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