Warm Springs Reservation
MOSAIC PARTNERS WITH SIMNASHO COMMUNITY Fellowship on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation to offer long-term friendship and support as an expression of Jesus’ love. Located 105 miles southeast of Portland, the Warm Springs Indian Reservation consists of three tribes: the Wasco, Warm Springs and Paiute. With a population of 3,314, the area is governed by The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
History
In 1855, the U.S. government forced upon the Warm Springs and Wasco tribes a treaty that relocated both bands to the current-day reservation. In 1879, the government also moved the Paiute tribe to the reservation, despite the history of conflict it had with the other two tribes. Federal pressure to assimilate the tribes into the dominant American culture took particular aim at the Indian children, who were forced to attend boarding
schools where their traditional braids were chopped off and they were punished for speaking their native language.
Today
One of Oregon’s poorest communities, Warm Springs is marked by rampant alcoholism, unemployment and domestic violence. According to The Oregonian, “The Warm Springs Reservation is the deadliest place in Oregon for a child to grow up… if you’re a child in Warm Springs you are likely to be poor…you are lucky to have one parent raising you…it’s likely that you have buried a parent or other adult who has helped raise you…” “What you have are developing countries right in the heart of the United States,” said Jon Perez, Director of Behavioral Health at the Federal Indian Health Service, speaking of Indian reservations. “Each has a history of neglect and a legacy of trauma that explains these disparities. We need to see this history not as excuses for the disparities but as a need to intervene.” Despite years of exposure to the Gospel through faithful believers, there are relatively few genuine followers of Jesus on the reservation today.
Ministry Partners
Among these few are Paul & Vio Vaeth, who helped plant Simnasho Community Fellowship, a small church with a big vision of Christ transforming their community. Following Jesus’ lead in this effort is a lonely journey demanding significant faith and support. We have the unique opportunity to serve alongside Paul & Vio in order to see their vision come to fruition.
Get Involved: One-Time Projects
Reservation Tour
Sunday, October 5; 9am–6:30pm | Meet at and return to Mosaic: 1832 NE 39th Ave, 97212
Contact Steve:
Advent Conspiracy
Christmas crafts (November), gifts for kids (December)
Details TBA.
Get Involved: Long-Term Opportunities
Intercessory Prayer Team
Saturdays or Sundays upon request | Meet at Mosaic: 1832 NE 39th Ave, 97212
Travel to Warm Springs once a month to pray onsite. Prayer requests are supplied by Pastor Paul.
Special Projects Team
Saturdays or Sundays as-needed | Meet at Mosaic: 1832 NE 39th Ave, 97212
Support Warm Springs and Simnasho Community Fellowship by completing projects on the reservation requested by Pastor Paul.
Sundays in Simnasho
Once a month | Simnasho Community Fellowship (Meet at Mosaic: 1832 NE 39th Ave, 97212)
Worship and build relationships with our Warm Springs friends/partners.
Team Potlucks
Times vary | Homes of Warm Springs Ministry team members
Share a meal and build relationships with others on the Warm Springs team. Team Potlucks are open to anyone who has served in some capacity with our Warm Springs partners or is interested in serving in the future.
Contact
Steve Parker is the liason between Mosaic and Warm Springs. He can connect you with the one-time projects and long-term oppportunities. Contact Steve: , 503.888.7378
