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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2007)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: I would like to thank everyone for their kindness and help during the loss of my Dad, Richard “Bumpa” Strickler. Words can’t explain how much I ap preciate what you did for me. A special thanks to Bumpa’s Siletz Boys - Chris, Tad, Tod, Ricky & Ronnie and Neighbor Dan for being pall bearers. Thanks to Sheila (I knew you could do it Jane). Judy, Wendy and Darlene for the dinner afterwards. Thank you Dan Lundy for the service - it was appropriate. Thank you Lenford for helping me take care of my Dad when he needed that extra help. Thanks Aunt Sandy, Sis ter Ann and Dan for being there when I needed you most. If I've forgotten anyone specific, please know that I appreciate every one’s thoughts and helpfulness. When you read this, give that special some one a hug as life is too short. Appreci ate your loved ones while they’re here today as tomorrow may never come. Sheryl Simmons To the editor: This article is in reference to the General Council meeting that was held August 4, 2007, in where a tribal mem ber made a motion that passed to stop a person from speaking. In this instance, there was no time limit and I believe our Tribal Council should have stepped in and done the proper thing by letting her continue speaking of her concerns. Motions should never be used to shut down free speech. If they were to be used for that purpose, then no one would be allowed to speak at General Council or public meetings. Was that the purpose - to intimidate, discour age, and shut down free speech for future tribal members? If so, it is not going to work. This could come within the bounds of civil rights regarding free speech. Civil rights are legal rights guar anteed by the US Constitution and were our new Habitat for Humanity home is. We will enjoy living in it for many years to come. We get the pleasure of landscap ing the yard and around the wetland. Many thanks to all the businesses who partner with Habitat for Humanity for the donation of materials and time to our home. We can’t forget all the volunteers who work for Habitat who made it hap pen. Special thanks to the ones who donate money and time. You all have made a dream come true for us. Thank you so very much. Chris and Kathy Kirkpatrick Editor's note: Please see a photo of Chris and Kathy on page 7. extended to Tribal Constitutions by the passing in Congress of the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968. The reason for a specific Indian Civil Rights Act is be cause others and Congress were con cerned about justice on Indian Reser vations. Even though there were, and still are, many well-managed Tribal Governments, some Tribal Govern ments were thought and some known to be tyrannical, thus, another good reason for Congress to pass an Indian Civil Rights Act. These civil rights belong to all per sons, Indian or not, living in or merely visiting a reservation, and include rights that limit the right of Tribal Gov ernment to pass or enforce laws restrict ing the free exercises of religion, free speech, the press, or the rights to as semble and to petition governments. Rose Kentta To the editor: Please allow this to be an open let ter to Tribal Council and to all members of our tribe. And special appreciation and love to Loraine Butler, Council Lady, extraordinaire. Sorry to say, the “word” did not get out to membership about the language class in the Tututni dialects of our people’s words during the Culture Camp, July 17-19. I especially apologize to my uncle, Eddie Collins, for not bringing him along with me. It rained all three days and it would just be too much for him. I had proposed the classes to last for four hours. The classes were all day long. I would like to here and now pro pose a class be held next year in the summer, one week in duration, four hours per day, on Government Hill, to teach our Tututni language separate from the Culture Camp, and with plenty of notification to the people who wish to attend. There were 12 people in attendance for this first session and it was a big success. During the dinner on the last day, these people stood up in front of every body and gave a formal greeting to all, saying their names and saying they spoke in the Tututni language. For only being three days old in the language - these people did an outstanding job. Shows you what a little dedication can do. And so, my thanks to the Tribal Council and in particular Loraine But ler, for her speaking on my behalf. Also to Lillie Butler for calling me, notify ing me to be in attendance. And finally to the membership - I have dedicated the rest of my life to this language. It is my desire to hear our people speaking Tututni once more. As well as the other dialects that our people spoke. Thanks to all. Gilbert Towner Siletz News Letters Policy 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 read ers 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 for length as approved by Tribal Council Resolution #96-142. Siletz News P.O. Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380-0549 Please note: The general manager of the Siletz Tribe is the editor-in-chief of Siletz News. 2 To the editor: We would like to say how beautiful • Siletz News • Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner Editor: Diane Rodriquez Assistant: Laurel Johnson September 2007 541-444-8291 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1291 Fax: 541-444-2307 E-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us Deadline for the October issue is Sept. 11. Submission of articles and photos is encouraged. Please read the Passages Policy on page 24 when submitting items for Passages. Member of the Native American Journalists Association To the editor: Jalla (Hello). Enjoyed Culture Camp, grandson Neil and I, and rest of our family gang. Good cultural camp projects, helpful staff. Third tepee out back, you know, next to the comfort station. Mr. Towner, 1 had to send out a search party to find you. But I am glad I located the Tututni lan guage class tepee (cedar plank house). Right from the get-go, you grabbed our attention. Your class material won derful! Your visual language disc a real archival tool. My mother (an honored elder) sat and listened to your language disc. Her comment, “This is what I remember when my mother and grandmother would visit.” Your soft sing-song teeter- totter monolog. Mother was at class the next day. Mr. Towner, Gilbert, if I might be so bold. A once-a-year cram it Tututni language course is a bit harsh! I be lieve the people and the powers that might be need to negotiate a schedule. Whereupon you visit with your Tututni language class on a more regular basis. Tribal Council, Tribal members, I believe a most honored gentleman vis ited Culture Camp this year. (Gilbert Towner). Soft-spoken linguist of our Tututni ancestors. I found him to be archival, an in dividual who bridges the gap from our past, leading us to the future. An heir loom of catastrophic dynamics. A rich treasure trove that backbones the fun damental foundation of our stability. I personally feel Mr. Towner needs to be more utilized. Cementing the Tututni tribal language in future cultural re structuring. 1 truly believe Mr. Towner is a natural resource that needs to be implemented within the building blocks of our tribal foundation. A steadfast positive light of energy. I be lieve generations to come will bask in the glow of Gilbert’s enlightenment. Shi Gu She (my name) Eva E. Clayton f-------------------------------------------------- Siletz News is free to enrolled I Siletz Tribal members. For all others, | a $12 annual subscription fee applies. | Please make checks payable to CTSI I and mail to Siletz News. I Name:_________________________ । Address: _______________________ Phone:_________________________ Change of address: Tribal mem bers-call the Enrollment Department at 541-444-8258 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1258; all others - call the news paper office. t_________________________________ /
