CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Siletz Veterans Attend
National World War II
Memorial
On May 29, 2004, during the
Memorial Day weekend, a major
celebration was held on the National
Mall in Washington, D.C., to dedicate
the National World War II Memorial in
honor of all veterans who served during
that war.
Congress authorized the memorial
in 1993, about 40 years after the end of
World War II. Construction began in
September 2001. This war is the only
20th century event commemorated on
the mail’s central axis.
According to the American Battle
Monuments Commission, the memorial
“honors all veterans of the war, the
citizens on the home front, the nation
at large, and the high moral purpose and
idealism that motivated the nation’s call
to arms.”
Six Siletz veterans - Ken Hatch,
Buck Downey, Eddie Collins, Ed Ben,
Alfred Lane Jr., and Calvin Van Pelt -
accompanied by their spouses and or
attendants represented the Siletz Tribe
at the dedication. Bud Lane and I also
attended for the Siletz Tribal Council.
The bravery and patriotism of
American Indians is demonstrated by
the fact that historically, more Indians
per capita have served in the U.S. Armed
Forces than any other ethnic group, a
large number of whom were volunteers.
We’re happy and proud that our
veterans, representing our tribe, were
able to participate in this historic event.
ATNI
During May 17-20, the Siletz Tribe
hosted the Affiliated Tribes of North
west Indians (ATNI) at Chinook Winds.
ATNI’s membership includes most
Northwest tribes. It deals with a wide
spectrum of issues, focusing primarily
on the Northwest, although it’s actively
involved with the National Congress of
American Indians and the National Indian
Gaming Association when we’re con
fronted with burning national issues.
On May 17, as is customary, the
first session was set aside for the host
tribe. The session included words of
welcome by Mayor Lori Hollingsworth
of Lincoln City.
Robert Kenttä provided important
information about the history of our
tribe, followed by an Elders Panel of
Chairman Delores Pigsley
Rosemary Landis, Jane John, and
JoAnn Miller. David Hatch, now a
recognized authority on sea otters,
spoke on behalf of the organization
dedicated to the preservation and
protection of sea otters, the Elahka
Alliance. Jessie Davis provided a
profile of the economic development
efforts of the Siletz Tribe.
Testimony Before
Administration on Aging
At an Administration on Aging meet
ing in Rapid City, S.D., in April, I provided
testimony on Siletz elder care issues.
I began by stating how increasingly
important it’s become to collaborate
with the Administration on Aging,
Indian Health Service, HUD, USDA,
Medicare, Medicaid, the BIA, and
others to address issues in health care,
housing, diet and nutrition, transporta
tion, and social service needs.
I stated that the tribe operates a small
ambulatory health clinic and contract
service program, both of which are
grossly underfunded to meet the health
care needs of our population. The last
several years of funding for specialty
or referred care has been exhausted, or
nearly so, months before the end of the
fiscal year.
I pointed out that when this occurs,
only patients at risk of life or limb
(designated as priority I) receive such
care, and even then it may be delayed.
As for Medicaid, continued funding
decreases to states and uncertainty
regarding Medicaid reimbursements are
reducing the number of providers
willing to care for our patients.
I spoke about the Medicare Pre
scription Drug Improvement and
Modernization Act of 2003. Although
it didn’t meet the expectations of many
aging organizations, we see this as a
first step in addressing tribal health care
needs. We look forward to working
closely with the Center for Medicare
and Medicaid as this legislation is
implemented.
As for housing, the Indian Health
Service doesn’t fund long-term care.
Many Siletz elders live far below the
poverty level, some in deplorable
conditions, but are reluctant to leave
their homes.
The tribe is only able to meet a
limited number of requests from tribal
elders each year. Our current housing
plan allocated funding for replacement
housing of four elders homes.
Unfortunately at this rate, the majority
of tribal elders will continue to reside
in sub-standard housing unless
additional funds can be legislated
through HUD.
In the areas of diet and nutrition,
transportation, and social services, I
stated that the Siletz Tribe is doing what
it can to meet those and other unmet
needs of our elders from limited tribal
funds and will continue to do so. But
we’re counting on help from adequate
and meaningful federal appropriations.
We’re fortunate in having gaming
revenues that help meet some of our
tribal needs. Unfortunately, our elders
are only a part, though a very significant
part, of our tribe. We have health,
education, housing, and other unmet
needs of our general tribal population
that also must be addressed with the
very limited resources available to us.
We’re honored to participate and gifted
Sen. Inouye with a Siletz blanket.
Most of Oregon’s nine tribes were
represented at the dinner held at the
Hilton in Portland, Ore. Former
Governor Vic Atiyeh, a member of the
museum’s Board of Directors, served
as the master of ceremonies. Council
members Dave Hatch, Bud Lane, and 1
attended this event.
Annual Student Gathering
The Annual Student Gathering is an
event that honors our college-graduating
seniors as well as all students attending
college and vocational schools. It’s
sponsored by our tribe.
We’re proud of the fact that the
number of tribal members going on to
higher education has steadily increased.
In this day and age, education is of utmost
importance not only for the skills and
knowledge to be able to compete in the
job market, but also to better understand
and live constructively in the complex
world in which we live.
The tribe is committed to providing
at least the tuition and books for every
tribal student who has the desire to
pursue his/her education. We’re also
proud of our tribal staff and the parents
who provide the motivation and
assistance to our young members.
Tribal Council members Rosemary
Landis, Reggie Butler, Lillie Butler,
Dave Hatch, and I participated in this
year’s gathering in Siletz.
Tribes Honor Sen. Inouye
At a dinner sponsored by the Warm
Springs Museum, Sen. Daniel Inouye
was honored for his dedicated service
to Indian people while on the Senate
Indian Affairs Committee.
Inouye was instrumental early on
in preventing legislation that was
detrimental to Indian tribes and in
creating and sponsoring legislation
beneficial to Indian tribes and their
members. Reflective of his advocacy of
tribal sovereignty, he has urged tribes
to take a strong governmental posture
and act like sovereigns.
Though personally opposed to
gambling, Inouye was consistently a
strong advocate of Indian tribes’
sovereign right to engage in gaming and
fought in Congress to protect that right.
J|Mne 2004 □
Siletz News
□
3