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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2006)
LEITERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: Thank you for supporting me on my campaign for Tribal Council. Thank you for your trust in me and voting for me. I hope that I can be a part of bringing our tribal members together. It’s a tall order; with your help, we can do it. Give a handshake, give a hug, give a thank you, include a smile. That won't cost anything but it means a lot and that is a good foundation to start with. To all of the 2006 Tribal Council candidates, no one lost, we all won because our tribal members listened to what we had to say. Everything that we said is important. If we could scoop it all up, it wouldn’t be a pile, it would be a mountain, a volcano full of energy. Please don’t stop, we all need to work together as a team, a community, a tribe. We truly are a proud people. Again from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you, Frank Simmons To the editor: Tribal Preference at Chinook Winds: The following represents only one person’s thoughts on the subject of tribal preference at our Chinook Winds Casino Resort. When we went into the casino busi ness 10 years ago, we had the vision of providing jobs to our tribal members. Giving “Tribal Preference” can give rise to a conflict between the tribal goals - creating jobs for our members or making maximum profits at Chi nook Winds. The quality and capabil ity of “all” employees makes a differ ence to bottom-line performance and profits. Prior to going into the casino business 10 years ago, few if any tribal members had any experience in work ing at a casino. In order to insure maximum prof its at Chinook Winds: The compromise should only come into play in preparing tribal mem bers to achieve these standards. • Preparation for casino jobs could start on the tribal program side with computer skills or even addressing issues that might limit a person’s employment. • Tribal members who are not pre pared for a particular job may have to wait until they become qualified. It may be better to place them into a position they do qualify for and introduce them to training that will qualify them for their preferred job • at a later date. Human Resources needs to pro actively and aggressively develop formal and informal, on- and off site, training programs that allow tribal members to become trained. Neither tribal members nor anyone else should be given a job or pro motion until they can prove they • To the editor: I would like to thank all of you who voted for me in this year’s Tribal Council election. My heartfelt gratitude and my ut most appreciation is extended to each and every one of you who took the opportunity to vote in this year’s elec tion. It is very, very important that you vote and I sincerely hope that you will continue to do so. 1 also want to take this opportunity to congratulate Jessie Davis, Frank Simmons, and Reggie Butler on jobs well done. 1 am confident that all of you will represent all of us to the best of your ability. Sincerely, “Speaks Out Loud” George F. Siniscal I would be interested in hearing other people’s thoughts on the subject. Mike Darcy are ready. 2006 Siletz Tribal Council: Reggie Butler Sr, Phil Rilatos Sr, Loraine Butler, Delores Pigsley, Robert Kentta, Lillie Butler, Frank Simmons, Jessie Davis, and Bud Lane. Siletz News Letters Policy Send letters to: Siletz News, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, is published once a month. Our editorial policy encourages input from readers about stories printed in Siletz News and other tribal issues. All letters must include the author’s signature, address, and phone number in order to be considered for publication. Siletz News reserves the right to edit any letter for clarity and length, and to refuse publication of any letter or any part of a letter that may contain profane language, libelous statements, personal attacks, or unsubstantiated statements. Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Siletz News, tribal employees, or Tribal Council. Please type or write legibly. Letters longer than 450 words may be edited for length as approved by Tribal Council Resolution #96-142. Siletz News P.O. Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380-0549 Please note: The general manager of the Siletz Tribe is the editor-in-chief of Siletz News. 2 • • Siletz News • Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner Editor: Diane Rodriquez Assistant: Natasha Kavanaugh March 2006 541-444-8291 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1291 Fax: 541-444-2307 E-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us Deadline for the April issue is March 10. Submission of articles and photos is encouraged. Please read the Passages Policy on page 20 when submitting items for Passages. Member of the Native American Journalists Association To the editor: My name is Joella Strong and I have lived in Siletz almost my entire life. I came from a family of 10, five brothers and two sisters, counting my parents. Sadly though, I only grew up with four brothers and one sister. We had hard times with no medical and dental coverage. At times we had to pull out our own teeth when we were in pain because we couldn’t afford to go to the dentist. The one thing we had which cost nothing but was worth zillions was loving and caring parents. Sometimes people forget where they come from. I am thankful that the tribe was restored and we have medi cal, dental, and pharmacy benefits. I hear a lot of tribal members complain about the services, but I am grateful. I know the tribe cannot help every one because of the 11 -county areas, but at the time we had no choice. The out- of-area tribal members are receiving some services now and that is a start, plus all tribal members are eligible for pharmacy benefits. I have white friends who tell me, “You are so lucky to have all those benefits.” I know there were a lot of tribal members angry because of the Tribal Council approving for tribal elders 70 and over for per capita $300 a month. I am happy that it was approved. Tribal elders who do make it to 70, more power to you. You deserve it and “right on” to the Tribal Council. Working at Chinook Winds Casino in the Accounting Department opened my eyes on some things. We are not a rich tribe and we do need to put money in reserve funds, especially with all the catastrophes happening. Once we get some of our debts paid (Chinook Winds is one of them this year, yea!), we will be seeing more profit. I am also grateful the tribe donated money to the Siletz library. I wished we had that when 1 was growing up. The Siletz High school is coming back. I told my grandkids you are so lucky, their curriculum is so awesome. I wish I were young again. Joella Strong t-------------------------------------------------- | Siletz News is free to enrolled | Siletz Tribal members. 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