Siletz news /, January 01, 2001, Page 3, Image 3

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Lessons from Recent
National Election
After a traumatic month that
riveted our attention on the
controversial Florida election,
George W. Bush has won the
presidency of the United States.
Apart from the obvious need to
improve the electoral process, the
trauma Americans have been put
through has taught us some
important lessons about our
democracy and how we must
Chairman Delores Pi
conduct ourselves whatever the
outcome. Vice-President Al Gore and Gov. Bush responded with dignity
once the Supreme Court handed down its decision.
Gore’s speech has already been praised universally as an eloquent
expression of dignity in the face of defeat.
Gore said “... what remains of partisan rancor must now be put
aside, and may God bless the stewardship of this country.” And referring
to the Supreme Court decision, he said, ‘‘Let there be no doubt; while I
strongly disagree with the court’s decision, I accept it... and tonight, for
the sake of our unity of the people and strength of democracy, I offer my
concession ... I also accept my responsibility, which I will discharge
unconditionally to honor the new president-elect ...”
As the Siletz Tribe faces another general election, we should take to
heart the vice-president’s words of accepting with dignity the outcome of
the tribal election, help heal political wounds, and move forward for the
good of the tribe. Unfortunately, defeated candidates in the past have
been consumed by “partisan rancor” long after the election was over.
There is no doubt that differences will exist among us, as there are between
Democrats and Republicans, but hopefully we will be able to address our
tribal issues on a constructive and productive basis.
Tribal Team Negotiating with NIGC
On Dec. 7, a tribal team met with National Indian Gaming
Commission (NIGC) attorneys to negotiate a settlement on the Notice of
Violation (NOV) that was issued against the Siletz Tribe last June.
I believe it was a productive meeting. Hopefully, it will lead to a
negotiated settlement in the near future. Again, we will keep you posted.
Siletz Tribe Buys Land Adjacent to Casino
As many of you know, parking is a critical need at Chinook Winds
Casino & Convention Center during the tourist months or whenever special
events are held there.
With this in mind, the Tribal Council signed an agreement with
Mark Hemstreet, owner of Lincoln Shores Property, for the purchase of
12 acres of land adjacent to Chinook Winds, which will accommodate
needed additional parking spaces. The parcels, located on prime resort
property overlooking the ocean, have other great economic development
potential in addition to parking.
Chinook Winds Revenues
The chief financial officer of Chinook Winds recently reported to
the Siletz Gaming Board that the year 2000 is proving to be a profitable
one. He said that we will meet our targeted excess revenues for tribal
purposes this year, as I had announced earlier to our tribal members. This
means that during the year 20(X), under Gaming Board direction, casino
management has been successful in controlling costs while at the same
time generating increased revenues.
Fourth Annual Tribal-State Conference
On Dec. 12, representatives of Oregon tribes met once again,
face-to-face, with Gov. John Kitzhaber and officials of Oregon state
departments during the fourth annual government-to-government
conference at Portland State University.
The governor initiated these high-level conferences. His 1996
executive order directed all state department heads to recognize and respect
the sovereignty of Indian tribes and to deal with tribes on a govemment-
to-govemment basis.
We are fortunate in Oregon because we have had governors who
have endeavored to treat Indian tribes as sovereigns. Twenty-five years
ago, Gov. Vic Atiyeh, then president of the Senate, took the lead in
establishing the Oregon Commission on Indian Services. This group,
composed of tribal officials and state legislators, addresses Oregon
Indian issues.
Indian affairs in Oregon received a major boost when Gov. Kitzhaber
issued his executive order, which provided the policy and framework for
Oregon tribes and state government to work together. The governor has
ensured the order’s implementation, as demonstrated by these conferences.
Each year, cluster groups form (Cultural Resources, Natural
Resources, Education, Health and Human Services, Economic
Development, and Community Services and Public Safety), allowing tribal
and state representatives to address current, concrete Indian issues.
The role of the state has occupied growing importance in Indian
affairs. Although major funding continues to flow to Indian tribes from
the Indian Health Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the state of
Oregon has been playing an increasingly important role in such areas as
human resources and environmental and natural resources issues.
Tribes in other states where antagonism and conflict persist are not
as blessed as we are in Oregon. Although we have had our differences
with Gov. Kitzhaber (and I suspect we will have in the future), he has
demonstrated an understanding of tribal sovereignty and a willingness to
listen and work with us on a govemment-to-govemment basis.
23rd Restoration Pow-Wow
On Nov. 18, we held another successful pow-wow to celebrate the
23 years that the Siletz Tribe has been “restored.”
We were honored to have as guest speakers Nelson Wallulatum and
Bernice Mitchell, Council members and elders from the Warm Springs
Tribe. Both of them spoke eloquently of their pride in being associated
with the Siletz people. They also noted their support of our Restoration
efforts and their pride in the progress the Siletz Tribe has made since it
was restored.
Stan Speaks, Portland Area Director of the BIA, also spoke of how
the Siletz Tribe has grown and matured, as evidenced by Chinook Winds
and other developments, and the satisfaction he feels in having been a
part of this impressive development. Zak Zakoji, a consultant to the tribe,
spoke not only of the struggles endured by the tribe historically and of
its remarkable accomplishments since Restoration, but of the
challenges ahead.
A special feature of the celebration was a videotape of the legacy of
Joe DeLaCruz, which was shown at the recent National Congress of
(See Chairman on page 19)
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