LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Happy and Healthy New Year to All!
2007 had its good points, but it's
now time to look forward to 2008 and
beyond. Election time will be upon us
before we know it. It is hard to believe
that my first 3-year term of serving our
tribe as an elected official has nearly
passed. I have learned a lot about the
challenges and opposition that tribes
face and I am glad to have been a part
of the team that has faced these issues
and challenges for the past 3 years. I
hope that I have proven to you my
qualification to serve you again for the
Feb. 2008 - Feb. 2011 term.
The 30th anniversary of the Siletz
Restoration Act has just been cel
ebrated. We have made so many great
strides in those 30 years, but as I al
ways say, Restoration is more of a pro
cess than an event. We have to work
together to create the opportunities for
our tribe and its members to succeed
and reach even greater goals. So many
wrongs were suffered by our ancestors
and our people live under the effects
created by those wrongs today - po
litically, economically and in all fac
ets. 1 have been an advocate on behalf
of our people on these issues for many
years and I believe I have added a lot
of substance to the discussions on
those issues. We cannot afford to let
such issues remain silent and must as
sert our rights as descendants of treaty
negotiators who gave up so much to
retain the rights that we now seek to
have acknowledged.
There is not space here to go into
great detail regarding ideas and identi
fying specific issues. I hope to be able
to speak to a greater range of subjects
in the voter’s pamphlet and look for
ward to the discussions that will lead
up to the people making their choice
of our leadership in February. I think
that I have shown my ability to listen,
ask questions, study a subject, and
make an informed decision that is un
biased and serves the greater interests
of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz and
its members. I have also brought pro
posals forward to address issues that
needed attention whenever possible
and not been afraid to face particularly
sensitive issues or vote the only way
my conscience would allow on diffi
cult questions.
In short, I hope that you can agree
that 1 have served you well for the past
3 years and that I have your support to
continue serving our tribe for the next
3 years. Please vote in February and
have your voice heard.
Sincerely,
Robert Kentta
Candidate for the Siletz Tribal Council
To the editor:
I think Brenda Bremner and Nick
Sixkiller should be commended and
applauded for the outstanding jot) they
did with the ’07 All Staff meeting. Just
how bad does a PA system have to get
before something's done? In my book?
They were both above and beyond. I’ll
end it there. Thank you CTSI for the
hooded jacket. Mine’s a perfect fit and
looks great. Gooo Beavs - Happy New
Year to all.
Respectfully,
Woody Muschamp
To the editor:
My name is Earl R. Woods Jr. and
I have been a lawyer for 34 years, serv
ing 26 of those years as a prosecutor. I
have been the elected District Attorney
for Coos and Morrow counties, and a
Deputy District Attorney in Lane, Coos,
Umatilla, Curry and Lincoln counties.
I was a deputy for Bernice Barnett
for a period of close to four years be
tween 2001 and 2004 and enjoyed
working in Lincoln County a lot.
Bernice Barnett has tried cases from
murder to stop-sign violations and has
done so very effectively for many
years. She is an excellent trial lawyer
and an exceptional person.
Rob Bovett. who is running against
her. is a nice guy but to my knowledge
has never prosecuted a jury trial. II Rob
wants to be a prosecutor he should get
some experience before running lor the
elected office.
Vote for experience and an excep
tional person. Vote for Bernice Barnett.
Earl R. Woods Jr.
To the editor:
We are who we are and we must
build from there. Depending on our
ambitions this can be distressing, but
there are examples of self-made suc
cesses, people who began with less
than we have. Hard work, persever
ance. and sheer will can work miracles.
Remember too that we are part of a
collective enterprise. Even if we do not
20 as far as we would like, those who
follow me by standing on my shoul
ders will have a shorter climb to make.
On this day, I pledge to myself to do at
least one thing that advances me to
ward one of my goals that I've got and
want out of my life.
I want to bring in 2008 a new
woman with a new lite. I want to live a
clean and sober life on this day. I will
be a better woman than I was yester
day and tomorrow' a better woman than
I am today.
Aimee Lucas
Planning Department Public
Meetings Just Around the Corner
The Tribal Planning Department is
reminding everyone of a series of pub
lic meetings for tribal members to pro
vide ideas regarding what programs,
facilities and services should be ex
plored for grant opportunities. Pam
Lind, tribal planner, wants to remind
everyone that those meetings will be
coming up this month.
There will be one meeting each in
Siletz, Eugene. Salem and Portland, with
the following schedule:
Siletz, Jan. 10
Eugene. Jan. 17
Salem, Jan. 24
Portland, Jan. 31
Each meeting will start at 5:30 p.m.
with a light meal and discussion will
follow.
“We are able to provide a lot of
services and facilities through grants
from several federal agencies,” noted
Naomi Shadwick, the grant writer on
the Planning staff. “But we always won
der if there are other things we should
be looking for" in terms of grant op
portunities, she said.
Lind agrees. “We don't want to
miss out on an opportunity to fulfill a
need of the tribal community when
there are grant funds available. We
want to hear from the community - let
us know if you see a need and we can
explore what grants might be available
to fill that need,” she said.
The Siletz meeting will be held at
the Tribal Community Center. The Eu
gene, Salem and Portland meetings will
be at the area offices. All tribal mem
bers are encouraged to attend one or
more meetings, as able.
For more details, call Cova St. Onge
at 541-444-8257 or 800-922-1399, ext.
1257; or Claire Wood at 541-444-8276
or 800-922-1399, ext. 1276.
(photo by Diane Rodriquez)
January USDA Distribution Dates
Salem
Siletz
Monday, Jan. 7
Tuesday, Jan. 8
Wednesday, Jan. 9
Thursday, Jan. 10
9
9
9
9
a.m.
a.m.
a.m.
a.m.
-
-
-
-
3
3
3
3
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
p.m. .
Hope everyone has a safe and
happy new year!
A reminder to our clients: If you
are receiving GA or TANF, this is con
sidered unearned income. Be sure to
report this to USDA staff and bring
verification, such as a copy of the check
or the benefit letter
Also, when you receive a per capita
or timber revenue disbursement from
your tribe, you must report the amount
to USDA staff. If you fail to report any
monies received and we find out that
you received some, it's considered
fraud and you may have to pay back
Monday, Jan. 21
Tuesday, Jan. 22
Wednesday. Jan. 23
Thursday. Jan. 24
Holiday
1:30 - 7 p.m.
9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
the money amount of the foods re
ceived. The average amount per house
hold member for a box of food is $130.
If you need assistance, call Joyce
Retherford at the toll-free number. 800-
922-1399. ext. 1393, or call direct at
541-444-8393.
Have a great mouth. Happy Meals!
January 2008
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Siletz News
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