Siletz news /, June 01, 2005, Page 15, Image 15

NOTICES
Murals were added. As you enter the
casino, look to the upper left and you will
see a group of our ancestors playing the
stick game, which was one of our earliest
gambling games. Siletz men were known
for their gambling expertise.
In our buffet area are two murals that
depict a way of life for our early ances­
tors who were basket makers and gather­
ers of food. It also shows our men’s agil­
ity in spearing fish that were later baked
on an open fire.
In July 1995, the Tribal Council
approved the final external design and
preliminary interior layout of the perma­
nent facility, which included floor plans
for a child care center and arcade for
older children.
On Sept. 22, the official ground­
breaking ceremony was held to launch the
construction of the permanent facility.
On Sept. 23, the Tribal Council unani­
mously named Burgess Harmer, former
GM of Comstock, as general manager of
Chinook Winds. He had, until his appoint­
ment as GM, served as principal consult­
ant to Chinook Winds.
Although the site work and prepara­
tion began on Oct. 17, the fabrication of
the steel was delayed and not delivered
to the site until Dec. 27. The project con­
tinued to be plagued by inclement weather
that seriously impeded construction. PCL,
however, reinforced its crews, developed
an accelerated time schedule, and planned
to wrap the steel in a “cocoon” to protect
the crew from the weather.
In December, the interior design of
the permanent facility was approved by
the Tribal Council whose members were
Delores Pigsley, Jessie Davis, Mary A.
“Dollie” Fisher, Reggie Butler Sr., Lillie
Butler, Rosemary Breon Landis, JoAnn
Miller, Mike Darcy, and Bensell Breon Sr.
The new 159.000-square-foot facility,
most of which was constructed during the
inclement winter months, seemed to take
on a life of its own. With construction
moving at a breakneck pace, it appeared
to literally grow out of the ground.
Everyone held their breath to see if
the construction would be completed in
time for the advertised opening. Work
continued round the clock up until the final
moments, when the last few light bulbs
were put into place.
The grand opening of the new facil­
ity took place on June 28, 1996, amid
much fanfare and a feeling of great pride
and accomplishment for all those who
took part in making the dream a reality.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony complete
with sky divers, banners flying behind air­
planes across the sky, a full-scale recep­
tion with hors d’ oeuvres and dignitaries,
Tammy Wynette and “The Indian and The
White Guy” (Williams & Ree) as the fea­
tured entertainment, and television cov­
erage were all part of the long-awaited
opening day.
Today, 10 years later, we honor those
who were part of creating Chinook Winds.
Church to Celebrate 80th Anniversary
Eighty years ago this September,
the Assembly of God Church in Siletz
started with about 150 members. Today,
it’s one of the oldest Assembly of
God churches in Oregon and one of its
members - Wilma Strong - has been a
member for 50 years.
On Sept. 25,2005, the church plans
to hold a communitywide celebration
because it has been intertwined with the
community for so long. Ceremonies will
honor founding members, their fami­
lies, and previous pastors of this church,
and the church will host a barbeque and
picnic with games for everyone.
“We’ll also move from ‘home mis­
sion’ status to ‘general affiliated’ sta­
tus, which means that we’re big enough
to run ourselves,” says the Rev. Vance
Lindstrom. This transfer will be con­
ferred by the Rev. Vernon Marks of
Salem, Ore., the district superintendent.
In preparation for the 80th anniversary,
Lindstrom is asking anyone with old pic­
tures of the church or its members to call
him at 541-444-2564. He would like to
borrow them to make copies for the
church to keep and then return them to
their owners.
Assembly of God churches are part
of the Pentecostal branch, along with Four
Square and Church of God churches.
According to Lindstrom, Pentecostal is
the fastest growing religion in the world
and within the next five years, should have
3 billion members worldwide.
“In 1925, the meetings were in Toledo
and most of the attendees were from Siletz.
So the meetings were moved to Siletz,”
said Lindstrom. “Many people became
Christians when this group started.”
Several Siletz Tribal families have
been involved with the church from the
beginning, including the Downeys, But­
lers, and Simmons.
Today’s church in Siletz is 75 per­
cent American Indian, said Lindstrom,
who came here in September 2001 with
his wife, Katie. They have four children
- Daniel, Steven, Tim, and Joanna.
The church has received grants
from the Siletz Tribal Charitable Con­
tribution Fund, the latest of which (in
February 2005) helped install new car­
peting and a new sound system.
Other grants included funds for the
Royal Rangers, a Christian Boy Scouts,
says Lindstrom, for a merit camp and a
Kid Olympics and for a cultural heri­
tage campout this month.
The Missionettes, the girl’s equiva­
lent of the Royal Rangers, participate
in many of the same activities as the boys.
The church is located at 164 NE
Palmer St. If you have any questions
about the church or the 80,h anniversary
celebration or would like to volunteer
for either, please contact Lindstrom at
541-444-2564.
Construction of the permanent facility (above) and the casino as we know it today (below)
June 2005
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Siletz News
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