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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2006)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: I just wanted to thank my cousins AJ and Joe Warren. Jessie Cordova, and Jimmy Williams for going out to help with the drum at my dad's services. This was a very tough time and you pulled it off for us; you were excellent. Our Grand Ronde cousins were re ally impressed with you and appreciated it very much. My aunties thought you guys were real good too. You boys are super and will always have a place in my heart forever. If you ever need anything, I will be there for you. I love you guys. Also, to Eddie - I don’t want you to feel bad for not being there in per son because the prayers were still felt. And always know that I will be there for you if ever needed. I am glad that you had the oppor tunity to be able to do your other camps and to have a good time, a lot of great experiences, and I am sure you learned a few things along the way. We did miss you though. I hate when you leave town; you never want to come home. EN-IT, I love you. welcome home. I wanted to take this time to thank Kitti, Elouise, and Nancy for the excel lent food. It has been a real trying time and we are getting better every day. I enjoyed the visits with Darlene. Jessica, and Cuz Harold. And to Liz for staying the night with the family - you were awesome. I especially appre ciated the stories and all the memories that were shared with the family. 1 want my family to know that my dad is doing better now and will be missed. There is no suffering where he is and we can begin to heal now. I ap- To my mom, for the tough times that you are going through and the hurt you must feel. I love you. My kids for being as strong as you are to sit so proud at the drum during the services and to be able to sing like you did. To my husband for sharing the sto- ries about my dad, as I know that fu- nerals are not something that you like to do, or talk in front of people. My youngest, you are so strong and brave for being at grandpa's side when he passed. I love you. Violet Lafferty-Moore To the editor: I want to say a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Kikumoto for making it possible for me to get my per capita check! If it weren’t for his excellent management of our casino, our payment might not be as much or possibly no payment at all. I see the letters always criticizing the job he does and it makes me sick. Our casino is beautiful. And anytime I go there it's packed with people. I have never heard anyone say anything negative about our casino (except our own tribal members) And the funny thing is that the ones who complain are usually going there with free show tickets and getting a tree or discounted meal. So Mr. Kikumoto, thanks again and keep up the excellent work. Don’t get discouraged by those who have noth ing better to do but complain. Cindy Jackson To the editor: I was very happy to read of the progress concerning our tribal history and the plans to use the information to address the things done to our tribe. Then I turned the page and I won der if the living blood relatives of one of our tribal members cannot agree on his lineage, how can we as a people agree on our history? If our own Tribal Council will not listen to our Enrollment Department and put an end to this nonsense, how can we hope to convince the U.S. Leg islature of what happened long ago? And these issues concerning Title IV and ICW. I was raised with no knowl edge of my culture or contact with my Native family. I would not wish that on any child - I know what it feels like. If we do not come together and raise our own tribal children - no matter what the situation - how can we say to the U.S. government, “We are a sovereign people. We are ready to reclaim what was taken from us and choose our own path.” Are not these things the purpose and goals of tribal government? Randall Hartwell To the editor: To my family, friends, and tribe, I want to thank you for all the support you have given me through and I have gained great experiences on my travels. Thank you, my year as Jr. Miss Siletz. I've had a Darian Dorman great time representing my people Jr. Miss Siletz, 2005-2006 HH • i 1: To the editor: I'm writing in response to an ar ticle written by Kelley Ellis in the Au gust issue of Siletz News. I'm particularly interested in re sponding to her comments about the Honored Elders Stipend. Yes, our Tribal Council was selective on who should receive the extra allowance. Whenever a group within a group is chosen, that's being selective. In this case, the group is about 400 tribal elders. 130 tribal elders age 70 on were chosen to receive this allowance. Again, I say to choose a group within a group is not only selective, but also not a common practice nor universal in other governments or organizations. The reason stated for choosing this group was affordability, and we were told that’s when fixed income kicks in. Not so. Fixed income for a very few begins at age 62. and 99 percent of el ders at age 65 are on fixed incomes. The average life span of an Ameri can Native hardly reaches age 60. Con tributing factors for such a short life span are poverty and poor diets. The elders budget allowance of $468,000 should be shared with all el ders. One option could have been for each elder to receive an annual check for $1,170. For 400 elders, this would come within the $468,000 yearly el ders budget. If we have 450 elders, the annual check would be $1040. This also would come within the elders budget. That would have been a good start, and J another popular saying is “Something is better than nothing.” Currently. 130 elders will receive )tU $300 monthly; that comes to $3.600 a year to a total $468,000 a year, which is also within the elders budget allow ance. The money is there, so why not ' < share with all elders? An elder is an elder, and we all ( would be honored. The elders allow- , ance would boost elders’ income forf n; prescription drugs and provide extra <> funds to purchase food necessary for -1 a good diet. This will lead to a happier. («□11 healthier, and longer life. Yes, Kelley, it’s unfortunate the el- ders allowance didn't include all elders, but it didn't have to be that way. Council could review and amend to include all 1 1 elders. It can be done, we have the' money. Millions are spent on projects and ; < business ventures. Take care of the mem 2 ft J bers' needs first and then venture out. notr Don't get me wrong on this issue. 1 I also think it’s a good thing that coun cil decided to give elders the extra al lowance. 1 and many others just hap pen to think all elders should have re ceived a share of it. Our council has the responsibility of leading and making the decisions o for our tribe. For the most part, they're all working hard and doing a very good 1 ! job. It’s not easy for them. I do respect and commend them all. Sincerely, Rose Kentta ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 pait 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: Laurel Johnson September 2006 541-444-8291 or 1-800-922-1399. ext. 1291 Fax: 541-444-2307 E-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us Deadline for the October issue is Sept. 8. 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 Siletz News is free to enrolled | '' Siletz Tribal members. For all others. | a $12 annual subscription fee applies. Please make checks payable to CTSI and mail to Siletz News. Name:_________________________ Address: _______________________ Phone:_________________________ Change of address: Tribal mem bers-call the Enrollment Department at 541-444-8258 or 1-8OO-922-I399. | ext. 1258; all others - call the news- |'jX paper office. I *_________________________________ '
