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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2005)
CHAIRMAN S REPORT The 30 members of this commission represent Oregon’s population. This is the first commission that has been appointed in the last 34 years. We held our first meeting at the Capi tol this month and began the process of setting up a committee structure to out line how we will work together. The Leg islature as well as all Oregonians were asked to give input in this process. The Legislature has been under se vere criticism for not being able to take care of legislative activities during its regular sessions. Proposed legislation does not get the necessary action because of looming budget issues. Run to the Rogue Our run began with elders, children, and members at Government Hill. As usual, the first mile includes all of the above. We should be very proud of the runners who were young and old. They were greeted along the way; I witnessed signs acknowledging them and the tribe. Although it rained at the site, spirits were high and everyone seemed to enjoy the gathering. Lincoln County Agreement The tribe recently entered into an agreement with Lincoln County that has several purposes. We have been in discussion on issues over the past year. We both agree that our two governments provide valuable ser vices to our members. In many cases the benefits overlap. It’s been recognized that when we apply to have land taken into trust, it im mediately goes off the tax roles and as a result, revenues to the county stop. Large pieces of land such as the casino and hotel property cause a bigger concern than do small parcels. Our agreement is to make a donation to the county that eases the loss of rev enue that it’s experiencing. The tribe would make this donation on July 1 of each year. In return, the county commissioners agreed that they would not challenge fee- to-trust applications in Lincoln County in the future based on loss of revenue to the Delores Pigsley Benefits for Elders county. So far, their only challenges have been based on loss of revenue. There would be an annual increase in this donation based on the Portland Consumer Price Index, but not more than 2l/2 percent. The agreement would be re viewed in four years. Our meetings with the commission ers and their staff were very informative for them as well as for the Tribal Council. Oregon Legislative Commission I was appointed to serve on the Or egon Legislative Commission to review the Legislature itself and to recommend improvements that can be made in the legislative process. Many of you have heard that a mo tion to provide an “elders per capita” was recently voted on by the Tribal Council. The motion was put forward without any plan for where the money would come from and no plan was offered. The thought was that we could just pass a motion and put a plan together to pay monthly ben efits to tribal elders that would increase in the first two years. As many of you know, one of our long-term goals is to provide health in surance to all members and also to pro vide end-of-life care for our elders. Our only resources to provide this assistance are either through casino or timber revenues. Currently, neither of these resources is adequate to meet all of our objectives. Our comprehensive plan was devel oped with tribal member input and we attempt to follow the input of our mem bership. 1 personally voted against the motion not because it’s a bad idea, but because it’s too big and too important an issue to support without careful thought and planning. We cannot establish a program our elders will come to depend upon without making sure it's funded properly and funded not just for a year or two but for decades. We know how many elders we currently have from enrollment records; we can project with certainty for several years to come. The numbers increase sharply in the next few years. We also have to consider how this benefit affects those whose in come is offset by other programs like Supplemental Security Income and Gen eral Assistance. Our staff are currently researching the prospects of what impact an elders per capita will have on other programs, what the real cost would be for the next sev eral years, and whether this is at all feasible at this time. After we gather this information and look at any options that may be available, we will provide that information to all the membership. When the time comes, it’s likely that this issue would be referred to the gen eral membership for a decision since five of us on the Tribal Council are tribal el ders and would receive a direct benefit from our own actions. r----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ! ! Some Siletz Tribal Children Need You! The Indian Child Welfare Program needs good homes for temporary and long-term placement for some of our Siletz Tribal children. Foster homes and homes for relative placements are needed, both locally and within the 1 I - county service area. If you are thinking of becoming a foster parent or relative placement, or just have questions, contact Sandra Simmons at 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1275, or 541 -444-8275. Packets on the certi fication process and information ses sions are available upon request. Most Often Requested Numbers Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians 1-800-922-1399 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 1-888-244-6665 Chemawa Health Clinic 1-800-452-7823 Bureau of Indian Affairs 1-8OO-323-8517 Web Site www.ctsi.nsn.us ! ! CTSI Jobs CTSI Employment Job Line 541-444-8296 or 1-800-922-1399, ext 1296 Visit our Web site at www.ctsi.nsn.us Note: “Open Until Filled” vacancies may close at any time. The tribe’s Indian Preference policy will apply. Tribal government will not discriminate in selection because of race, creed, age, sex, color, national origin, physical handicap, marital status, politics, membership or non-membership in an employee organization. Nuu-wee-ya’ (our words) Introduction to the Athabaskan Language Open to tribal members of all ages Siletz Siletz Tribal Community Center Oct. 11 - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 8-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Salem Salem Area Office Oct. 10 - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 14 - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Portland Portland Area Office Oct. 17 - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 15 - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eugene Eugene Area Office Oct. 4-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 7-6 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; ore-mail budl@ctsi.nsn.us. October 2005 • Siletz News • 3
