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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2003)
NOTICES Indian Physicians Conduct Youth Initiative Charitable Contributions Committee Explained Through its cooperative agreement with the Office of Minority Health, the Physicians (AAIP) offers a health, Association of American Indian policy development program for biomedical research, and 16 to 18 years old. Native American students American Youth Initiative The National Native June 21-29 in Washington, (NNAYI) is scheduled for by the Siletz Tribal Council is May 14. 2003. D.C. The deadline to apply motivate Native American The AAIP's goals are to academic pipeline and pursue a students to remain in the and/or biomedical research. In career in the health professions addition, NNAYI prepares students for admission to college and professional schools; empowers them with effective leadership skills, analytical thinking, and academic proficiency; and develops their awareness of the health status, health care research issues, and policy legislation affecting Native American communities. AAIP will provide the following to participating students: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ A broad perspective on health science and biomedical research An introduction to national health and scientific institutions A national network on Native American health professionals, scientists, role models, and mentors Counseling on academic strengths and weaknesses Information on the demography of Native American populations and diseases affecting Native American communities Information on current health legislation/policy and educational issues affecting the academic and professional progress of Native Americans The program will include workshops on academic and coursework requirements; standardized examinations; application process/financial aid; leadership/communication skills; assertiveness, networking and professional behavior; study and test-taking skills; interactive learning; and time management. Program: The NNAYI program is an intense academic enrichment program consisting of mini-block courses teaching leadership, communication, study and testing skills, plus assertiveness, networking and professional behavior, interactive learning, and time management. Topics will be presented in a series of lectures, field trips, and tutorials. The summer program will inform students of the variety of health careers available to Native American youth. AAIP members, health professionals, and traditional healers will provide special lectures regarding personal experiences toward a health career and the collaboration of western and traditional medicine. Eligibility: Native Americans age 16 to 18 who plan to enter a health career are eligible to apply. Students must have a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA (A=4.0). Only a limited number of students will be accepted. Early application is encouraged. Selection requirements: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ One-page personal statement expressing plans to enter the health professions (double spaced) Current academic transcript ♦ Photograph Completed student data sheet Letter of recommendation from school counselor/teacher Copy of certificate of degree of Indian blood (CDIB) Finances: All expenses will be paid for selected scholars. Individuals should bring extra money for other items (i.e. souvenirs) they may wish to purchase. Important: For applications or additional information, contact AAIP at 405-946-7072 or e-mail Carla Guy at cguy@aaip.com. Mail completed applications to AAIP, 1225 Sovereign Row, Suite 103, Oklahoma City, OK 73108; Fax 405-946-7651. 2QÍ3 rMar20Q£w The purpose of this article is to help everyone understand why the Siletz Tribe has a Siletz Tribal Charitable Contributions Committee and the basis of its composition. In 1987, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Indian tribes could operate gaming free of state regulation in any state that allowed and regulated gaming. The states reacted strongly by trying to prohibit tribes from operating any casino-style gaming. Indian advocates in Congress, however, said such prohibition would be an unwar ranted intrusion on tribal sovereignty. In 1988, the U.S. Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), which basically was a compromise. It declared that IGRA provided “a statutory basis for the operation of gaming by Indian tribes as a means of promoting tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and strong tribal governments.” But it also imposed certain restrictions on the ability of tribes to conduct gaming. For example, IGRA required tribes to negotiate “compacts” with states in order for tribes to operate casino-style gaming. IGRA also required that gaming revenues be allocated for specific purposes, including miscellaneous charities. Specifically regarding the Char itable Contribution Committee issue here, the state of Oregon required that charitable committees include non tribal members. No new casino-style games, such as roulette and craps, would be allowed without agreeing to this charities requirement. The Siletz Tribal Council strongly objected that the state’s demand infringed on the tribe’s sovereignty. Because of the tribe’s position and the state’s refusal to budge, nego tiations on the new compact dragged on for two years. Finally, after agonizing over this critical sovereignty issue, the Tribal Council agreed in order to conduct casino-style games (roulette, craps, and many popular class III table games). While we ultimately agreed to the charities provision and to set up a charitable contributions committee, the Siletz negotiation team succeeded in getting a number of concessions. According to the tribe’s compact, the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribu tions Committee is made up of equal numbers of tribal and non-tribal members. The non-tribal members are composed of one member recom mended by the governor’s office and two from the local community (one each from Lincoln City and Newport). Three tribal members plus one Tribal Council representative also are on the committee. And more importantly, the Siletz charitable committee is only advisory. The Tribal Council retains the final decision-making authority on which entities receive charitable grants. Our compact also expressly allows charitable contributions to be given to tribal and other Indian charities, including national Indian organizations whose work benefits members of the Siletz Tribe. The net revenues earned by Chinook Winds have increased substantially since the new compact was finalized in September 1999. There are, of course, a number of reasons for this increase, but the increased number of machines and casino-style games clearly are a major reason. Finally, it should be pointed out that the seven-member Siletz Tribal Charitable Contributions Committee is strictly a voluntary committee. Its members are not paid, except for mileage to and from meetings. These volunteers have been conscientious in carrying out their very difficult and time consuming responsibilities in the face of limited funds and numerous requests. Committee members have been impartial and have used sound judgment in making their recom mendations to the Tribal Council. We hope this article has helped explain how the charitable provision came into being as part of the Siletz Tribe’s compact, why non-tribal persons have been included as com mittee members, and that the committee and the system have worked very well.
