VICE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
On June 17, the mid-year assembly
of the National Congress of American
Indians (NCAI) convened in Phoenix to
discuss the need for a comprehensive
study of the economic impact of
Indian gaming.
I, along with Chairman Delores
Pigsley and council members Jane John
and Rosemary Landis, attended the
meeting. We were among other tribal
leaders who voiced strong support for
such a study, which will tell the true
story of Indian gaming.
The anti-Indian gaming articles pub
lished by Time magazine in December
2002 have had serious negative conse
quences. They spawned anti-Indian
articles in other national publications.
They’re not only misinforming the gen
eral public, they’ve given fodder to anti-
Indian elements in the U.S. Congress
dedicated to destroying Indian gaming,
tribal rights, and sovereignty.
To the editor:
There is a place where good things
happen, a warm, friendly, safe home
away from home (Tenas Illahee Child
Care Center).
With assistance from friendly staff
(thank you), I toured through the
kitchen right down to the laundry room.
But I must say the pleasure and joy of
the day care rooms was wonderful!
As with any program or project,
there are always areas for improvement
or helping hand hospitality.
Points to ponder:
1.
2.
A refrigerator donation. The one is
packed to the gunnels! A group
donation or a donation jar at the
admin office?
A cookie baker, bread maker, or
extra pair of volunteer hands in
the kitchen.
NCAI and National Indian Gaming
Association (NIGA) members agree that
a major effort is needed to counteract
the emerging anti-Indian gaming and
anti-Indian forces, especially in
Congress. It was decided that a major
study of the economic impact of Indian
gaming is needed and should be con
ducted by a national research firm of
impeccable credibility and reputation.
The John F. Kennedy School of
Government at Harvard University has
been contracted to conduct this national
impact study, which should take two
years to complete at a cost of more than
$1.5 million.
The study is expected to show how,
and to what extent, Indian gaming
impacts not only tribal governments
and tribal people, but also the
surrounding non-tribal communities.
The study should help focus policy
debate away from myths, stereotypes,
3.
4.
5.
6.
Elders, rock-a-bye that special little
person in the nursery. What comes
back to you will be ten-fold.
Play area (waiting to dry out). Call
it a labor of love and schedule a
work party.
Drop off a flower, a tree to plant in
the yard. The outer reflects the inner.
Library nook, donate a book. Win
dows to our world of enlightenment.
Utilizing resources within our
community is cost effective. Our child
care center serves as a testimonial. An
example for duplication in our outer
areas of service where there is need for
just such a center.
The center - clean, bright, nurtur
ing, and secure - is definitely an accom
plishment the tribe can take pride in.
Respectfully submitted,
Eva E. Clayton
Join us at the Siletz Tribal
Office Complex Open House
July 29,2003,4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Lincoln Shore Office Complex, 2120 NW 44th St. Lincoln City
Hosted by:
Siletz Tribal Business Corporation (STBC)
Siletz Tribal Gaming Regulatory Agency (STGRA)
Siletz Gaming Commission
Chinook Winds Casino - Human Resources Dept.
4 v □ j Siletz News
□ July 2093
Jessie Davis
and anecdotes and provide concrete
regionally specific data.
Professor Joseph Kalt of Harvard’s
School of Government said that in
addition to documenting the real
impacts of Indian gaming, “one of the
primary outcomes of this work will be
to drive home the point that Indian
gaming is not an industry, but a group
of sovereign self-governing societies
rebuilding their communities."
The impact study will consist of on
site data collection surveys of 100
reservations, detailed analysis and
economic modeling, and eight in-depth
case studies. Harvard University also
will host symposia covering such
diverse policy issues as regulatory
oversight, economic development and
diversification from gaming, and
intergovernmental relationships.
Because of the negative impacts
surrounding Indian gaming, there’s an
urgency about launching this project
that will generate concrete data and
accurate information from a respected,
credible source.
The Siletz Tribe will be involved
in helping to fund this major project.
To the editor:
I am writing today in order to extend some “thanks” to some certain people
and tribal organizations. Some of these “thanks” are long overdue and I feel a
need to correct this at this time.
First of all, I would like to thank the tribe and all the people who were
responsible for the beautiful Gateway computer I received some time ago. I recently
opened a video rental store in Lincoln City called Golden Bear Video and I must
say that my new computer is a lifesaver.
Secondly, I would like to thank Kathryn and the elders committee for my
beautiful elders jacket that I received shortly after I turned 55 last December. I
really do appreciate it.
Recently, I attended an 11-week class in Siletz, which was for the purpose of
planning and starting a small business. The class was conducted by ONABEN
and was coordinated by Lisa Norton.
Lisa does a very fine job and sometimes I think we overlook or take for
granted the efforts and extra energy that she puts forth toward our education and
welfare. Thank you, Lisa, for a job well done. Many thanks also to the ONABEN
program, which I think is very important to us.
I also want to thank Frank and Tommy for all the time, effort, and energy they
put forth with the salmon distribution up on Government Hill in June. They both
did an excellent job and I know they worked very hard to get the salmon to us and
to make the distribution run as smoothly as possible. Thanks, guys!
I’m sure I have forgotten someone, but I assure you it was not intentional. If
I did, I apologize for the oversight and my many thanks go out to you.
We are very fortunate to have the programs and the benefits that we do, and
we are also very fortunate to have the very competent people who are running
those programs and taking very good care of us. Sometimes we all forget about
these things and the people, or we just take them for granted. Sometimes maybe
we just expect these things.
Anyway, take a little time once in a while and let these people know that you
really do appreciate their efforts and the things they do.
Thank you all!
Speaking Out Loud
George Siniscal