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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2001)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: Hello, my name is Rusty Butler and I occasionally get asked the question, “What do you do?” So at this time, I come forth to express myself in the best way I know how. I currently serve as an assistant to Prevention staff here at the Siletz A&D Program. I am a representative for our team with local coalitions on prevention in Lincoln County. Acting as a mentor for youth, I actively support prevention activities. Clerical duties are a part of my job here also. I obtain input for reports and write articles to educate on prevention. Willingness to volunteer after hours is a major role in acting as a mentor. Promoting and supporting the (ATOD) alcohol, tobacco, and other drug- free policy is essential in this line of work. My greatest gift of all is being able to support these things in a culturally oriented way. Offer spirituality to our youth and being able to offer them the ceremonies of their Indian ancestors. Even those who are non-tribal are welcome to learn. I am limited to what I am able to do during working hours, but I am more than willing to take the time out of my life to be there when I’m needed. I sit on the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee for the state and have been recently elected to a subcommittee (Minority Overrepresentation) for 2001.1 am thankful to be involved and foresee a better support system for our relatives who have been forgotten behind the walls. My past is full of events that I’m not proud of and all I can do now is try to reach some of our youth in hopes that they will stray away from that road I once traveled. Thank you for taking the time to read my article. All My Relations, Rusty Butler To the editor: We would like to thank Selina and LeiLani for all the things they have done tor us, way beyond what they had to. Gives us good feelings to know we have people like that working with the tribe. Jim and Lonnie Andrews To the editor: The family of Everett Butler would like to thank all the families and individuals for their kindness and generosity with his passing. We appreciate everything that has been done for us. He will be greatly missed. Sincerely, Brenda, Melissa, Andrea, Chris, AJ and Mila (the dog!); Marcella St. Martin, Everetta Butler, Ray Butler, Wilda Bobb, Mary Bobb, and Emerson Bobb To the editor: Now that the elections are over, I would like to extend heartfelt congratulations and a thank you to Lori and Eugene for running for a Tribal Council seat. It has been a long time since members of the under-45-year-old group have run for Council. It was nice to see a couple of the younger people at least trying to make a difference. I just hope that these two provided some incentive for others to get involved in the tribal government. It was very clear at the candidates fair that these two had a limited knowledge of what is going on with the tribe and that their participation might have been limited to specific concerns. This did not stop them, however, from voicing their opinions and trying to make their points. I hope that during the coming year, they will make an effort to attend as many regular Council meetings as they can and put their names in for a committee or two. Participating in meetings and/or committees will not only help their chances in getting elected in the future, but it will also give them a better overview of what’s going on in the tribe. If Lori and Eugene were to attend Council meetings, they will learn that the people who are the most outspoken at the General Council meetings do not attend any regular Council meetings. With the exception of John Roe Jr., there isn’t one tribal member who regularly attends Council meetings. Lillie Butler, Clifford Case, Gladys Bolton, Shirley Walker, Maxine Rilatos, Victoria Nelson, and Stan Werth have attended meetings at times, but none are regular attendants. I will grant you that the first day is made up of presentations by the different departments and these are not the most interesting sessions. However, you do get a feel for what is going on with the different services. The second day is given to general issues and concerns. This is usually more interesting and sometimes more informative. It’s too bad that more tribal members don’t show up to learn what concerns are being raised by their Council representatives. While Lori and Eugene did not gather a larger number of votes, they are to be commended for their efforts. Best of luck in the future, Gerald Ben, Councilman To the editor: I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who supported me in the past election, and I also want to thank those of you who have supported me throughout the 22 years I have served on the Tribal Council. Tribal government touches many lives in many ways. I expect there to be many challenges to tribal sovereignty and to our programs in the next three years. I feel proud and privileged to be your elected official. I will continue to represent you honorably. Delores Pigsley LETTERS, DEADLINES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Siletz News, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon, is published once a month. Our editorin' policy encourages input from reader about stories printed in Siletz News and other tribal issues. All letters must include the author's signature, address, and phone number in order to be considered for publication. Siletz News reserves the right to edit any letter for clarity and length, and to refuse publication of any letter or any part of a letter that may contain profane language, libelous statements, or unsubstantiated statements. Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Published 2 □ Siletz News □ letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Siletz News, tribal employees, or Tribal Council. Please type or write legibly. Letters longer than 450 words may be edited for length as approved by Tribal Council Resolution #96-142. Please note: The general manager of the Siletz Tribe is the editor-in-chief of Siletz News. Editor-in-Chicf: Brenda Bremner Editor: Diane Rodriquez March 2001 Send letters to: Siletz News P.O. Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380 The newsletter is free to enrolled Siletz Tribal members. For all others, a $12 annual subscription fee applies. Fill out this form and mail it with $12 (make check payable to Confederated Tribes of Siletz) to Siletz News. 541-444-8291 1-800-922-1399, ext. 291 Fax:541-444-2307 N ame:_________ Address:_____________________ e-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us Phone: ()___ _ ________________ Deadline for the April issue is March 9. Photos are encouraged. Everyone loves to see photos of events, tribal members, and especially babies. Don’t forget those birthday or anniversary wishes for loved ones. Change of address: Tribal members call Lisa Norton, enrollment clerk, at 541-444-8258; all others, call the newsletter office at 541-444-8291 and leave your new address with the editor.
