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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2004)
TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS Tribal Members Invited to Training on “Fish Toxics” The Natural Resources Department of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon recently received a grant from the Oregon Department of Human Services to conduct staff training sessions on the impact of fish toxics on tribal health. Tribal members are invited to attend one of these trainings in Salem, Ore., in March. The training sessions are intended to pull together environmental and health employees as well as tribal educators to provide information on the state of the Portland Harbor Superfund Site and the effects of pollutants on tribal members who consume fish from the Willamette River. A panel of ODHS, EPA, and tribal professionals will make PowerPoint presentations, answer questions, and distribute materials on selection, preparation, and cooking of fish to mini mize the impact of toxics on consumers’ health. In turn, training coordinators ask that the attendees share the information presented at the training sessions with their co-workers, clients, and students. Two sessions are tentatively planned for March at Chemawa Indian School, located at 3700 Chemawa Road NE in Salem. One training will be held in the morning and one in the afternoon. The dates and times will be published in the March issue of Siletz News. For more information, contact Tom Downey, environmental protection, at 541-444-8226 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 226. Elders from all areas, staff, and other visitors enjoy the elders dessert that the Salem area office holds each year (photos by Maria Westervelt). Elder Council Meeting Feb. 14,2004 To the editor: We are writing because of issues that have been heard in reference to activities at Siletz Valley School, mainly with the first- and second-grade classrooms. Our daughter, Misty, is the second-grade teacher. She may not be too happy with us when she reads this letter. I’m sure we will feel better for expressing our frustrations. Even in Eugene, we have heard com plaints about Misty and the first-grade teacher having joint activities for their students, such as arts/crafts, Fear Factor parties, etc. By joining activities, they’re able to do more for their classrooms. It may help people understand if they knew the supplies for these Fear Factor parties and many of the activities come out of the teacher’s pockets. The school doesn’t pay for these. They were given money at the beginning of the year. With this we believe they purchased file folders, staplers, paper clips, and misc. startup supplies. In the beginning of the year, parents and grandparents were very supportive and have since stepped back and are no longer assisting in these classrooms be cause of the joint activities, maybe because they have some kind of history with certain families. It’s time to break the cycle. What we need to be thinking of are the students. After all, we’re the adults. We are glad that these teachers are working together. By moving to work 4 □ Siletz News □ in Siletz, Misty has had the opportunity to meet another tribal member and co teacher, as well as the Siletz community. Our suggestion to Misty has been to stop spending her money, but it isn’t our choice. Ultimately, it’s Misty’s choice how she spends her money. We’ve just added up over $400 in receipts that Misty has spent since the beginning of school. Classrooms at Siletz Valley School are in need of donations. They need anything and everything, from glue, glitter, pencils, and crayons. Misty even has us saving toilet paper rolls, not sure why, but we are saving them. If you have anything you might want to donate to the school, they would love to have the donations. We think it’s great the tribe has the charter school and two Siletz Tribal members as teachers. It’s sad that when they voice concerns, they have school board members, who’re also tribal members, consider these teachers as ungrateful tribal members. We like to consider them tribal teachers who have the best interests of their students and yours in mind. Especially since being a tribal teacher was a dream come true for these tribal members, now they have to doubt that decision. Thanks for your time. Dave and Lou Carey February 2004 Chinook Winds Casino & Convention Center 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Sister Francella models her new hat and scarf. Annual Circle of Wisdom Siletz Elder Honor Day April 6, 2004 Chinook Winds Casino & Convention Center For information, please contact Kathryn Dick 1-800-922-1399, ext. 261 541-444-8261 Another Year of Wisdom Happy Birthday! James Battise, 2/2 Arlene Berry, 2/4 Edgar Blair, 2/7 Stephen Brown, 2/1 Reginald Butler, 2/14 Aileen Chiodo, 2/14 Eva Clayton, 2/23 Naomi Crawford, 2/2 La Vetta Cunningham, 2/24 Blanche Downey, 2/24 Everett Downey Sr., 2/20 Tim Downey, 2/9 Deloros Fernandez, 2/25 Terry Fisher, 2/3 Florence Griggs, 2/5 Shirley Hedrick, 2/26 Alice Keene, 2/14 Rosemary Landis, 2/13 Karen McCormick, 2/12 Linda Merrill, 2/3 Katherine Porter, 2/4 Albert Reed, 2/16 Emma Russell, 2/17 Gladys Staggs, 2/24 Arlene Steggell, 2/7 Ronald Smith, 2/8 Donna Woods, 2/1 Roberta Zob, 2/20
