LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the editor:
I would like to give my gratitude
of thanks to Ticey Casey and to Janice
Lane for putting all of their hard work
and giving me a chance to work at
Chemawa Indian Clinic. I would also
like to thank Ticey Casey for getting
me extended on-the-job and Janice for
all the support.
Thank you for everything; you are
both the most beautiful people in the
world. I wouldn’t know what to do
without the Salem area office. It really
works; it does work if you give it
a chance.
Sincerely,
Clint McCollam
To the editor:
I would like to thank Vern
Kessinger Jr. and Larraine Hesketh for
helping strive for the job out at
Chemawa Indian Clinic and I would
like to also thank my co-workers at
Chemawa for giving me a warm
welcome and making me feel
comfortable and teaching me
something new.
I also want to thank Vern Jr.,
Lodynne Mackeravitz, and Frank Bean
for having patience with me. Thank you
for all your support and patience.
I would also like to thank my family
for their love and support.
Sincerely,
Clint McCollam
To the editor:
There is something that has been bothering me for quite some time. I’m writing
this letter in the hopes that other tribal members would realize the problem and
make their voices heard.
It makes me so mad when I see a “non-native” enter a dance competition at a
pow-wow (and worse if and when they win!). This happens at Chemawa, Grand
Ronde, and yes, even Siletz!
Wearing regalia and knowing the “steps” to dance or attending a pow-wow,
etc., does not make you an Indian. I’ve heard people say, “I’m Indian in my
heart!” Bologna! What you are is a “wannabe.” If a person says, “I’m black in my
heart,” does that make them African American? No! If a person says, “I’m Mexican
in my heart,” does that make them Hispanic? No! It just makes them a “wannabe.”
And just because you’re married to an Indian does not make you one either!
I always used to laugh at my son when he said, “I’m a card-carrying Indian.”
But over the years, I’ve heard his stories and that’s how he tells the “real” Indians
from those “wannabes.” He always has “proof’ he is an Indian and not a “wannabe.”
I think it’s time we Indians stand up and voice our concerns about this matter.
Non-Indians can dance all they want at pow-wows, I have no problem with that.
But when it comes to “Indian-only” dances and competitions, then leave those
“wannabes” on the sidelines. We need to give support to our Whip Woman and
Whip Man and allow them to deal with those people when they see them.
Cindy Lane Jackson
•
To the editor:
Read Tracy’s letter last month about Mexican heritage peoples. While in a
training in Wisconsin one time, Harold Belmont was the facilitator when something
had come up about Indian peoples.
Harold said, “How many here are Indian?” We all raised our hands. Harold
said, “B.S., what part of India are you from? Columbus was lost when he landed
here. This is Turtle Island.”
Then he asked, “What’s the difference between Canadian people, the so-called
American people, and the Mexican peoples?” None of us responded, so Harold
continued, “The Canadian people were taken over by the French, the so-called
American people were taken over by the British, and the Mexican peoples were
taken over by the Spanish. The only difference between the peoples is the language.”
Walt Klamath
To the editor:
To the tribal chairwoman, all
present and past council members, I
offer my congratulations on the sixth
anniversary of our Chinook Winds. But
when I must question as a tribal elder
living outside the “sacred” 47-county
area, do I receive anything from the
casino other than my souvenir slot club
card (which expired)?
Oh, that’s right, I don’t get any
benefits. For a moment there, I forgot
that I was a second-class tribal member,
not entitled to any privileges because
of my residence outside the “sacred”
34-county bounds of survival.
While crude my remarks may be
taken by some and offensive to others,
its meaning should serve as a warning
to present and future council members
to treat all tribal members equally and
ensure that all tribal members,
especially elders, are provided a
monthly (per capita) benefit to at least
keep their income at a livable standard,
not based on who we know on the
council or our address.
Respectfully,
Rick Dodds (Grandson of Mae
Adams Downey)
LETTERS, DEADLINES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
Siletz News Letters Policy
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, personal attacks, or
unsubstantiated statements.
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Please note: The general manager
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of Siletz News.
Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner
Editor: Diane Rodriquez
July 2001
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Siletz News
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Siletz, OR 97380
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