Page 2 - October 2009

Youth Use Pride and Muscle to Win at Traditional Canoe Races 2 By Fred Shortman, Editor pullers reminded us about what strategy It was a beautiful sunny weekend was going to be used for this race. With at Ike Kinswa State Park on determination in their minds, they set an Mayfeld Lake. The Chehalis awesome pace. Though the Cowlitz Canoe Canoe Family participated in was leading in the early part of the course, the Second Annual John Barnett technique and stamina was a contributing Memorial Traditional Canoe factor in Chehalis taking the lead. As the Races and Celebration. The pullers tired, the words of encouragement Cowlitz honors the Late John from the youth gave everyone strength Burnett by fulflling former Tribal to the fnish this race. There was a Chair’s vision of reviving the victory swim for all pullers as the skipper canoe races. requested each seat to take their turn On Friday, there was a jumping into the water. blessing of the dugout canoe On Sunday the course was revised built by Cowlitz member Robert from a 15 mile race to a 4 ½ mile. Skipper Harju. Everyone who came to Gail White Eagle selected her pullers. It witness was smudged in order was a great day, a little windier than the to purify themselves, bringing The Chehalis Canoe Family youth encouraged everyone to pull hard in the canoe races. day before. The youth pullers used the their good thoughts and prayers Their commitment was inspiring as they competed against a team of adult men. When they same strategy that worked the day before. It for the canoe. The ceremony was won two races, they acted with respect and honor. was a fun race, but a buoy was missed and performed by Joseph Kalama it differences. The frst canoe race was a 1 was flled with youth against the Cowlitz our canoe had go back and circle it. It was was done to awaken the spirit of the cedar mile race. The Chehalis Canoe Family Canoe adult males. It wasn’t just about a good race, and everyone was laughing and tree, fnding a new life as a canoe for the circled up and skipper Gail White Eagle winning, it was about working together and congratulating everyone for a good race. people informing it was to be used in a selected her pullers. The youth donned their seeing how committed the youth are. What a The feast and thank you gifts were good way. After the ceremony the canoe life vests and took a warm up pull. The proud moment it was. given out at the dinner. It was a great was launched and given its maiden voyage, human spirit always has the competitive The fnal canoe race that day was a fve weekend in celebration honoring John followed by the Cowlitz and Chehalis drive to win in representing your tribe. The mile race. The Cowlitz support boat captain Barnett and helping participate in his Canoes that are used in the Canoe Journeys. anticipation and excitement rose in the chest took our skipper to show him the 5 mile dream of having canoe races on Mayfeld It was an honorable and thrilling moment for of the pullers as they waited for the starting course. And when he returned the Chehalis Lake. The Chehalis Canoe Family enjoyed those who came to witness the ceremony. horn. The youth focused and committed Canoe Family circled up and Skipper James visiting with neighboring tribe, enjoying On Saturday, the event began as people to working on nothing but power pulls in Cayenne II picked his pullers. Once again their hospitality in this gathering of native came to see the races. There were only this race. They pulled with everything they the youth stepped up to pull, still excited people. Our hands go up in appreciation to two canoes that showed up to race, both had and they were greeted by cheers of over the frst victory. The Chehalis and our youth for their dedication and hard work are ocean going canoes that are used on encouragement echoing over the water as the Cowlitz Canoe Families were evenly representing the Chehalis Canoe Family the Canoe Journeys. Other canoe families they successfully crossed the fnish line. It matched and the skippers’ course selection is with honor and respect. weren’t able to come due to scheduling was an awesome victory because our canoe crucial to achieving a victory. The front seat Program’s Goal is to Screen for and October is National Breast Prevent Colon Cancer for Native Cancer Awareness Month Americans at Five SPIPA Tribes By Marilee Bittner-Fawcett (Tsimshian heritage), Public Information, SPIPA Colon cancer is one of the most preventable through two main goals: cancers. It can be screened for, and treated,  Provide community-wide activities in a pre-cancerous stage, with either a including educational activities to colonoscopy (every ten years) or a “stool increase community awareness and assist test” (annually). Now seven Southwest patients with making appointments for Washington tribal clinics can provide routine colorectal cancer screening. The goal colorectal cancer screenings to low- income, is to achieve an 80% colorectal cancer or under-insured, patients. screening rate of population. Five of the seven tribes are members  Provide free colorectal cancer screening of the intertribal, nonproft consortium, and diagnostic services for low-income the South Puget Intertribal Planning patients 50 and older, those without Agency (SPIPA): the Chehalis, Nisqually, insurance, or provide assistance with co- Shoalwater Bay, Skokomish and Squaxin pays for those with insurance. The goal is Island Tribes. The $600,000, fve-year grant to provide screening and follow up to 900 from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) eligible patients per year Chehalis tribal members and employees wore pink on October 16 to show also serves the Cowlitz and Quinault tribal SPIPA has had as Comprehensive Cancer their support for women who are breast cancer survivors. communities. Control Program in place that has received Chehalis tribal members and employees  Age 20 & 30s- CBE about every three With the grant, SPIPA will design and national attention. This Colorectal Cancer wore pink on October 16 to show their years, monthly self breast exam implement a tribally-based colorectal cancer Screening Program (CCCP) will help SPIPA support for women who are breast  Starting in 20s- Monthly self breast exam, program. Only four tribal organizations achieve the second SPIPA Comprehensive cancer survivors. consult your health care provider about (SPIPA and three Alaska Native Cancer Control Program. This goal is to CBE organizations) were selected for funding detect all screenable cancers at the earliest About 250,000 American women The SPIPA Native American through the Center for Disease Control’s stage for tribal and community members of are diagnosed with some form of breast Women’s Wellness Program pays for review process. SPIPA is the only lower- all SPIPA tribes. It will surpass the CCCP cancer each year. More than 40,000 48 Tribal Colorectal Cancer Program. The fourth objective to work with the tribal women die from it. But thanks to early breast and cervical screenings for agency will be involved in state and national clinics to screen at least 50% of the age- detection and improved treatments, low-income women who meet income efforts to bring the message forward on how appropriate population for colorectal cancer. the number of deaths is decreasing. eligibility. The clinic has two providers to best address colorectal cancer in Indian This new SPIPA program is modeled after Together we can make a difference. The who see women for these screenings. Country. our successful Native Women’s Wellness important thing here is to remember Donna Elam, PA, is here Monday thru The focus of this national program is Program and our Comprehensive Cancer early detection: Get your screenings on Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30pm. Dr. Teresa to increase the colorectal cancer screening Control Program. The Colorectal Cancer a regular basis. Solis is here Monday thru Thursday, rate in the United States for all people 50 Program staff will work closely with staff The American Cancer Society’s 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Christina Hicks years of age and older. This will be achieved from these two programs. is the NWWP Outreach Worker. You breast cancer screening guidelines are:  Age 40 & over - Mammogram and can call the clinic at 360-273-5504 to clinical breast exam (CBE) yearly, schedule your appointment. Remember, monthly self breast exam every woman counts. Chehalis Business Committee Tribal David Burnett, Chairman Don Secena, Vice Chairman Newsletter Jessie Goddard, Treasurer Cheryle Starr, Secretary 420 Howanut Road Dan Gleason, Sr., 5th Council Member Oakville, WA 98568 (360) 273-5911 (office) Chehalis Tribal Newsletter Staff: (360) 273-5914 (fax) Fred Shortman, Communications Coordinator newsletter@chehalistribe.org Articles and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the opinions of this publication or the Chehalis Tribal Business Committee. The Chehalis Tribal Newsletter encourages tribal members to submit letters, articles, photographs, and drawings to be considered for publication. These are subject to editing. Contributing writers, artists, and photographers include Chehalis tribal community members and staff. Youth Director Tony Medina put on a punt, pass and kick contest for the The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis children during the TELO Flag Football Game. This was their opportunity to Submission deadline: 6th of each month Reservation... show off their skills. Printed: Each month “People of the Sands”