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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2003)
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) held its convention and trade show in Phoenix on April 6-9. It was an opportunity for me and other Tribal Council representatives - Lillie Butler, Reggie Butler, Jane John, and Rosemary Landis - to interact with and learn from other tribes and learn about new gaming-related technologies. The conference theme, “Indian Gaming - the Native American Success Story,” featured panel presentations from tribal leaders representing all regions. I was invited to speak on the topic of “Leadership and Economic Development.” I related how the Siletz Tribe struggled “throughout our history and what we have accomplished,” but I added that “We are not unlike what many tribes have gone through.” I expressed the hope that “we can reflect together on our past, our present, and future - on the leadership experiences that have brought us to where we are today that will help us understand what we must do as leaders to face and deal with the future, not only in regards to economic development, but in regards to all tribal issues.” I talked of the disaster of termination that befell our tribe and how NCAI “understood that termination meant the extinction of tribal sovereignty and of tribes, and of course, any hope for tribal economic development.” It was important, I said, to be reminded that “NCAI leadership crisscrossed the country on a shoestring, mobilized tribes to fight against termination, and lobbied Congress to halt termination. If it had not been for that leadership, more tribes than just Menominee, Siletz, Klamath, and a few others would have been terminated.” “Like other tribes and urban Indians during the 1960s and ‘70s, we Chairman Delores Pigs ley also took advantage of various federal programs available then to address our health, education, alcoholism, and job training needs. However, our early leaders were aware that the solutions to our many problems depended on our being able to address them as a tribe.” I talked about the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin, which was “also terminated but fought successfully, becoming the first to be restored. We learned from them and in 1977, became the second terminated tribe in the country to be restored.” It was an opportunity for me to relate how, since restoration, we’ve had many successes. And I was able to specifically name some of our accomplishments. I also commented that “Leadership requires taking risks. It would be easy if everyone in our tribes agreed with everything we do. Dissent not only comes from outside, but from within and as we tribal leaders know, dissent sometimes gets ugly. But knowing and accepting that is one price of leadership. Leadership also means commitment and at a very practical level, we often miss out on important family events.” I also related a specific case of leadership demonstrated by the Siletz and other Oregon tribes that affects our To the editor: The 2003 Siletz/Toledo Grad Nite Parent Committee would like to send a huge and heartfelt thank you to Sheryl Simmons, Sheila Jordan, and Charlie Black for volunteering their time and energy on the Bingo fund-raiser held on April 12 at the Siletz Tribal Community Center. It was a great success! Thank you! We also would like to thank the Siletz Tribe for letting us hold this activity at the community center and all who attended. The Siletz/Toledo Grad Nite Parent Committee sovereignty and in turn, economic development. I want to take this opportunity to share with you what 1 said. It concerns tribes urged the attorney general that its amicus brief be withdrawn. “Our effort was successful; the amicus brief was withdrawn.” “the case pending before the Supreme Court: Inyo County vs. the Bishop Paiute Tribe, in which the county has attacked tribal sovereignty by invading tribal offices and taking off with confidential tribal documents. “The Oregon state attorney general filed an amicus brief in support of Inyo County. “Alarmed over the AG’s action, the Oregon tribes met with and reminded the staff of the attorney general of the governor’s executive order mandating that state government agencies treat tribes as sovereigns and on a govemment-to-govemment basis. The Although the Supreme Court has not yet rendered a decision on this case, I cited it “as another instance of our tribes exercising leadership, taking action to protect tribal sovereignty and in the process, to help ensure that tribes in Oregon have a right to conduct our enterprises without local government interference.” I ended my presentation by stating that “We know we are not where we should be or want to be. But since restoration, we have learned a great deal about leadership - and know that how leadership is exercised determines how well economic and tribal development is achieved.” To the editor: Hello my brother, my sister, my cousin, all my tribal friends, and fellow tribal members. My name is George F. Siniscal. Some years ago, a dear friend told me that I would make a good tribal leader. He said that in order to do this, I should be on Tribal Council. I pondered this for several years and decided that after retirement, I’d run for Tribal Council. So late last year, I decided I was ready. I sent in my letter and photo, and was ready to be elected. Everyone knows the outcome, of course. I received 155 votes. I really thought this was pretty good for the first time, but what would have happened if I’d really listened to the rest of what my friend had said? His words that I remember ever so well today, “You have to get out there and campaign, let people know who you are.” What would have happened if I’d started campaigning early? So, now its May and I'm starting my election campaign for the 2004 Tribal Council election. Some of you know me. but most of you don’t. Many know my face, but haven't connected the name with the face. I’m going to make an all-out attempt to change that this year. Now. I’m going to tell you what I‘m all about. I believe that when a person has something important to say, people (especially persons in charge) should listen. The statement that’s being made shouldn’t fall on deaf ears’ I became involved with the tribe about 10 years ago and I’ve seen a lot of this in that time. I’d like to try and change that. I’m tired of hearing people say something important to certain people and then watch them be ignored or the person that’s being spoken to simply nods his/her head and doesn’t even hear what’s been said. 1 know this happens because I see many important issues that are never addressed, such as moving ahead. I feel that we’re at a standstill right now and think it's about time we started moving again. I'd like to be the people’s voice! I’d like to hear what you have to say and then make sure that it doesn't fall on deaf ears. I can’t promise that every thing that is said will happen, but I can promise that I'll listen. If something can be done about what you have to say, then Ill do my best to make it happen. At any rate, I want to be your voice! 1’11 be writing letters periodically throughout the year. Keep your eyes open and see what I have to say. I want your votes in 2004! Thanks for listening. Speaks Out Loud, George F. Siniscal P.S. Thank you all again for voting for me this year! May 2003 □ Siletz News □ 3
