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.