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)
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Siletz News Letters Policy
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Siletz News, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians,
is published once a month. Our editorial policy encourages input from read
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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
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P.O. Box 549
Siletz, OR 97380-0549
541-444-8291 or
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E-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us
Please note: The general manager
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Siletz News
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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.
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