CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
BIA Approves Tribe’s
Per Capita Plan
I am pleased to report that by the
time this issue of Siletz News gets in
your hands, our plan for a per capita
payment already will have been
approved by the BIA and the distribution
to our members already will have begun
- perhaps will even be completed.
As we reported in the October issue
of Nesika Illahee, tribes are required
under federal regulations to submit for
BIA review and approval their Revenue
Allocation Plans (RAP). A tribal plan
for the distribution of per capitas is a
necessary part of the tribe’s RAP.
Ours was a well-thought-out plan that
complied with all federal requirements.
Franklin Ducheneaux, our Washington,
D.C., consultant, bird-dogged our
Restoration Celebration
Chairman Delores Pigsley
proposed RAP as it worked its way
through the bureau and it was from him
that we received the good news.
To the editor:
I have not written a letter to the editor before. It has been my belief that the
achievements of our Tribal Council were, in many ways, self-evident. There has
been little need to tout those achievements.
I am proud of having played a part in making those achievements a reality
and appreciate the many tribal members who have understood and supported the
council and my role as council member.
However, I would be remiss in not addressing the misinformation being
disseminated, specifically about Tribal Council wages and travel expenditures,
by Pat Duncan, former tribal chairman. These unfounded allegations have appeared
in various issues of Siletz News as letters to the editor. The following are examples
of such letters:
In the October 2(M) 1 issue: “The Tribal Council has given themselves a 40
percent increase in wages and travel alone ... and what benefit have our members
received by their spending over $2 million a year?”
In the November 2001 issue: “... no one justified spending so much to give so little
to the membership. No one even addressed the $99,609 increase in wages and travel.”
When the council is alleged to have “given themselves a 40 percent increase in
wages and travel,” she is comparing what was budgeted with what was actually
spent in the year 2000. Did she not know the difference when she made this allegation?
What then, are the facts? What was the record of her 1998 Tribal Council
compared to other councils? The record for the five-year period of 1996 through
2000 speaks for itself. What is not known is that the travel from 1997 and beyond
is not all Tribal Council, but also includes the council secretaries.
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
Wages
Travel
Total
Expenditures
89,903.43
122,001.10
128,889.70
125,863.88
131,567.74
131,102.52
149,075.83
161,123.24
161,889.30
152,817.42
221,005.95
271,076.93
290,012.94
287,753.18
284,385.16
(under Duncan admin)
I am not sure whether we can attribute Pat Duncan’s allegations to her lack of
understanding of the facts or a deliberate intent to misinform. Either way, it is hard
to excuse, coming from a former tribal chairman and current candidate for office.
With Ed Ben, a respected tribal
elder who helped restore our tribe, as
master of ceremonies, we celebrated the
restoration of the Siletz Tribe 24 years
ago. Among his introductory
comments, Ed said that about 50
percent of our members have been bom
since Restoration - emphasizing the fact
that we are a young tribe, but with an
ancient and proud heritage.
Ed introduced our guest speaker,
Rudy Clements, who comes with an
impressive background, understanding
not only the needs of reservation
Indians, but also urban Indians. Rudy
helped establish the Urban Indian
Council to address the needs of Indians
who live far from their home
reservations. He served as director of a
manpower institute in Portland and
when CETA programs were established
for Oregon tribes with the Warm
Springs Tribe as its prime contractor,
Rudy served as its director.
Ed reminded us that it was the
Warm Springs Tribe - and Rudy - who
strongly supported our efforts to be
restored and have been steadfast in their
friendship and support ever since.
Rudy inspired us and filled us with
pride for being Siletz and for what we
have accomplished. For those who were
unable to attend the celebration, I would
like to share some of Rudy’s comments:
“Twenty-five years ago,” he began,
“who would have believed there would
be a Siletz Reservation again ... such
dreams had nearly vanished as the tribe
was pushed and pulled and their
reservation terminated.
Yes, there has been an increase, but not as alleged. Just as there was an increase
in 1998 when Pat became chairman, Tribal Council has had added responsibilities
in all areas of environmental, health, housing, gaming, and economic development.
We do not know yet what the “actual” figures will be for 2001 until the year has
ended - but the figure Pat has been comparing is the year 2000 actuals vs. 2001
budgeted figures.
I hope that my having written this letter is not construed as a personal attack
against Pat Duncan. Although I too am a candidate for council, I am writing as a
Tribal Council member who has a responsibility to refute serious allegations against
the Tribal Council, and appreciate this opportunity of providing our tribal members
with the facts.
Jane John
___ - a -
To the editor:
I do not believe the Tribal Council has to justify any expenditures. We are in
a big business and if it takes nine of us to attend all of the workshops, so be it.
The fabulous five (you know who you are) can spend about $4(X),(XX) on
lawyers to fight the recall; $ 1 (X),(XX) for council travel and wages is very small in
today’s time.
The clinic receives Indian Health Service dollars and those funds are being
cut. If they need a little boost, we do that if we can.
Students receive the money they qualify for. There are many forms to fill out
and that has to be done in a timely manner. The only students that I know who did
not receive full tuition or books are those with forms not completed or who are
not keeping their grades up to what is expected.
Our elders have a budget. They travel all over, stay in hotels, and eat out. I
have heard only one complaint and that is from you, Pat. If I was just becoming
an elder and needed votes, maybe I would yell too.
I hope you can justify the $40,(XX) for the chairman and $35,(XX) for the rest
of us (I made $14,(XX) in 2(XX)), the 30 hours a pay period and you did not have to
work that many hours, the firing of the GM, the firing of other employees, and the
secret meetings that went on to hire a GM and hire a large attorney firm.
1 also do not appreciate being called a liar about the comps issue from NIGC.
We read that article and it was on the Internet.
Mary A. “Dolly” Fisher
December ¿001
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Siletz News
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