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
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