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
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Siletz News
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