TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS
To the editor:
Gela' tribal members.
By the time you read this, it will
almost be the day of the tribal election.
I want to thank those of you who sup
ported me throughout my campaign
and who voted for me in this election.
I so appreciate your faith and trust in
me. Whether I'm elected or not, I feel
that I've gained more knowledge by
this effort and have made new friends
in the process.
Many of you have asked some
tough questions of me about the dif
ferent issues about the tribe. Many have
learned about me: how I feel about our
children, they're our future and will be
our leaders one day; that I care about
our elders and would like to see more
opportunities where our children and
elders could have more gatherings to
learn from one another; I believe
strongly in our ancient philosophies,
where we remember where we come
from and the sacrifices our ancestors
made, this helps us to be humble, grate
ful for what we have today and to re
member to help one another; that I am
a praying woman and that I come from
a praying family, generations of
prayers have been said for each of us;
that I stand up for fairness, equality,
justice, against oppression, and to use
our voice and the gifts the creator gave
each human being; that I remember and
still believe in the tribe's first priorities
when we first gained our federal rec
ognition - health, education, employ
ment, and general welfare.
There are still many tribal people
with unmeet basic needs and I'd like
to see our tribe find a way to help these
members, no matter where they reside.
We speak about self-sufficiency as
a tribe and I believe also it ought to start
with each tribal member. We need to
help members become self-sufficient
before we can become successful as a
tribe. We help many organizations now
that we are successful with our casino;
I believe charity starts at home.
I understand the negotiations and
responsibilities we have with our gam
ing compact, but I believe our members
ought to come first. Our government,
meaning Tribal Council, has that re
sponsibility. The federal government is
constantly cutting our budgets. We can
not rely on them for our basic needs.
We have grown so rapidly as a
tribe, we have many successes, and I
believe we’re possibly suffering grow
ing pains, if you will. Many of our
people feel ignored and not validated
is what I have learned during this cam
paign. I would like to see unity brought
back to our people!
I would appreciate your support by
voting for me in this election.
Ta gah huska sho na schisly
Marita “Selene” Rilatos
Help Needed on Cemetery Project
The Cultural & Heritage Commit
tee is working on a cemetery project.
It wants to purchase grave markers for
the numerous unmarked and unknown
graves at the Paul Washington Cem
etery. The committee is asking for tribal
member input to identify as many
graves as possible.
The committee also is asking for
tribal member artists to submit artwork
suggestions for the markers. The art
work would have to be very small as
the markers would be rather small in
dimension. The artwork should be
about 5" wide and 10" long.
For more information or to assist in
identifying the graves, please contact
the Cultural Office at 1-800 922-1399,
ext. 1246, or 541-444-8246.
Nuu-wee-ya’
Siletz Dee-ni Language Lesson
Basic Sentences
foods
srtaa~
Indian
Dee-ne
pass me.
salt
The
shghaa
—'ash.
Ghii mar’sh-lvsh
hurts.
din-trat.
My hand
Shish-la’
The horse
Ghii Ihin'-chu
you like?
nan-talh?
haa~
huh
Bacon and
eggs
Guu-shu'
chaa-ghee-she
My mother
always
Sh-kaa-ga' dii-hii-chu
My brother’s
Sh-chee-le
running.
nalh-da.
I like.
nash-talh.
you have done, (thank you)
nin-la.
for me
‘aa-shi
Good
Shu’
fast is
xan’
eyes are
naa-ghe
is working,
naa-dvtlh-nvsh.
brown.
‘ee-kay-'vn'-f e.
Athabaskan Practical Alphabet
a
au
ay
b
ch
lat
(float)
gau
(swan)
duu-day
(none)
ch'aa-bay-yu
(flower)
chvn
(stick)
lot
ouch
bhe
bow
chair
ch’
d
e
g
gh
ch’ee-yash
(bird)
dii
(this)
naa-xe
(two)
gee-lish
(willow)
ghit-ts'ay
(blue jay)
church
dip
hen
goat
ghost
h
i
k
k’
kr’
hvm’-chi'
(goodbye)
Ihin’
(dog)
Ihuk
(fish)
k’wvt
(upon)
kr'ii-k'i
(gravy)
hat
he
kiss
quick
concrete
1
ih
m
n
oy
lat
(float)
1ha’
(one)
mvn
(house)
nvn
(you)
moyn-xu
(edge of)
low
Ih
music
no
boy
P
sh
sr
t
nii-pash
(cheeks)
S
si~s-xa
(ocean)
shu’
(good)
k’aa—sra
(crow)
tee-ne
(road)
pipe
see
shy
shrew
table
tr’
ts’
U
V
W
tr’aa-ne'
(wife)
ts’vn
(awl)
duu
(no)
svlh
(hot)
k’we
(over)
trip
gets
due
HP
we
(our words)
Introduction to the Athabaskan Language
Open to tribal members of all ages
Siletz
Siletz Tribal Community Center
Feb. 28-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
March 6-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Salem
Salem Area Office
Feb. 6-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
March 13-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Portland
Portland Area Office
Feb. 5-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
March 12-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Eugene
Eugene Area Office
Feb. I - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
March 5-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tribal members who need help on cultural projects should contact the
Siletz Culture Department. We can assist you prior to the language classes.
For more information, contact Bud Lane at the Siletz C'ulture Department
at 541-444-8320 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1320; or e-mail budl@ctsi.nsn.us.
4
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Siletz News
•
February 2007
X
y
xvsh
yan’
(south)
“gargle h”
yes