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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2000)
TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS Walt’s Words of Wit and Wisdom As most of you know, I go to different institutions and do sweats. I recently went to EOCI (Eastern Oregon Correctional Institute). There were four tribal members. Some didn’t make it; I was later in contact with them by letter. I also went to Two Rivers on Oct 14. I did not do sweats there at this time. The management wants us to sweat on concrete. I have not been able to contact anyone yet to see if it would be acceptable to cover the cement with a couple feet of Mother Earth. While writing this, I contacted a medicine man who told me that he thinks it would be acceptable if there were a couple feet of Mother Earth on top of the concrete. He doesn’t like the way the rocks will be heated, with propane. I have talked about this with one of my past teachers and was told it would be acceptable, especially where it is difficult to get wood. So, we’ll see how it works out. I do not go to the Oregon State Penitentiary. For some reason, I have not been able to make contact with Siletz Tribal members there. It seems that they always have to work and seeing as how Siletz is my primary concern, I just quit going there. I did not do sweats in there. Now, the reason I am writing this is that on Nov. 5, during elk season, I will be going to the Snake River institute to do a sweat. I hope to see Siletz Tribal members there. At this point, there are three that I know of. What I’m asking is that you good people who have family or friends there, please let me know who they are and their SID number. Then I can call the religious volunteer there and request that they be present. You can call me at 1-800-600-5599 or 541-444-8268, or write to me at PO Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380.1 think that it’s important to keep this contact as much as possible. We don’t know how much of an affect we’ll have, if any, on them when they complete their time, but at the very least we have given as much as we can. We do see, at different times, those who come back and are now productive citizens. I also see some going back to the prisons as volunteers. For many, this is the first time that they have been in touch with their heritage and will continue to carry it with them. If any of you have friends or relatives in an institution, please let me know. I write to several different people now and can write to more. I will answer all correspondence. There is a grapevine in the system that tracks people very well. In fact, I find out things that are going on in our own community in the sweats. L to r: Brenda Bremner, Mike Bewersdorff, and Norm Counts Bewersdorff Graduates from Police Academy On Sept. 15, General Manager Brenda Bremner and Police Chief Norm Counts attended Officer Michael Bewersdorff’s graduation from the Police Academy in Monmouth, Ore. Bewersdorff graduated with 33 other individuals following a 10-week training program. Since then, Bewersdorff has been busy as a swing-shift officer on duty. He has investigated a number of incidents, from noise complaints to making warrant arrests, one of which required that he pursue the wanted subject on foot, leaping fences before taking the individual into custody. Other items of interest: Chief Norm Counts and tribal administration are looking into relocating the police office. This will be on an interim basis of possibly two or three years because it will take that long to locate funds, apply for grants, and design and construct the facility before it can be occupied. Currently, with the hiring of a third officer and recruiting of reserve officers, there is no room in the police office. For the officers to work effectively, Chief Counts says that the department will need to increase its space to at least 24' x 60'. Tribal Police September 2000 Activity Report Progress continues on the houses at the Dickenson property on the western edge of Siletz as such things as carports and windows are installed. 12 Meetings Attended Sept. 5 - Managers Meeting, Siletz Sept. 9 - Elders Meeting, Chinook Winds, Lincoln City Sept. 13 - Lions Club, Newport, (See Police on page 25)
