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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2006)
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Many times, the council has details that it cannot divulge before the general mem bership. For a number of very important rea sons, such personnel issues are discussed in executive session behind closed doors. Farewell to 2005, Happy New Year In many parts of the world, includ ing our own country, 2005 was a year of natural catastrophes and human tragedies. Except for what was available to us via the media, we in Oregon generally were not affected, not directly anyway. We could not help but be deeply moved by these events. We expressed our compassion and understanding the only way we could, through our prayers and by our individual and tribal contributions to the victims of these catastrophes. Especially during this Christmas sea son, as we reflect on the events of the past year, we are grateful for our blessings - the natural beauty of Oregon, our friends and families, and for our sovereign, re stored and successful tribe that has brought us dignity and pride. As we welcome 2(X)6, we look forward to a year of prosperity and happiness. I would like to take this opportunity to per sonally wish you all - tribal members and friends of the tribe - a Happy New Year! I now would like to touch on three issues of great concern to me: confiden tiality, non-tribal ownership of casinos, and the serious health problem of methamphetamine. Confidentiality - What It Means Tribal Council members often are told of personal/personnel problems that may or may not be based on facts. Non-Tribal Casinos Delores Pigsley Whether true or not, the issues often are brought to the council’s attention. For example, if it’s a personnel issue of Chinook Winds or tribal administra tion brought to the Tribal Council’s at tention, the council is obligated to inves tigate it and under the principle of confi dentiality, not to discuss the personnel matter outside of the council. We are com mitted not only to abide by tribal policies and procedures of confidentiality, but also by our own Ethics Code. Confidentiality also applies when a complaint is brought up in General Coun cil by, or on behalf of, a tribal member. The Tribal Council, whether it has or doesn't have knowledge of the issue, under its code of confidentiality, is for bidden to discuss the matter before the General Council. Non-tribal, private ownership of a Portland-based casino was discussed at a meeting of the Oregon Tribal Gaming Alliance this month. At great expense, an initiative basically similar to the proposal to be discussed at the Oregon tribes meet ing was defeated by the tribes in the state of Washington last year. Oregon tribes are not supportive of this proposal and have invited tribal representatives from Wash ington to share their views with us. For Oregon tribes, opposition to this proposal may prove costly, just as it was for Washington tribes. The battle would be well worth the effort, however, because of the potential negative impact a non-tribal ca sino would have on tribal casinos in Oregon. Methamphetamine Another issue of importance to Or egon tribes is the serious proliferation of the making, sale, and use of methamphet amine (meth). At an Oregon tribes meeting in Warm Springs, the issue was discussed and will be followed up with further discussion at the next meeting of the Oregon tribes. On the agenda will be a proposal for the adop tion of an inter-tribal agreement to aggres sively attack the sale and use of meth. Meth is considered one of the worst epidemics that not only hit communities across the United States, but also is sweep ing into Indian Country. Controlling meth is of special concern because it can be so easily made with over-the-counter drugs readily and legally available in local stores. All of us concerned about this issue must do our part to stamp out meth and other illegal drugs that are doing tremendous harm to our tribe and our communities. r--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | I 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 11 - 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 certification process and information sessions are available upon request. Jon Duarte, Santa, and Leeann Duarte at the Siletz community Christmas party Most Often Requested Numbers Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians 1-800-922-1399 Salem Area Office 503-390-9494 Salem Finance Office I-888-87O-9O5I 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 1-800-323-8517 Web Site www.ctsi.nsn.us January 2006 • Siletz News • 3
