Siletz news /, December 01, 2002, Page 3, Image 3

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Last month, we celebrated the 25th
anniversary of the Siletz Tribe’s
restoration. We remembered the tragic
20-year period during which we were
“terminated,” the long and difficult
struggle to be “restored,” and our many
accomplishments since then.
Now, we look forward to the next
quarter century - and beyond. Although
we look forward to even greater
accomplishments, the road may not
always be smooth and easy.
As in the past, we will encounter
new challenges. But as we have
demonstrated in the past, we will
confront these challenges, whatever
they are, with courage and deter­
mination. After all, we have a solid
foundation within our tribal institutions
and within ourselves to deal
successfully with whatever challenges
confront us.
On a national level, we will face
many difficult issues. Last month, I
attended the National Congress of
American Indians meeting in San
Diego, Calif. On the agenda was the still
To the editor:
My name is Shaun Meyer. I am
writing to you in response to the letter
that was sent by Andrea Case about one
of our sisters in the Coffee Creek
Correctional Facility who is very sick
and has no outside support.
When I read that article, I shared it
with all the brothers here at the Santiam
Correctional Facility and I want Andrea
to know, Michelle to know, and
everyone else out there to know that not
only does Michelle Everett have all her
brothers’ support here at Santiam, but
she also has the support of some
Klamath brothers and sisters and the
support of some brothers and sisters
from the Cherokee Nation.
I believe that everyone who is
reading this needs to write to Ms.
Palmateer, the warden, or call the
director’s office here in Salem at
503-945-9090. Here is the address and
SID number again of Michelle Everett:
Michelle Everett, #12148924,
CCCF, P.O. Box 9000, Wilsonville,
OR 97070.
Thank you.
Shaun Meyer
Chairman Delores Pigsley
unresolved issue of trust reform. The
administration, we are told, will come
to some resolution on this by Jan. 6.
I’ll have more information to pass
on to you in the next issue of Siletz News
on this and other such matters as the
BIA budget and the status of the Indian
Health Care Improvement Act. The
Interior appropriations affecting Indian
To the editor:
Thanksgiving thoughts ...
I’d like to express how thankful I
am for the community members in the
Siletz area and my family members here
and afar. This year has been a difficult
one with the loss of my son and with
family and friends there to comfort me
and be there when I needed to cry, talk,
or just remember his spirit.
Most of all, thank you to my
husband, Reggie Butler Jr., for being
the man that you are and the loving dad
to our kids. You have been there for me
in many ways and have shown me much
love. I’m so grateful for all that you do,
mister. I pray that the Lord continues
to use you the way he has and pray that
you continue to keep your walk with
the Lord.
To my family and friends, I pray
that the Lord blesses each and every one
and continues to provide you with all
that you deserve.
programs basically will be the same as
last year.
For all critical Indian issues that
come before the U.S. Congress that
affect tribal programs and sovereignty,
we are counting on the bipartisan House
and Senate Indian Affairs caucuses
to advocate on behalf of Indian
tribes just as the House caucus did
during this past year.
How important it is for Indians to
vote in national and state elections was
demonstrated by the results of the re­
cent elections in South Dakota,
Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Washington.
If you haven’t already heard, John
McCoy of the Tulalip Tribe was
recently elected to the Washington state
legislature. For John to have taken the
initiative to run for, and win, a state
political office is of major importance.
Here is an Indian who can work on
behalf of tribes in the state of
Washington from inside the system.
And here in Oregon, Ted
Kulongoski will be our new governor.
We are hopeful he will continue the
tribal sovereignty policy expressed by
outgoing governor John Kitzhaber in
his executive order.
It was Kitzhaber’s executive order
that activated the government-to-
govemment relationship between the
state and tribal governments. And
hopefully, Kulongoski will understand
and take an enlightened view of Indian
gaming, favorable to Oregon tribes.
As for the Siletz Tribe, we are once
again gearing up for another general
election. Because no tribal member
applied to serve on the Election Board
or as director of the board, the Bureau
of Indian Affairs has agreed to serve in
this capacity.
Finally, I would like to say how
pleased I am that the Siletz Tribe was
host to the Environmental Protection
Agency’s Region 10 conference at
Chinook Winds last month. Tribal
officials attended from throughout the
Northwest, including Alaska. The Siletz
Tribe has thus far hosted a number of
important regional and national
conferences at Chinook Winds.
To the editor:
To the Tribal Council - I am writing to you to show my family’s thanks and
gratitude for our new Gateway computer/printer that you purchased for us. I know
that the money didn’t come out of your pockets, but you did make the decision to
purchase them with tribal money, which is of the best decisions you have made!
I would like you to know that is was definitely a needed item. I look for
permanent work a lot and have had to do a lot of resumes and applications. I have
gotten a lot done with the computer. I have also been able to go on the Internet to
look up information that was very much needed.
Another excellent use is my son’s education. He is only 5, but I have been
able to find really neat projects on the Net that improve learning skills for children.
He also enjoys it when I download songs from his favorite TV shows! ©
It also helps me keep in touch with family far away; it’s a lot cheaper than a
large phone bill. I could go on and on about the advantages of our new computer.
So, I just want you to know that my family is very appreciative of your giving.
Thank you for helping our family and other tribal families to
better themselves and the children of the future.
Sincerely,
Trish Carey and family
To the editor:
My name is Reggie Butler, Sr. I am running for Tribal Council and am asking
for your vote. I am married to Lillie Logan Butler. I have three sons and one
daughter. I am blessed with four beautiful granddaughters and six handsome
grandsons, whom I love very much.
My term on Tribal Council is up this February and I would like to continue
serving you, the tribal members, for another term. Under the circumstances of the
quorum of the Tribal Council, I am doing the best job I can do.
I will have more information in the voter’s pamphlet.
Sincerely,
Reggie Butler, Sr.
December 2002
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Siletz News
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