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