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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2005)
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT During the past month, a number of important meetings on a variety of issues took place that I would like to highlight for readers of Siletz News. In early February, the National Press Club, a Washington, D.C.-based organi zation that represents the major news media in the U.S., had as its program topic Indian gaming and its impact on tribes and communities. I. along with six other tribal officials, was selected to be a presenter. ECONorthwest's findings of the im pact of Indian gaming on Oregon's economy had just been published. In the course of its study of the overall impact of all Oregon casinos on the state, ECONorthwest studied and made avail able to each tribe the impact of individual casinos on local communities. With the help of Chinook Winds staff, I made a PowerPoint presentation to the National Press Club that showed how the Siletz Tribe, through its gaming opera tions, has been making a positive impact specifically on our tribe and Lincoln City, Lincoln County, and the state of Oregon. The National Public Broadcast System and FOX channels were expected to broadcast this program. Additionally, together with Brenda Bremner, general manager, and Loraine Butler, council member, I attended the winter session of the National Congress of American Indians in Washington, D.C. Delores Pigsley A major topic and a matter of great concern to tribal leaders was the $100 million cut in tribal program funds that, it’s said, must be made in order to address the nation's $427 billion deficit in the 2006 budget. Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, addressing the convention, said he would do everything in his power to restore tribal funding. Sen. Maria Cantwell of Wash ington state was one of several senators who pledged their support for restoring funding for tribes. And among House representatives who assured tribes of their support were Dale Kildee, Nick Rahall, Patrick Kennedy, and of course, J.D. Hayworth. Department of Labor Assistant Sec retary Tom Dowd congratulated tribes that embraced the innovative 477 program, stating that he hoped more tribes would see how helpful it could be to them. Among others at the winter session were Elizabeth Furse, who spoke about the Institute of Tribal Government at Port land State University; Ernie Stevens, president of the National Indian Gaming Association, who gave an update on the economic impact study conducted by Harvard University; and Phil Hogen, chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, who spoke about the changes in Class II standards for ma chines, indicating the importance of draw ing a distinction between Class II and Class III machines. Also during the past month, I at tended the Economic Summit Res 2005 in Las Vegas. I was one of several hun dred participants. The summit was very helpful in providing excellent information that the Siletz Tribe can use for future eco nomic ventures. Also in February, all Oregon tribes were represented in a meeting with Gov. Ted Kulongoski at which the issue of the governor's approval of line games for re tailers was discussed. Tribes expressed concern that we were not consulted prior to his decision to add line games to bars, taverns, restaurants, etc. and what impact this decision could have on the revenues of Indian casinos. The Siletz Tribe did not take a posi tion either for or against the governor’s decision, but we along with other tribes were greatly concerned that he, on a mat ter of such vital importance to tribes, didn't consult with us before making his decision. Gov. Kulongoski obviously recog nizes how important gaming revenues are in meeting state government purposes. The question is whether he adequately under stands how important tribal gaming rev enues are to Oregon tribes for addressing the pressing needs of tribal governments. Finally, an equally important event that took place in March was Chemawa Indian School’s 125th birthday celebration. We held our February Siletz Tribal Council meeting in Salem on that day so we could take part in Chemawa’s groundbreaking for the new dorms that will replace the existing dorms. The new dorms will be more secure and enhance the students’ learning environment. On that very day, students staged a rally because of the school officials' de cision to build a tall fence with barbed wire attached to the top. We were informed that the barbed wire was to prevent stu dents from scaling the fence. We were pleased the student protest was partially successful - although the fence is still in place, at least the barbed wire was removed. Tribes and individual Indians who have attended the school over the years have special memories, affection, and hope for the school. Nu-wee-ya’ (our words) Introduction to the Athabaskan Language Online Training Subscriptions If you signed up for the MySkilSource online computer training program and are having difficulties accessing the site, please contact Tina Retasket at 541-444-8210 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1210. To the editor: Dear people of the Siletz Tribe and the community, We the inmates of F.C.I. Sheridan would like to invite you to our 15th an nual pow-wow to share song and dance on the 18th of May at 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. to support our culture and heritage with brothers from near and far. We welcome all drummers and dancers to share this time with us. It would be a great pleasure to have your help and company in making the event a successful one! Thank you very much. Sincerely, All Native American Inmates Please submit all information to the chaplain by April 18. Chaplain Ron Richter, 503-843-4442, ext. 256, or Hallock at ext. 131. Federal Correc tion Institute, P.O. Box 8000, Sheridan. Open to tribal members of all ages If you can access the site but need technical assistance on it, please call their technical support at I -800-250-5013, ext. 1. If you received a subscription, your training time runs out in September 2005. Siletz Siletz Tribal Community Center April 12-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 17-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Portland Portland Area Office April 11-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 16-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Most Often Requested Telephone Numbers Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians I -8(X)-922-1399 Salem Area Office 503-390-9494 Salem Finance Office 1-888-870-9051 Portland Area Office 503-238-1512 Eugene Area Office 541-484-4234 Springfield Siletz Tribal Head Start 541-747-0161 Contract Health Services (CHS) 1-800-628-5720 Siletz Community Health Clinic 1-800-648-0449 Siletz Alcohol and Drug 1-800-600-5599 Chinook Winds Casino Resort I -888-244-6665 Chemawa Health Clinic 1-800-452-7823 Bureau of Indian Affairs 1-8OO-323-85I7 Web site: www.ctsi.nsn.us Salem Salem Area Office April 6-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 10-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eugene Eugene Area Office April 4-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 9-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tribal members who need help 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 Culture Department at 541-444-8320 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1320; or e-mail budl@ctsi.nsn.us. OR 97378. April 2005 • Siletz News • 3
