Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2007)
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT During January and February, I attended a number of meetings that are of vital importance to our tribe. I would like, in this issue of Siletz News, to report on those meetings. Congressional Action on Chemawa Station Project Council member Bud Lane, tribal attorney Leroy Wilder, and I met with the Oregon delegation in Washington, D.C.. to discuss several critical issues. Among them was an issue involv ing the Chemawa Station LLC property in Keizer across from Keizer Station, an economic development project of high priority not only to our tribe but to the Grand Ronde Tribe as well. The Chemawa Station LLC is unique in that it involves joint tribal ownership and developmental responsibilities. Although the project has been de scribed in previous tribal publications, I would like to briefly review what has already been done and what the par ticular obstacle is that took our Siletz delegation to Washington, D.C. The land on which the Chemawa Station property sits was federal prop erty. A great deal of progress has been made in developing the site since own ership of the property was turned over to Siletz and Grand Ronde tribes in 2(X)2. According to the approved com prehensive plan, this is a "high quality light industrial park” with related re tail and other services. Issues involving the master plan, including variances, were resolved by city action a couple of years ago. The construction of roads and in stallation of water and sewer systems and lines have been completed and cur rently are in service. The tribes together already have invested more than $3 mil lion in these developmental activities. Because of the variety of busi nesses and multi-tenant potential, the property when completed is expected to generate significant employment opportunities for members of both tribes as well as Chemawa students. As we reported to tribal members a year ago, however, we encountered a major obstacle in developing and using the property for economic devel opment purposes. The quitclaim deed Delores Pigsley that conveyed the property to the tribes contains what is called a "reversion ary clause.” Specifically, it prohibits use of the property for economic development or natural resources purposes. The term quitclaim deed itself means that it doesn't provide a guarantee or war ranty of title. A monkey wrench was therefore thrown into further implementation of our project, not only putting in jeop ardy substantial funds the tribes already have invested, but discouraging any lender from providing needed supple mental financing for the project. It was determined that the restric tive clause in the quitclaim deed could only be removed by congressional ac tion. not by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It was for this reason that we went to Washington, D.C., last month to appeal to our congressional representatives to push a bill to remove this obstacle. Our appeal was successful. Legis lation has been introduced and is headed for markup with a very good chance of quick passage. USDA Funding Re-organization The Siletz Tribe receives U.S. De partment of Agriculture (USDA) funds that have served the pressing needs of our members who live in a congres sionally established multi-county ser vice area. USDA now intends, however, to change the method of distributing funds, which will seriously and ad versely impact the Siletz Tribe's food distribution program. A meeting was held in San Fran cisco recently at which USDA reported on its plan for re-organizing and re allocating its funds. Under this new methodology, it's likely the Siletz will lose funding that has historically been available to meet our members' needs. San Diego Tribal Leaders Forum Concluding Personal Remarks What is the state of Indian affairs in the new Congress? This is the burn ing question that brought together Regarding the recently held tribal election, I want to congratulate my two colleagues and incumbents, Lillie But CTSI Jobs CTSI Employment Job Line 541-444-8296 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1296 Visit our Web site at www.ctsi.nsn.us Job Opening CTSI is constantly looking for temporary employees to cover va cancy, vacations, maternity leave, and extend sick leave. If you are re tired, a homemaker, or a student and are looking for temporary work that can last from two weeks to 12 weeks, please submit a temporary applica tion for the temp pool. tribes from across the country to the Tribal Leaders Forum in San Diego in early January. Five Siletz Tribal Council members were among hundreds of other tribal representatives who attended this im portant conference. Although our Siletz delegation was prepared to present our tribal needs and legislative priorities, we were reminded by various presenters that there was very little chance the Indian affairs budget will increase. The Democratic Congress understands tribal needs and priorities, but the real ity is not bright for tribes. High priorities discussed were pas sage of the Indian Health Care Im provement Act. trust reform, and settle ment of the Cobell lawsuit. Because of the money being spent on the war in Iraq, tribes' budgets will suffer. Our tribe's highest priority has to be increased health care for our mem bers. Yet we know that this year’s bud get will be flat and won't keep up with inflation. The leadership forum focused on the priorities that all tribes need to weigh in on. Note: “Open Until Filled” vacan cies may close at any time. The tribe’s Indian Preference policy will apply. Tribal government will not discrimi nate in selection because of race, creed, age, sex, color, national origin, physi cal handicap, marital status, politics, membership or non-membership in an employee organization. ler and Bud Lane, for being re-elected to council. In addition. Lillie has been elected secretary and Bud. vice-chairman. I also am pleased but humbled at being re-elected to the council and once again as tribal chairman. Although I appreciate the confi dence of those who voted for me. I am mindful of my obligation to represent all members of the tribe, whether they voted for me or not. and to be chair man of the Siletz Tribe as a whole. Also, although the recent re-election of the incumbents represents continu ity. it doesn't mean we will maintain the status quo. Under my chairmanship, the council will continue to be innova tive. forward-looking, responsive to new challenges, and willing to seek new opportunities. On another matter. I also would like to express how proud and honored I was to be named one of the Ten Great Women of Gaming, having been nominated by Ernie Stevens, president of the National Indian Gaming Association. On Feb. 13. I attended the event held in Las Vegas to honor the IO named women. I understand that it wasn't only the nominees' involvement in gaming but other factors as well that determined the final selections. The fact that I was involved as a member of the council in the fight to be restored in 1977 following the rav ages of termination, in the tribe being designated one of the first 20 self governance tribes in the country, and in the many tribal accomplishments lead ing up to and including the establishment of Chinook Winds - all these factors may have played a part in the determination. However, whatever the criteria, the most point I have to make is that throughout the more than 27 years I served on the council and the past IO years that led to the establishment of our gaming enterprise, nothing could have been accomplished without the dedication, the sacrifices, and the shared leadership of all the Tribal Council members and our staff. I will accept the honor not for my self. but on behalf of the “Great Men and Women of the Siletz Tribal Council” who served with me during the past 27 years. Most Often Requested Numbers I-800-922-1399 503-390-9494 I-888-870-905 I 503-238-15 12 541-484-4234 541-747.0161 1-8OO-628-572O 1-800-648-0449 1-800-600-5599 1-888-244-6665 1-8OO-452-7823 1-8OO-323-85I7 www.ctsi.nsn.us Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians Salem Area Office Salem Finance Office Portland Area Office Eugene Area Office Springfield Siletz Tribal Head Start Contract Health Services (CHS) Siletz Community Health Clinic Siletz Alcohol and Drug Chinook Winds Casino Resort Chemawa Health Clinic Bureau of Indian Affairs Web Site March 2007 • Siletz News • 3
