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
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$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
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Siletz News
•
Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner
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September 2006
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