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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2007)
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT During the spring, 1 reported on the Chemawa Station LLC, a joint eco nomic development project of the Siletz and Grand Ronde tribes, based on land given to the tribes by the Bu reau of Indian Affairs. 1 noted that the deed had an im pediment, a reversionary clause that needed to be cleared up, not by the BIA but by congressional action. It was for this reason that in January, we con ferred with congressional staff in or der for Congress to pass legislation to remove this obstacle. Our appeal was successful. We were assured legislation would be in troduced with a very good chance of quick passage. This has not happened yet, however. The bill passed the Sen ate but was held up in the House Re sources Committee. Recently, Tribal Council member Bud Lane, attorney Leroy Wilder, and I went to Washington to meet with key congressional staff to move the bill forward, emphasizing its importance to the tribes. We hope to have the bill moved out of the committee before the July 4 recess. Cultural Activities As for our solstice dances, they were held this year on the last week end in June. The dancers have in- eign Indian Tribe; (and) promote our inherent rights as Indians and as a sov ereign Indian Tribe; (and) promote our cultural heritage and religious beliefs and to pass them on in our own way to our children, grandchildren, and grandchildren’s children forever." The comp plan goes on to state, “The need to rekindle the languages, customs, traditions, and religious be liefs is clearly established in the tribe's Constitution and requires policy and program development." With those words that express our cultural foundation, the tribe is proud of how passionately we have been fulfilling that mission - from the re creation of the traditional dance house; the restoration of our feather dance; Delores Pigsley basket weaving, in which the Siletz Tribe has taken a lead on the Oregon creased tremendously in number. We Coast; teaching our traditional lan are very proud of our folks who have guage; and our Culture Camp. become involved in their tribal culture. Culture Camp currently is being I think it’s appropriate to point out planned. Last year’s camp was very how important cultural values and ac successful and we look forward to an tivities are to our tribe. Our compre even larger number of tribal members hensive plan, in summary, states that participating this year. the commitment is “to continue forever Plans for our pow-wow and parade ... our unique identity as Indians ... as to protect that identity from forces that currently are being finalized. Sister threaten to diminish it; protect our in Francella Griggs has been selected to terest rights as Indians and as a sover serve as this year’s grand marshal. New Project Promotes Healthy Living for Families The Healthy Family/Healthy Child project is looking for Siletz Tribal affiliates to sit on a committee that would bring family issues to the table and promote healthy living. For more information, please con tact Bekki Johns at 541-444-8262 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1262; or Mark Kimball at 541-444-8266 or 1-800 922-1399, ext. 1266. Sister not only was instrumental in the early Restoration activities, but also is a person with a heart of gold, respected and loved by Indians and non-Indians alike. For anyone who doesn't know, Sis ter in the 1970s got her master’s de gree in education from Eastern Oregon College and has served 26'/2 years in education in various parts of the coun try. She also served as executive director of the Portland Urban Indian Council when that organization was still un stable and needed her steady hand. We are proud and pleased that she has returned, and she participates as a regular member of the Siletz elders group and in many tribal activities. Soon after she learned of her appoint ment as grand marshal, she called Zak Zakoji to serve as her escort. I am very proud of all our gradu ates from Head Start through college - this seemed to be a banner year. I was fortunate to be able to attend Cynthia Depoe’s promotional ceremony where she was promoted to chief master sergeant. This is the highest-ranking post an enlisted person can receive in the military. She was surrounded by family and friends in a huge room filled with mili tary personnel. Congratulations to our achievers! Restoration Committee Working on 30th Anniversary Celebration by Tina Retasket The Tribal Council has appointed a committee to work on this year’s Resto ration Celebration. As you may already know, this year marks the 30,h anniver sary of Restoration. The committee is working on many events leading up to the Restoration event in November. If you have any photographs of people or events that are significant to pre- or post-restoration, we would like to make a copy of them. Please bring your photos to the Public Information office in the admin istration building in Siletz. Diane or Laurel will scan your photo, ask you who the people are in the picture and what the event is, and return the photo to you. They will forward the copies to the com mittee and you will have the original. We appreciate everyone’s assis tance in this event and hope to use as many pictures as possible to show the recent history of the Siletz Tribe. Most Often Requested Numbers 1-800-922-1399 503-390-9494 1-888-870-9051 503-238-1512 541-484-4234 541-747-0161 1-800-628-5720 1-800-648-0449 1-800-600-5599 1-888-244-6665 1-8OO-452-7823 I-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 July 2007 • Siletz News • 3
