LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the editor:
Hi everyone, I hope that your
holiday season was wonderful.
Most of you know that when
a tribal member passes on, the tribe
allows $50 to go toward the potluck
expenses. Some items bought for
the funeral with this money are
paper plates, cups, coffee, juice,
plastic ware, and napkins. I would
like to see all of that money go
toward actual food products.
I would like to challenge each
of you to donate sturdy paper
plates, juice cups, coffee cups,
plastic ware, napkins, and/or paper
towels, coffee, and juice.
To the editor:
1 have just recently started to
become involved, working with my
tribe and the Siletz community.
I have had the opportunity to attend
a prevention conference in
November. I learned a lot about
how I can share information about
alcohol, tobacco, and other drug
(ATOD) issues that are in the
community of Siletz. I learned what
I can do to help others and myself.
Throughout life, we are all
faced with peer pressure and
learning how to deal with it.
Learning how to say “no” and how
to avoid it is truly a test.
Earlier this year, I was put in
a situation where I had to look at
all factors, then make a quick
decision that would surely affect
my life. It was Mother’s Day and I
decided to take my family to a pow
wow over in Eugene so they could
dance. During this celebration, I
was encouraged to fight. In the
presence of his mother and for no
apparent reason, this individual
provoked and threatened me.
I had to look at where I was
at, whom I would be affecting, and
what the outcome from this would
be. I also had to look at all those
things that I would be giving up.
The outcome was simple: I didn’t
give him what he wanted and we
both went about our business. It
isn’t always that easy, I know.
I feel the first step for me is
to avoid putting myself in high-risk
4
I plan on purchasing two or
three large plastic tubs to put these
items in for easy storage.
Also, if anyone is willing to
donate old kitchen or bath towels
for the kitchen, we would be more
than happy to take them off of
your hands.
I am also putting together a
list of volunteers who are willing
to help out in times of need, so if
anyone out there is willing to be on
a list in case we need extra help,
please call me at 1 -800-922-1399,
ext. 278, or 541-444-8278.
Thank you for your time and
consideration. Have a great
New Year.
Wendi Schamp
places. Where I think there may be
trouble, there probably is. Going
into a bar expecting not to meet one
of these situations isn’t likely. Now
if in fact I happen to come face to
face with one, I have a plan,
something I can fall back on.
For example: My protective
factors in this case were mainly
family and culture. I wasn’t witling
to put my family or his in danger.
Being in the presence of our
whipman (Craig Whitehead),
I would have been jeopardizing my
rights to attend this and perhaps
more pow-wows to come. Also,
I could have been giving up the
respect that he and the people may
have for me now. Having and using
“protective factors” (see article on
page 16) allow me to make better
decisions when dealing with peer
pressure. Not only in situations as
this, but also when it comes to
drinking, drugs and so forth.
Using drugs and alcohol isn’t
a part of my culture and isn’t
healthy for my family or myself.
I’m grateful for my sobriety and am
proud that I have this chance to
model this for other youth. Thank
you for allowing me the
opportunity to share my experience
with you.
Respectfully,
Rusty Butler
To the editor:
Tribal members, it’s getting close to tribal election time again.
I urge the tribal members who are 18 years and older to get registered to
vote. You can do this by calling or writing to the Enrollment clerk or the
Election Board Committee at the Siletz Tribe.
We all know there are issues that need to be dealt with, some that
we will be talking about in the upcoming candidate’s fair.
Thank you to all the people who have approached me and let me
know they are glad that I’m running and that they will support me.
Remember that the tribe belongs to all of us. Our vote can make a
difference. Together we can make the tribe something our people can be
proud of and a tribe that will benefit ail, not just a chosen few.
Thank you,
Loraine Y. Butler
To the editor:
As human nature goes, we tend to focus on what we don’t have
rather than what we do have. It’s important that we be thankful and
acknowledge where the tribe has come from.
With elections coming up, many candidates and individuals would
have you believe that just a few people built the tribe into what it is today.
It takes a group of people willing to work together for the good of the
people to make lifelong changes. When you vote this election, ask yourself
if this person is willing to work with others, or are they divisive and only
trying to promote themselves.
Today, when an employer looks at a list of potential employees,
teamwork is an essential ingredient they are looking for. This is the type
of Tribal Council that is needed today. A Council member should speak
their heart and look for the long-term goals that will best serve the tribe.
I am recommending a vote for Bonnie Petersen. Many will point
out that Bonnie is my sister. However, Bonnie has impeccable values.
She is hard working, professional, and puts the tribal interest first. I am
proud of the work she has done for the tribe. She has taken on some
difficult tasks for our tribe and I believe that her commitment to the tribe
will always be there.
I also would like to acknowledge several other Tribal Council
members that I have had the privilege of working with on a committee.
Rosemary Landis and JoAnn Miller are both very ethical and hard working
Council members. I have seen both of them take their job seriously by
reviewing and reading packets for the committees they served on.
I have also seen JoAnn abstain from voting on issues that would
affect her family, as she stated it was a conflict of interest. This is not true
with all past Council members. I hope that we will hear more about these
types of acts by our Council and less harsh words due to political interest.
This letter has been long overdue and I will strive to comment on what I
see working within the tribe.
Sincerely,
Laurie Brown Godfrey