Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2001)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: With winter months behind us, spring showers upon us, and the lazy days of summer just beyond the meadow, I’m ready to take off my winter garb and run free. New life is everywhere. Bone bare alders are springing into life with fragile shades of green that seem to plump up the forest. As the day warms, salmonberry thickets catch my attention. Young tender shoots, red-orange berries. Good eating right from the bush or with a little cream and sugar. It won’t be long before it’s time for my yearly salmonberry run! I’m not worried that another spring adds yet another year to my collection of many. What takes my breath away - my grandchildren James, Nestor, Brandy, and Neil. Each new season brings change. I’m not sure I’m ready for these changes; where went yesterday? Question was I enough a part of their lives to help make a difference, offer encouragement to dream big? My grandchildren, does their youth energize, spark a memory of a past moment? Oh yes! This little light of mine, in my case, four little glimmer-shines, warm the cockles of my heart and bring me such great joy. 1 know I need to be more wise with my time, for just beyond myself is family, friends, and a whole world waiting for the warm days of summer just beyond the meadow. Eva E. Clayton To the editor: I am writing as a Siletz Tribal member and I have a few issues that concern me. 1) ESP Program This is a program that is supposed to help and give an opportunity to tribal members to better themselves. I had to deal with the program personally myself, so I do know what I am talking about. When a tribal member signs up for GA/TANF, they should be treated with courtesy. I listened to my grandma years ago talk about how welfare treated her like dirt. When I hear how the Siletz Tribe treats some of these tribal members who ask for GA/TANF assistance, I thought those prejudiced days were over. When there are special needs (yes, there are tribal members who can’t read or write), those workers need to get off their hind-ends instead of throwing the paperwork at them and threatening them that they will be cut off, help and inspire them. 2) Chinook Winds I am proud of our casino. But ... why is it so poorly mismanaged? The weekends are so busy and where are all the workers? I have heard so many complaints about waiting in the long lines to cash their tickets and also to eat in the buffet. We are now established and have the reputation as the jackpot casino. The staff is great there, just that we need to keep the lines going faster. I, as a tribal member, would like to see the membership get a per capita. The Tribal Council benefits, why can’t we? As for putting the money into programs, that doesn’t benefit all the membership. The Tribal Council consists of all tribal elders and it still was voted down 7-2, not giving us tribal members a per capita. Why? 3) Siletz Tribe Hiring A tribal member who applies for a job within the tribe and doesn’t meet the minimum requirements due to no license, inability to type 40 wpm, and/ or have a GED/high school diploma, they should be given a chance of achieving this in six months. Give these tribal members a chance, not just a chosen few or because of who they are. I am strongly against nepotism and favoritism. Joella Strong To the editor: Tribal members, I would like to thank those members who voted for me. I am willing to work and speak for the membership. I have done so in the past and will continue doing so. The first Council meeting that I attended, I made a motion to increase the distribution to the membership, but the vote went two in favor of more distribution and six against. I was told at the Council meeting that the dollar figures given at the February general meeting might not be correct dollar amounts, although the membership was told about an increased revenue figure. I also made a motion to go to electronic voting for our elections, but that vote went two in favor and six against. Thedast election had a Council member’s niece-in-law and two nieces on the election committee. I would encourage tribal members to sign up for the Election Committee. I also saw how hard it is to have Council meetings or workshops relating to tribal business because it is hard to fit into Council members’ travel schedules. What are our priorities? I again want to say thank you to those who voted for me and I will work hard for the tribe. The telephone number for Reggie or Lillie Butler is 541 -444-2448 or a message can be left with Kelley Ellis to have one of us call. Kelley Ellis can be reached at 1-800-922-1399. Lillie Butler LETTERS, DEADLINES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Siletz News, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon, is published once a month. Our editorial policy encourages input from readers 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. Pleas.e 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-Chief: Brenda Bremner Editor: Diane Rodriquez April 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 Name:______________________________ Address:____________________ _ e-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us Phone: ()______________________ Deadline for the May issue is April 10. 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.
