LEITERS TO THE EDITOR
To the editor:
I attended the honoring memorial
tor the ones who are buried at Chemawa
Cemetery, the 3rd of March. I feel the
need to honor the two warriors of our
confederacy for what they did - Darelle
Butler and Robert Van Pelt.
For as long as I have kept myself in
formed of the doings around Chemawa.
this is the first and only time anything
has been done to memorialize the
people buried there. And my memory
goes back to 1934. Maybe something
was done before that year, I don t know.
I am also thankful that our chairper
son and her husband were there through
out the ceremony, as well as our elder,
Aggie Pilgrim, and many other notables.
Many beautiful songs were rendered,
with many veterans to bless the earth.
I know that Dino and Robert were
not and would not seek recognition lor
what they did, but I'm giving them
honor whether they like it or not. Keep
an eye on these two warriors - they do
good work — and all in the background.
H-Hii Chii Tisne - Dene Tisne.
Thank you for your time.
Enselsun
Gilbert Towner Sr.
To the editor:
On March 26, 2007, I went to
Washington, D.C., for a training for an
upcoming program that the tribe will
be offering. This was my first trip to
D.C. and it was very enlightening.
On the 27,h, 31 years after my dad,
Robert Rilato.s Sr.'s trip to D.C., I saw
our nation’s Capitol lor the first time.
This brought on an array of emotions.
I thought about my dad and our
other tribal members and family who
sat and fought for our tribal rights, the
right to be recognized as Indian people.
I thought about the community
meetings that led up to our request for
Restoration. Although it was a failed
effort the first few times, this fine group
of individuals was able to enlist our
nation's leaders to take a better look al
our request and we were granted Res
toration. President Carter signed off on
Nov. 18, 1977, allowing our most re
cent tribal roll to be set in place.
To the editor:
I would like to mention the service
of our tribal clinic employee, Maxine
Rilatos.
1 have been living out of the area
for over a year now and have required
medical transports. On several occa
sions, I have found her to be prompt,
reliable, and friendly each and every
time I’ve ridden with her. She routinely
exceeds the normal expectations asso
ciated with the transporting service.
I am grateful for the program and
Maxine’s involvement.
To the editor:
My name is Shari Logan and I've
learned my daughter, Angela, is rec
ognizing the outstanding service of
Maxine Rilatos. I am also appreciative
of the friendly service she provides.
It’s always nice to be in her company
because she always has a friendly smile
and good conversation. Maxine regu
larly demonstrates a great tribal spirit.
Thankfully,
As I look al the picture of the nine
council who represented us in Washing
ton. D.C. - Delores Pigsley, Joe Lane,
my dad Robert Rilatos, Art Benscll,
Katherine Harrison. Bob Tom, Pauline
Ricks, Alta Courville, and Sister Francella
Griggs - 1 find great honor that they were
there fighting for the integrity of our people.
I remember the time pul into this
effort to help our tribal membership
gain identity in our communities, iden
tity that was lost when the government
was working for assimilation, a tailed
effort for Indian people.
Our tribal goal was to “Help our
members to achieve their highest po
tential in education, physical & men
tal health, and economic development”
as well as “Insure that our people shall
live in peace and harmony among them
selves and with all other people.” (Ref
erence: Constitution of the Confeder
ated Tribes of Siletz Indians: Purposes)
To the editor:
Thank You
I would like to say thank you to
Lennie Simmons, Sam Bayya, and Eu
gene “Papa” Williams for the beautiful
job they did at the Siletz Cemetery.
I don't know how many of you
folks realize that Mother Nature left a
big mess with the limbs, leaves, and
debris. There were trees actually down
across some of the graves. It had to take
a lot of sweat and tears to rake, cut,
and remove.
I would say they cleaned a 3*-acre
area by hand. This look great effort and
I would like you to know how much I
appreciate your hard work.
Tribal members, if you have a few
minutes, drive through the cemetery
and see how nice and beautiful it looks
and take time to say thank you.
Lennie, Papa, and Sam - you did a
beautiful job!
I really appreciate you guys!
As the Tribal Council looks at the
health and well-being of our tribal
people, we must kxik into our past to see
what our ancestors endured. We need
to recognize the fact that tribal members
were placed on the roll by Bible records,
sworn affidavits, and other forms of
identity. I feel very sad for the families
who are forgetting the past and trying
to destroy the future of some of our
tribal members and future members.
I was happy to hear a decision was
made by the courts to discontinue the
failed effort of the group of individu
als who are continuing to take up pre
cious time and effort of our Tribal
Council and our lawyer.
May is the month for remembrance.
Please take the time to remember and give
thanks for all we have as a result from
those who have worked hard for us.
Respectfully,
Valerie Hibdon
To the editor:
I want to publicly say thank you to
the Siletz Pharmacy.
When we were first told we needed
to get our meds through Siletz rather than
Pequot, 1 was not happy. But the Phar
macy staff has given excellent service
and 1 am always amazed al how quickly
they get my meds out here to me.
I have only dealt with them in per
son a few times, but they are always
very nice and helpful.
Cindy Jackson
To the editor:
It is not too early to remind every
one that the Lincoln County Fair will
be held from July 19-22 this year. The
theme is “Salute to Heroes and the
colors are silver and blue.
I wanted to tell people about a new
class that we have added in the Textile
and Needlework Division for 2007. It
is class 15, Native American Theme.
We have gotten some entries with
this theme in past years, and this will add
a special category for them if the ex
hibitor wants to compete with other items
of similar subjects. Or it would give an
exhibitor another place in which to
place entries should they have several.
The Youth Textiles and Needlework
Division has been somewhat expanded
also, so look for this when the
exhibitor’s guide comes out no later
than May. This guide tells you what the
various classes and lots are, and ex
plains how to enter, which is easy.
Whether your specialty is quilling,
crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroi
dery, sewing, rug hooking, or needle
point, there are classes just waiting for
you to come enter. There are classes
for elders age 65 or better, and there is
a class for the fair theme. More prizes
than ever this year, too.
So, hopefully you are working on
fair entries now or you will start think
ing about what you can do. I look for
ward to exhibiting your entries.
Sincerely,
Anne Hendrickson
Textile and Needlework Superintendent
Lincoln County Fair
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Siletz News
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May 2007
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Editor: Diane Rodriquez
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