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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2005)
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 27*h Anniversary Restoration Celebration In a sense, time is rapidly ticking away - it’s already 27 years since the Siletz Tribe was restored as a federally recognized tribe. On Nov. 20, at our 27th Restoration Celebration at Chinook Winds, former Gov. Vic Atiyeh was a principal speaker, reminiscing with us about the events of 27 years ago. How appropriate it was for him to be with us on that occasion. After all, Gov. Atiyeh froze with all of us on that wintry day 27 years ago to celebrate the resto ration of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. He said how grateful he was “to have been part of your history.’’ We must always remember that it was Gov. Atiyeh who was the spirit behind the formation of the Oregon Legislative Committee on Indian Ser vices, which is a viable entity even to day that has gained national recognition as a model of state-tribal relations. It was Gov. Atiyeh’s leadership in the Oregon Legislature that led not only to the creation of the commission, but also eventually to former Gov. John Kitzhauber’s executive order that recog nized the sovereignty of tribes and man dated that state agencies deal with tribes on a govemment-to-govemment basis. From the standpoint of the long history of the Siletz Tribe, even before the historical period about which Robert Kentta spoke so eloquently to us again, the 27 years since Siletz Restoration is, in reality, just a brief snapshot of our history. So, the accomplishments about which both Gov. Atiyeh and Regional BIA Director Stan Speaks spoke about in glowing terms are remarkable in that they occurred in such a short period of time. Chairman Delores Pigsley They both referred to the strong leadership that brought us to where we are today. Stan stated that the Siletz Tribe has gained recognition “across Oregon and across the nation.’’ He gave credit to the Siletz Tribe for having strengthened its economic base, having opened job opportunities, and for giv ing support to the city, county, and state. He referred to the Siletz Tribe as a self-governance tribe, a sovereign na tion within a sovereign, and commented on the fact that the Siletz Tribe has re tained its culture while “stepping out in society.” He envisioned the Siletz Tribe becoming even more educated, self-sufficient, and reaching out to help others. He then predicted, “Twenty-seven years from now, you will look back and be surprised at what you have accomplished.” Earlier in this article, I commented that the past 27 years seem like a snap shot of the Siletz Tribe’s long and an cient history. In that sense, then, the next 27 years will be here before we know it - another snapshot of our history. I’m confident Stan is right. With the kind of vision and determination we had during the past 27 years that brought us to where we are today, we will ac complish amazing things in the next quarter century! The Restoration Celebration was again filled with wonderful activities: the craftsmen and artists exhibiting and selling their beautiful wares; the pow wow, especially the moving traditional dances performed by the Apache youth from Chemawa; the tiny preschoolers who entertained us with songs that they sang with gusto; and of course, the wonderful buffet for all our guests. The master of ceremonies’ duties this year were capably carried out by Nick Sixkiller, who has been on the education staff of the Siletz Tribe for several years. We appreciate the work he has done not only in education, but also for serving as MC for our Restora tion Celebration as well as our pow-wow. At this year’s celebration, the Tribal Council also recognized Hiroto Zakoji (better known as Zak), who has been a consultant for the tribe for many years. Prior to being a consultant, Zak worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in many capacities. He worked within the com munities at Wounded Knee, on the Kla math River, and in other areas when issues were extremely difficult to work toward a compromise. Zak has had a great relationship with our tribe over the many years. He was loaned to us by the BIA to serve as our general manager for a period of time. We appreciate all the work he has done for our tribe and also the lifetime commitment he made to assist Indian tribes nationally. Zak retired Dec. 31, 2004, and we wish him well. He will be greatly missed. On behalf of the Siletz Tribal Coun cil, I want to thank Tina Retasket and Rosemary Landis, who helped put together this successful Restoration Celebration. We also had lots of volun teers, too numerous to mention, who helped transport items and stuff gift bags - a big thank you to them. 2005 Standing Committee Applications Due ■ I Deadline for consideration for 2005 committees is Jan. 31, 2005 ■ ■ Any serving on committee a two-year I term form return to prior I 31, considered ■ mail to Tribes I Attn: Executive 549, I 97380-0549; 541-444-8325. « I No: ■ j j j ) tribal member interested in a for must fill out the following and it the address below to Jan. 2005, to be for the following committees. Please or fax your application Confederated of Siletz Indi ans, Secretary to Tribal Council, P.O. Box Siletz, OR Fax: Name: Roll Address:____________________________________________________________ City: State: ZIP Telephone: Day ( ) Evening ( Choose the first, second, and third choice of committees you are request- ing by numbering your preference 1,2, 3 in the space provided. If you only want to request one committee, please indicate this by inserting the number 1. To the editor: A special thank you for the support Reggie Sr. and I have received as Tribal Council members this past year. We wish to each tribal member a Merry Christmas and good coming year. God be with you and your families in the coming year. We also encourage each eligible voter to vote for the Tribal Council positions. Reggie and Lillie Butler I I I Committee appointments are for a two-year term. I_ Committee ____ Committee I_ Resources Committee ____ Pow-Wow Committee I Committee Budget i Committee (one-year appointment) I Council will review applications and approve appointments at the I Regular in February 2005. If have any questions, I call Tami Trish Carey at Education Natural Health Cultural Heritage Housing Committee Tribal Tribal Council meeting please Miner or you 1-800-922-1399 or 541-444-2532. January 2005 • Siletz News • 3
