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
•
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