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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2006)
LEITERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: I want to take this opportunity to express my disappointment about the elders payment that our Tribal Council recently approved. I am not disap pointed in those who will be receiving payments, but those of us who won t be. Once again. Tribal Council is being selective on who will receive benefits. I think this totally unfair. There is no equal protection under any constitution for privileged treatment, but there are common fair practices in all govern ments, whether it be non-Native, Na tive, communities, city, state, and our own government. The most common practice is to give benefits to elders beginning at age 65, a few at 62. We all know what those benefits are. To name a few, Social Security, meals, discounts on every thing from soup to nuts. Why did council skip all the way to 70 for their elder benefit? You say that is all you can afford. Most of us believe that you can afford the rest of us. We know that you won't break the bank or go bankrupt. With a little juggling, you could afford the rest of us elders. You can cut back on all that bureauc racy and spend less on travel. Most of us think there is way t(X) much investing coming out of funds all at the same time. Some say too many council members. Now, how about a compromise? How about elders 65-70 receive $100- $150? There may be a couple at 62 who want to be included. Finally, elders 70 and over receive $200-$250. We ask that you re-think and consider the rest of us. I urge all elders to speak out for this compromise on the payment issue. Use all the sources you have, whether it be vocal, e-mail, voicemail, telephone, letters, meetings, and petitions. We need solid unity. Our young people can get involved for their loved ones. Speak up for your mother, father, sisters, brothers, grand mothers, grandfathers, aunts, and uncles. I did my part. How about you? And why not? Thank you for your time and attention. Sincerely, Rose Kentta To the editor: To My People, Title IV-E is taking our children. Its policies are keeping them from being returned. Our children are being removed from our homes and fostered to the state on a weekly basis. To the point that 1CW has placed an ad in the county news paper classifieds. Our tribe is asunder and it seems that our council's hands are tied. It is in their power to exhume Title IV-E. But they have not. They have done a financial audit on the program. The finances are not what I am questioning. I am question ing ICW's placement of our children. Where are they? Are they with fam ily? Are they in tribal homes? Is their* cultural identity prevalent and intact? Is familial communication made pos sible? Is reunification addressed? Are we allowed the opportunity to bring our children home? In my Fight for my child (who was never taken from me), 1 have posed these questions in petitions, motions, and to council. What are our "parental rights’’? There is no format to define them. There is only the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, which is man dated by federal statute. I cannot think of a tribal family that has not been affected in some way by Title IV-E. I ask that you join me in the fight for our children Sagahallie Tillicum Levi Simmons To the editor: The Greatest Parade was Miss ing the Greatest Generation Thanks to the Loyalty Days Com mittee and the City of Newport, the Loyalty Days Parade was a patriotic success. But who was missing? Our World War 11 veterans. I’ll ask the Loyalty Days Committee if this can be the theme for next year. The WWII veterans are the greatest generation of American heroes. We, the Vietnam-era veterans, have a motto that states, “that never again will another generation of veterans be left behind." For myself, it’s so moving to be in the parade and spot WWII, Korean- and Vietnam-era veterans standing at atten tion saluting the American flag with tears of memories. We’ll take it upon ourselves to make the WWII veterans a comfortable float and bring them back on board. We’ll work with the Newport VFW and American Legion, plus the Oregon Coast Veterans Association, to pay trib ute to these heroes. This was also the first time the read ing of the names had a handful of people. We not only read the names of Oregon veterans who lost their lives in the Vietnam War, but last year we in troduced reading the names of Orego nians who have lost their lives in the Afghan-Iraqi War. Maybe through the Chamber of Commerce we can have a representa tive from every business and also en courage citizens to support this mean ingful event. My dream has always been to have over 800 people help read these names so each person would read one name as they do in Washington, D.C. This would take great coordinat ing, but it can be done. I wish also to invite the Persian Gulf, Afghan-Iraqi, and just all the vet erans to make their presence in next year’s parade. Ld like to thank the new city manager and parks director for making the Viet nam Memorial Commemorative Walk way in Don Davis Park so presentable. Just over a year ago we installed a storytelling wall of the park and it was destroyed within a year. It took us five years to raise $6,000, but with the help of Halsey Sign Co. they have repaired To the editor: To our family and friends, Well, 1 can’t believe the time has come for us to be moving to Oklahoma. Mickey and I would like to thank each and every one of you for making us feel so welcomed. We will miss you all very much. I hope that you all still continue to keep in touch with us. Dad, what can I say? It’s going to be really hard to say bye to both you and Sharon. No matter where we are, you will always be in my heart! Aloha - wanting to say hello and hating to say goodbye! Thanks for all the memories and fun times. Shine and Ruby - We will always have our karaoke nights together! Vai and Larry - Thanks for the memories and thanks for being the ones to take us in when we first got here. To my brother, Phil - Take care of yourself and your family. Love ya' bunches! Elaine and Gloria - What would I do without the golden girl sisters! Lol Take care of yourselves and keep in touch! Love, Mickey, Denise and gang it until we can raise the money to con struct a new storytelling wall. 1 close in thanking the many people who stood in the rain to watch the pa rade. And I thank the young children and adults who stood at attention with their hand over their heart. Our American flag means so much, as do our citizens! We still live in an era where we have the free dom to speak what is within our hearts. I have many good friends and fam ily members who detest this war, but yet respect the fact that the safety of our young men and women who answered the call to serve this nation must have the highest priority. I'm grateful we live in a nation where we can send a mes sage to the president in various ways, but yet respect our troops who are fol lowing the footsteps of all the great Americans who made this nation great. Thank you, Tony Molina (----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Siletz News Letters Policy 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. 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 June 2006 Send letters to: Siletz News P.O. Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380-0549 541-444-8291 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1291 Fax: 541-444-2307 E-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us Deadline for the July issue is June 9. Submission of articles and photos is encouraged. Please read the Passages Policy on page 24 when submitting items for Passages. Member of the Native American Journalists Association | | | I Siletz News is free to enrolled Siletz Tribal members. For all others, a $12 annual subscription fee applies. 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