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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2007)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: The family of Ashley Regalado would like to say how proud we are of our tribe for all the love and support shown us. We came into the tribe as outsiders and have been welcomed like we’ve always belonged. Thank you from the great medical staff to fund-raisers, and also Siletz News for letting our family put so many mes sages to Ashley in the news. Ashley has a long road ahead of her but with all our love and prayers, she will get through it just fine. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Kathy Ness To the editor: I just wanted the tribe to know I appreciated the $100 a month I get for being a tribal elder. It has helped me get to my spiritual gatherings and helps me with paying my rent. Laverne Butler To the editor: It is coming up on another election year. In February, my three years as a Tribal Council member will be over. I am declaring my candidacy and am asking for your support. The last three years have been an educational learning experience for me. I feel like a baby in the political world as I still have so much to learn. I have had the opportunity to work on some issues that are very dear to me, such as ICW, Child Protection, Oregon Youth Authority, Housing is sues, and the Meth task force. I feel that I have contributed a little to all of these things. But all governments seem to work at a very slow pace. I feel that we as Tribal Council get so caught up in the business side of To the editor: I wish to thank the citizens of Lin coln City, the staff and employees of Chinook Winds, and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians for bringing us the traveling memorial that is called The Field of Honor. There was such a peaceful and healing feeling to walk among the 500 American flags that were on display. There was such a great wave of posi tive energy and yet such a reverence, like being in a great cathedral! The Medal Award ceremony for all veterans who have served their coun try was very uplifting. I want to thank all those who were present. The mes sage I received was, “Never again will another generation of veterans be for gotten!” The other thought and feel ing I received was, “Do not confuse the war with the warrior!” I hope this memorial and medal ceremony will be experienced by thou sands and thousands of veterans and the great citizens of Oregon. Thank you. Tony Molina the tribe that we neglect the needs of our tribal people. I would like the chance to continue to work on these issues. Thank you, Loraine Y. Butler To the editor: I'm writing this month to let the tribal members know that due to politi cal content, some letters aren't making it into Siletz News. This can be dis cussed freely at www.siletz.net. Lynette Warren To the editor: My name is Eddie Collins and I am writing to thank all the tribal members and their families who participated in this year’s Run to the Rouge. It was good to see the young and old alike participating. The Strong family had a young run ner who could really “pick them up and put them down.” It was good to see El ders such as Woody Muschamp. Bill DePoe (and his dog), Fred and Molly Scott from Smith River. Calif., on the run. I also wanted to thank those tribal members who helped me with my wheelchair getting over the rough spots: Bud Lane, Tony Whitehead, Shelley Upchurch and Stan Werth. Lastly I wanted to thank my daugh ter, Divona, for driving me and shar ing the weekend with me. Respectfully, Eddie Collins To the editor: We wish to thank everyone who paid their respects to Wanda Rae Belgarde and family. We would also like to rec ognize RaeLoni for all her organizing and choices made during this time. We are so proud of you! You did a great job of honoring your mom’s name. She taught you well and she'd be proud. Real proud. The Hutchinson family for being just that - family. Crystal Baker, thank you for song. Loraine Butler. Mona Fisher and Selene Rilatos - you all fill so many shoes. Thank you for your help. Homie Metcalf. AKA Martha or Michelle - you are a true "Homie.” All the kitchen crew and f.B. Annie, thank you. So so many of you shared words, helped out and showed support for the family. Words cannot say just how awe some it is the way people always step forward in all the right places. Good old- fashioned stuff and again we thank you for helping us send our loved one on. The Belgarde-Clawson family Dear Tribal Members: I would like to thank you for read ing this because it shows you are at least taking the time to look at this portion of the newsletter. I have remained silent for a very long time and cannot any longer. I have read, seen and heard all I can take about people complaining about the ICWA program, how it is run and how our children are being lost to non-tribal families. Does it ever occur to anyone com plaining about the poor service and poor decision making that our lost tribal youth who are suffering without the love and support of families, that the prob lem is why the children were removed in the first place? Obviously there was a problem to begin with for the chil dren to be removed and placed else where, let alone with a non-tribal fam ily if not their own immediate family. You may say who am I to judge anyone else? Well, I am not judging but let me tell you. I am a single par- ent, full-time employed, state and tribal certified foster parent. It does not take a fortune, a two-parent household or any “experience.” What it does take is a whole lot of patience and love. I am not looking for sympathy or a pat on the back. I want to see people take responsibility for their own mis takes and own up/step up for our chil dren. If you want to help, help. If you want to complain, do it silently because our children need all the support they can get. As they represent our future, please stand up for them. If you really, really want to help, ask how you could be a foster parent, ask about assisting with programs for respite care for full- time providers to offer them a little break. Support the parents who are trying to make their families whole again and heal the wounds. Use your voice for something positive. Thank you, LuElla Gonzales (Simmons) f-------------------------------- 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 541-444-8291 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1291 Fax: 541-444-2307 E-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us Please note: The general manager of the Siletz Tribe is the editor-in-chief of Siletz News. 2 • Siletz News • Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner Editor: Diane Rodriquez Assistant: Laurel Johnson November 2007 Deadline for the December issue is Nov. 9. Submission of articles and photos is encouraged. Please read the Passages Policy on page 24 when submitting items for Passages. IN A j 71 Member of the Native American Journalists Association I I I I Siletz News is free to enrolled Siletz Tribal members. For all oth- ers, a $12 annual subscription fee applies. Please make checks payable to CTSI and mail to Siletz News. ‘ I I I I । Name:_________________________ 1 । Address:_______________________ i 1 Phone: ________________________ Change of address: Tribal mem- । I | I I hers - call the Enrollment Department I at 541-444-8258 or 1-800-922-1399, I ext. 1258; all others - call the news- I paper office. ____________________ '
