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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2004)
NOTICES Nominations Due for 2004 Buffett Award for Indigenous Leadership Former POWs and Surviving Spouses Should Seek VA Benefits There are 36,500 living former prisoners of war (POWs) in the U.S. today. Only about 21,000 of them are receiving compensation for their injuries, diseases, and illnesses incurred or aggravated during their military service. Thousands of America’s former POWs may be eligible for U.S. Depart ment of Veterans’ Affairs (federal VA) benefits, but have not applied for them. They may not be aware that recent legislation may make them and their dependents eligible for VA compensation. “I am concerned that there are many former POWs and surviving spouses of POWs who are out there suffering in silence, when in fact, they could be entitled to benefits and services that could improve their quality of life,” stated Jim Willis, director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “We need to reach these individuals and encourage them to contact the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs.” Former POWs, whether or not they have service-connected disabilities, are eligible for VA hospital and nursing home care without regard to their ability to pay. While former POWs are receiv ing treatment in an approved outpatient treatment program, they are eligible for needed medications, eyeglasses, hearing aids, prostheses, and needed dental care. If you or someone you know is a former POW or the surviving spouse of a POW who is not currently in receipt of VA benefits, please contact the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs at 1 -800-692-9666 or your local county Veterans’ Service office. Celebrate National Historic Preservation at Fort Hoskins “New Frontiers in Preservation” is the theme of the weeklong celebration that has been sponsored annually by the National Trust for Historic Preservation since 1971. Every community has a spirit of place that identifies it as special and unique. It may be a building or a monument or a street, a public square or a stretch of lakeshore or a view of distant mountains. It sets the community apart from every other. It attracts tourists, contributes to the area’s stability and livability, and gives residents a sense of connection with their shared heritage. As part of National Historic Preserva tion activities in 2004, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon will participate in tours of the Fort Hoskins Historic Park in Benton County on May 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Robert Kentta, Cultural Resources director, will be one of the speakers at the picnic shelter. Informal walking tours along the interpretive trail will follow. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the park. Fort Hoskins was established in 1856 and was one of three forts (including Fort Yamhill and Fort Umpqua) built to monitor the newly established Coast (Siletz) Reservation. It also was closely associated with the military post at the Siletz Agency known as the Siletz blockhouse. Fort Hoskins is the first of the three to be developed into a park site. The Hoskins/Kings Valley origi nally belonged to the Luckiamute band of the Kalapuya Indians, who ceded it to the United States under the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855. Benton County purchased the main part of the original fort reserve with the intent of creating a historic park. The fort is part of the Siletz Tribe’s hunting and gathering areas recognized under agreement with the state. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, chartered by Congress in 1949, is a private, non-profit organiza tion with more than a quarter million members. It provides leadership, education, and advocacy to save America’s diverse historic places and revitalize communities. The National Trust has six regional offices and 20 historic sites and works with thousands of local community groups nationwide. For more information, visit the National Trust’s Web site at www.nationaltrust.org. PORTLAND, Ore. - Ecotrust is accepting nominations for the 2004 Buffett Award for Indigenous Leader ship until Aug. 1, 2004. The Buffett Award is a recognition program funded by the families of Peter and Howard Buffett to honor outstand ing indigenous individuals in conserva tion and community development. An individual whose activities demonstrate durable qualities of leadership to improve the social, economic, political, and environmental conditions in their homelands will receive a $25,000 cash award. Four additional finalists will each receive a $2,500 cash award. Eligible individuals are: 1) Alaska Native village, First Nation or tribal members; 2) over 35 years of age; and 3) who have worked, or are working, with an indigenous organization, tribal or First Nation government or com munity within the Pacific salmon territory of North America. Guidelines and a nomination letter template for the Buffett Award are available at www.ecotrust.org/ buffettaward/. For additional infor mation, contact Elizabeth Woody at 503-467-0751, liz@ecotrust.org, or Ecotrust, 721 NW Ninth Ave., Suite 200, Portland, Oregon 97209. The 2004 Buffett Award for Indigenous Leadership will be presented Nov. 30, 2004, at Ecotrust’s Natural Capital Center located in Portland. The ceremony will take place in the Billy Frank, Jr. Conference Center. The recipient’s attendance is expected. Ecotrust will cover travel, lodging, and related expenses for only the one awardee and four finalists. The BufTett Award has had its support generously extended into the future by the Buffett family because of the program’s success. It intends to provide resources for development and transfer of knowledge in indigenous commun ities. The recipient will use the cash award for professional development, program development, personal research, and traditional activities. In 2003, Agnes Pilgrim was a finalist for the Buffett Award, as was David R. Hatch in 2001. In addition to the Buffett Award, Ecotrust provides a variety of other programs and services to tribes, First Nations, and Alaska Natives through its Native Programs. Ecotrust is writing and publishing, in collaboration with Klamath Tribes, Klamath Heartlands: A Guide to the Klamath Reservation Forest Manage ment Plan. Other programs include development of native youth leadership opportunities through outdoor educa tion, education and curriculum development, and developing markets for tribally caught wild salmon and tri bally harvested sustainable forest products. Founded in 1991 and based in Port land, Ecotust is a non-profit organi zation working with individuals, organizations, businesses, agencies, and tribes along the Pacific Coast of North America to build Salmon Nation, a place where people and wild salmon thrive. For more information about Ecotrust and the Buffett Award finalist, visit www.ecotrust.org. । WHO: | | | | | | I Siletz Tribe, Benton County Natural Areas & Parks Department, Fort Hoskins Advisory Committee WHAT: Spring Tour of Fort Hoskins Historic Park WHEN: May 22, 2004, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. WHERE: Fort Hoskins Historic Park WHY: To celebrate National Preservation 2004, sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation DIRECTIONS: From 1-5 - Take Exit 228 to Corvallis. Turn left on 4th Street | in downtown Corvallis. Follow Highway 20/34 signs to Philomath | and Newport. After Philomath, turn right on Highway 223 to I Kings Valley. Fort Hoskins signs will direct you to the park. I From Highway 101 - Take Highway 20 toward Corvallis. I Turn left onto Highway 223 to Kings Valley. Fort Hoskins I signs will direct you to the park. v------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ) May 2004 q SUet? □ 21 .
