CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
fine. The NIGC has made accusations
against the tribe that it has thus far failed to
back up with facts.
Siletz housing program, however, the tribe
must first address numerous issues. With
this in mind, planning workshops have been
It is my hope that NIGC will realize the
folly of its actions and move toward settling
held with more workshops scheduled in the
near future.
this case soon. As we reported in the
The Siletz Tribe hosted the Native
previous issue of Siletz News, this case is
of major concern to other gaming tribes
as expressed by the National Indian
Gaming Association.
American Fish and Wildlife Association
There were other important events that
demanded the attention of our Council.
Critical issues were on the agenda of the
Chairman Delores Pigsley
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
conference in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, during
September. I attended along with Council
members Jessie Davis, Jane John, and
Rosemary Landis.
Regarding the Notice of Violation
(NOV) that was issued against the Siletz
Tribe by the National Indian Gaming
The agenda included not only gaming,
but issues involving education, housing,
and economic development. Of special
Conference at Chinook Winds on Oct.
16-18. The agenda included a tribal elders’
panel composed of Siletz Tribal members
Ed Ben, JoAnn Miller, Frank Simmons, and
myself. We discussed Siletz Tribal history
and specifically our lands and traditional
Siletz foods. Topping off the conference was
a feast at the Community Center that we
sponsored, featuring traditional foods
including elk, deer, salmon, clams,
oysters, etc.
Finally, I would like to say a few words
about the upcoming general election.
I suspect that by now you may be weary of
Commission (NIGC) over the comping
issues, a letter dated Sept. 29 was sent to
the NIGC chairman by our tribal attorney,
Craig Dorsay, moving to dismiss the NOV.
This was the second letter to dismiss, the
first one sent in a letter to the NIGC on
July 14.
future, its property, and as an educational
institution must be addressed on an inter
tribal basis.
environment, and foreign relations, but
specifically regarding Indian issues.
NIGC failed to commence the hearing
within the required time frame in violation
Regarding our gaming enterprise,
September was one of the best months ever
As you know by now, there are forces
in Congress actively dedicated to
of NIGC’s own regulations. It wasn’t until
for Chinook Winds. Although Chris
Steinbach and Jim Lorson, interim general
diminishing tribal sovereignty, to reducing
Indian programs arid services, and to
undermining, if not destroying, Indian
Aug. 25 that the U.S. Department of
Interior’s Office of Hearings and Appeals
received NIGC’s request for a hearing. We
concern to Northwest tribes is the future of
the Chemawa School. Because of the
school’s unique history and the complex
issues involved, planning for Chemawa’s
were finally informed by notice dated Sept.
manager and interim assistant general
manager, respectively, were thrust into their
positions by the sudden departure of former
28 that a presiding official had been
assigned to this case.
GM Gordon Dickie, the Tribal Council is
proud of the way they have kept costs down
Although NIGC is required to submit
to the presiding official “the administrative
record of the case,” we have no idea at this
and profits up. They have accomplished this
while providing excellent service and
maintaining high staff morale.
that
administrative record. The Siletz Tribe
provided a considerable body of detailed
information to NIGC to justify our comping
activities, but the NIGC has never provided
Currently, federal Indian policy
authorizes tribes to bring existing Indian
housing authorities and activities under
time
what
NIGC
included
in
to the tribe the factual basis on which it
issued its Notice of Violation and proposed
tribal control and management. This change
in Indian housing policy was made to
enhance tribal self-determination. Before
instituting any organization changes in the
the flood of campaign ads on the radio and
television, and in your mailbox. I can’t
emphasize strongly enough, however, how
critical this general election is, not only in
terms of taxes, education, health, the
gaming. It is extremely important, therefore,
that we carefully evaluate the views and the
records of each candidate on Indian issues
and cast our votes accordingly. Remember,
every vote counts!
I also would like to remind our own
Siletz members that tribal elections are just
around the corner. Just as it is important to
be involved in our national, state, and local
elections, I urge Siletz Tribal members to
be sure to register to vote, become
knowledgeable about our tribal issues and
candidates, and vote on election day.
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