. Against this backdrop, more than $17bn has been spent in recent decades as part of federal salmon recovery efforts. The local tribes have contributed through habitat recovery efforts and extensive salmon hatchery work. The Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery has been working toward releasing 825,000 Spring Chinook this year – 200,000 more than last year. Erik Holt, a member of the Nez Perce tribe and its fish
and wildlife commission chair, was seven the first time he caught a salmon. It was the summer of 1977, and he and his family had hiked the two miles up to the Blue Hole on the Imnaha River, a tributary of the Snake River, in Oregon. Clutching an 18ft gaff and tied to his grandpa to make sure he didn’t fall in, Holt struggled against the strength of the creature. “I could feel the power and the spirit of it all because it just absorbs
you,” Holt said. “Even as a young boy, I could feel that.” Since then, he’s worked to introduce the tribe’s younger generations to fishing, including his 10-year-old nephew. He’s taught him the basic mechanics of the practice, and also about how to treat such a sacred place: “When you get to the river, you pray for your pole and then you put it in the water and you say another prayer … [Then] you got to get in the water yourself. And that’s what we call washing the bad medicine away. Before you even go fishing, you get in that water, you wash off and purify yourself.” Holt’s nephew was excited to travel out to the Clearwater, a tributary of the Snake in Idaho, to carry on the tradition. He had his hook, line and mini dip net ready to go when Holt broke the news that the fishery had been closed because of the lack of salmon. He said it was “devastating” to have to explain it to him and see the forlorn look on his face. Already this season, the Nez Perce tribe has closed virtually all of the lower Snake
River to fishing, along with most of the middle and upper parts of the Salmon River, in an effort to protect the salmon. The Clearwater has recently been opened, but with very limited harvest. These closures can affect Native families’ ability to travel out together to fish and share songs and prayer, and also the tribe’s ability to feature the salmon in their first foods ceremonies and funeral services, explained Shannon Wheeler, the Nez Perce tribal vice-chairman. The possibility of losing salmon altogether also gets in the way of treaties the federal government signed with Nez Perce and many other local tribes. About 150 years ago, they fought to secure rights to fish these waterways. Having to close down fisheries because there’s not enough salmon is a huge infringement on crucial contracts. “In that treaty, we bargained for a way of life,” said Wheeler. “We ceded well over 13m acres of land to the United Continue Reading Salmon on Page 9
The Snake River seen near Clarkston, Washington. (Photo by Mason Trinca/ The Guardian)
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SALMON Salmon Continued from Page 8
States government, to be held in trust for our way of life. That way of life included salmon.” The fight to remove these dams is more than just about the survival of salmon. It’s also about the cultural impact these structures have had on the surrounding Native community. Standing on a dock in the middle of a largely motionless section of the Snake River in Colton, Washington, Louis Reuben looked out on to what had once been his ancestors’ home. He pointed out the spot he believed had held a series of rock formations perfect for fishing, and the hills that may have housed graveyards. But it’s difficult to be sure, he explained, as the winter home for the Wawawai Band of the Nez Perce is now underwater due to the dams. “The dams displaced us, disconnected us from our place of origin for me,” said Reuben, a Nez Perce tribal member and descendant of the Wawawai Band of the Nez Perce. “It’s difficult to go back to a place that’s underwater. It really kind of put a huge dent in my identity as an Indigenous person.” For Reuben, a freeflowing Snake River would finally give him the chance to return to the cave where his great-grandfather was born, and the place where his ancestors lived before being moved on to the reservation. In April, representatives from 12 tribes located throughout the north-west devoted two days to discussions on breaching these dams and the overall proposal first presented by Mike Simpson and then supported by Congressman Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat from Oregon. Simpson is resolute in his effort. “Everything we do on the Lower Columbia and Snake River can be done differently if we choose to do it,” he told the Guardian. Kat Brigham, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation board of trustees chair, said that
they support the proposal, applauding the lawmakers for thinking outside the box. She highlighted the fact that there have been periods where parts of the Columbia River basin had no salmon runs, but they were able to rebuild them. “We know it’s possible,” she said. “But we have to do it together. No tribe, no state, no federal agency, or no individual organization can rebuild these runs. It has to be collaborative, partnership approach.” In addition to breaching the dams, the proposal would include funds to replace the energy lost and help the agricultural community reconfigure transportation. But it would also involve waiting about 10 years before the dams are breached, offer a 35-year license extension for other dams in the Columbia River basin and provide a 35-year dam litigation moratorium. Some stakeholders still have plenty of questions about its viability. In May, Washington’s governor, Jay Inslee, and Senator Patty Murray released a statement rejecting the proposal. Kristin Meira, executive director for Pacific Northwest
Louis Reuben near his ancestral homesite of Wawawai. (Photo by Mason Trinca/ The Guardian)
Waterways Association, made up of ports, barge companies, steamship operators and farmers, also spoke out against the proposal, citing the toll it would take on hydropower and barge transportation. More than a dozen environmental organizations sent a letter in March to Democratic lawmakers in Washington and Oregon explaining that while they support removing the four dams, it should not be at the expense of environmental protections. Simpson said that he put the proposal out there to continue the discussion and is open to hearing ideas and sug-
gestions. But after about 500 meetings with tribes, environmental groups, state representatives and a variety of other stakeholders over the last three years, he said it was clear that salmon recovery will need to involve removing these dams. Back at Rapid River, Tuell lifted up his dip net and began the short walk with Nat’aani through the high grass away from the river. The sound of water crashing against rocks and branches slowly began to dim. Nat’aani turned to Tuell: “Next week might be better.” The two continued on in silence. The uncertainty of the season ahead hung in the air.
The Lower Granite Dam seen on the Snake River. (Photo by Mason Trinca/ The Guardian)
Tustimasáat’al | June
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COMMUNICATION
She’s Back! Chloe’s Conspiracy Column – The Bermuda Triangle (Part 1)
The Bermuda Triangle is home to many strange and bizarre disappearances. The Triangle is located in the Atlantic Ocean in the area between Miami, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda. The name “Bermuda” was derived from an American author in 1964, used to describe an area of an uncommon amount of disappearances by ships and planes. Between the years 1946 and 1991, there were over 100 reported disappearances by ships and planes in the Bermuda Triangle. The first recorded account was by Christopher Co-
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lumbus in 1492, but we don’t trust and care about anything he says so let’s just skip him. On March 4th, 1918, the U.S. Cyclops, one of the largest fuel ships at the time, went missing somewhere north of Barbados. One of the strangest things that people learned was that the captain of this ship never sent out a distress call, and nobody onboard answered radio calls from many of the ships nearby. The U.S. Cyclops seemingly drifted out of existence. On December 28th, 1948, the Douglas Dakota DC3 airplane holding 26 people vanished 50 miles from its destination in Florida. After the pilot called out to give its nearby position, the plane was never seen or heard from again. The most well-known and most talked about disappearance is Flight 19. On December 5th, 1945, five military
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TBM Avenger torpedo bombers departed for Fort Lauderdale, Florida at 2:20 p.m. on a routine training mission. The weather was supposed to be in their favor, and the planes they were taking were so durable that they were nicknamed the “Iron Birds” for their rugged design and ability to hold up in battle. Fourteen men were on that mission, led by instructor Lt. Charles Taylor. Taylor then became lost in the area now known as the Bermuda Triangle. Since it was the year 1945, the GPS had not yet been invented. Therefore, they relied heavily on their compasses, two of which failed to give any sense of direction. A transmission was then picked up by Taylor, sharing the visuals that he was seeing. “We can’t find west. Everything is wrong. We can’t be sure on any direction. Everything looks
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strange, even the ocean.” About 20 minutes later, the Lieutenant sent Flight 19’s final transmission: “We can’t make out anything. We think we may be about 225 miles north of base…it looks like we are entering white water. We’re completely lost.” After the transmission was received, a PBM Mariner flying boat left to rescue the pilots. That boat radioed the control tower only once, before also vanishing. After a widespread search for both Flight 19 and the PBM Mariner failed, the Navy made their final remarks as: “We are not even able to make a good guess as to what happened.” (After explaining the strange disappearances, we will next get into the theories behind this territory of the ocean. To learn about these theories, stay tuned for the next issue.)
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Tustimasáat’al | June
11
COMMUNICATION “The Conversation” with KIYE Coordinator Daniel Spaulding
ta’c léeheyn ‘oykalo ‘íinim wen’íikt wées Daniel Spaulding. Na’tóot híiwes Dan Spaulding Sr. “Snooka” kaa na’íic híiwes Alice Spaulding. Na’qáac híiwes Jeannie Wheeler kaa na’pláx hiwéeke Wallace Wheeler. Ne’él hiwéeke Virginia Lawyer kaa na’qalác hiwéeke Wilbur Spaulding. ‘íinim pehétnim wen’íikt ‘ewsiix Pauline kaa Loretta. ‘inímqanisnim wen’íikt ‘uus Betsy. ‘inípeqyex we’níikt ‘ewsíix Shaylee, Krisalyn, Tuff kaa Breia. ‘íinim ciq’áamqal wen’íikt ‘uus Biggz. “Good day everyone my name is Daniel Spaulding. My dad is Dan Spaulding Sr. “Snooka” and my mom is Alice Spaulding. My mom’s mom is Jeannie Wheeler and my great grandfather was Wallace Wheeler. My dad’s mom was Virginia Lawyer and my dad’s father was Wilbur Spaulding. I have older sisters named Pauline and Loretta and my younger sister’s name is Betsy. My nieces and nephew names are Shaylee, Krisalynn, Tuff and Breia. My dog’s name is Biggz” Our Communications team was able to interview Daniel Spaulding on his latest creation, titled “The Conversation.” Daniel has been part of “KIYE” based in Kamiah, Idaho for almost five years, begin-
ning in August. Daniel’s inspiration behind his segment was a desire to jump into something new that would excel and push him forward into another chapter of his life. “I was actually really nervous at starting this because I’m not a journalist or have any real background in journalism or just even conducting interviews.” It wasn’t until Daniel had to do their first quarterly report of 2021, realizing that after an employee’s retirement, there wasn’t a huge amount of topics to report on anymore. That’s when he said he knew what he wanted, and had to do. “So then I realized it’s time to just step up and do what I got to do. And I’m a pretty social guy and love to talk to people so I came up with “The Conversation” because I didn’t want it to be super formal, like I still wanted the show to reflect my personality. I wanted to have fun while still getting the message out there.” When asking what Daniel’s goal was for making his show, it was simple and strong. He wanted to be an advocate for the people of color in his community and beyond. “My goal is to be able to give a voice to the voiceless I guess. I don’t really like saying ‘voiceless’
because we definitely have a voice and it needs to be heard but for so long it feels like our voices have been silenced… my whole purpose behind this show is to uplift indigenous, Afro-indigenous, black, Latinx and other communities of color voices. I feel like it’s our time to have our stories and experiences be told by us and not by people who might not be from our communities or maybe can’t relate to our struggles that we face in this country as people of color. I hope to inspire the listeners to always keep an open mind and just continue to uplift each other.” It is almost an understatement to say that Daniel has a real drive to make something out of his show. We asked what has been his favorite part about this new program? His response: EVERYTHING. Daniel explains that its connection that he appreciates the most. “I love getting to know people on a more personal level and just the networking that comes with it. I think one of the coolest things is after we’re done recording the episode every one of my guests and I usually swap contact information…We got to stick together and help each other out when we can.” The biggest challenge with starting “The Conversation” for Daniel is his doubt in himself. He says that he overthinks and questions a lot of what he does and can some-
times get nervous. One thing he tries to focus on though is be true to himself, respectful, and knowledgeable. “I’ve always had tough skin but being in radio for the last five years I have definitely developed a mindset where I am not going to make everyone happy or not everyone is going to like listening to whatever is on air but as long as I stay true to myself and make sure I’m going about my interviews with respect then I’ll be good. I am always hoping to make my people proud at the end of the day.” “I haven’t had one interview where I left the studio not feeling inspired. All of my guests so far have been great and I am just so thankful for each and every one of them. I just want to say ‘ilexni qe’ciyew’yew for taking time out of their days to do this. It really means a lot. I hope that all of the listeners feel inspired from these episodes and a big shout out to those who listen. Qe’ciyew’yew.” You can tune into a new episode every Wednesday and Friday morning at 8 am on KIYE 88.7 FM (Kamiah area) and on 105.5 FM (Lapwai area) or you can stream online at kiye.org where Daniel uploads every episode after it airs. Also you can follow “The Conversation’s” Instagram page where Daniel posts information about upcoming interviews @ theconversationwithdaniel.
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Tustimasáat’al | June
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BUSINESS
CHECK OUT THE LOCAL FIREWORK STANDS Ben Arthur Sr. U.S. Highway 3 Juliaetta, ID 83535
Jalene Powaukee Highway 12 Spalding, ID 83540
U.S. Highway 95 Lapwai, ID 83540
Douglas M. DeLorme 50951 Highway 95 South Culdesac, ID 83524 & 34098 Highway 12 Lenore, ID 83541
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Judy Oatman Highway 12 Kooskia, ID 83539 & Highway 12 Orofino, ID 83544
Virgil S. Miller Highway 12 Orofino, ID 83544 Teri A. Krause Highway 12 Kamiah, ID 83536
Quintin Ellenwood Highway 12 Spalding, ID 83540
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Tustimasáat’al | June
13
HEALTH How to Help Kids Manage Anxiety for Summer Activities As the school year begins wraping up, plenty of children will be looking forward to their summer break and activities. However, though summer break has been long anticipated, some kids may start to feel the pressure of protecting themselves and getting anxious. “We’re seeing a lot of difficulties as we try to get kids to go back to normal,” says Eli R. Lebowitz, associate professor in the Child Study Center at Yale School of Medicine. He says that changing rules around mask wearing and social distancing is creating confusion and spurring fear in some kids. Info received from the Wall Street Journal writes that psychologists have advice on how to help prepare youth for summer activities and school preparations. 1. Provide accurate and age-appropriate information: Now that it’s summer 2021, there are new guidelines that permit mask-wearing as optional. With the sudden change of mandates, it confuses the kids and may cause distress for them. Advice from Dr. Lebowitz says to be “really forth-
coming and frank.” For younger kids, you may use language like “The doctor said this is something we can do and this is how we stay well.” For older kids, you can say. “Scientists now understand this virus and it is much less likely to be transmitted outdoors.” “The more kids can understand the requirements, rather than seeing them as arbitrary or mysterious, the easier it is going to be for them to adjust,” he says. 2.Identify children’s core fears: Sometimes, the fears of children may not be from COVID at all, and it may be something deeper within them or more trivial. Whatever the case may be, it’s important for the guardian to see these fears and address them, and help the child cope with them. “Don’t dismiss your kids’ anxiety. Listen to them, empathize and assure them that this is something they can handle,” says Paul Greene, a clinical psychologist in New York. 3. Prioritize social connections: Because of the yearlong conditions of social distance and remote learning, some kids may have
had friendships wither or die down. Help them get back into a healthy social life. Maybe have them attend a summer camp or summer school to give them a nudge. 4. Practice for the upcoming school year: Dr. Lebowitz at Yale advises parents this summer to “set the stage for the kinds of behaviors you want to see during the school year. Try to break out the different challenges so they don’t all happen on the first day of school.” An example would be that if you and your child have spent most of your time together during quarantine, then maybe practice spending time apart. Also, if your child will be transferring to a new school, maybe get there earlier to help them familiarize themselves with the school. If you are able to coordinate a Zoom call with their teacher, that would be even more beneficial. 5. Focus on the basics: Since this pandemic sort of derailed our normal routines, it is important to help reinstate them. If it’s setting the bedtime back on the normal time, creating exercise routines, and limiting screen time, they
can all help the child get back into a smooth routine. Going to sleep late and lack of sleep has been associated to anxiety in children. Also, exercise can improve their mood that will help their mental state. 6. Teach - and model - positive coping strategies: As parents and guardians of our children, the importance of teaching our kids positive ways to help them overcome anxiety will create a better mindset in both the kids and the parents. Not only do parents want to teach different coping strategies, they also want to model them so the children see for themselves that everything is going to be okay. For techniques on how to help kids lower anxiety, go to the Wall Street Journal and search under “Life & Arts.” This is a great opportunity to encourage children and help them face the summer prepared, not scared. It is important to remember that all kids are unique, and patience and understanding is a key necessity. For more tips on how to help kids with anxiety, please visit the Wall Street Journal at wsj.com.
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14
COMMUNITY The Responsibility Rests with Her
Marjory ‘Marge’ Hyde leads effort to preserve historic Spalding Presbyterian Church she grew up in By Kathy Hedberg, Lewiston Tribune
SPALDING — Renovating and repairing the historic Spalding Presbyterian Church, located just off U.S. Highway 95 near the Nez Perce National Historical Park, is less an urgent duty to Marjory “Marge” Hyde than an obligation of the heart. Hyde, 74, who grew up in a small house near the church, which was founded by the Presbyterian missionary Henry Spalding in 1876, was baptized in the church when she was 1 month old. Her parents, grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins — all now deceased — attended, served as elders of the church, organized evangelization gatherings, taught Sunday school, held church suppers and helped form memories and the devotion to the Lord that Hyde said she now cherishes. “I’m the oldest member now, and that’s what’s been really difficult for me,” she said, her eyes swelling with tears. One recent day, after losing yet another relative, “I realized, you know, the responsibility for our church now rests here,” Hyde said, motioning to her heart. “And I really had a hard time with it. And I finally realized that this is what my mother, my aunts, my uncles that I grew up with in this church would expect of me. Because they would want their church to keep going. And that’s what keeps me going.” The problem is that Lapwai Creek, which flows about 100 feet east of the church, is notorious for flooding its banks in the spring. Over the years, water from the floods has soaked the church grounds and poured into the basement, even into the sanctuary, and is threatening the future stability of the building. Hyde and her son, Theron Red Coyote, 42, have been seeking funding to make the repairs and started the Save
Marjory “Marge” Hyde, 74, looks at pictures of church elders in the backroom at the Spalding Presbyterian Church. Hyde, a lifetime member of the church, is the oldest member of the congregation. (Photo by Pete Caster/ Lewiston Tribune)
the Spalding Church campaign. The most urgent need is for a perforated pipe to be installed along the creek bed to help divert the water away from the church. The next task would be to drain the pools of water in the basement, replace a sewer system that failed and make other repairs to the structure. Hyde said she senses her forebears encouraging her to move forward with the project. “Knowing that this is what they would want, so that’s the driving factor for me,” Hyde said. “So I really had to go through this period of mourning … because I thought, `OK, I’ve got a lot of responsibility, but I know that the Lord will bless me to keep going with what I need to do here at our church.’ ” ‘One of the real strict ones’: The Spalding Presbyterian Church is one of six Nez Perce churches in the area, including two in Kamiah, one in Ahsahka, one at Meadow Creek near Ferdinand and another in Stites. The Kamiah Presbyterian churches, founded by Sue and Kate McBeth, missionaries brought to the area by Spalding, were founded in 1873. Hyde said even though
those churches are older, the Spalding church is the more famous, because of its association with Henry Spalding and location near the national museum and Highway 95. Other than the church at Stites, which has been closed for some years, all the other Nez Perce churches have active congregations. The Spalding church meets the second and fourth Sundays of each month. Few records of the early history of the church exist. But hanging on one wall of the fellowship room behind the altar is a framed list of names of some of the original members who contributed to the construction of the building. The donations range from $15 each from Peter Kane and Edward Connor to $5 from Agnes Three Eagles, $1 from Mrs. Clara Reuben and 50 cents each from Mak-toi-no and Kos-no-wa. Hyde remembers a thriving church community when she was growing up. The once-a-year evangelistic meeting “would go for seven days,” she said. “They had church in the morning, usually at 10 o’clock, then they had an afternoon session about 2 (p.m.) and then they had a
Tustimasáat’al | June
dinner and a prayer service at 7 and then the main service at 7:30. And the ladies of the church always used to serve big meals in the dining area. “The elders of this church believed that you didn’t bring food, drink or anything in the church. It was only for worship. And I used to tell my mom, I said, `I think our church was one of the real strict ones.’ ” “We had a lady, she came to church here one time and she brought her crocheting and she was sitting, crocheting during the services and that got them all really upset. They said, `You’re not supposed to do those kinds of things in church.’ “We had services and hymns in our Nez Perce language, and we have song books translated from English to Nez Perce by elders a long time ago. So we still sing those. All of the people that used to be here, one of the elders would start a song and they all knew it. They didn’t have to get a book out to look at it; they all just started singing.” The inside of the church is basically the same as it was 145 years ago — three secContinue Reading Marge on Page 15
Marge Continued from Page 14
tions of wooden pews that altogether could probably seat at least 100 people. Hyde said the women would sit to the left of the preacher’s pulpit and the men would sit to the right. There was a mix of people in the middle section. One of the early pastors of the church was the Rev. David Scott, a member of the Spokane Tribe who had been trained by the McBeth sisters. Flooding becomes a problem: Years ago Lapwai Creek had not cut through the bank as much as it has today, and the church seldom had problems with flooding. But Hyde remembers a time when she was a girl and the creek overflowed, inundating the church. In the early 1960s Hyde’s aunt, Nancy Halfmoon, and several other women opened the door of the sanctuary “and all of the floor was full of mud. And so I asked Mom, I said, `So what are you ladies going to do?’ And she said, `We’re going to sweep up the mud.’ “So they all took their shoes off and their stockings and got started at the other end of the church and swept it all down.” The next major flood
COMMUNITY
happened in 1996 with water gushing into the basement and pooling on the floor. Hyde, who spent a career as a social worker on other reservations around the country, was not living in Lapwai at the time and does not have much information about that event. In 2015, the resident pastor moved away and the executive director of the Presbytery of the Inland Northwest closed the building. It remained shuttered for some time, Hyde said, until she and her children decided to do something about it. “We had to clean the church because when my cousin, Chloe, and I came in here, we went in there and it was a mess. There were cobwebs from the pews to the lights. Small openings at the bottoms of the benches and most were full of cobwebs. Cobwebs all over the windows, bugs everywhere and it smelled terrible,” Hyde said. The church reopened in 2016, and services are led by visiting ministers. Then came April 2019. Lapwai Creek burst through its banks once again, sweeping across the grounds and into the church. Tribal members piled sandbags around the church to protect it as
A reflection of the Spalding Presbyterian Church is seen recently in a puddle after an afternoon rainfall. Flooding has plagued the church in recent years. (Photo by Lewiston Tribune)
best they could, but Hyde said the area was saturated. “The church was completely engulfed with water,” she said. “It was hitting the backside of the church, and I came down to check on it and I could hear the creek running. When I came down, I found the church was completely engulfed in water.” For the elders: Because of its historic status, the Spalding church has attracted the attention of state and federal organizations dedicated to helping preserve such sites. The problem is, there’s scant money for the upgrades it needs. Recently, Eric Hasenoehrl, of Keltic Engineering in Lewiston, was hired by the Idaho Heritage Foundation to make an assessment of the most critical repairs. Red Coyote said Hasenoehrl identified the compromised creek bank and recommended the perforated pipe to help divert the water away from the church area. Other concerns include the basement that retains water and two rotting pillars holding up the back of the building. The church also has a defunct plumbing system — and myriad other troubles. “It’s more about just
15
getting all the water out of the basement, maybe returning it to a functioning room at some point,” Red Coyote said. “At some point, it’s going to fail. It’s old wood, really good wood, but it’s not meant to last forever. That’s expensive to get all this stuff replaced.” Hyde said she doesn’t know how much all the repairs would cost, even if they could find the money, but she and her son are currently the only ones working on the issue. “This isn’t for my glory or my son’s glory,” she said. “This is to keep our Lord strong in this church and to our membership in our community. But most importantly, it’s for all those elders that I talked about and people that I remember in this church when I was growing up. Because if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have what I have in my heart today regarding my beliefs and my faith. So they laid the foundation a long time ago.” Anyone wishing to make a donation, or for more information about the Save the Spalding Church campaign, may contact Hyde by mail at: Marge Hyde, P.O. Box 524, Lapwai, ID 83540. Hedberg may be contacted at kathyhedberg@ gmail.com or (208) 983-2326.
Marjory “Marge” Hyde, 74, places a red decorative cloth over the Holy Communion table on a recent afternoon after meticulously cleaning it and before placing candles and a gold crucifix on top. (Photo by Lewiston Tribune)
Tustimasáat’al | June
16
COMMUNITY
United States Army Presents Nez Perce Tribe with Book
Lt. Col. Richard T. Childers presents NPTEC Vice-Chairman Shannon Wheeler with a copy of Army Life on the Pacific.
The Nez Perce Tribe has demonstrated goodwill and cooperation with the U.S. Army for over 216 years. From assistance of Lewis & Clark and Captain Benjamin Bonneville to present management of the Dworshak National Fish Hatchery, the Tribe has immeasurably assisted the United States Government. Regretfully there are many events where reciprocity has not been returned by the Government.
In respect of the Nez Perce Tribe's sovereignty, and in appreciation of the Tribe's longstanding partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers presents the book "Army Life on the Pacific" documenting the Tribe's indispensable service to the U.S. Army during the 1858 Battle of the Four Lakes. At the time, Lieutenant John Mullan expressed his approbations of the good conduct of this band of friendly Nez Perces, and mentions Hutis-e-mahli-kaw, Captain John, Edward, and We-ash-kot, as worthy of special notice for their bravery. The presentation was an effort by the U.S. Army to demonstrate their appreciation for their longstanding relationship with the Tribe. The book documents the Tribe’s indispensable service to the U.S. Army during the 1858 Battle of the Four Lakes. “It is clear the Nez Perce Tribe has nobly and selflessly sacrificed much in the service of the United States,” stated Brigadier General D. Peter Helminger, P.E. in a letter included with the book.
Fire Requires Closure of Precious Lands Wildlife Management Area in Northeastern Oregon Lapwai, Idaho- On June 4th, the Joseph Canyon fire started and is still actively burning on part of the Precious Lands Wildlife Management Area in Northeastern Oregon. Due to the extremely steep terrain, poor road access, and unpredictable nature of this fire, the Nez Perce Tribe has decided to implement an immediate, temporary closure of the Precious Lands area to all public use. "Given the unpredictable nature of wild fires, we want to best ensure the fire crews are able to focus on their critical work without any additional concerns for public users being in the area. Public safety is always top priority," stated Nez Perce
Tustimasáat’al | June
Tribal Executive Committee Chairman, Samuel Penney. The fire is burning in and around the Grande Ronde and Joseph Creek Areas of Critical Environmental Concern on the Vale District Bureau of Land Management and in the Nez Perce Precious Lands Wildlife Area (Héte’wits Wétes). Firefighters from the Oregon Department of Forestry are working to protect ecological, geological and cultural resources along with private property, rangeland and timber. As of June 6, the fire covered a total of 4,000 acres. Currently containment is at zero percent. The closure to the Precious Lands will be lifted as soon as the threat to public safety has passed.
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COMMUNITY
Nez Perce Tribe Recycling Program Newsletter—June 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
When a household Thank you for Recycling! recycles, trash can be reduced by 40 to 60% !
“Talkin’ Trash”
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 Plastic bags and film - #2 & #4
Car batteries *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!
How valuable is nature? A recent study of the economic value that could be created by protecting 30% of the world’s land as wilderness, which absorbs carbon from the atmosphere and provides biological diversity, found that the cost would be repaid by more than 500%.
https://earth911.com/business-policy/ecosystem-services-natures-giftsthat-help-us-thrive/?utm_source=newsletter
Lapwai Recycling Schedule Community Recycling June 3 & 16 Pineewaus Parking Lot 11 am -1 pm
Office Collections
Kamiah Contact: Gary Draper . garyd@nezperce.org
Tustimasáat’al | June
June 10 & 24
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Fishing Season Regulation
Elder of the Year
Fire Notice
Fishing Season Regulation NPTFWC #21-145 No allowable sales for any species of salmon, including hatchery or wild/natural caught in the Columbia River-Zone 6 and/or in the Snake River Basin and its tributaries, unless otherwise promulgated by a Nez Perce Tribal Fishing Regulation.
The Senior Advisory Board is accepting nominations for Elder of the Year from June 1 – June 30 Enrolled Nez Perce tribal members, age 62+ are eligible to be nominated Only enrolled Nez Perce tribal members age 55+ are eligible to submit a nomination Ballot Box Locations Lapwai Senior Meal Site Kamiah Senior Meal Site Orofino Fisheries Office NPTEC Reception Area Voting will take place from August 2- August 30 Only enrolled Nez Perce tribal members age 55+ are eligible to vote Male and Female Elder of the Year winners will be announced at the Fall General Council meeting
Don’t let the light rains over the past couple of days fool you. It’s still unseasonably dry out there.
Effective 12:00 p.m., May 25, 2021. No sales authorized of hatchery or wild/natural spring/summer chinook, sockeye or coho salmon caught in the Snake River basin and its tributaries or of upriver spring chinook caught in the Columbia River treaty fishery until further notice and/or otherwise promulgate by an official Nez Perce Tribal fishing regulation for a specific fishing area, and adopted by the Nez Perce Tribe Fish and Wildlife Commission. Justification: Broodstock needs are not met. As a tribe, we not only have to look at this season and the next to sustain our traditional food, but for generations to come. § 3-1-12 Seasons Opened Until Closed: (a) Unless and until the Fish and Wildlife Commission acts as provided by this chapter to close a fishing or hunting season for a particular species, then such season shall be open. (This regulation hereby closes “Allowable Sales” of salmon unless otherwise promulgated by a separate regulation for a particular fishing area.) All Nez Perce fishing regulations and sections of the Nez Perce Tribal Code pertaining to this fishery remain in effect. Not complying with these regulations may be cause for civil or criminal penalties per the Nez Perce Tribal Code. For additional information on Nez Perce Tribe fishing regulations, please contact the NPTFWC at 208- 843-9376. If you have fishing enforcement concerns om the Snake River Basin and its tributaries, please contact the Nez Perce Tribe Department of Fisheries Resources Management Enforcement dispatch at 208-843-7143 or toll free 1-877-790-3474. If you have enforcement concerns in the Columbia River Zone 6, please contact the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Enforcement at office at 4270 Westcliff Drive, Hood River, OR. Phone 541-386-6363 or toll free 800- 487-3474.
Congratulations High School Graduates
• Any small spark will easily ignite dry fuels. • Avoid tall, dry grass when travelling off road. • Remove any combustible material away from structures on your property. • Fires should be dead out before leaving them unattended. • Report any wildfires as soon as possible by dialing 911. The faster firefighters can get to them, the better their chances of keeping them small. Don’t let your summer go up in smoke! Nez Perce Tribe Forestry and Fire Management
Home Buyer & Financial Education Classes Homebuyer Education, Money Basics, Financial Skills for Teens and Young Adults, Youth Money Basics and more. Classes are offered by the Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority in both Lapwai and Kamiah. View the full schedule of classes, descriptions, and specifics at https://nezperce.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ Financial-Class-Schedule-2021-Calendar-HBE.pdf or follow Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority on Facebook
We are generationally minded. We responsibly protect our future generations. Our legacy will be passed down to our children and grandchildren. We have the opportunity today to ensure necessary transfers occur which may bring clarity in the future. We treasure our families and our way of life.
Do you have a Will? Free Estate Planning for Tribal Members From: 6/3/21 through 8/13/21
Jenz Kash Kash Lapwai High School
Malcolm Tanner
Central Kitsap High School
Tustimasáat’al | June
Auston Jimmicum Phone: 208-791-0708 Email: willsintern@nezperce.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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NPTVRS Announcement
Job Announcements
Good news! The Nez Perce Tribe is returning back to Stage 4 of Idaho Rebounds. With that being said, our Nez Perce Tribe Vocational Rehabilitation Services (NPTVRS), is offering you this current update.
Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority is accepting applications for the following positions Finance & Operations Manager (Full-Time) To administer and manage all aspects of accounting and general operations. Excellent benefits. Bachelor degree in Business or Accounting; 5 yrs experience as full charge bookkeeper; or Associate degree w/five years full charge bookkeeping; min 3 yrs supervising. Direct experience in public/Indian housing accounting, banking, financing, audit preparation is desirable, applicant must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, knowledge of human resource requirements, financial reporting, proficiency in financial software applications, and procurement practices. Salary - DOQ, Indian preference will apply, Open until Filled.
NPTVRS current reminders: • NPTVRS will continue to provide services by walk-ins, scheduled appointments and phone calls. • We are still providing gloves and masks for your appointment. • We also offer an orientation of our NPTVRS program for anyone who thinks they are interested and qualifies for our program, including transition students who are Juniors and Seniors in high school. NPTVRS news stories: • During the month of June our NPTVRS program has hired a new staff member. Our NPTVRS program would like to introduce Leslie Bursch our new Office Specialist 2. Our NPTVRS program is beyond thankful to have this individual join our team and continue the mission of providing excellent service to our participants. • Our NPTVRS program currently has five brand new CPU’S for our training center. The CPUs are installed with the newest tools of Microsoft office and we encourage those who are participants in the program to stop by and use them. • Our NPTVRS program has a participant who is a veteran that is a part-time student attending Lewis-Clark State College summer courses and is doing excellent. • Our NPTVRS program also has a participant who is doing excellent that is completing their 16-week apprenticeship carpentry training at the TERO Vocational Training Center that’s located in Tulalip, WA. Our NPTVRS participant will successfully graduate from the apprenticeship program this month on June 18th. If anyone who meets our NPTVRS qualifications is interested in the 16-week apprenticeship, please feel free to contact us. • Our NPTVRS program is still offering efficient assistance to those who qualify for our program and want to sign up for labor work such as flagging, welding, truck driving, solar panels, the 9 pieces of equipment training, and much more within construction work. Our program also offers assistance in other work areas as well. For example, Massage Therapy and Vo-Tech school for those who are interested in that type of employment/workforce trainings. • We also keep close tabs on the recent job openings located within the Lewis-Clark Valley. The NPTVRS program encourages any participant who is currently enrolled in the program to stop by and we can help assist with employment opportunities. NPTVRS contact info: • Our new office location is at 271 B St. Lapwai, ID in the Nez Perce Tribe Education building. Please use the Voc. Rehab main entrance, which is located on the side of the building near the softball field. • Our direct contact line is 208-843-9395 for any further assistance. • You may also contact us via our NPTVRS Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Nez-Perce-Tribe-Vocational-Rehabilitation-Services-112076830710100. We constantly update our page with important and helpful information for the community, therefore swing on by and give our page a follow, we greatly appreciate the continued support. • Our NPTVRS program also has our brand-new online Survey Monkey available for the community as well. Please follow the link at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3X6XVTX. We would really appreciate your feedback. • Our NPTVRS office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and our staff will be happy to assist you.
Maintenance Custodian/Worker (Part-Time) Excellent benefits. Must have high school diploma/GED, valid driver’s license, insurable, excellent cleaning skills, basic maintenance skills and painting skills. Indian preference will apply. Closing date 06/24/2021 or until filled. Send NPTHA job application and 3 work related references to: Executive Director, Nez Perce Tribal Housing Authority, P. O. Box 188, Lapwai, ID 83540. Or email lauriec@nezperce.org For more information please call 208 843-2229
Memorial Please join us and celebrate the life of Ruth McConville Saturday, August 14, 2021 Lapwai City Park Stone Setting 9:00 a.m. Lapwai Tribal Cemetery Giveaway and dinner to follow Lapwai City Park
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Tustimasáat’al | June