LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the editor:
I Forgot To Say Thank You
The Siletz Tribe has given me so
much and I have returned so little;
please forgive me. I’m typing this letter
on the new Gateway computer the
tribe gave me and I didn’t bother to say
thank you.
I’m enrolled in my second year of
college and the tribe is paying for my
education. My family is healthy
because we’re receiving adequate
medical care and our medical bills are
paid by the tribe. Each year, my family
and I joyfully receive per capita
distribution payments (sometimes we
grumble because we think the check
amount could be larger).
Last summer, my 15-year-old
daughter participated in the Tribal
Youth Employment Program and
earned $1,000. She was delighted that
she’d earned her own money and had
gained valuable work experience at a
veterinary clinic (she’s always dreamed
of becoming a veterinarian). I guess
maybe I didn’t say thank you because
I’d figured the white man stole my
Indian ancestors’ lands and treated them
brutally, so I’m entitled to all of this.
There isn’t enough space here to list
all the things our professional public
servants who work in the Eugene area
office have done for my family. In
addition to all the tangible benefits
we’ve received, they’ve gone above and
beyond the call of duty. Moral support,
words of encouragement, educational
advice and direction, praise, and hugs
cannot be measured. We truly have
the best.
We live in a society that reinforces
“victimization” and “self-importance.”
It’s so easy to blame someone else for
our inadequacies, our lack, and our
problems. Let me renew my thinking
and view the many blessings I’ve
received from my tribe as a “hand-up”
and not a handout. Let me overcome
To the editor:
An issue that still bothers me is third-party billing at the tribal health clinic.
The clinic is a business and third-party billing will help provide anywhere from
$100,000 to $500,000 to help support needed services.
Council member Landis came up with the same idea that I had - hire a
temporary, qualified person at a good wage to train a tribal member on third-party
billing as part of the job description. The money is there, we just need to get it for
the clinic.
The Oneida Tribe in Green Bay, Wis., has tribal members in the top positions
of their casino, but they’ve been gambling longer than we’ve been restored. I’d
hoped some of the casino money would have been used to help tribal members
get job training at two- and four-year colleges because they need to see how
things go in the non-Indian world to see if they want to become involved in our
casino world.
Some tribal members started at the bottom when the casino opened and have
now moved up in their jobs. I’m glad that the casino started the mentor program,
but it’s still our responsibility to get training to support ourselves.
Tribal government doesn’t owe us a living. It’s our responsibility to get help
from tribal programs when we need it. Tribal government’s responsibility is to
have the type of programs members need to help them succeed in life.
Another issue is that when I was on the council, I saw a plan to build a dam on
Big Rock Creek eight years ago to pipe water to the valley for public consumption.
The plan said that building the dam would take 15 years and it’s still in print and
on record.
I hear that other communities in Lincoln County are planning to take more Siletz
River water to drink and it’s frustrating to me because my tribe is promoting fish
and there may be no water. A dam somewhere to help summer river flows is needed
and we can get the feds to help. It will take time, but it just needs to be done.
The last issue is tribal voting. In the last presidential election, there was a big
foul-up with voting machines. Tribal members living in other states or in the
military wouldn’t have access to tribal voting machines. Is that fair?
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Siletz News
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April 2003
my weaknesses so I can become a
better person.
As my life becomes richer, let me
give something back. Let me ask
myself, “What can I do for the people
in my tribe?” I believe my voice is
important and my ideas just might make
a difference. Forgive me for not always
having the best attitude. Sometimes
when I don’t get what I want when I
want it, I get impatient. From now on,
I’ll make sure I do my part to get the
job done sooner.
Let me not criticize the decisions
of those who are in leadership positions
within the tribe. Let me stay informed,
have all my facts straight, and come up
with a positive solution before I speak
out in opposition. Let me be an
informed voter and vote for the most
qualified Tribal Council candidates
because I know my vote counts.
Since I don’t perceive myself as a
“leader” (and definitely not an eloquent
speaker), I’m not sure how I can help.
But I guess I can start by lifting up
and supporting those tribal members
who are.
A genuine smile or even a nod is
encouraging. Maybe I can even muster
up some positive feedback once in
awhile. Let me remember to send a
small card, or thank someone in person,
for all their hours of footwork and all
the important meetings they attend for
my benefit. After all, I haven’t lifted a
finger and have received much. I’ve
placed my confidence in those council
members who represent me and know
they’ll remain sober and vigilant in
their privileged positions. I am grateful
for them.
Prosperity doesn’t come from one
talented person or a group of gifted
people, it comer from our Creator.
Let me remember to thank him, and
thank you.
Adrienne Crookes
Tom Brokaw said Canadian voters didn’t have such a problem. The Canadian
system lists the candidates alphabetically and the voter puts an X by the name of
choice, like we do with our elections.
The biggest problem in Oregon elections is that voters usually don’t follow
the directions provided, as happens in tribal elections. I’.d rather have my vote not
counted because I made a mistake than have a machine foul up my vote. The
machines are very expensive and would take money away from tribal services.
We have honest people working to make sure the election process is run
according to the rules and it’s our responsibility to make sure we follow voting
directions and get our ballots in on time.
Bensell Breon
General Council Meeting
Keizer City Hall
930 Chemawa Road N.E.
Keizer, Oregon
Agenda
Call to Order
Invocation
Roll Call
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Minutes
Tribal Investments Program Report:
Gregg Gubuan
USDA Food Program Report:
Kitti Hostler
Tribal Member Concerns
Chairman’s Report
Announcements
Adjournment