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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2007)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: To the editor: This is in response to the tribal 1 attended the council meeting where Dee Pigsley mentioned the need member who is in Oklahoma and for youth to be involved in Tribal gov thinks “out of sight, out of mind” is ernment. I recalled when I was Preven how the tribe thinks of her due to the tion Program Coordinator I tried to re computer denial. My daughter, son and cruit youth ... to form a youth council I live right here in Salem. Immediately ... since the time I left that position I’ve upon hearing about the available com not seen a continuation of this goal. I'm puters, we submitted our paperwork. hopeful that some youth, who are now Each one of us was denied as well as young adults, remember the efforts you. It has nothing to do with location. they put forth ... they even sat in the Tribal Council chairs and discussed Think about it. Once the tribal employ ees hear and tell all their family and needs and actions. It was a start. I’ve inquired about what benefits friends, we are pretty much “doomed” youth receive from the casino opera at that point. Also, our family lived in California tion (as for elders). An equitable effort in this manner would be good. Data or for 30* years and received nothing from statistics of how many youth are served/ the tribe! In the latter years we were able outcomes would be good info for Tribal to go to Indian Health Services clinics members to see in our Tribal publication. (and the tribe did not pay for that). Even more importantly, letters from Cindy Jackson youth would make a powerful statement. There’s much to consider. Marty Lockhart said (2/2005 General Coun cil meeting), “If only we had a place for people who are misplaced”.... a tran sitional program would be great ... not To the editor: Hello everyone. My name is just for elders, but everyone. At present we as members have unmet needs in Jolynne Clawson and I am the daugh areas housing/health. It’s impressive ter of the late Geraldine Strong- Belgarde and the granddaughter of the that we’ve recouped from third-party late Mamie McDonald-Strong. I am billing ($902,626 - '07, $1.0$ 1,208 ’06, $918,960 - ’04). Where or what this also a Coffee Creek Correctional facil money goes for is the next question. I've ity inmate. I am writing in hopes of en been contacted by a significant num couraging everyone to let their voice ber of members who would like to see be heard if they believe this affects them, chiropractic and acupuncture treatments theirs and/or ours. available. At this time, Grand Ronde is The Dept, of Corrections has pro the nearest IHS facility with these ser posed an Administrative Rule that al vices and priority is for their members. lows full discretion of “sensitive to” and When I served on the housing com “respectful of" when searching sacred mittee, $200,000 was set aside for an items or grounds. They have omitted the elders care facility ... much planning was expended ... elected leaders/ad- legal term “probable cause ' which then ministrative staff determined that it allows search based on “suspicious would cost too much to staff (special activity.” It is my belief that these gen ized qualifications for staffing). I rec eral terms need to be specific when dese ommended an alternative plan ... re crating, handling and searching these model a building for a “senior cen sacred items based on “suspicions.” ter”... This money was reallocated for a different purpose rather than an el ders care facility ... or a “senior center.” The key to these issues is input from tribal members, then planning, To the editor: and then implementation to assure we This November, Oregon voters will meet our goals and objectives in a have an opportunity to provide much- timely manner. That is the question ... needed health care insurance for the needs ... resources ... implementation. more than I 10,000 children without I offer thanks to “Lowerumpquapride” who posted comments on www.siletz. coverage in our state. Ballot Measure net. Constructive criticism isn't an ef 50 gives us that chance. This is one of those rare opportunities for us to col fort to show disrespect for Council members. When I voice objections or lectively do the right thing. opinions, it's not meant to be personal Opposition, however, is coming ... but rather to address principles of through a slick and deceptive barrage the decisions that have been made. of brochures and TV ads paid for to the At this time, I and others are learn tune of over $9 million by big tobacco ing to agree to disagree and to have the companies, including Phillip Morris USA opportunity to create dialogue/clarify and R. J. Reynolds. Of course the tobacco what has occurred with tribal programs, industry opposes the measure. They are funding and services. Please call or not, however, concerned about the state e-mail me if you have comments. constitution (a non-issue they are try Yours truly, ing to convince Oregonians is impor Lisa Brown, CPS tant). They are clearly hoping we’ll 541-444-1290 swallow the bait. If we do, it will only nadosh2@yahoo.com 4 • Siletz News • November 2007 Nuu-wee-ya’ (our words) Introduction to the Athabaskan Language Open to tribal members of all ages Siletz Siletz Tribal Community Center Nov. 6-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 4-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Salem Salem Area Office Nov. 13-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 10-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Portland Portland Area Office Nov. 14-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 11-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eugene Eugene Area Office Nov. 5-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 3-6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tribal members who need help on cultural projects should contact the Siletz Culture Department. We can assist you prior to the language classes. For more information, contact Bud Lane at the Siletz Culture Department at 541-444-8320 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1320; or e-mail budl@ctsi.nsn.us. Please take a moment to “see” this - sweat lodge being searched while in mates are in ceremony. The Sacred Pipe being handled by the correctional offic ers. Medicines being “inspected.” Medi cine bags and the eagle feather opened and searched because it is “suspicious” because they do not understand. The volunteers who sacrifice and endure much are subject to all this deg radation. Elders and Medicine People will be subject to handling and removing of family regalia that we hold so sacred. And last they have placed in specific black and white terms that they can cut hair! Mind boggling! Need I say more? When searching on suspicion if they find necessary they need to have a spe cific protocol to follow when handling these sacred objects. The DOC needs to hear from you in the community just what these things mean, how this is so violating. Attempt to educate them? They need to know what children bring to pow-wows because they wish to re move children under the age of 18 from attending celebrations. In closing, many of us have had people, will have people or have been one of those people behind these walls. With that again, I say be heard if you, yours or ours is/will be affected. Public comments should be sent to Birdie (Janet) Worley/Rules Coordina tor; 2575 Center St. NE; Salem. OR 97301-4667; 503-945-0933; http:// arc.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARS_2()()/ OAR_291; or Jolynne Clawson - #6605833, P.O. Box 9000; Wilsonville, OR 97070. Respectfully, Jolynne Clawson benefit tobacco industry stockholders. Our children will be left in the cold. Check your voter's pamphlet when it arrives. You'll see that Measure 50 is backed by a bevy of distinguished or ganizations, including the American Cancer Society, Oregon Medical Asso ciation, Oregon Business Association, Children First for Oregon, Oregon Nurses Association, Stand for Children, Oregon AFL-CIO, Oregon Pediatric Society, United Seniors of Oregon, and more than 70 other established state and national organizations. For a good idea about who supports Measure 50, and why, go to the Healthy Kids Oregon website at http://www.healthykids-oregon.org/. When Measure 50 passes, more than 1 10,000 uninsured Oregon children will have access to the health care they are now without. At the same time, sup port for programs aimed at preventing the growth of tobacco use will nearly double. It is true that the cost of smok ing will go up for smokers, but this will help diminish the tremendous drain on health care costs that their habit has left with the rest of us. Don’t be fooled by the slick and expensive tobacco industry campaign. Vote yes on Measure 50. Sincerely, Doug McKenzie Editor s note: While the Siletz Tribe has not taken a position on Measure 50. we encourage tribal members and other citizens to vote in the November elections.
