Siletz news /, February 01, 2005, Page 3, Image 3

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Tribal Involvement in
Political Process
As you all know, we recently went
through a number of very important
national, state, and local elections. By
the time this issue of Siletz News is pub­
lished and distributed, we will be head­
ing into the Siletz general election.
I believe that all these recent elec­
tions brought home to us how important
they are and how important it is for us,
as a tribe and as individual citizens, to
be involved in the political process.
At the federal level, the U.S. Con­
gress has a solemn obligation to fulfill
its treaty and other obligations to Indi­
ans. We have learned through bitter
historical experience, however, that Con­
gress often has not lived up to its treaty
and other obligations to Indian tribes.
The extent to which Congress ful­
fills these obligations depends not only
on how well our legislators understand
Indian tribes and Indian issues and on
their good will, but also on how effec­
tively we on the tribal side can com­
municate and work with our legislators.
In Oregon, we have had congres­
sional representatives who were willing
to learn and be supportive. Sen. Mark
Hatfield, of course, comes immediately
to mind. Some current members of
Congress also are supportive, among
them Sen. Gordon Smith, who has not
only been named chairman of the Senate
Committee on Aging, but also serves on
the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.
With the retirement of Sen. Ben
Nighthorse Campbell and the withdrawal
of Sen. Daniel Inouye from the Senate
Indian Affairs Committee - who have
We also discussed with the senator
two important technical amendments,
one involving fee-to-trust and the other
the handling of timber sales funds. As
many of you may know, the fee-to trust
process is fraught with many obstacles.
The proposed technical amendment
would give us a more efficient process
for taking land into trust, especially for
the tribe to meet such critical tribal needs
as housing and economic development.
Services for Members
Outside the Service Area
Chairman Delores Pigsley
served with commitment and distinc­
tion as strong Indian advocates - the
committee will be somewhat less effec­
tive than we have known it to be in the
past. We are very fortunate to be able
to still count on the support of Sen. John
McCain and Sen. Inouye in the Senate.
We also are fortunate that Sen.
Smith has been demonstrating a keen
interest in Indian issues and has actu­
ally been instrumental in assisting tribes
with the funding of important Indian
projects. As a member of the Senate
Indian Affairs Committee and chairman
of the Senate Committee on Aging, Sen.
Smith can be a very influential and im­
portant advocate for tribes.
At the meeting with Sen. Smith on
Jan. 12, most Oregon tribes contributed
funds to show our early support for his
re-election. We took the opportunity to
discuss with the senator critical issues
involving the funding needs of health
and education programs and services.
In December, the Tribal Council held
a community meeting in Brookings,
Ore., with many tribal members from
that area in attendance.
Program managers were present to
review programs and services that are
available for those members who reside
outside of the 11-county service area.
Because many in attendance live out­
side the service area and therefore are
not eligible for certain programs under
the Indian Health Service, the staff did
an excellent job of identifying parallel
services that can be obtained in the sur­
rounding communities. There also are
members who live outside the area,
however, who travel a great distance to
obtain services at our clinic and other
departments in Siletz.
The meeting was an opportunity for
us to meet new members, as well as to
renew acquaintance with members we
already know.
Meeting with Willamette
National Forest; Craig
Whitehead recognized
In early December, the tribe held
its annual meeting with managers of the
Willamette National Forest. These an­
nual meetings are held to review the
memorandum of understanding we
have with the forest service.
On this occasion, Dallas Emsch,
district manager, presented a plaque in
memory and appreciation of Craig
Whitehead, who worked closely with
the forest service over the past several
years on cultural matters.
Craig’s family was present to re­
ceive the plaque and to hear the tribute
that was paid to him for his service. The
tribe also received a plaque in recogni­
tion of the cooperative relationship the
Willamette National Forest has with the
Siletz Tribe.
At this meeting, Bud Lane and
Robert Kentta discussed the issues in­
volved in gathering basketry material,
specifically hazel sticks. Bud brought
a collection of baskets that he has made
to show forestry officials what the end
products look like.
He also displayed bunches of bas­
ketry material that he had gathered in
preparation for weaving. These helped
give forest service officials a better
understanding of the need for good
quality materials that are necessary to
create traditional basketry.
Tribal Election Deadlines
Dec. 22, 2004, 4 p.m.
Deadline to file for candidacy
Deadline to submit a photo and/or candidate’s
statement for inclusion in the Tribal Voter’s Pamphlet
Dec. 27, 2004, 4 p.m.
Deadline to withdraw name from candidacy and
not have your name appear on the ballot
Week of Jan. 3-7, 2005
Absentee ballots mailed out
Jan. 8, 2005, Noon
Candidate’s Fair, Siletz Tribal Community Center
Jan. 14, 2005'
If you do not receive your ballot via mail by this
date, please contact the tribal election director
Jan. 28, 2005, 4 p.m.
Deadline to request a mail-in ballot
Feb. 5, 2005,9 a.m.-4 p.m. In-person voting at Siletz Tribal Community Center
Feb. 5, 2005, 4 p.m.
Deadline for returning absentee ballots
Feb. 6, 2005, 1 p.m.
Special Tribal Council Meeting - Swearing-in
Ceremony and Election of Officers
February 2005
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Siletz News
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