Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor are published at the discretion of the Editor, as space permits. No letter which contains defamatory or malicious statements will be published. Any letter which contains questionable material will be sent to the Office of Reservation Attorney for legal review. All letters must contain the writer’s signature, address, and telephone number (if available). Letters NOT signed will not be published. Letters are limited to 450 words. Letters exceeding 450 words may be published if space allows and the Editor so chooses. The Editor reserves the right to edit any letter for content, clarity, and length.
Views and opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor, complimentary or critical, are those of the writer of the letter. They are not endorsed by the Tribal Tribune staff, Tribal Administration, Tribal Business Council, or the Colville Confederated Tribes’ membership as a whole.
Mount Tolman
To All Tribal Members and Descendants:
Today, Mount Tolman rises 1,500 feet above the San Poil River. If mining goes through, she will disappear and there will be a giant pit in the earth 1,500 feet deep (about the size of a conglomerate’s pocket).
Such a conglomerate is American Metal Climax, Inc. (alias “AMAX”) of New York, the world’s largest producer of molybdenum. For years AMAX had three molybdenum mines in Colorado, the Urad, Climax, and Henderson mines.
In the 1970’s a 4-year health study was conducted where AMAX operated and this is some of what was reported:
1. Molybdenum is a toxic metal.
2. During the heavy runoff periods each spring, large quantities of liquid are released from AMAX’s tailings ponds. The molybdenum-laden water then courses down Ten Mile Creek from Fremont Pass and into Dillon Reservoir. Occasionally, large quantities are released at once. The tailings ponds at the Urad Mine release water the year round.
3. Cattle and sheep which grazed on forage irrigated by waters containing high levels of molybdenum suffered from diarrhea, discoloration of hair, loss of appetite, joint abnormalities, osteoporosis (weakening of the bones), reproductive difficulties, lack of sexual interest, testicular degeneration and occasionally death.
4. Mice which drank the contaminated water had increased rates of young deaths and dead litters after three generations.
5. Causes of death among the people living closest to the polluted waters showed higher rates of all cancers (e.g. cancer of the liver), diseases of the blood and blood-forming system, high blood pressure, diseases of the digestive system, birth defects, congenital abnormalities, musculoskeletal disease (especially bone disease), and acute lymphocytic leukemia.
In ancient times, our people knew the original meaning of the word “good”. They lived by it because they recognized its closeness to God, but, like most words over the years, man has twisted its meaning for personal gain. People will try to convince you that mining is ‘good’, but, to barter away Mount Tolman for money would be like killing our future generations and auctioning off their baby clothes.
(I got the mining information from News Science Editor H. Peter Metzger’s articles “Major diseases correlated with molybdenum in water”; “Harmful metal found in Denver area water”; “Molybdenum pollution limit set—for animals”; and “Molybdenum in water concerns area citizens”, Rocky Mountain News, January 10, March 3, March 4, and June 20 (1974), Denver, CO)
Sincerely,
Yvonne SwanWhat the Great White Father Said
Put the Indians in a group
on the reservations
Then divide the group
into several sections
Take the children from the homes
Put their fathers in prison
Feed the women wine and booze
and don’t let them find the reason
Make the children form ideals
that keep them from their culture
Don’t let them think of things
that remind them of nature
Don’t let them cling to their land
and all their resources
We want it all
for our armed forces
If they dare to protest
make them cower,
Use your pens and needles
and payoffs,
Don’t forget
my goal
of nuclear power.
Drawing -- Yvonne Swan, 1974
If I believed everything...
Wai! The Omak Stampede was a success. I am in my year of mourning so I don’t participate in pow-wow, yet. I express my disdain for the negative tension created between the tribe, and surrounding community, by unethical journalism.
Those of you who express yourselves in written form; remember the “source” of your hype; do you have the back-up documents to support your claims, or are you reacting, without being provided a hard copy, or solid information for credibility? I’ve been doing this writing for some years now. I think the editorial section, and family photos are two important parts of the Tribune. I won’t write bout an issue I haven’t experienced, witnessed first hand, or not been provided a hard copy of the information I’m sharing. I call, and confirm information. I do not believe in malicious gossip.
What compels my interest, is, if I disagree with the event, the information provided, or review documents. If I feel the event, or action, is detrimental to the tribal people as a whole, then I am motivated to respond. If I feel an associate, friend, or family member, has been greatly wronged, singled out, or hurt, for no apparent reason, then someone’s personal power trip, and the information provided substantiates that, I will speak up, write about it, and share my views. Far too long, our tribe has been exploited because of personal gain.
Our tribe is in a current financial dilemma. Yes, excellent councilpersons, and qualified, employees are being headhunted because they are considered a “threat” by a fellow councilperson, or administration, and their nepotism nests. Take a look around you, or review the employee telephone directory, duh. Our tribal government makes mistakes, we all do. Any one of us can take “personal leave” to attend a council meeting that reviews an issue of interest, and witness first-hand, the discussion of that issue. (Unless, it’s “closed door”). When people write letters berating individuals about discussion of an issue, when they weren’t present; it’s referred to as “hearsay” in a Court of Law. Review a Resolution vote.
I wasn’t in attendance when the Owners & Jockeys, tribal council, the City of Omak, and the Stampede Committee meeting took place. I know that the authors of the letters to the Editor in the Omak Chronicle slamming Shirley Charley, Omak district council, weren’t either. If I believed everything that was talked, or written about in the tribe, without checking out the source, I’d be making plans for a trip to Hawaii with my Wells Dam millions. In recovery, “grandiose” is a stage of hauty dry-drunks. “Mumble clearly”. Lam-Lampt. Correct me if I’m wrong. Lam-lampt.
In my prayers,
Charlene BearCub
Was-way
Shame on you...
To All Colville Tribal Members,
What in the world was Shirley Charley thinking when she made the comment in the July 27th issue of the Chronicle that “she felt that the tribe should have their own beer garden at the Stampede because Indians like to drink and fight”?
For a Council person, our leader, to make a comment like that puts all Indians back years. We’re trying to make progress and a comment like that from a leader is inexcusable.
I don’t know what Shirley is used to, but for her to say something like that really upsets me because not all Indians like to “drink and fight”.
Shame on you, Shirley. I hope the other Council members don’t condone what you said.
Something should be done; you need to make an apology to the Indians of the United States and especially the members of the Colville Confederated Tribes.
Edie Van Slyke
Keller District
General Membership Meeting is set for October 8, 2005
Tribal Members:
A General Membership Meeting is set for October 8, 2005, 9:00 a.m. at the Omak Longhouse at Pascal Sherman School. I know that the membership attendance has been not well attended and I ask that you make an effort to attend.
I say this because there are issues that need to be discussed and need the answers from the Tribal Council:
1. What is the financial status of the Colville Tribes?
2. What is the status of the Colville Tribal Administration budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006?
I have a suggestion for off-reservation Tribal members and it is this: There is a listing for all Colville Tribal members who live in Seattle, Portland, Spokane and other reservations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Most of you know who the tribal members are and if you don’t then contact the Tribe for a listing.
Meet at least once a month and discuss the issues that are important to you. Call 1-888-881-7684 and ask to speak to your respective Councilman. With the names and the number of the Tribal members you have at your meetings you will carry political clout. Request that if a Tribal Councilman or Administrator happens to be in your area to attend your meetings. Select a spokesman and I would hope that the spokesman would attend the General Membership meeting in your behalf and be recognized so by the Tribal Council.
This suggestion is to make the Tribal Council and Administration accountable to the total membership of the Colville Tribe.
Lem-lem.
Eldon Wilson
Just Food for Thought
Dear Tribal Members:
I woke of this morning thinking of our youth. I hear people talking about the young ones. How they are into drugs and alcohol, how the young people are out of control.
Now my question to each one of you Tribal members is: Where did they learn it. Wasn’t learned out of a book at school or any where else. The youth had good teacher at home. Be it a parent, older brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents, great-grandparents. But who is going to admit to this?
The youth need to fit in and they join together as their family and take care of one another. They can trust and count on one another in tough times and good times.
As a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, this is how I view our youth.
I’ve been there and done all of it. But who out there is willing to be truthful to our youth. Reach out a hand and help them get up and dust themselves off and walk the Good Side of Life?
Just Food for Thought,
Thank You, Connie Palmanteer McCraigie
P.S. A human being owns a lethal weapon and it’s our tongues. Can slice a person up without drawing blood. So be real careful for the words you say. Because there is no such words as “I sorry”. It has already been said and already hurt the person. Then you live with it the rest of your life. My father, Eddie Palmanteer Lakekin’s words.
Trying to my family
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Michael T. Laramie, Jr. I am an enrolled tribal member and I was wondering if there was any possibility of you guys publishing my name and backround in the tribal paper, because I am trying to find out who my family is over there.
I grew up on the Tulalip reservation with my mother’s side of the family. I have no real clue as to who my family is on my father’s side. I have only been out to the Colville Reservation once. It would be greatly appreciated if you could publish my information. There is a phone number where my family at Tulalip can be reached. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
I hope this letter is received in spiritual well-being.
Sincerely,
Michael T. Laramie, Jr.
HEARTFELT THANKS
I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all my friends and family who were involved in and/or attended the recognition dinner held in my honor. I can’t even begin to tell you how much it means to me that so many of you worked so hard to make my day so special. I am truly honored to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.
Ramona Peone
