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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2005)
TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS To the editor: I would like to thank everyone who supported me by your vote in this past election. I appreciate the time and ef fort you took to vote. I have enjoyed being your council representative over the past 16 years. I am proud of the accomplishments of the tribe that I have been a part of during this time. Thanks for the opportunity to serve. Dan VanOtten and the rest of the Election Board did an excellent job this year. At first when I found out we were going to electronic voting, I was very skeptical, but all of that went away once Nuu-wee-ya’ I saw how the process went. All of you did a great job! (our words) I wish the new council well in the coming year. There are a lot of issues Introduction to the Athabaskan Language on the horizon in the tribe’s struggle to preserve our sovereignty. The new eco nomic impact study completed by EcoNorthwest for the tribe will help in educating the public on what a positive impact the tribe is to not only our mem Open to tribal members of all ages Siletz Salem Siletz Tribal Community Center March 14-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 12-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Salem Area Office March 15-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 6-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Portland Eugene Portland Area Office March 8-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 11-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eugene Area Office March 7-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 4-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. bers, but also to the local community and the state at large. Sincerely, Jessie Davis «a r in To the editor: I hope my voice can be heard by the people of the Suletsi Nndaye (Siletz Relations). I’m a prisoner of the state of Oregon and tribal member. There has been an ongoing issue that should be addressed in a good way. I personally think as Native peoples, we can do much more to change this in a positive way. I’ve been seeing, talked to, and ex perienced that a lot of brothers and sis ters throughout the iron walls of Suletsi blood face a common problem within our tribe. It seems that of the tribal members who have made a mistake(s) that leads them to prison, it’s as if we become non-existent, like exile. It’s sad, but happens all too often. There isn’t much support for imprisoned tribal members and even less from the system itself. Let’s face it - the Depart ment of Corrections is anything but that. It’s very discouraging in our struggle for freedom. I know many of us know a family member who has done or is doing time. I know one brother who had done five years without a single visit or help from the tribe. What as Native people are we showing each other? Prison is a very lonely and ugly place. A place you might never walk away from. I person ally love our people and am proud of where our people have come from. Tribal members who need help or instruction on cultural projects should contact the Siletz Culture Department. We can assist you prior to the language classes. For more information, contact Bud Lane at the Siletz Cultural Department at 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1320, or 541-444-8320, ore-mail budl@ctsi.nsn.us. Please help where you can and stop acting as if we’re not here. We are here, live and well, praying for you, us our peoples. I encourage our tribal mem bers, council, and employees to get in volved and show support. A lot of us are doing our best to turn our confusion- filled lives around. We are far from lost as are ones on the streets. We need your support, support pro grams, and love just as much as us all. There is much we can do. Write letters, educate yourselves of the realities of prison and prison issues, contact prison support groups, buy a family member/ friend a book, visit, prayers, help the ones coming back home, help with a person’s goals and needs. We can use your help as much as you need ours. We’re all each other’s teachers, as relations. Our peoples are only as strong as our weakest link. I also want to say thank you to all the ones who show love and support to our Native peoples who are prisoners. We’re grateful for the love and support and prayers. I’ll continue my personal struggle of the resistance and walk upon the Red Road. My prayers go out to all the broth ers and sisters behind the wails and all of our peoples as a whole united as one of our hearts, minds, bodies, and spirits. One love shu ashi nuu laa, Prairie Dancer - Sage Butler TLC Attitudes of Gratitude It’s not so hard to feel gratitude when the warmth of the early spring sun is shining down. Bulbs are poking their heads out and some are about to burst into bloom. Early-blooming trees and shrubs are starting their parade toward the official opening of spring, Equinox on the 20th. We’re grateful for many things here at TLC, including positive climate changes. We have had some generous souls donate items that are welcomed by residents. Sunshine Keck and Selene Rilatos both gave toiletry items for our women. Bill Wheeler shared a bunch of his fa mous potato salad - just like grandma’s! Linda and Wayne Helgerson passed on some jars of assorted chutney that can be used for fancy jam or a glaze on meat dishes. Just a couple days ago, we found a bag of perfumes, lotions, and nail care items hanging on the doorknob, from whom we don’t know. We are thankful for each and every one of these gifts and for the folks who give them. We also are grateful for our faith ful volunteers! Without our overnight volunteers, we would not be able to maintain the serenity and safety that is evident at the TLC. Thank you to Carrie White, Jackie Ashley, Joan Hartung, Denise Riding In, Lisa Brown, and Alice McCain. Welcome back, Jenifer Metcalf! You are all so appreciated! Thank you also to Selene Rilatos for all you do! Again, thank you to CTSI Public Works for the good work you do for us. Bobby, we really appreciate your mop- up job when the dishwasher overflowed and I was at a workshop. I came back expecting a soggy mess. Instead, there was only a clean, dry floor and a mop for me to put away. What a nice surprise! We can always use a few more good volunteers to fill in some gaps. If you are a woman who enjoys helping other women in their recovery, please give a call. The work is not hard and there are personal rewards. Call Lynn at 541-444-8238 or 1-800-922-1339, ext. 1238, if you are interested or have questions. Also, join us for our monthly Women’s Talking Circle at the TLC on the second Wednesday of the month. So, smile at the sunshine, be grateful for the rain, and stop to smell the flowers! March 2005 c « • • Siletz News c « » • / « • 5 *
