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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 1999)
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Chairman Delores Pigsley This month the Tribe celebrates the Summer Solstice at the Dance House in Siletz. Three nights of dancing will take place, with the all-night dance on Saturday. It is really great to see young and old participants dance to ancient songs and prayers. We thank those who have worked very hard to keep our culture alive. I attended the higher education recognition lunch held at the Community Center this month. Graduates were honored with gifts and special recognition. We are proud of the accomplishments of the graduates and for all the other students who strive to graduate. A very nice lunch was served and we thank the Education Committee for their participation. The Diabetes Program sponsored a visit to Siletz and Lincoln City by Miss America, Nicole Johnson (see pages 14 and 19). She spoke to an audience at the casino about diabetes, describing the problems she has encountered with this disease and how she overcame her anger and denial of being diabetic. Diabetes screening was available for those who wanted to participate. Health representatives were present from other tribes and expressed their thanks to Siletz for making the visit possible. The council continues to negotiate with the state of Oregon on compact amendments. We have not yet finalized an agreement, but are very close to doing just that. Oregon Tribes celebrated Oregon Indian Week in various ways in May. The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians held their mid-year conference at Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde. It was well-attended by tribal delegates. Siletz hosted the Education Summit at Chinook Winds during the same week, and the Elders also held the Elders Gathering at Chinook Winds. Bev Youngman, her staff and volunteers put together a great program. Shirley Walker and the Elder volunteers also are to be commended for their part in welcoming Elders from other tribes, gift giving, and for assuring that everyone was treated to a nice time and to dinner. Good job, Shirley and Bev. During American Indian Week, I opened the House of Representatives with an invocation. Chinook Winds provided a nice display table with some brochures and give away items. Robert Kentta and Sonya Moody- Jurado staffed a display table with basketry and photos. Randy Austin coordinated the drumming for a mini-pow-wow held in front of the Capitol. The tribe received very positive comments and I want to personally thank Sonya, Randy, Robert and Chinook Winds for the displays and the drumming. continued from page 2 aspect of the war effort. This includes civil defense, war bond rallies, USO, scrap drives, radio and media, diplomatic service, growing victory gardens, staffing POW camps or Japanese-American relocation centers, membership in Scouting or youth groups, women’s police or fire brigade auxiliaries, or defense industry jobs. I’m also looking for information on Native American conscientious objectors or Native people who served on draft boards. I would like to correspond with any American Indian, Metis, Inuit (Eskimo), Chamorro, American Samoan, or Native Hawaiian who served in the Civil Air Patrol, Merchant Marine, Red Cross, or any branch of the military or state national guards during WWII. This includes Native women who served in the WAC, WAVES, EASP, WAFS, SPARS, Marines, Army or Navy Nurse Corps. I’m interested in any Native-descent person’s memories of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, V-E Day, V-J Day, or the war years in general. If during the wars years anyone encountered indigenous people from other countries (Australian Aboriginals, New Zealand Maori, Japanese Ainu, Norwegian Lapps (Sami), Northern Ireland Irish-Catholics, etc.), then I’d like to hear about these meetings. Any Native person responding to this letter need not have been enrolled during the 1940s. Native-descent people from state- recognized tribes, mixed bloods, adoptees, and non-documented Indians are also encouraged to respond. Finally, I’m looking for Native Indian and Hawaiian, etc., Korean conflict veterans. Please send all responses to the Indigenous Peoples During WWII History Project, PO Box 315, Granite City, IL 62040. Thank you for any response. Sincerely, Robert J. Clark Director To the editor: This month has been a very busy and fulfilling month for Council. There is so much work to do. It is helpful that most of the Council do not have full-time employment so they can devote the necessary time to Tribal business. We are finalizing our first boxing program at Chinook Winds for August. I know several Tribal members have been very interested in this project for quite awhile. With the first casino profits coming back to the membership, we have heard a lot of varying opinions about what should be our top priorities in each category. The goal of having the new games by our casino’s anniversary seems to be less likely following our last compact negotiations with the state. Our team has done a lot of serious negotiations and we can be proud of them. There are several key positions open for the Tribe at the present time. Two general managers and a Tribal planner position need to be filled to keep the Tribe going on a positive path. In addition, Judge Roe will be stepping down at the end of July. I have really enjoyed my appointment to Tribal Council since August. I haven’t felt retired at all. Actually, I am busier now than ever. I hope to become a candidate in the coming election. Thanks to the membership for all of their support. Remember, we are in this future building together. Regards, Mike Darcy Tribal Council -3-
