LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the editor:
May I suggest to those Tribal Council
members who feel they are being slighted
by not having a salary, plus benefits:
If you are overwhelmed by your
duties to serve the tribe as a whole, I
suggest you step down and give
yourself a chance to breathe.
There are those in this constituency
who would be honored to serve, to better
the lives of those who truly need it.
There are many who serve in your
capacity who give their time and talents,
whose compensation lies in the
satisfaction that they have made a
difference in the lives of humankind.
The next time you are in Hawaii or
Washington, D.C., take a moment to
reflect on those people whom you
represent who are simply trying to live
from day to day.
Sincerely,
Sylvia E. Walker
To the editor:
Defragmented isolation is not an
option, not in the world of economy today.
Time is money and as they say, money
is time. A wiser person looks, listens, and
reacts to the world around him or her.
We must be careful not to lose
ourselves in the mockery of indecision.
Where’s the beef! Our Economic
Development Department (that’s a
mouthful) is vital, staffed with well-
qualified individuals. If micromanaging
is required of this office, a second look
needs to be taken at who sits these
hallowed halls. Replace with qualified
representation or butt out!
Be wise and informed concerning
placement, hiring, and termination (it’s
risky and usually not cost-effective).
Building a stair-step ladder of stability
enables us to cross competitive
trenches. The right pilot needs to sit our
Economic Development Department
with staff (or copilots) to back up that
person. This department needs the room
and tools to take us into the 21st century
of economic development.
Economic stability is a major
concern. It’s not wise to jump from a plane
and then ask for a parachute. The costs
are high and there are a lot of fat cats out
there ready to pounce on our turkey bird.
It’s a very user-friendly world, but
we must remain on the cutting edge,
constantly fine tuning our resources. A
stagnant pond becomes contaminated.
Our tribe (we know this) must work
in this direction, has the responsibility
of many people, both tribal and non-tribal
members. We must radiate security and
keep this commitment a high priority.
I feel we need to monitor closely
our tribal rain barrel. We have been
(along with the nation) going through
a drought period. If we are not careful,
our resources could easily be depleted
to the level of slow recovery.
We must be ever vigilant and act
appropriately by not putting ourselves out
on a limb at the mercy of others. A good
plan of action, I feel, is phasing. Success
is one block at a time, working from
strength, not overextended weakness.
Respectfully submitted,
Eva E. Clayton
To the editor:
To the Red Nation, Native Amer
icans, First People, to the 500 Tribes, all
your descendants, and all your ancestors.
Let it be known and understood by
all who hear or read these words,
translated into (all) your languages, that
on this day, Dec. 19, 2002, a written
apology is offered with sincerity from
one white man named Allen William
Bymes, on behalf of the white race.
I am not the only white man who
believes this apology is long overdue, and
I know that there are people of both races
who will not accept these words and the
feelings that go along with them.
It is my hope that this formal
apology can begin a healing process for
you. I would like this apology to offer
some peace to your elders before they
pass on. I would like this apology to be
understood by your children so they
will choose life over suicide.
I would like to offer this apology
to (all) the unborn and to (all) your
relations still suffering. I say a prayer
of thanksgiving and offer it to all the
tribes, to all your descendants, and to
all your ancestors to acknowledge you,
the Native Ones who offered kindness,
knowledge, and great wisdom.
I close my eyes and I see an un
broken circle. Within the circle is an elder
from each tribe praying together. It is a
powerful sight and the circle is whole
4
Siletz New?
□Fetyqary
To the editor:
I’d like to thank all the people who donated food and their time to the success
of the Siletz Community Christmas Program and the Grange Christmas Day
Dinner. Both had a fantastic turnout.
Special thanks to volunteers Julie Frogge; Debbie Fawver; Liz, Delina, and
Anna John and kids; Nicole Mundt; Arnold, Kris, and Cory Schaffer; Jim and
Lucy Ferguson; and Lynn Whitlow. Thank you Kari Murk and Sue Eatherly for
painting and decorating, serving dinner, doing dishes, taking pictures, and hand
coloring each individually stamped Christmas photo card (about 300). Good job,
you two. Hope you don’t have too many finger cramps!
Kathy Stewart, thank you for your awesome hand-painted chimney backdrop
- it really put the final touches on the pictures - decorating, and playing the piano
- at least you knew all the keys this time, hehe. Maintenance crew: Rick, Sammy,
Bristo, and Bobby Bayya, Lenny Simmons, and Arlen Kentta for helping put up
the tree - hopefully you color-coordinated the branches this time and remember,
they go from the top not the bottom. You guys did a great job - the tree looked great!
I’d also like to extend special thank yous to the volunteers who organized
these annual community events: Darlene Carkhuff and Sharon Edenfield, who
coordinated and ensured the programs’ success; Jess Kennison and Larry Arnold,
who cooked the grange dinner; without them, this wouldn’t have been possible -
good job, guys!; Michelle Schaffer for her hard work getting donations, helping
with the ornament crafting, and decorating (Michelle continually helps out the
community in any way she can and we appreciate all her efforts).
Marci Taylor for the wonderful food at the Christmas program and picking up
the poinsettias (see, we made it through the day without a wreck!); Vella Sorenson
and the Siletz Valley Fire Department for use of the fire truck to bring Santa up on the
hill - without you, Vella, we couldn’t have made the grand entrance, you’re all
truly #1!; Trish Carey - successful cookie bake, lots left over, thanks for your time.
Natasha Kavanaugh for all your help with the thank yous and Christmas
programs; Accounting skit - wonderful, only caught that part of the program, but
wouldn’t have missed it! Maybe a mic next year!; Head Start crew - goody bags
and singing, even though we had to beg - it wouldn’t have been the same without
you, that’s what the program is all about; and thanks, Santa, for being there for
our kids, hope you’ll be there next year.
Also, anyone forgotten in the list above - you did a wonderful job! Thinx
(thanks) for all that everyone has done for these programs’ success.
Tami Goodell
To the editor:
I have read with great interest the
two articles written by Jessie Davis
regarding the proposal to increase our
Tribal Council’s compensation.
I find it hard to believe that council
members, in good conscience, would
consider taking a raise in their hourly
compensation when the basic needs of
tribal members are not being met. I am
appalled that this should even be on the
ballot given the economic problems we
are facing as a tribe and as a nation.
and connected. I know my apology can
not erase the atrocities suffered by your
people for all the generations, but I still
wish to make this offering as a first step.
Allen William Bymes
I am also concerned that two
members of the Tribal Council were on
the ad-hoc committee studying council
compensation, which is clearly a
conflict of interest. Nobody, under
those circumstances, can be impartial;
in the worst case, they might even
appear to be self-serving.
This is a critical time for our tribe,
and we shouldn’t be asked to make
compensation decisions based on what
other tribes are doing, especially when
our economic situation isn’t equal. Why
not take the high road and choose to
make our first priority our tribal
members, especially elders and those
on assistance. Until those problems are
under control, I will vote “NO” on the
issue of increasing compensation for
Tribal Council members.
Sincerely,
Julie E. Chavez