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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2004)
VICE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT During the 51s1 Annual Conference of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI), I chaired the Commit tee on Indian Gaming and presented, on Sept. 28, the committee’s report to the general assembly. Representatives from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana gave area updates. The recurring theme was the threat to Indian gaming posed by current activities within each state. In addition to giving an update on national Indian gaming issues, Harold Monteau, former chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, provided information about Indian gaming in California. (Although Cali fornia is not a member of ATNI, what is happening in that state is being looked at with great concern by tribes across the country.) Thus far, the California governor has gotten eight tribes to sign compacts giving up significant percentages of their gaming revenues to the state, contrary to the very purpose of Indian gaming as articulated in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Computer Training Available The Siletz Tribe is providing the opportunity for tribal members to take online computer classes at your own pace and in your own home. The tribe has purchased a limited number of training subscriptions to a company called MySkilSource. More than 200 different types of computer programs can be learned. In order to enroll, you must be an enrolled tribal member, have Internet access (the tribe does not provide Internet access), and you must send an e-mail to tinar@ctsi.nsn.us. You will be registered for the classes and notified about how to ac cess the program. From there, you just log on when you have time and decide which programs you would like to learn. Class opportunities include Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and many other popular software programs. Again, you work at your own pace and individual modules allow you to return to the program for a refresher. For the state of Washington, Marty Lesch reported on an initiative that would allow convenience stores, delis, restaurants, lounges, and similar retail ers to operate gaming machines exactly as operated by Indian casinos. It would entitle retailers to have, in total, the same total number of machines operated by Indian tribes. Lesch stated that because the ini tiative was designed to provide prop erty tax relief, the general public was looking upon it favorably, although it would have a serious, adverse impact on Indian gaming in the state of Wash ington. (By the time this issue of Siletz News is published, you will know how Washington voters have decided this important issue.) As chairman of the Oregon Gam ing Alliance, I reported that all nine Oregon tribes are now members of the Vice Chairman Jessie Davis alliance. I stated that the alliance ad dresses issues that commonly affect all Oregon tribes while recognizing and respecting the individual issues of each member tribe. I also reported on the anti-Indian gaming activities of PACT (People Against a Casino Town), which has filed lawsuits against the state of Oregon contending that Oregon’s governor has no authority to sign gaming compacts. PACT’S ultimate objective, of course, is to destroy Indian gaming and it is contending that Oregon casinos are prohibited according to the state’s constitution. Although unsuccessful in its initial efforts, PACT recently re ceived a donation of $35,000 from an Arizona-based group called the Alli ance Defense Fund, enabling it to con tinue its campaign against Indian gaming in the courts. The committee also introduced a resolution on the California issue to protect tribal sovereignty, which was adopted by the general assembly. Nuu-wee-ya’ 27th Anniverary Restoration Celebration (our words) Introduction to the Athabaskan Language Chinook Winds Casino Resort Nov. 20, 2004 11 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Noon 12:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 6 p.m. Events all day Open to tribal members of all ages Opening Remarks Invocation - Siletz Royalty Welcome address Guest Speakers Blanket Drawing Entertainment: Williams & Ree Blanket Drawing Buffet Luncheon Blanket Drawing Recognition of Special Guests Closing Prayer Pow-Wow Grand Entry Siletz Siletz Tribal Community Center Nov. 9-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 7-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Portland Portland Area Office Nov. 8-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 6-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Salem Salem Area Office Nov. 1 - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 14-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Culture Room with displays and tribal video; pow-wow vendors Eugene Eugene Area Office Nov. 3-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tribal Holidays All tribal offices will be closed on the following days: Nov. 11 - Veterans Day Nov. 18 - Restoration Day Nov. 25 - Thanksgiving Day For more information, contact Bud Lane at the Siletz Cultural Department at 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1320, or 541-444-8320, or e-mail budl@ctsi.nsn.us. Nov. 26 - Day After Thanksgiving Day November 2004 • Siletz News • 5
