LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the editor:
My name is Christopher Ben. I am
writing because I’ve been thinking hard
about one thing that really bothers me,
even makes me disgusted and sad.
A while ago, there was an elders
woodcut. It really made me mad when
I got there with my family and a friend
and found out there were more elders
there than young people.
My friend was trying to learn more
about his heritage as an Indian and I am
serving as a mentor. When we got out of
our vehicle, me at age 24 and him at age
20, we were the youngest people there.
I did not mind working and in fact,
1 enjoyed it. It made me feel good. But
there should be no reason for elders to
be out there cutting, splitting, hauling,
and stacking wood for other elders.
We as younger people are supposed
to take care of our elders. They need
wood for winter. They put in their time
taking care of their families and 1 would
have thought there would have been
more young people out there helping.
We all have grandparents, parents,
aunts, and uncles who need wood. It is
our job as young people to take care of
them because they were the ones to take
care of us when we needed taking care
of and are here to help us keep our heri
tage and culture alive.
I just hope that on the next elders
woodcut day, there will be more young
people out there helping our elders.
Christopher Ben
To the editor:
I have received a couple of letters
(as I’m sure most have) asking me to
vote yes on a special election to change
the Constitution so you can’t work for
the tribe and be on the council and I
was surprised to see some who had
signed this.
I really don’t understand why we
are having this election. Who is paying
the postage and etc.? (I hope not me.)
Do you think because someone who
works for the tribe could not make a
rational decision? Also, I think it is an
insult to the judge suggesting he doesn’t
know enough about the law that he
couldn’t make a fair decision.
At the next council election, I know
why I’m not voting the same! If they
don’t like the laws, then we will just
change them (no matter what the cost).
We need someone who can work to
gether in a peaceful manner.
Sincerely,
Wanda Melton
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To the editor:
I am very proud of receiving
my 35-year pin from The Westin
Hotel Seattle.
I am still working and loving
my job. Every day I appreciate my
life and thank God for everyone. I
am truly blessed!
Yours truly,
Diana V. Jacobs
PS - I wonder if 1 am the only
Native American to accomplish this
in The Westin chain (Starwood Ho
tels). I know I am at The Westin I
work at.
Diana Jacobs (right) at the
awards ceremony
To the editor:
On Sept. 21, Doni and I had the
privilege of being with the Siletz del
egation in the procession marking the
opening of the National Museum of the
American Indian in Washington, D.C.
Doni wore a shawl made especially
for her that honored her as Rosebud
Sioux. Thanks to my good friend, Bud
Lane, I was in traditional regalia that
marked the importance of the occasion.
No matter what our associations
with the Siletz have been, or may be in
the future, those hours spent in celebra
tion on the National Mall with our Siletz
friends were special and Doni and I al
ways will feel honored and grateful for
having been included.
I hope no one thinks it inappropri
ate for non-Siletz members to march
with the Siletz delegation, especially in
regalia made by a Siletz. Karuk tradi
tional dress, in many respects, is virtu
ally identical to the Siletz and Bud was
careful to ensure that both tribes’ tradi
tions were respected.
Moreover, as we made our way
along with thousands of tribal people
sharing, in pride and friendship, a high
light of modem American Indian his
tory, none of us could forget that we all
shared, in some way, the entire history
of American Indians.
On Tuesday, Sept. 21,2004, at least
for that day, in that setting, we were all
proud brothers and sisters.
Respectfully and with thanks,
LeRoy Wilder
541-444-8291 or
1-800-922-1399, ext. 1291
Eax: 541-444-2307
E-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us
Deadline for the December issue
is Nov. 10. Submission of articles and
photos is encouraged. Please read the
Passages Policy on page 24 when
submitting items for Passages.
J. ................
Please note: The general man-
ager of the Siletz Tribe is the editor-
in-chief of Siletz News.
2
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Siletz News
• •
Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner
Editor: Diane Rodriquez
Assistant: Natasha Kavanaugh
November 2004
. . .
Member of the Native American
Journalists Association
Don't forget the
27th Anniversary
Restoration Celebration
Nov. 20, 2004
Chinook Winds Casino Resort
See agenda on page 5.
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