CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
It was the largest general election
turnout the Siletz Tribe has ever had.
This may indicate increased interest
among our members in our tribal
affairs, and that’s good and something
to be proud of.
I want to congratulate the
incumbents - Reggie Butler Sr., David
Hatch, and JoAnn Miller - for being
re-elected for another three-year term
each. Their re-election helps ensure
continuity in addressing pending tribal
projects and issues.
Also, I appreciate the council
members for their vote of confidence
in re-electing me as tribal chairman.
It'll be good to serve with JoAnn
Miller as secretary, Jane John as
treasurer, and Jessie Davis as my right
hand “man” who will continue to serve
as vice chairman.
I accept the chairmanship with
humility and with the full realization
that this office comes with heavy
responsibilities. I assure you that I will
continue to serve the Siletz Tribe to
the best of my ability.
Regarding the proposal to increase
council members’ compensation, I
regret that this ballot measure was
defeated. Our tribal members have
Officer Sharon Edenfield, and Human
Resources Director Michele Rowan -
for the difficult job they willingly
tackled and for giving our members an
issue to seriously think about.
Federal Budget Crisis
Chairman Delores Pigsley
spoken; in fact, they did so by a vote of
two to one. The proposal sparked a great
deal of discussion and a number of
creative solutions. If and when another
change in council members’ compen
sation is proposed, we’ll take these and
other suggestions into consideration.
As explained earlier in Siletz News
and other reports, the proposal was
based on a compensation study
conducted by a committee appointed by
the Tribal Council. We need to give
recognition to these committee
members - council members Lillie
Butler and Jessie Davis, Administrative
To the editor:
Would like to thank the council and tribal members for the nice Pendleton
blanket and the memories of being on the council when we built and opened the
tent and new casino because our work is now bringing benefits for tribal members.
A couple of things of concern from our 25-year celebration:
The casino general manager needs to be reminded that casino small repairs
need to be taken care of so that they do not become major repairs that will cut
into his bonus.
2. The discussion of our descendants came up because of the comments made
by tribal members as to how they felt lost during termination. We have children
and grandchildren who will be terminated when they turn 18 because they
lack the proper blood degree to become tribal members. How will they feel?
This letter will not get in the paper until after the council elections, so you
need to think about a special election or wait until next year’s election.
American Indians are the only people in the United States who have to have
a blood degree to be citizens, a ploy by someone long ago to assimilate Indians
into white society and thus avoid paying for treaty obligations arranged by
our ancestors to help pay for our lost lands. Some of these young people may
be the strong future leaders as those who fought for restoration. Ask the council
members if they support descendency, but put them on the spot by asking if
they would vote for descendency because if we lose our tribal status for lack
of blood, we will never again become or stay Siletz Indians. Think about it,
then let the council know your thoughts. It is our future.
Thank you,
Bensell Breon
1.
I'd now like to turn to an issue that
may have unfortunate consequences for
Indian tribes - the federal budget crisis.
I’d like to share with you how Franklin
Ducheneaux, our Washington, D.C.-
based consultant, views this crisis and
how it may impact Indian tribes.
Franklin explained that he couldn’t share
much with us at this point, but was able
to provide the following information?
“As of Feb. 13, the Congress is still
trying to pass the appropriations for
FY2OO3 that began on Oct. 1, 2002.
Except for two defense appropriation
bills that were passed last year and signed
into law, all the other federal agencies
have been operating on continuing
resolutions since then. This also includes
the BIA. IHS, and HUD programs.
“A catch-all omnibus bill was being
negotiated in a Senate-House con
ference at this time. Because of the
homeland security costs and the
proposed Bush tax cuts, we can expect
very little growth in program funds for
Indian programs in the remainder of
fiscal year 2003 if they do pass the
omnibus bill, and may well see some
cuts from the 2002 levels.
“The same is going to be true of
the fiscal 2(X)4 budget. President Bush
sent his 2004 budget proposal to
Congress in early February. While we
haven’t been able to see detailed
information about proposed program
funding, the overall figures for BIA,
IHS, and other agencies funding
Indian programs are not promising.
The Bush figures, overall, limit growth
to around 2 percent. This would not
even cover inflation costs. When we
are able to see more detailed figures
in 2-3 weeks, I’m afraid we will see
even more cuts for Indian programs.”
Because of the possibility of war
looming on the horizon, costs of
homeland security, and many other
factors, federal funding of Indian
programs doesn’t look very promising.
We're fortunate that we have Chinook
Winds, which generates much-needed
revenue that can be used to supplement
funding of our tribal programs.
Firewood Available by Mid-March
A new firewood area, the South
Fork #2 unit located about 11 miles
from Siletz, is expected to open in early
to mid-March for tribal member
firewood cutting. Available wood is a
mixture of conifer and hardwood
located in decks at four landings in a
recently logged unit.
Permits are required. Permits,
maps, directions, fire season
restrictions, and equipment re
quirements can be obtained at the tribal
Natural Resources office in Siletz from
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays once
the unit is open.
Permits will be issued only to tribal
members, who will need to show their
tribal ID card and provide the license
number of the vehicle used to haul
the wood. Out-of-the-
Siletz-area woodcutters
may call the Natural
Resources office to have
a permit mailed to them.
The permits are for
tribal member wood-
cutting for personal use only. This
firewood may not be sold. The person
named on the permit must be present
when cutting and hauling the firewood.
Tribal members wishing to cut wood
for a tribal elder must present a signed
note from the elder stating the
individual is authorized to cut firewood
on his/her behalf and must include the
elder’s tribal ID number.
Permits are good for two weeks
and up to two cords of wood can be
cut on each one. Each tribal member
is allowed up to four cords total from
this unit.
Tribal members are encouraged to
get this firewood as soon as possible
as the unit will be burned in
either the spring or early fall
to prepare for planting.
For more information, stop
by the tribal Natural Resources
office or call Natural Resources
Manager Mike Kennedy at
1-800-922-1399, ext. 232, or
541-444-8232.
Msrch2003
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Siletz, News
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