LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the editor:
Oregon Coast Community College
had a very busy 2003. In addition to
the OCCC Foundation and the college’s
community partners, the college is
indebted to community members at
large who have stepped forward to
assist Oregon Coast in the past year as
well as to the local citizenry. During the
past year, your community college:
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Started the new nationally-recognized
Aquarium Science Program
Increased student enrollment in
college transfer and professional/
technical classes
Offered a growing number of pre-
Allied Health classes
Pursued (and received) several signif
icant federal, state, regional, local,
and private grants to fund programs
Provided high school students an
opportunity to receive college credits
Trained local middle and high school
teachers in aquarium science
Received grant-funded interactive
video equipment for instruction
between Newport and Lincoln City
Maintained significant partnerships
with Oregon State University,
Hatfield Marine Science Center,
Samaritan Health Services, Oregon
Coast Aquarium, Georgia Pacific,
Siletz Tribe, Oregon Employment
Department, and others
Provided useful training for local
businesses through its Small
Business Development Center
Developed and delivered a college
budget that featured a balanced
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reduction in resources without dispro
portionately affecting students
Survived drastic reductions in
state funding
Re-located the college’s South Center
at a more economical rental rate and
in a more appropriate educational
environment than in its former location
Remodeled the college’s North
Center in the Taft area to accom
modate more students
Facilitated the growth of the col
lege’s foundation, especially in the
areas of endowments and major
gifts for scholarships, equipment,
and capital improvements
In closing, I appreciate the personal
sacrifices made by OCCC faculty, staff,
and students during these challenging
times and ask the community to
approach this upcoming year with
renewed purpose and enthusiasm for a
brighter future through education. We
all have much to do. Thank you for your
continued support of OCCC!
Pat O’Connor, president
Oregon Coast Community College
Lincoln County
To the editor:
I recently received a letter from a
member of another Oregon tribe who
read my previous letter in our tribal news
paper. His words touched my heart.
He thanked me for sharing the things
I’ve done to develop an awareness of
the conditions facing tribal members
who are in correctional institutions.
He also shared his feelings and what
he believed was happening ... “If the
tribal governments were to step up
programs for incarcerated Native
Americans, it would benefit all the
tribal communities. Assistance in the
transitional period is definitely needed.”
He mentioned that “approaching prison
officials as well as tribal officials would
prove beneficial, but that securing funding
for the programs is the biggest obstacle.”
He said, “As a Native American
prisoner, my biggest fears about my
release are - Where will I stay? What
about a job? Alcohol and drug counsel
ing? For me to be successful, I do need
assistance and support from my family
and community. Lots of it. It’s like there
are plenty of ideas and solutions, however,
only a few answers and good results. I
came to prison pretty much with a
broken spirit, sad and depressed. I’ve
learned about traditional ceremonies
that have strengthened my heart, mind,
and spirit, but I fear my release back
into a fairly non-supportive community.”
So here I am again, asking you -
tribal members and officials — would
you take the time to share in our tribal
newspaper the following information
Send letters to:
' Siletz News
P.O. Box 549
Siletz, OR 97380-0549
541-444-8291 or
1-800-922-1399, ext. 291
Fax: 541-444-2307
E-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us
Deadline for the March issue is
Feb. 10. Submission of articles and
photos is encouraged. Please read the
Passages Policy on page 24 when
submitting items for Passages.
Member of the Native American
Journalists Association
2
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Siletz News
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February 2004
(even a paragraph detailing your
opinion would be helpful) on what’s
being done to bridge the gap that exists.
What programming do we have in
place to help our members and their
families? What kind of networking is
being done to utilize already existing
programming? What portion of casino
profits is allocated to this need?
Where’s the question in the survey
instrument that identifies the need, so
we can create the reason to write a grant
to develop a program to help modify
the behaviors that led our tribal
members to be in this position?
Thank you for your time and
awareness of this important issue. If you
have suggestions or knowledge of how
our tribe is working to find solutions,
please share with the membership. No
more secrets. If it doesn’t work, be
honest about it so we can focus on
possible resources or solutions. That’s
how we can rectify past mistakes!
In closing, I’d like to urge you to
consider voting for Laurie Brown-
Godfrey in our upcoming tribal
election. I believe she’s an individual
who’s committed to helping tribal
members address obstacles and fulfill
their right to become self-sufficient.
She’ll be honest and direct and will
listen with an open mind.
Respectfully,
Lisa Brown
RO. Box 586
Siletz, OR 97380
nadosh2@yahoo.com
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I members - call the Enrollment
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