Bureau of Indian Affairs head Dave Anderson visited the Chemawa Indian School in Oregon on Thursday but deferred questions about the recent death of a 16-year-old student there.

The FBI is investigating Cindy Gilbert Sohappy's death on December 6. She was found dead in a campus holding cell, where she had been placed for being intoxicated.

At the school, Anderson told students about his own struggle with alcohol and drug abuse. "I think the message I have here today to all Indian students is that everyone of us is special, and I know in my own life I wouldn�t be where I am today if I hadn�t been given a second chance in life," he was quoted as saying.

BIA education director Ed Parisian said Chemawa will no longer use the holding cells.

Get the Story:
Chemawa changes protocols after death (The Oregonian 3/19)
Indian Affairs official inspires Chemawa (The Statesman Journal 3/19)
Chemawa Indian School students get pep talk to avoid drugs, alcohol (KGW 3/18)
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BIA official speaks at Chemawa school (AP 3/18)
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Oregonian Special Series:
Warm Springs - A Place Where Children Die

Relevant Links:
Warm Springs Tribes - http://www.warmsprings.com

Related Stories:
Anderson visiting BIA schools to share message (3/18)
Ex-Chemawa students recall holding cell experiences (3/18)
Videotape captured teen's death at boarding school (3/1)
IHS holding back information on boarding school death (02/09)
Drinking said rampant at BIA boarding school in Ore. (01/22)
Autopsy: BIA student died of alcohol poisoning (1/16)
Oregonian: Alcohol, drugs and abuse destroy family (01/07)
Terry Cross: U.S. has failed Indian children (12/15)
Warm Springs teen dies at BIA boarding school (12/12)