PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Tribal Tribune wins General Excellence award at PAID SPOKANE, WA National Native News Conference Permit #7 A4 Tribal member an original at Hoopfest Issues arising with A16 sacred pinnacles A7 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE COLVILLE RESERVATION Rodeo icon Songwriter dies in agency remembers car crash ‘Little Wolf’ • Kartar’s Condon was regarded as one of BY JUSTUS CAUDELL The Tribune the greatest Indian cowboys of all-time ometimes when he’s playing a BY JUSTUS CAUDELL gig an old timer will shout out The Tribune and whoop, “That’s Little Beaver. SThat’s Larry Condon.” Dave Schildt he Colville Reservation—the entire Indian cannot always see the calling party, but rodeo community—lost one of rodeo’s old he hears them in time greats Wednesday, June 5, when Larry the crowd. T“Little Beaver” Condon was killed when his pickup His song “Little collided with a semi-truck on Highway 97 at the Wolf” is always a Nespelem Agency campus. favorite, he said, At 81, Condon left a lasting and just as the old impression that was felt timers occasional across the country and at the shout, the song funeral services, held in Kartar is about Larry Valley Monday, June 9, where Condon. horsemen, family and friends Schildt came rode along in a final ride with up riding rodeo— Schildt the cowboy who was once and eventually ranked as the sixth best bull teaching school—in Browning, rider in the world. Montana as a member of the Condon qualified to the RCA Condon Blackfeet Nation. In the 1970s he Nationals Final Rodeo in 1961 took on with his mentor and traveling and 1964. In 1965, he again partner Martin “Bud” Conelly to qualified but was forced to watch from the grand join the Western States Indian Rodeo stands, crippled up with a broken leg—“Those Association, where Larry and his things just happen,” he said years later. He qualified nephews rode with so much success. for the Indian National Finals Rodeo throughout the “I wasn’t paying attention much,” 1970s, placing second twice he told the Tribune. “I was just getting Customarily modest, he once said, “I traveled started. I ran into all those guys [Larry, with the greatest cowboys in the world. Don’t the Best boys and the Condon boys] in know how I got to be with them.” Tygh Valley, and I got to watch them This month, The Tribune reached out to two- ride. I thought, holy cow, these guys time world champion Deb Copenhaver, 89, and can really ride.” asked him his memories of Condon. Conelly told Schildt of Larry, “I called Larry last fall,” Copenhaver said. “I but only briefly. In the 1990s, when see CONDON, A5 see SCHILDT, A5 ABORIGINAL TERRITORY ELECTIONS Boyd elected council chair BY SHANE MOSES The Tribune NESPELEM – Jim Boyd of the Inchelium District was selected as the new chairman of the Colville Business Council on July 10. Boyd replaced outgoing chairman Michael O. Finley. BRUCE BUTLER/Tribune “I’m very honored to hold this Newly-elected Colville Business Council position. I care tremendously about our chairman Jim Boyd speaks to the crowd people, about our land,” said Boyd. during the oath of office at the Nespelem “Every time I sit at the table, that’s the Community Center on July 10 in Nespelem. first thing I’ll ask myself, is whenever there is a decision, is this in the best decision for our people, is this in the best Committee, Andy Joseph, Jr. of interest for our land?” Nespelem District retained the position Long-time councilman Mel Tonasket, of chair. As did Nicholson in the Omak, was selected as the vice-chairman Management and Budget Committee. and William “Billy” Nicholson II, Hammond was selected as the chair BRUCE BUTLER/Tribune Nespelem, was selected as the new for Tribal government in an eight to six A portrait of the sun dial at Smokiam Park in Soap Lake. secretary after the oath of office final count against fellow Inchelium ceremony at the Nespelem Community representative Stevey Bylilly. Center. Proclamation issued to For the Health and Human Services see ELECTIONS, A2 rename park in Soap Lake Former chairman appointed by governor BY CARY ROSENBAUM BY CARY ROSENBAUM coordinate, manage and The Tribune The Tribune regulate the school by state statute, according SOAP LAKE – The relationship CHENEY – Washington to the EWU Board of between the Tribes and the city of Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Trustees website. Soap Lake took a turn for the better on outgoing Colville Business “I am truly honored May 7. Council Chairman being bestowed such a The city’s mayor issued the Tribes Michael O. Finley to distinguished position,” a proclamation during the second- the Eastern Washington said Finley, who earned a annual Soap Lake Powwow. The University Board of master’s degree in history city unanimously voted to rename its Trustees, the school from the school in 2005. largest park after the Smokiam, the announced June 17. Finley “It is a responsibility I aboriginal name given to Soap Lake “Michael Finley will accept with humility, and who was voted out by the by the Moses Columbia people. help the EWU Board I pledge to foster success Inchelium District in this “There is a desire to create a legacy of Trustees strengthen with the university and year’s primary election, of cooperation and understanding the university,” said the entire student body between the Native People and the Inslee. “He understands begins his term at EWU in every discipline and citizens of the community of Soap the importance of on July 1, replacing Mark at every corner of the Lake for generations to come,” the operating in a transparent, Mays, who passed away institution. This represents proclamation stated. responsive and cost- this spring, the release an opportunity to give efficient manner that will stated. He will complete The cooperative gesture came BRUCE BUTLER/Tribune back to the university that almost two years from the date in achieve results and benefit the term in 2015, which helped me realize my own A pair of travelers cover themselves in mud students.” has broad responsibilities see SMOKIAM, A4 at Soap Lake on July 8. The 35-year-old Finley, will be to supervise, see FINLEY, A2 Inside this month’s Tribal Tribune Follow the Tribune online June 2014 Edition A2-3 .....Council Corner A8-9...............Briefs A12.....Obituaries •Visit us at www.TheTribalTribune.com Volume 40 A4-5 . .......Tribal News A10.........Technology A13..... Directory •Breaking news at www.ColvilleTribes.com Issue No. 6 A6-7..Natural Resources A11 ........Storytellers A14-15 .....Sports •Facebook.com/tribaltribune Printed on July 15 A2 • • JUNE 2014 TRIBAL TRIBUNE COUNCIL CORNER thetribaltribune.com -> Business Council -> Council Corner BRUCE BUTLER/Tribune Members of the Colville Business Council poses for a group picture outside the temporary administration building on July 10. From left to right, Allen Hammond, Ricky Gabriel, Rich Tonasket, Joe Somday, Jim Boyd, Stevey Seymour, Marvin Kheel, Edward Marchand, Nancy Johnson, Mel Tonasket, Jack Ferguson, Andy Joseph, Jr. and William Nicholson II. Not pictured, Michael Marchand. Almeida noted Finley’s presence ELECTIONS FINLEY will assist the American Indian Studies FINLEY’S NEW RESPONSIBILITIES from A1 from A1 Program tremendously. from http://www.ewu.edu/about/ “He will be able to truly convey our administration/bot Jack Ferguson, Keller, potential, which in turn led to my interests and needs,” she said, noting Trustees – General powers and duties of the was appointed to continue prosperity.” that fellow trustee Jo Ann Kaufman is board as chair of Education Dr. Deirdre Almeida, the director also of Native American heritage. and Employment, and of the university’s American Indian Finley has served on the Business The University’s governing body is appointed Joe Somday, Keller, was Studies Program, served as a member Council since 2008, when he replaced by the governor with broad responsibilities to selected to continue as of Finley’s Master’s thesis committee. then-Vice Chairman Gail DeLaCruz supervise, coordinate manage and regulate Eastern chair for the Natural She noted his continued involvement who died in office. Washington University as provided by state statue Resources committee. upon graduating and looks forward to After earning his education at EWU, (RCW 28B.35.120). Bylilly was chosen to working with him as a colleague. Finley went on to co-author “Finding The Board of Trustees consists of eight Chief Kamiakin: The Life and Legacy members, one of whom is a student. Trustees continue as chair for the “On several occasions, he has found the time to be a keynote speaker at our of a Northwest Patriot” with Richard D. serve six year terms, except for the student whose Cultural Committee. For annual American Indian Student Day, Scheuerman in 2008. term is one year. We hope you will take the the Veterans Committee, an outreach program used to encourage In 2011, he was honored by EWU as time to peruse our site to learn more about us as Mel Tonasket was selected middle and high school students to the Cecil Dryden Alumni Award winner, individuals. as the new chairman. attend college,” she said. “Michael an annual achievement presented by the The Board receives email at boardoftrustees@ Ricky Gabriel was was more than happy to share with the school’s history department. ewu.edu. Or, please write to: Eastern Washington named chair of the students what his experiences at Eastern Dr. Bill Youngs, chairman of the University Board of Trustees, 214 Showalter Community Development had been like and how it impacted and department at the time, said that Hall, Cheney, WA, 99004.