LETTERS TO THE EDITOR/TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS
To the editor:
This is to let the people of Siletz know
that Kenneth J. Fielder is now the father of a
new baby girl named Luna E. Fassett. The
mother is Janie E. Fassett, who is from that
area. At this time, I must state that the mother
has gone with another person, a former best
friend of mine. However, through the powers
of our Lord above and the spirits in us, I
know that things will be better. Luna was
bom on March 3,2000, at Memorial Hospital
in Modesto, Calif. (Stanislaus County), at
approximately 4 p.m. I am in process of
obtaining more information. Thank you for
your time. Also, let us join our strengths for
Luna so that she may have a full life,
with all.
Sincerely,
Kenneth J. Fielder
To the editor:
Tribal Council has proposed
constitutional changes designed to limit
Tribal Court’s current authority. The events
of the past few years have shown why we
need an independent, functioning Court. The
proposed changes limit our access to Court
and the Court’s ability to be impartial. It is in
all our best interests to vote no to
the changes.
The Tribal Court is empowered to
exercise all judicial authority of the
government, Siletz Tribal Constitution,
Article IV, sec. 2. This is how our
Constitution reads now. It’s broad
and inclusive.
The changes reduce Tribal Court’s
jurisdiction only to violations of the Tribal
Constitution and the Indian Civil Rights Act.
It would be extremely difficult to bring any
actions against Council or administration.
Our Court would not be a broadly
sovereign Court.
Our current Constitution delegates the
authority to the chief judge to develop the
rules for Tribal Court. Tribal Council can only
do so if Tribal Court fails to do so. What is
proposed is Tribal Court can develop rules,
but they’d be “subject to Tribal Council
approval.” This means Tribal Council has
control over Tribal Court. If Tribal Court
makes a rule Council doesn’t like, Council
can overturn it. Currently, Court has the
authority to overturn Council. The change
would give Council the ability to make Court
rules in Council’s favor.
Also, the changes say, “The Tribal
Court shall consist of the chief judge and
such other judges and staff positions as the
Tribal Council ‘may’ establish....”
Currently it reads, “The Tribal Council
‘shall’ set forth qualifications for Tribal Court
chief judge, associate judges, and staff
Young Woman Preserves Tribal History
At the age of 20, Sara Bell has
already been representing the Confederated
Tribes of the Siletz Indians for more than a
decade as Little Miss Siletz, Junior Miss
Siletz, and, currently, Miss Siletz.
The title requires Bell to travel
throughout the year as the Siletz
representative.
“As Miss Siletz, I am asked to go to
pow-wows and conferences to represent
our tribe,” explained Bell, a native of Siletz
who now resides in Lincoln City.
The custom of the Miss Siletz
pageant, said Bell, began more than 50 years
ago and has been a source of pride for
her family.
“I remember being 4 years old and
my cousin was Little Miss Siletz,” she said.
“So I guess it’s part of my family history.”
Before competing for the Miss Siletz
title, Bell was required to exhibit her
knowledge of the Confederated Tribes of the
Siletz Indians and of her own family’s history.
In addition, Bell was asked to dance
the plain style of dance that is usually seen
during pow-wows.
“This includes the feather dance, the
tradition tribal dance, and we have to be
knowledgeable about our (tribe’s) own style
of dance,” explained Bell. “I’ve been dancing
positions by ordinance.” There is a big
difference between the word “may” and
“shall.” The Constitution requires Council to
set forth qualifications and provide a court.
The proposed one doesn’t. Council could
control Tribal Court by not writing
an ordinance.
Currently, the chief judge or associate
judge can be suspended or dismissed, but
only for cause, with due notice and a hearing
open to “tribal members.” The changes drop
the “open to tribal members” and allow
Council to try judges behind closed doors.
These seem like minor changes but
aren’t. It’s dangerous to give a governing
body this much power. The Separation of
Powers Doctrine was designed to stop this
interference.
Council has historically hampered
Court by not funding it adequately and
treating it as a tribal program rather than a
branch of government. Tribal Court receives
funding from the 638 dollars, but never
received monies from timber dollars. Council
has cried lack of funding as the issue, but
forgot to mention that they use all the timber
dollars for their budget!
Ray Blacketer
Pow-Wow last August.
since I was little, so it was something that I
already knew.”
When Bell is representing her tribe
as Miss Siletz, she dresses in regalia made
by her mother, Karen Bell - which includes
a buckskin dress with long, buckskin fringe,
a breastplate and a crown atop her head.
Bell urges younger girls to think
about becoming Little Miss Siletz, Junior
Miss Siletz or Miss Siletz.
“It’s a really great experience and it’s
a lot of fun,” said Bell. “I’ve learned about
public speaking and about my own
background, so I would encourage others
to do it. It’s a great opportunity.”
This article was written by Kelly Moyer-
Wade and is reprinted with permission from
the Newport News-Times.
USDA Distribution
Monday, May 8
Tuesday, May 9
Wednesday, May
Thursday, May 11
Siletz
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Salem
Monday, May 22
3 p.m.-7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 23
9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Wednesday, May 24 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
5