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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2006)
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT In past issues of Siletz News, I have highlighted several important eco nomic development projects currently being implemented by the Siletz. Tribe. I now would like to highlight a num ber of equally important human re sources programs of the Siletz Tribe. There are many, but 1 would like to mention the following few. Siletz Valley School Siletz Valley School, which began operating three years ago for kindergar ten through eighth grade, will begin en rolling high school students this fall. This is a remarkable achievement in view of the fact that just two years ago, the Siletz grade school was doomed to be closed by the county school district. The Siletz school (now a charter school) was not only saved by the concerted ef forts of the Tribal Council, staff, and the Siletz community, but also, beginning this fall, will include kindergarten through high school. In 2006, under existing programs, 127 clients overcame barriers that were preventing them from attaining self- sufficiency. Five earned their GEDs, 25 became employed, and 32 reached other educational goals. The establish ment of the Siletz Valley School’s high school credit program will enhance Labonte - are to be congratulated for being selected to enroll in this wonder ful program. The Human Resources departments of tribal administration and Chinook Winds also are coordinating their ef forts to further strengthen the tribe's employment and training opportunities for our members. The Chinook Winds Human Re sources Department sponsors monthly meetings to identify job openings and provide opportunities for training and recruitment by bringing together a wide variety of state and federal resources, i.e., the Department of Labor, the Bu reau of Indian Affairs, etc. The Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) needs-based program, funded at $906,377, helps Delores Pigsley facilitate this coordinated effort. (In even more educational opportunities calculating need. TANF is governed by federal regulations and per capita is for our members. counted as a resource.) An example of this effort is the job Mentor/Protégé Program A few years ago, Chinook Winds fair that was held on April 12, hosted started what is called the Mentor/ by Chinook Winds, which included Protégé Program under which selected more than 200 participants from which tribal members will receive help to de 50 people actually were offered jobs. I believe that one measure of the velop their management skills. Re cently, three tribal members - Natane progress that has been made in the Siletz Tribe’s efforts to develop our Woosley, Chad McCormick, and Candi human resource potential is the fact that more than 10 years ago when ( hi- nook Winds first began operations, there were virtually no tribal member managers. Today, 26 tribal members hold responsible casino management positions. We have made a great deal of progress and many good things con tinue to happen to strengthen the hu man resources of our tribe. Many educational, employment, and training opportunities are available and our tribal members are strongly urged to take advantage of them. Local Elections In closing my chairman's report. 1 am compelled to comment briefly on Lincoln City's municipal election. I find it regrettable that Mayor Lori Hollingsworth stated that the tribe's fee-to-trust land transactions have significantly reduced the city's tax base. My immediate response to this statement is that our economic devel opment ventures on these lands have fueled an economic revival in Lincoln City that has had far-reaching benefits to the citizenry. I shall speak further on this matter through the local media. r Siletz Valley School and Siletz Valley Early College Academy Now accepting applications for next school year (2006-2007) Attention Siletz Tribal Veterans Any veteran who is interested in performing Honor Guard ceremonies for various events at Chinook Winds Casino Resort and pow-wows, etc., should contact Clay Arden at the Portland Area Office, 503- 238-1512 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1419. A stipend will be given to those who participate. All grade levels have limited space and are on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to register soon! You can pick up a registration packet from Teri in the school office from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Most Often Requested Numbers Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians Salem Area Office 503-390-9494 Salem Finance Of lice 1-888-870-9051 Portland Area OH ice 503-238-1512 Eugene Area Office 541 -484-4234 Springfield Siletz Tribal Head Start 541-747-0161 Contract Health Services (CHS) 1-8OO-628-572O Siletz Community Health Clinic I -800-648-0449 Siletz Alcohol and Drug I -800-600-5599 Chinook Winds Casino Resort 1-888-244-6665 Chemawa Health Clinic 1 -800-452-7823 Bureau of Indian Affairs I-8OO-323-85I7 Web Site www.ctsi.nsn.us Open Your Home - and Your Heart - to a Child in Need* Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment. A number of foster care programs and organizations nationwide are dedicated to ensuring that foster chil dren get the care and support they need. These organizations can't do it alone - they need the assistance of people like you. The need for foster parents cur rently ranks among the most pressing problems in the child welfare system. Nearly every community in the nation has a shortage of foster families. 3 his is true for the Confederated I ribes of Siletz Indians, both locally and through out the 1 I-county service area. Many people believe that only married couples can become foster parents. In fact, foster parents can be single, married, or divorced. I hey can be homeowners or live in an apartment. They can be as young as 21 - or they can be retired. Families who care for foster chil dren receive payments that are in tended to cover ordinary living ex penses for the child, including food, shelter, and daily supervision. Each state has its own rules and procedures for becoming a foster parent. For information on fostering a Siletz Tribal child, please contact the tribe's Indian Child Welfare de partment at: Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians Attn: Sandra Simmons. Foster Parent Certifier/Case Manager III Indian Child Welfare P.O. Box 549 Siletz. OR 97380-0549 1-800-922-1399. ext. 1275 541-444-8275 ★ Used with permission of the National Foster Parent Association, 1-800-55 7-5238, www.nfpainc.org. June 2006 • Siletz News • 3
