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Honor Siletz World War II Veterans
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by Pat Duncan
Dispute, con’t from page 10
five persons to serve one year. The Tribes residing at the Upper Farm station
consisting of Rogue Rivers, Galese Creeks, Coquills & Cisticostas - to elect one
arbitrator. The Klamaths and Cisatanas to elect one. The Tribes at the Agency
station consisting of Tootootones - Joshuas - Mackinotens & Chetcoes - to elect
two. The Tribes at the Lower Farming station - Sixes - Euquas - & Nultanatans -
to elect one.
The Tribes at the different stations as above elected and reported to an adjourned
meeting - the names were submitted to the general convention, and approved.
They then elected an officer to act as a Sheriff for the same period. They also
elected a head chief for all the Tribes. The rules governing this court are yet crude
and might be criticized and perhaps ridiculed by lawyers among a civilized and
enlightened people, but the object aimed at is to teach self reliance and secure the
ends of justice.
The people take hold of it with a good deal of interest and in some of the trials
just held by this court manifest a good deal of tort and shrewdness and the decisions
of the court has thus far been generally approved by the people. I have deemed it
wise to throw the responsibility of settling controversies by their own action -
rather than to always submit to the decision by the Agent.
According to the rule adopted the complaint is to be first made to the Agent -
and he is to be the Judge as to whether it is a matter of sufficient importance to
warrant the assembling of the court - if so he [anorithes?] the sheriff to notify the
arbitrators and witnesses and fixes the time and place of meeting and for a time
presides at their meetings so as to maintain order and accustom them to the usages
of civilized rules something of this kind appeared indispensibly necessary for
there is no one Tribe of sufficient influence and power to adopt any general rule -
and the petty jelocies and hereditary prejudices existing among them renders it
well nigh impossible to maintain harmony without some recognized authority -
besides it will be an encouragement for them to think and act for themselves. I
have reason to believe that if this effort be incouraged, and managed judiciously,
it will eventuate in great good to these people. We may adopt a code similar to our
justice court for the settlement of petty differences - as being less expensive. An
appeal from the present arbitrators court is to a court consisting of the head chief
of each of the thirteen Tribes to be drawn by lot, whose decision is to be final
unless set aside by the Agent - for gross violation of justice.
The delapitated condition of nearly all the buildings upon this reservation
renders a sojourn here at this inclement season of the year very unpleasant and it
must continue to be so until funds can be obtained to construct a sawmill.
We have arranged and putin running order the small home mill for grinding
wheat and are now manufacturing an article of coarse graham flour that answers a
very good purpose using a hand wire sive for seperating the coarse brand.
On Monday knight of the 23 Dec. was one of the severest wind storms here
that I have experienced in a residence of nearly 28 years in Oregon - houses and
bams were unroofed - a number apart, timber broken and upset - more than one
half the entire fencing upon the Reservation blown down - post & nail, picket, as
well as worn rail fence - all roads and trails were blockaded with fallen timber. It
gave the entire Agency district a very dilapitated appearance, and to add to the
difficulty, we have no nails with which to repair
Edward Collins, a highly decorated World War II veteran and a respected
Siletz elder, has a dream to travel to Washington, D.C., in November 2002 to visit
the monument dedicated to the heroes who served in World War II. Other Siletz
Tribal members also served honorably during this war.
To assist Edward and any other World War II veterans in traveling next year to
visit the monument dedicated in their honor, a number of tribal members are
holding fund-raising activities, such as raffles, at tribal events. Any donation of
raffle items or purchase of raffle tickets to show your support in honoring our
Siletz warriors will be greatly appreciated.
If you or a family member is a World War II veteran, please contact Kathryn
Dick, elders coordinator, at 541-444-8261 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 261.
An idea may be formed of the severity of the storm when many clapboards on
roofs of houses and bams sloping to the south and west nailed on being laid 2 feet
- and some twenty inches to the weather - broke square off at the but of the
shingle overlapping them - this was not an isolated case but in numerous instances
- outside the Agency, many of the settlers cattle were fatally injured by falling
timber - great many had their horns nockt off.
A great among a few of the white settlers along Yaquinna River & Bay became
known to me a few days since upon receiving a petition signed by twelve persons
- alleging a combination between the Indians of this Agency, Alcea & Grand
Rond Agency - for the purpose of making war upon the White settlers - this
report has become known to the Indians - and has necessarily carried a little
excitement among them. The report is in my opinion without the least shadow of
foundation. There is no such combination, nor, in my opinion had there been an
intimation by any Indian of such a move.
It is more likely the whim of those having a guilty conscience for wrongs
done these people. And who apprehend that retaliation would be but justice.
Strengthened and incouraged by those who are looking with longing as to the
time when these Indians will be removed and this Reservation thrown open to
settlement. The war with the Modock Indians being deemed a favorable time to
urge such a moove, has been hastily acted upon and consequently but few were
aware that such a step had been taken. But a few restless evil disposed persons are
always able to excite a community and cause unnecessary alarm where the two
races are residing in close proximity. The quashing of the inditement against T.
Boyle recently in Corvallis, for the killing of Tootootna Jack, is a pleasing reflection
to that reckless portion of community, who claim that an Indian has no rights, that
a white man is bound to respect and this entire noise may be intended to open the
way for removing other Indians as they did Jack. It is to be hoped otherwise. I am
satisfied that there is no foundation for the report.
Quite a number of Indian are sick. There has been five deaths during the
month - three adults and two children - and there are several others who cannot
survive but a few days.
I am inclined to again urge the importance of making allotments of land in
severalty to those entitled to it, as being the surest means of allay their fears as to
the ultimate intentions of the government for if that were to be done this winter
each one would proceed to make improvements upon his own land instead of
spending his time in idleness and gambling - the omission to do so is a serious
drawback to the progress of these Indians.
[ends]
The Tribal Court and Code Development project will continue working on
the Siletz Community Court, developing an operations manual.
June 2001 ' □
Siletz News
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