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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2006)
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Our longtime friend, Rudy Clements, was remembered at services at the Simnasho Longhouse. For those who may not be aware, Rudy, a longtime official of the Warm Springs Tribe and a very good friend of the Siletz Tribe, died in December. Starting from before Siletz Resto ration in the early 1970s, Rudy was in volved in helping our tribal members gain employment and training under the old federal CETA program, which he was responsible for coordinating statewide. When the Siletz Tribe launched its effort to be restored, Rudy was there for us, contributing his encouragement and advocacy. Wc were honored to have him as our guest speaker at a re cent Restoration Celebration. He was a true and faithful friend until his un timely death just a month ago. Rudy was a proven leader not only in his own tribe, but also in the state of Oregon and the Northwest. He was knowledgeable about major Indian is sues and was articulate in expressing them on behalf of all tribes. Most recently. Rudy worked on Indian gaming issues and was the lead person in the Warm Springs’ effort to establish a casino at Cascade Locks. I know personally with what pas sion and commitment he worked to ward achieving that objective. Al though I am sad that he could not live to see that dream fulfilled, the Warm Springs Council continues to work to establish a Cascade Locks casino. The Siletz Tribe is committed to render its Delores Pigsley support to see that his - and his tribe’s - dream comes true. At his funeral, Rudy was warmly remembered as a trusting, faithful, and devoted employee and tribesman who brought people together to work toward common goals and solutions. That is how 1, and many Siletz, members, will always remember him as well. Tribal Council Calendar of Activities and Issues The Tribal Council has established its calendar for 2006 with fixed dates for meetings and other activities. In February, following the general election, the Tribal Council will elect its officers and appoint committee members. Any tribal member who is inter ested can volunteer to serve on any one 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 1 - 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. 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 I -800-600-5599 Chinook Winds Casino Resort I-888-244-6665 Chemawa Health Clinic 1-800-452-7823 Bureau of Indian Affairs 1-800-323-8517 Web Site www.ctsi.nsn.us of a variety of committees of his or her area of interest. Serving on committees is a golden opportunity for tribal members to become more knowledgeable about - and have a direct input in - policies and programs, whether it's in the area of education, health, forestry, culture, etc. One problem has been that over the years, the tribe has had difficulty fill ing committee vacancies. As a result, some tribal members have ended up serving on more than one committee. In order to spread the load, we need more volunteers to serve. I encourage all interested members to look over the list of committee vacancies and to ap ply on the appropriate form. Being Informed About Tribal Issues Another matter of concern involves something that happens during every tribal election. Some candidates for council complain they are kept in the dark about tribal issues, pointing to what they perceive as the Tribal Council's failure to keep them informed. Their concerns, however, are typi cally about issues that have already been covered - sometimes thoroughly in Tribal Council and General Coun cil meetings as well as in Siletz News or Nesika Hlahee. I regret if there arc lapses in com munication. The council tries to keep our lines of communication open and information about tribal issues avail able through various means. Tribal members are encouraged to attend Tribal Council and General Council meetings and to obtain copies of min utes and other written documents. Tribal members need only take the time to take advantage of these sources to be kept informed. Information also can be obtained from council members by phone, e-mail, and regular mail. Although tribal members often are reminded they are welcome to attend Tribal Council and General Council meetings where issues are aired, few do. And further, although any tribal member can obtain the minutes of council meet ings upon request, very few ask for them. Minutes can be received electronically. In the end, the Tribal Council’s re sponsibility is to make information avail able to our membership. It's our mem bers' responsibility to take advantage of the information that's available to them. Siletz Policies Governing Nepotism Finally, many of you have asked that I comment on the issue of nepo tism - that is, issues involving favorit ism shown to a relative as in giving an appointive job, preference in promo tions, demotions, supervising of em ployees, etc., based on relationship. I am pleased to report that over the years, the Siletz Tribe has developed personnel policies and ethics codes that have effectively addressed this issue. The policy of the Siletz Tribe is that no tribal employee can supervise another who is related to the employee as a moth er. father, brother, sister, child or some one living in that person's household. If we were to go further with this policy and ban nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins, we would end up not having any tribal members employed. Under our current established policy, all Tribal Council members are involved in the evaluation of high-echelon person nel that includes the general managers of the casino and tribal administration, the gaming commission executive director, the Siletz Tribal economic development executive director, our internal auditor, and the council secre tary. Their evaluations are rated on very detailed criteria on forms that each council member is required to complete. The Tribal Council itself is subject to the ethics policy and tribal staff members are subject to the tribe's personnel and operations policies that govern issues of nepotism. Those who work for the tribe and at the same time serve on the council are subject to both. No one to this date has challenged these policies. Nuu-wee-ya’ (our words) Introduction to the Athabaskan Language Open to tribal members of all ages Siletz Siletz Tribal Community Center Feb. 7-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 7-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Salem Salem Area Office Feb. 13-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 13-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Portland Portland Area Office Feb. 14-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 14-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eugene Eugene Area Office Feb. 6-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 6-6 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. February 2006 • Siletz News • 3
