Page 9 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - December

9
Youth invited to learn about life of an elder
Contributed by Youth Center
Director Tony Medina
Young eyes glistened as
children listened intently to
elder Diane Devlin’s story
on Dec. 1.
Diane’s talk is part of a new
Youth Center program that
invites an elder to share with
our youth what life was like
growing up on the Chehalis
Reservation back when there
was just a Tribal Hall and a
ball field.
Diane spoke about when
the Chehalis Tribe would kick
off the Tribal Days Baseball
Tournament. The gathering
would be the start of the
baseball season for other
reservations, which would
follow during the spring and
summer. She also shared with
the children how far apart
her neighbors were, that they
grew their own vegetables in
their family garden and they
shopped once a month at a
store.
Children focused on Diane
as she discussed what her
Shop with a Cop brings out holiday smiles
Submitted by Mike McNair,
Chehalis Tribal Community
Resource Officer
Local families who could
use a helping hand received a
memorable Thanksgiving treat
Nov. 21.
Chehalis Tribal Law
Enforcement Officers, Lucky
Eagle Casino employees,
Rochester ROOF Center staff
and Bailey’s IGA put a surprise
plan called Shop with a Cop
into action.
Families were selected by
the Rochester ROOF Program
and our Chehalis Tribal ICW
Program. The Chehalis Tribal
Law Enforcement sponsored
two families and Bailey’s IGA
sponsored two families.
First, they were picked up
at their house by squad cars
and driven to Lucky Eagle
Casino for breakfast. This was
a delight because many of the
chores consisted of and how
families depended on each
other. She talked about her
education, family and life on
the reservation. When she
finished speaking, children
patiently raised their hands
Chehalis Tribal Law Enforcement and Bailey’s IGA sponsored families to give them a grand holiday meal.
families don’t have money in
their budget for this type of
activity.
Afterward, they traveled
to Rochester Bailey’s IGA to
shop with the officers. The
families received help to have
a wonderful family gathering.
to take turns asking questions Elder Diane
regarding who her favorite Devlin
singer and movie star are. shared her
memories
Our goal for this program is with
for youth and elders to interact children
and learn from each other. If at the
there are any other elders who Chehalis
Tribal
Youth
Center on
Dec. 1.
A new
program
brings
elders in
to talk
about their
memories
of growing
up on the
reservation.
would like to share their life
story with our children, please
contact the Youth Center so we
can schedule a date.
Thank you DeeDee from
the youth and Youth Center
staff!
That is why it is called Shop reminds us all that they are
with a Cop. They were seen thoughtful people who are
smiling as they traveled up very much appreciated. It
and down the isles to shop wasn’t about the cost involved
for their Thanksgiving dinner but rather an opportunity
with all the fixings. to learn about the officers
and share in a moment of
Everyone thanked the appreciation of each other.
officers for their surprise. It