Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2003)
NOTICES Community Invited to Participate in Blood Drive Join Chinook Winds Casino & Convention Center employees for what is becoming a tradition. On Sept. 11, Chinook Winds will host a Red Cross blood drive in the Takelma room of the convention center from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. For the past two years, this event has surpassed its goal of collecting 50 units. To reach that goal, at least 75 blood donors are needed. Last year, 59 units were collected and in 2001, 89 units were gathered. While blood donations are always needed, the summer months are traditionally a challenging time for blood centers. During the school year, donations from high school and college students account for approximately 15 percent of Red Cross blood col lections. In the summer, these groups become much more difficult to collect from, even while the need for blood continues. Volunteer blood donations help patients being treated for accidents, routine surgeries, and serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and hemophilia. Anyone who would like to schedule an appointment to donate blood should call Sharon Nelson at 541-994-1761. Breakthrough Book Shatters Stereotypes of American Indians DENVER - The American Indian College Fund and underwriter W.K. Kellogg Foundation have unveiled a new hardbound book that chronicles, with first-person narratives, the tribal college education movement that now enlists 34 colleges in 12 states. These schools, their leaders, and students have revolutionized Indian education and become the best hope for social and economic change in the communities they serve. The “coffee table” book, Real Indians: Portraits of Contemporary Native Americans and America’s Tribal Colleges, provides a look at everyday American Indian life, highlighting 37 people at the forefront of Indian education and dispelling common stereotypes. It takes a heartfelt and personal look at American Indians, allowing readers to meet them, get to know them intimately, and see the world through their eyes. Stunning photographs by highly respected portraitist Andrea Modica of Manitou Springs, Colo., are presented with stirring stories from these educational pioneers. All have had a tie to the tribal college movement and the American Indian College Fund (AICF). “Yes, take a look at the wondrous and surprising details that contradict everything you thought you knew about Indians,” writes acclaimed author Sherman Alexie, a Spokane/Coeur d’Alene Indian, in his introduction to the book. “Look at all of these Native- Americans successfully living on both sides of the hyphen ... Go spend a few minutes with their faces and a few more minutes with their stories. These Indians, and all other Indians, are not who you think they are. They’re not even who they think they are. Every Indian in this book is a mystery, and you’re going to have a good time trying to figure them out.” Included in the book are never- before-published stories like that of Marvin Weatherwax. As a POW in the Vietnam War, he saved his life with the Blackfeet language - today a language kept alive in part by tribal colleges. And hear about the passionate plans Miss South Dakota and ballerina Vanessa Shortbull has to become a lawyer and how her tribal college is making it possible. Copies of the new book are available on-line for $50 each, with each purchase benefiting AICF. The W.K Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Mich., underwrote the book as part of its Native American Higher Education Initiative - the single largest foundation initiative to focus on tribal education. For book excerpts, images, or more information on the book, AICF, or tribal colleges, please visit http:// www.collegefund.org/news/news03/ Reallndianslnfo.shtml State Hires McNevins to Oversee IOWA Program The Oregon Department of Human Services recently hired Mary McNevins as manager of the Indian Child Welfare Act (1CWA) program. McNevins held this position in 1999 and returned Aug. 18. For the past three years, she was the National ICWA director of community development. She will report directly to Ramona Foley, DHS assistant director and head of Oregon’s child welfare system. Foley said McNevins is a well-respected tribal liaison and child welfare advocate with more than 24 years of experience in child protective services. “Mary brings a broad range and extraordinary amount of experience to this role,” said Foley. “Because of her relationships with our tribal partners, her extensive experience in child welfare, and her commitment to the families and children in Oregon, she has become an invaluable asset to our state and our department.” DHS meets quarterly with Oregon's nine Indian tribes to assess their child welfare needs and to work on areas of common interest. These tribes have a population of about 40,000. About 400 Indian children are in state substitute care at any given time. Oregon has operated an ICWA program since the law was passed in 1978. ICWA is a federal statute that governs the placement of Indian children while in voluntary or involuntary out-of-home placement. ICWA is a preemptory law; when ICWA and state law conflict, ICWA takes precedent over state law. “There is no resource more vital to preserving the integrity of Indian tribes than their children,” said McNevins. “DHS must work closely with tribal partners to strengthen and stabilize families through appropriate services, but still recognize the cultural and social standards of the Indian people.” September 2003 □ . Siletz News wftvvvC *2 ♦ .CiV*? □ 15 C ‘-j
