LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the editor:
During recent weeks, I have be
come aware of a troubling development
that threatens Indian Country.
It is apparent that the federal gov
ernment is intent on extending the ten
tacles of its war on drugs onto Indian
reservations. This will be accomplished
through monetary grants issued by the
Department of Justice, or in other words,
federal law enforcement. Along with this
money will come trouble for Indians.
In order to perceive why this rep
resents a threat, it is useful to examine
the origins and nature of the war on drugs.
The war on drugs is racist to its core.
Back in the early ‘70s, Richard Nixon
invented the modern war on drugs as a
means to oppress ethnic minorities. The
racist manner in which the war on drugs
is conducted is the reason that prison
is the only place in society where Indi
ans are over-represented.
It is widely understood that the
causes of what are commonly de
scribed as drug problems are actually
poverty and despair. As a tribe, we can
deal with these “drug” problems our
selves by making jobs and education
available to all members. If we instead
choose the federal law enforcement
approach to these problems, we will
surrender our tribal sovereignty and
many of our people will spend large
stretches of their adult lives in prison.
The war on drugs is a good busi
ness for governments because their
power and reach are expanded. Con
sequently, our own tribal government
may be tempted to accept offers of “as
sistance” that will surely soon arrive.
To the editor:
Another recall petition. Just what
we need. Why is this recall being
launched?
It sounds like it is because Mr.
White pleaded guilty to assaulting his
children. He accepted the plea bargain.
I seriously doubt that he was “ ...
threatened” with a jail sentence of eight
to It) years. Mr. White was told that
this was the maximum penalty, by law,
for what he was charged with.
I also doubt that Ms. Barnett was
actually involved in this process. I
would think that it was one of the as
sistant DAs that handled this case. If
Mr. White was innocent, he could have
gone to court and defended himself.
Plea bargaining is an accepted prac
tice in every DA’s office in America. It
is a simple process. The accused is of
fered to accept a lower sentence than
what is mandated by law, for a guilty
plea. Without this opportunity, it would
cost our county a lot more money and
we would have to increase the DA’s
staff by several people.
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Siletz News
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As concerned tribal members, it is
our responsibility to understand that
this apparent “opportunity” must be
recognized for what it is and rejected
as nothing more than the most recent
manifestation of the federal govern
ment’s ongoing policy of genocide
against Indian peoples.
The war on drugs has proven to
tally ineffective at limiting the supply
of illicit drugs and their misuse. All it
ever accomplishes is locking people
up. Now, in a desperate attempt to keep
the war going, the government intends
to bring the war to Indian Country and
turn it into an Indian problem.
As Indian people, we must not al
low this. When the Great White Father
arrives bearing his gifts of smallpox-
infected blankets, this time in the form
of federal money for drug enforce
ment, in the interest of preserving our
sovereignty, as well as our freedom, we
should just say no.
Frank Bensell Fisher, M.D.
Who is Aaron Hill? Why is some
body from Salem getting involved in
Lincoln County affairs? Why should
he be “treasurer of the Committee to
Recall Bernice Barnett.” He is in Sa
lem; it is none of his business.
If he wants to help everybody,
have him spend his lime and efforts on
worthwhile projects that affect every
body in the state - school finance re
form. health care, assistance for the
elderly.
The petition makes a number of
claims that I will not repeat here be
cause I believe they are bogus! These
people owe it the people of Lincoln
County to produce actual documents,
proof of these other charges.
I would urge the people of this
county to not sign this petition. There
is no basis for this. Ms. Barnett has
served Lincoln County with dignity
and class for the last six years and does
not deserve this treatment!
Doug Wills
May 2006
To the editor:
April was a busy month as Miss
Haskell. The American Indian Science
and Engineering Society (AISES) Re
gional 4 Conference at Haskell started
off the month. I volunteered with the
Haskell AISES chapter in putting on
this conference.
Having the duties as an official
Haskell ambassador, I had many op
portunities to practice my public speak
ing and leadership skills throughout the
year. This included being the MC for
the first conference event.
I introduced the keynote speaker,
Joe Garcia (San Juan Pueblo), president
of the National Congress of American
Indians; another speaker, LeAndra
Bitsie, National Indian Education As
sociation student board member; and
sponsors such as IBM. It was good to
spend time with the modern-day war
riors of our people.
The Native American art classes
have been a blast. Chokers, beadwork,
and shawls were sponsored by a Siletz
Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund
grant. I would like to thank my cous
ins, Lynette and Heidi Hibdon, for
LeAndra Bitsie, NIEA student board
member; Joe Garcia, president of
NCAI; and and Tiffany Stuart,
Miss Haskell 2005-2006
helping teach these classes with me.
Thanks to the Siletz Tribe for support
ing higher education students learning
about their Native American culture.
Other events included three pow
wows (Haskell Kiowa Culture Organi-
zation/Kansas University Pow-Wow/
Graduation Pow-Wow), Haskell ACCES
Club Stomp Dance, Honor Roll and Schol
arship Ceremony, Easter Day at Church
and Haskell, and Earth Day event.
The Miss Haskell and Haskell Brave
Pageant is April 30-May 5. I’ve been
working with Haskell Brave Elliot
Bryant all year long on this pageant.
We have raised all the money needed
to put on the pageant.
We received two donations from
local Native groups for scholarships
(American Indian Council and Indian
Council of Many Nations). That was a
goal of mine to start a scholarship for
Miss Haskell and Haskell Brave. I have
accomplished it - yeah!
I will be crowning the next Miss
Haskell 2006-2007 at the Haskell
Commencement Pow-Wow on May 12.
1 thank God for keeping me to
gether in these last remaining months
of my reign and school. Not only did I
have these thousands of events, plan
ning meetings, and such, I also had
tests, papers, and essays. I hope to be
there for the next Miss Haskell to sup
port her because any Royalty needs
helpful support in their year of reign.
I encourage anyone to e-mail me
if they are interested in Haskell Indian
Nations University, offering four-year
bachelor's degrees and many two-year
degrees. Also, if anyone is interested
in my experience as Royalty (pageant
chair, my schedules, tribal colleges,
etc.) please e-mail me at tiffany.stuart
©haskell.edu.
Thanks for taking the time to read
my letter and hope you enjoyed my
many submissions of articles this year.
Hvm’chi
Tiffany Stuart
Miss Haskell 2005-2006
www.haskell.edu
Nuu-wee-ya’
(our words)
Introduction to the Athabaskan Language
Open to tribal members of all ages
Siletz
Salem
Siletz Tribal Community Center
May 9-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
June 6-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Salem Area Office
May 15-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
June 12-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Portland
Eugene
Portland Area Office
May 16-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
June 13-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Eugene Area Office
May 8-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
June 5-6 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; ore-mail budl@ctsi.nsn.us.