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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2001)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR/TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS To the editor: I was inspired to write this references to some people being in a “Hate Dee Party,” I am pretty sure letter by items in the last newsletter. I agree with Mr. Siniscal’s letter that the joke was just an attempt to reminded us, “If we are to be self- governing, we as tribal members the embarrassing way they have been acting. have the responsibility to take an Can anyone honestly look at active part in our government.” I the last U.S. election and advocate can’t say it any better! a two-party system? It stifles debate On a less positive note, I was distressed by Clifford Case’s letter, and restricts participation - which said, “Politically, our whole country is based on a two-party system. And so is our tribe. Now, that’s not a bad thing ...” That statement (reiterated in Mr. Case’s candidate's statement) is just wrong, in important ways. Neither the United States nor the tribe is “based on” a two-party system. Both are based on their respective constitutions. Read them! Neither one makes any mention of a two- party system. The Republicans and Democrats didn’t even exist when the United States Constitution was written. There’s no two-party system in this tribe. Did you vote in a tribal shame “party members” out of remember, at the first debate, they wouldn’t even let Ralph Nader sit in the audience. I think it’s a lot better the way we do it. If you feel like you should run, you run. Bev Youngman (second from left, back row) with the PSU group and young women at the home for indigenous young women, who are from rural areas and live at the home in Oaxaca while attending school. Everyone gets to put their statement in the newspaper and pamphlet, everyone gets to participate in the Candidates Fair. Youngman Makes Educational Visit to Mexico Make sure you know the candidate’s positions - and how they voted on those issues in the past! These aren’t rich folks or bigwigs who don’t have time for the likes of you - they are your relatives and friends. Talk to people you admire, see who they support. Think long and hard about each candidate and decide who has the primary? Did you meet with others to nominate your candidates and hammer out “planks” in a “platform” that the candidates must uphold? I know I didn’t. While it is true that there have been joking brains and the heart to do the best job. Then vote your conscience, not some “party line.” We have a chance to do things better than the United States does. I sure am glad to be a Siletz Tribal member! Cathem E. Tufts Wanda, con’t from page 4 Speaking of lawyers, how much Beverly Youngman, tribal programs manager and graduate student at Portland State University’s Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, spent two and one-half weeks in Oaxaca, Mexico, in December with a group of other graduate students, two professors, and a coordinator. As experiential education, the students conducted field research and study of non-profit organizations, completed an intensive Spanish-language course, and lived with local families. The organizations included CORAL for hearing-impaired children, a home for the aged, Frente AIDS outreach and education, a school for indigenous girls, two human rights organizations, a food bank, and Oaxaca Street Children. Youngman said the home for the aged and the food bank were most heart wrenching. “The popular belief that people cared for their elderly is no longer true,” she stated, “But the home did the best they could with a small budget and donations.” was spent by the Council that was over the Internet, etc., that the recalled? Have never heard a figure on that. Council was taking money illegally I hope we can all come before bringing it up through the together for the betterment of the proper channels and are still tribe. For those who think another pointing fingers even though Dee tribe is better and you can get more, has written several articles about then maybe that is where you would be more satisfied. this. If they sue Chinook Winds, they will have to every other casino. Wanda Melton 5
