CANDIDATES’ STATEMENTS
To the tribal membership:
I am once again declaring
my candidacy for election to the
Tribal Council. I have actively
served on the Tribal Council for
22 years. I am willing and able
to commit to serving another
three years.
Back in 1975, the tribe was
actively
seeking
federal
recognition. I was proud to have
been part of those early restoration
efforts and to work with a group
who was dedicated to the goals of
restoration. The unified effort of a
few turned out to be one of the most
significant events in our tribe’s history. We should never forget what our
goals and dreams for the tribe were when we were finally restored in
November 1997.
Since restoration, many successes have been achieved. Our
members are provided with health care, social services, housing,
scholarships, vocational training, and cultural events. Most tribal members
have or their families have benefited from some tribal program. Many
argue that what we get is not enough. I agree that our members deserve
more than we are able to provide. Unfortunately, tribal programs that are
funded through the federal government have declined in dollar amounts
over the years. We as a tribe have lobbied hard to keep funding levels that
can provide much-needed services for all our membership; that is our job
and a job that is not taken lightly. I, along with others on Council, have
personally knocked on many doors in an effort to explain our tribe’s needs
and to better educate our legislators about the Siletz Tribe. This has been
a rewarding experience for me, but the tribe has been the chief benefactor
of those efforts.
The tribe has been faced with some interesting challenges during
the past three years. I mentioned the decline in federal funding of programs.
The other challenges have included the allocation of funds; an example is
our Housing Program. Congress decided the funding would go to the
most needy tribes. As a result, we received a tremendous decrease in
funding, while at the same time receiving an increase in our HUD funding.
My greatest concern is the level of funding provided for health care and
elders care. Casino net revenues have been used to supplement services
to elders and to provide health care services to members in the service
area as well as to those living outside the service area. Revenues have
also been used to establish an education endowment fund as well as
providing additional scholarships for our youth.
Casino revenues have greatly improved in 2000 and will continue
to improve in the future. Tribal members will see more dollars going
toward programs and services in the immediate future. We can all be
proud of our casino and the staff that we have. There are many economic
development activities currently under way as a result of casino revenues.
I ask for your support in this election to continue my work for the
tribe. I am very dedicated and will work in a positive and professional
manner to protect tribal sovereignty and our Constitution. My home
phone # is 503-393-6516 if you want to call me for any reason. Thank
you for your support during the past three years.
Delores Pigsley
12
My name is Stan Werth
and I am a member of the
Confederated Tribes of Siletz.
I have worked for the
Bureau of Indian Affairs for 24
years, and retired in 1996. I have
also worked at Chinook Winds for
18 months, and am currently
working for the City of Eugene
airport. I served on the Hunting and
Fishing Committee in the early
years of our restoration.
Stan Werth
The Siletz Tribe is involved with many issues. Some of these
issues are gaming, health care for our people and employees, housing,
hunting and fishing, taking care of our elders, and our children. That is
why we need a Council that can work together to solve the issues that
come up regarding our responsibilities. We must be able to reach an
agreement on how to handle the situations and find ways that will benefit
most of the people.
Why am I running for Council?
I am running so that I can be more involved in what is taking
place in the Confederated Tribes of Siletz. Working for our members.
Letting the people know that I will listen to your questions and concerns,
and also, let you know why we made the decisions that we made.
Because I am a member too!