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
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Please note: The general manager
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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
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