LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the editor:
With so much important business
before us, we should all be concerned
that some elected officials are diverting
so much of their (and our) time to efforts
to change our Constitution to impose
limits on members’ rights.
The membership’s right to participate
in elected government is fundamental
to our strength as a tribe. Tribal Court
recently affirmed that barring tribal
member employees (of any tribal
entity) “is tantamount to hunting mice
with an elephant gun.”
However, there are concerns about
tribal employees who are directly
supervised by Tribal Council also serving
on council. But barring all, to address
concerns about a few, isn’t the answer.
Jessie Davis’ recent article (I call it
that, even though it was in the “letters
to the editor” section, because of length
and being bold-titled “In My Opinion”
instead of the customary “To the
editor”) alleges conflicts that will come
from employees serving on council. Her
arguments don’t hold water. I also think
it wasn’t proper for her to address us in
that forum, especially opening with “As
vice chairman.”
It might be better if some of those
involved in creating policy are also
involved in implementing policies.
To the editor:
I’m writing to convey my extreme
appreciation for the photo collection of
regalia, baskets, and artifacts at the
Culture Department office in Siletz.
Special thanks to Mary Dedrick, who
transcribes historical documents from
microfilm to document the real story of
our ancestors and their journey. Also
thanks to Rose Bremner, who used such
painstaking attention for detail to cata
log the photos of these museum pieces.
It’s such a gift to see items from my
tribal lineage that were of my grand
father’s (Henry Picard, Shasta/Modoc/
Pit River) and grandmother’s (Marge
Martin-Lane, Macanotin/Tutuni)
heritage. I’m excited about having
black-and-white copies of these items
so I can create regalia for my boys
and myself.
It’s with much sadness that I offer
my most immense sympathy to the
family of Craig Whitehead. He was
such an asset to our community.
He played an important part in so
many meetings, committees, and
community events. 1 recently attended
an interview with Tribal Council to be
approved as a Gwe-Shut-Naga
(mediator) for our tribe. It was a most
difficult interview because almost every
question was related to the work that
Craig had been doing to help our
community become well.
I also was present at a Commitment
Ceremony for his son, San Poil, and to
this day I try to carry the intent with
me that I made on that day - “to help
San Poil, by doing the work to make
sure this community is safe for him.”
This job of healing and making our
community safe isn’t an easy one. Hopi
elders have a message for us: It is time
to speak your truth. Create your
community. Be good to each other. And
do not look outside yourself for the
leader. The people will feel they are
being tom apart and they will suffer
greatly. At this time in history, we are
to take nothing personally. Least of all,
ourselves. Banish the word struggle
from your attitude and your vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a
sacred manner and in celebration. We
are the ones we’ve been waiting for.
I’d like to think that I “walk this
talk.” I’d appreciate it if people who
have concerns about our community, or
me personally, would let me know when
we can talk. I’m not home a lot because
I travel to other tribal locations, sharing
about work needing to be done, alcohol/
drug/violence prevention, and teaching
ways our culture can help us find our
path. But I’ll be glad to call or e-mail
you if you contact me.
We need more Gwe-Shut-Nagas! If
you can recommend someone, please
call Siletz Tribal Court at 541-444-2532
or 1 -800-922-1399 and they’ll mail an
application. “They-You are the ones
we’ve been waiting for.”
Respectfully,
Lisa Brown
6
□
Siletz News
□
June 2004
Employees have valuable insight into
ideas of change that occasionally role
down from the top.
Too often, some council members
place themselves above the people,
instead of seeing themselves as servants
of the people. Tribal member employees
would help maintain that balance.
Concerns about conflict of interest are
already moot, if people believe in fol
lowing the chain of command and
adhering to the ethics ordinance.
Jessie’s fringe benefits arguments
don’t hold up either. She and other past
and current council members received
fringe benefits with their employment,
whether it’s with the tribe or another
employer. Those elected will be employ
ees while at work and elected officials
while at meetings. Many of our people
serve successfully in multiple roles in
the community; this is no different.
Some say that council duties are
a full-time job. Efficiency, such as
scheduling short meetings on the same
day instead of spreading them out over
several days (racking up mileage, travel
time, and per diem with each short meet
ing), would help. Also, some Tribal
Council members travel to totally unnec
essary meetings, conferences, and events.
Good leadership encourages
service to community and doesn’t put
up barriers. I also feel it’s improper for
our vice chairman to berate the Tribal
Court decision in our tribal newspaper.
Conflicts, abuse of power, checks and
balances? I have strong concerns about
them too, but not from our employees.
I’m also concerned that we’ll
legislate away our ability to elect the
best-suited tribal members to lead us.
Constitutional rights aren’t to be taken
lightly. I hope everyone sends Tribal
Council a strong message with their
vote on this basic constitutional issue.
Please consider voting no on the
proposed amendment.
Very sincerely,
Robert Kentta
TLC Attitudes of Gratitude
Spring is finally here, with a venge
ance. With all the intermittent sun and
rain, all growing things have leaped into
lush pale green, including the grass and
weeds (especially the weeds!). We’re so
grateful to Jackie Ashley and her girls
for taking Saturday time to pull flowerbed
weeds. Now if we can just keep ahead
of the growth spurts.
Thanks to you are also in order to
Sam English of Albuquerque, N.M., for
the donation of two signed art posters.
Sam is an artist of some renown, espe
cially in Indian country. The posters
will be matted and framed to beautify
our living area.
Carol Lowe at the Logsden Store
and the Logsden community came
through again with donations of food
[
CTSI Jobs
CTSI Employment Job Line
|
I
I
I
I
I
I
and cleaning supplies. Marian Stoker
tucked in a couple more bath towels.
We’re well supplied with towels now,
thanks to the generosity of many of you.
And thanks again to all our over
night volunteers, whose dedication
ensures that the TLC is safe and secure.
We couldn’t do it without them! We’re
filled with gratefulness to Selene Rilatos
for her continued support to residents
during the week.
We’ve cleaned up the greenhouse
and have seeds ready to plant. If you have
extra bedding plants or other starts you
want to share, or some extra gardening
tools, give Lynn a call at 541-444-8238
or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1238.
Tip of the month: Use sunscreen!
541-444-8296 or
1 -800-922-1399, ext. 1296
Visit our Web site at
http://ctsi.nsn.us
Note: “Open Until Filled” vacancies
may close at any time. The tribe’s Indian
Preference policy will apply. Tribal
government will not discriminate in
selection because of race, creed, age,
sex, color, national origin, physical
handicap, marital status, politics,
membership or non-membership in an
employee organization.
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
|