LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the editor:
Dear tribal members,
I would like to thank each and
every one who took the time to vote
this year. We had the largest turnout
over 900 votes’ It is a real honor and
a privilege to be voted onto the Tribal
Council. I will do my best to meet
your expectations.
I shall be working hard for all tribal
members' best interest. This year I have
been appointed to the following sub
committees: Health, Housing, and Eco
nomic Development. However, I shall
be just as concerned for the rest of the
areas as well.
If anyone has a question or con
cern, or just wants to chat, feel free to
call me at 503-390-5009 or you may
e-mail me atjl_davis41@msn.com.
Thanks again for your support.
Sincerely,
Jessie Davis
To the editor:
I would like to take this opportu
nity to thank the Siletz Tribal Business
Corporation Board for its support of the
Siletz Tribal Action Network (S.T.A.N.).
The program, which provides ba
sic skills development workshops for
Siletz Tribal members and Confeder
ated Tribes of Siletz Indians and Chi
nook Winds Casino Resort employees,
has been very well received and con
tinues to grow.
It is very rewarding to see workshop
participants learn new things and feel a
sense of pride in their accomplishments.
Without the ongoing support of
the STBC Board, the development of
the S.T.A.N. program would not have
been possible.
I would also like to thank Rene’
Deras, STBC CPA, who currently
teaches several of the S.T.A.N. work
shops. Without his enthusiasm and
expertise, the programs we could offer
would be very limited.
I hope Siletz Tribal members, CTSI,
and Chinook Winds Casino Resort
employees will continue to participate
in the S.T.A.N. program and gain new
skills that will help them to reach their
fullest potential and become success
ful leaders.
Sincerely,
Rosie Sufficool
Business Information Counselor
S.T.A.N. Coordinator
To the editor:
Fellow tribal members:
I find myself searching for words
to express my gratitude to you. Your
support and encouragement have
strengthened me. You’ve helped me
through my healing process and I’ve
tried to find opportunities to give back
to my tribe.
Many have worked selflessly for
our rights and our future. I’ve watched
the story from the Bible unfold before
my eyes, how the widow had just
enough meal left to eat, and die. But
what she had she offered up for others
to survive.
Our ancestors did that for us. They
didn’t have per capita, programs, or
benefits to rely on. They wanted to
make sure their children and grandchil
dren would someday see the fruits of
their self-sacrifice.
Was it for us to be ruled by the al
mighty dollar? Was it for the big “I?”
To criticize and tear each other apart?
Or for those in power to turn a deaf
ear, sit back, and say, “We can't do
anything about that, we can’t get in
volved?” Yes, there probably are laws
we have sold our rights out for.
Our Restoration has proven there
are ways to work around laws, with
laws, and we can change laws for the
To the editor:
JALLA CIC DENE
Hello my people, good to see
Reggie re-elected and congrats to Frank
and Jess. I know their hearts will be
for our people
I would like to request, of the
council and membership, my desire to
teach a 419-word list in Tututni that
Miller Collins, Ada Collins, and Daisy
Fuller recorded in 1953 at the home of
Grandma Ada, lower farm area.
1 originally heard this recording at
my uncle Eddie Collins’ apartment in
Portland some 10-15 years ago. To hear
Grandma speak and Auntie Daisy
laugh made us cry and laugh at the
same time. I decided I would try to
translate Miller’s words as closely as I
could and perhaps teach from it.
1 know I have been criticized for
teaching non-lndians this language.
But I remember Bill Kentta could speak
as a Native and he was a non-Native -
and there were many others who could
speak and understand just as well. If a
person is willing to learn - who am I
to say yes or no?
The classes would have to be held
on Government Hill during the sum
mer months. Other details could be
worked out.
The Simmons family, starting with
Hoxie, were excellent speakers of Chi
nook Jargon.
I give much credit to Bud Lane for
his efforts in teaching Tolowa.
The lower farm people were known
for speaking Tututni, as well as towns
people and other locations.
Our Tututni language is from the
lower Rogue River and is from the
Athabaskan language stock.
My requirements for a week’s work
- $500 and $300 for travel.
HI AUW WISHA -
Gilbert Towner, Jr.
To the editor:
To tribal members.
Thank you to all the members who
supported my campaign for re-election
to the Tribal Council and thank you to
the 400 tribal members who voted for
me. 1 will work as diligently as 1 can
for the tribe and for all tribal members.
Again, thank you.
Reggie Butler, Sr.
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
•
April 2006
Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner
Editor: Diane Rodriquez
Assistant: Natasha Kavanaugh
541-444-8291 or
1-800-922-1399, ext. 1291
Fax: 541-444-2307
E-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us
Deadline for the May issue is
April 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
betterment of our people. Are we go
ing to watch the slaying of our people
again or even assist in the destruction
of our own? Let’s rise up and support
each other. How about some tribal loy
alty, not just Royalty.
In my run for Tribal Council, some
families stated, “Oh we never vote, we
don’t matter, our votes don't count. They
just get the same people in there again
and again.” To think you would finally
take the time to vote for me is humbling.
I feel honored. 1 have gained be
cause of you. You're feeling like you
do matter. Voting is one right you can
exercise without anyone stopping you.
With people utilizing their rights, they
can someday see change.
Your children can talk about your
courage to secure their future. Your
opinion needs to be voiced and heard.
We need to take pride and respect
what our forefathers did for “all” of us.
We can ask, “What can I do for My
People?” How can I help and encour
age them?
In returning to the casino for em
ployment, it wasn’t just a job for me.
I’m working for you. Seeing your faces
and the words we share in passing en
courage me to try to represent our tribe
and work for our future.
The most humbling and honored
moments have been the elders, their
words, showing confidence in me by
voting for me, thank you. Your ap
proval means more that I can say.
You’re my teachers, my mentors.
The training and education I’ve re
ceived have come about from tribal
funding. I’ve always determined to re
pay the tribe by working for them, giv
ing back to our people.
Keep in your heart that someone
fought for your rights. It’s not about
me, it’s about you! I’ve not lost any
thing, I’ve gained!
My sincerest and deepest appreciation,
All my relation, Nvm’ Chi,
Cheryl Staggs-Ben
r--------------------------------------------------
Siletz News is free to enrolled
| Siletz Tribal members. For all others,
| a $12 annual subscription fee applies.
I Please make checks payable to CTSI
I and mail to Siletz News.
|
|
|
|
। Name: ।
| Address:
|
| Phone: |
Change of address: Tribal mem- I
| bers-call the Enrollment Department |
। at 541-444-8258 or 1-800-922-1399, |
| ext. 1258; all others - call the news- |
| paper office.
|
v_________________________________)