Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2006)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: This letter is directed to the indi- vidual(s) who left an off-the-wall note on a brochure at the Singing Springs Resort in Agness, Oregon. It was left there by one of our elders during their stay at the Run to the Rogue. It seems the owners of Singing Springs complained when they asked a certain party not to drive on their lawn and to not block the driveways, in case of an emergency. Because the owners wanted these rules followed, the author of the note described Alan and Teri Durham as Indian haters. I’m wonder ing if this senior citizen would allow anyone to tear up their lawn or to block their own driveway? Alan and Teri view the Indian people of the lower Rogue River as the original owners of that land and bend over backwards to please us. During my language classes, they charged us $1,000 to use seven cabins for over a week, which included laun dry facilities, electricity, water, and garbage. You would never find a deal like that coming from white people. And they allowed us to build a sweat house on their grounds. Any one knows, who has used a sweat house, you have to make a large hole for the rock pit and the fire pit. When we were leaving, you wouldn't even know a sweat house was there. I travel there to attend the small gath ering al Big Bend. Mr. and Mrs. Durham allow' me to slay in their large travel trailer for free. When Mrs. Durham cooks breakfast for the many fishermen who come through there on a daily ba sis, I am invited to join in at no cost. I am not "Indian in my heart'’- I am % Tututni and % Hoopa. Roll number 934, and direct descendant of Chief Ensalsun (see I960 rolls of the Tututni) and Nocnoscia. I can say very clearly that Mr. and Mrs. Durham are not Indian haters. Gilbert Jr. Towner u 2 To the editor: Dear tribal members While I do not want to take away from the compliment paid the general manager of the casino in a recent letter, I think that credit for recent increases in our revenues from the casino should go to the people who actually caused the increases to happen, the Tribal Council. The first big jump in the revenues came after our two interim managers took over. While the current manager showed a $2 million increase his first year, the prior managers had to make up a carryover debt of nearly $2 mil lion left by the prior manager. The next big increase came after the Tribal Council did a major refinance of the loan we had on the area covered by the expanded parking lot. We had a high interest rate on that loan and they were able to get a much lower rate. Instead of leaving the rent payment from the casino to the tribe the same, the council decided to pass the interest sav ings on to the casino operations. This increased the casino revenues that year by almost the exact amount of debt reduction passed on from the council. This past year, you noticed that the per capita payments were almost ex actly the same as the prior year. Up until December, the projected payments were lower than last year. The council voted to change some of the payment structures again in order to keep the revenues up just high enough to cover the new tribal members who were added during the year and keep the per capita payments the same. If you discount the revenue in creases attributed to council actions, the income derived from casino operations has actually been flat over the past few years. Council should get the credit due them for their actions taken to bring so much needed money to our tribe. This year you should see a large increase in the net revenues from the casino. The debt on the casino was paid off about halfway through the year. This eliminated millions of dollars in principal and interest payments that will now come back to the tribe as ex cess revenue. Gerald Ben To the editor: Dear Siletz. Tribal members, I regret that I have to inform you about my relinquishment in being Miss Siletz 06-07. I haven't made the best choices and my actions have proven that to be true. 1 sincerely apologize to all of you for disrespecting our past, present, and our future. I would like to amend the pain I have caused to my family and my supporters. To the editor: Hum' chi' my relatives, My name is Che' Butler and I am a Siletz Tribal member. I am 17 years old and a graduating senior of Taft High School in Lincoln City. Oregon. In 2004, I was elected by both the OIEA membership and OIEA youth membership to sit on the OIEA Board to represent the youth in Oregon. I have approached the OIEA Board with three concerns that have been brought to attention by my peers and adults. These issues and concerns affect the youth and our education in Oregon: • • • November as Native American Month Creating another award nomination category for OIEA Native mascots The OIEA Board listened and made some of the requested changes. I will be addressing the Oregon Department 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 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 tor length as approved by Tribal Council Resolution #96-142. Siletz News P.O. Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380-0549 ■■■ • ............................................................................. Siletz News • ............................ Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner Editor: Diane Rodriquez Assistant: Laurel Johnson November 2006 ................. of Education's Board in December re garding the “Oregon Native Mascots" issue. I would like to hear how my rela tives feel about the mascots. Please feel free to write to me at Che' Butler. P.O. Box 738, Lincoln City, OR 97367. As a young person representing my tribe and school. I find playing a school that disrespects our people very offensive. I have a younger brother and many young cousins and nephews who I don't want feeling the way that I did/do. Disrespected when trying to do the right thing and staying out of confrontations can sometimes be hard to do. My relatives, you are welcome to attend this Board meeting and support us. We are your next generation and the disrespect has to stop. I am not say ing that using tribal mascots is offen sive, but “it's in the context that they use it." Che' Butler To the editor: To tribal members, My term as a Tribal Council member is up in February 2007. I will be apply ing for another term and would like the support of your vote in February. I will be putting a statement in the Voter's Pamphlet at a later date. For those who have not registered to vote, I encourage you to call the Enrollment Depart ment to get a registration card. Lillie Butler Siletz News Letters Policy Please note: The general manager of the Siletz Tribe is the editor-in-chief of Siletz News. I would like to add one more thing - gossip. There is no need to talk about my faults, although a majority of the time that's all people can do and that's all they do do! I have been more criti cal of myself than any other person could ever be. Respectfully, Tasha Rilatos 541-444-8291 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1291 Fax: 541-444-2307 E-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us Deadline for the December is sue is Nov. 9. Submission of articles and photos is encouraged. Please read the Passages Policy on page 20 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 | I and mail to Siletz News. । Name:_________________________ । | Address: _______________________ I | Phone:_________________________ | Change of address: Tribal mem- | | hers -call the Enrollment Department | | at 541-444-8258 or I-8OO-922-I399, | | ext. 1258: all others - call the news- | | paper office. k_________________________________ J
