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
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All letters must include the
author's signature, address, and phone
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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
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statements.
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letters do not necessarily reflect the
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Please note: The general manager
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of Siletz News.
Editor-in-Chicf: Brenda Bremner
Editor: Diane Rodriquez
March 2001
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Siletz News
P.O. Box 549
Siletz, OR 97380
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