Tribal Newsletter
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The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation CHEHALIS “People of the Sands” TRIBAL NEWSLETTER October 2012 Free Suicide Prevention Awareness Walk Takes the Path to Healing The Chehalis Tribe hosted the survive the self-inflicted gunshot First Annual Suicide Prevention wound. But he did survive and Awareness Walk on Sunday now he shares his story, because September 30. September is God had “saved” him “for a National Suicide Prevention higher purpose”, to help stop Month. There was a huge turnout the cycle of suicide! Arnold with over 100 community went through many surgeries members walking in honor of to reconstruct his face and he suicide prevention. The walk could not speak for two years kicked off the event starting at and he became legally blind. He the Community Center. Each took on the challenges to learn participant received a T-shirt, how to talk and use his other buttons, and dog tags. Mother Tribal and community members travelled along Niederman Road senses. Arnold learned to read Nature smiled down on the during the Suicide Prevention Awareness Walk. Braille, later attended college walkers giving some vitamin D 1991 he has been speaking to one another. From his own story and on May 7, 1999 he graduated to all on this brisk cool morning. communities throughout the United he shared that others blamed his from the University of Utah with a Pam Youckton and Konner were States, Canada and Europe. His girlfriend and some his mother, but Masters degree in Social Work and also crucial volunteers, out there message included: “Life is a gift. as a survivor he stressed there is bachelor’s degree in Psychology. on her quad to provide water and Live it!” He used many different no blame. In fact, he spent a great safety for the walkers. Towards the end of his presentation analogies in order to illustrate his deal of time making amends and there was an open floor for others Participants came for a wide array point. But his central theme was to apologizing to those hurt by his to speak and ask questions. Among of reasons to the walk. Many keep life in balance. When feeling actions. I like to think that those those taking the opportunity to families walked together to help depressed reach out to someone we have lost would do the same, if speak about their losses, perhaps heal from this terrible tragedy. through whatever means necessary they could. helping others, or simply say what Individuals who choose this path to ease this burden. Arnold Thomas combines both was on their heart was: Amanda have their own reasons which Life will give you challenges, and personal experience and research Vernon & Akasha Slighte: (Sisters vary, but the aftermath leaves so opportunities, and never give up data to convey his message. He many unanswered questions for Continued on Page 2... hope, not just for you, but as a loved basketball and the surviving family and friends. Tribal people. Communication is was being touted This walk was a moment to heal the key to success. Go to someone as a collegiate and also an opportunity for talking like the professionals, church, or basketball player. In and letting those emotions out. whatever means to lift your spirit his sophomore year, Not deadling with them will only when feeling depressed. When however, his father hurt you, because tears are a path someone comes to you to vent or took his life. This to healing. This was a point well- feel sad; listen to each other, treat trauma stayed with established by the speaker, also. others kindly and in a positive him, as he started It was an amazing dinner of our manner. If you do hear someone’s doing drugs and traditional foods. Salmon cooked story, make sure you don’t try alcohol and “lost the Chehalis way always delights and take it on all by yourself, all harmony and the palette. Cold cuts were listen and engage more support as balance” resulting in available too! appropriate. him trying to end it all in 1988. Speaker Arnold Thomas’ When tragedy does happen, don’t presentation focused on never play the blame game. Support each At that moment he losing hope. Arnold is a member other, work through the problems thought all the pain Families carried a sign honoring a loved of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of together. We are a “resilient” and suffering would one lost by this tragedy. Pictured (L-R) are the Duck Valley Indian Reservation people, with humor, traditions and end. He never Karen Klatush, Susette Klatush, and Little of Idaho and Nevada. Since the abundance we need to care for thought he would Bear Davis Prevention Walk continued.. He was wrapped thoughts. Ask Madelyn Dethlefs, Don Secena of Maco); Karen Klatush: (Family with our love for help-you (donating and cooking the salmon), of Ross Davis); Diana Pickernell; for sharing his can feel better. Jenee Penn, Vernon McCrory, and Evelyn Penn; Ginger Garity. message with our Alcohol and Barb Churchill, ensured our success. community. drugs won’t take Christina Hicks lent great organizing Others spoke also and agreed that your problems tips and assistance, Dawn Boley survivors face a tough challenge, All were away. Write was unable to attend, but did a lot of but they all choose to share their introduced to the down things preparation. Charlene Abrahamson experience, although it is very counseling staff you’re grateful was on hand to coordinate efforts tough, in order to assist with and encouraged for. List your and introduce speakers, as well prevention and healing. Bev Starr- to reach out friends and as enjoyed the walk. The Suicide Klatush and Akasha presented when needed. A family who care Prevention Walk is going to be an Guest speaker Arnold Thomas Arnold with a Pendleton blanket as raffle was held for you. Write annual event. was wrapped in a pentleton thanks at the end of his presentation. at the end of the down your hopes blanket by Akasha Slighte and If you are feeling depressed and event. It was an and dreams for Bev Starr. need someone to talk. There is a awesome feeling the future. Read suicide hotline available 24 hours 7 for those who what you’ve days a week. attended. Community members left written when you need to remind with a solid promise to themselves yourself that you are IMPORTANT! Suicide Hotline 1-800-SUICIDE to try and do better to help those around them, “In a good way.” Organizing and sponsoring the event took the work of several Things may seem bad at times, departments, including Family but those times don’t last forever. Services and Behavioral Your pain maybe feels like it is Health and many volunteers. Sisters Amanda Vernon and too overwhelming to cope with On the day having Nancy Akasha Slighte shared their and suicide may feel like the only Dufraine, Joylene McCrory, story as they continue their form of relief. But remember that Heather Hoyle, Barb Sanders, Walkers pictured here receiving path to healing from their loss. people do make it through suicidal Sheryl Spahr, Cris Franklin, gifts as they completed the walk. Chehalis Tribe Students of the Month Desirray Klatush-Pope (9-12) Malena Canales (6-8) Jasmine Klatush (K-5) Desirray is Malena is a 6th grader at Rochester Middle Jasmine is a freshman School and scored a 3.19 GPA for the month a 5th grader at Oakville of September. She enjoys reading and writing, at Grand High which is why her favorite class is Language Mound School. She Arts. Elementary. scored a She excels 3.57 GPA Malena’s key in her for the to success is favorite month of the guidance class, math, September. of her and enjoys In addition mother: that studying to her “rewards and and classes, privileges practicing fitness. Desirray also plays on the Volleyball team come and is an active member of the school club with good Her advice to other students is “to stay off their taking Rachel’s Challenge. grades.” phones and pay attention.” She says her teachers all call her an “over- achiever” because she wants to be successful in everything she does in life. She From the Education Department: As a reward for their commitment to school and personal growth, encourages other students to “Always do each student of the month will receive a $50 gift card from the Education & Development Dept. your best and try your hardest.” Congratulations, ladies, and keep up the good work! Page 2 chehalistribe.org greatwolflodge.com luckyeagle.com eagleslandinghotel.net Chehalis Tribal Artists Strive to Share Their Art with the Community By Dianne Devlin, Cultural Coordinator Bead Work Classes Three Artists from our community of the year. Our Tribal Artists are Beginner Beading have come forward to teach others home grown teachers who learned Classes: is offered the traditional skills they had their craft from their families by Master Beader learned. Chehalis Basket Weaver passing on the arts, and at times Charlotte Lopez every Artists Evelyn Penn and Walter from community artists. In some Monday night in the Lewis offered weaving classes of the classes other Tribal members Cultural Class Room to the community in the month contributed to the class by sharing at the Community of September. Additionally the what they have been taught. Now Center. The class is “Beginner Beading Classes” is tribal artists are passing on the art to presented as a walk-in being taught by Charlotte Lopez their people. class. What does that every Monday night till the end mean? It means every Monday Night from Insuring tribe artistry, Cultural Coordinator DeDe Devlin sponsors local 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.