LEITERS TO THE EDITOR
To the editor:
I would like to thank the Tribe for
supporting the Tribal women who are
in Coffee Creek.
The smoked salmon, which the Tribe
donated, for the spring celebration is
greatly appreciated by us.
On behalf of the Siletz women and
all the Native women, thank you.
Many blessings,
Jennifer Rae Torres-Yuca
To the editor:
On Friday, May 2, the Siletz Tribal
Charitable Contribution Fund awards
for spring 2008 were made. The room
at the casino held many eager and ap
preciative recipients. It is always heart
warming to learn about the many
projects that are being funded by the
STCCF and to hear the gratitude of the
recipients who accept the awards.
The Siletz Valley Friends of the Li-
brary/SVFOL were honored to be
among the grantees, receiving two cash
awards. The first, for $1,800, will be
used to purchase two laptop comput
ers. The computers will be used by in
dividuals in the library, for possible
checkout, and for class instruction. We
have known for quite a while that the
six original desktop computers are not
enough and often people need to wait
for their turn to use them. This fact and
the greatly improved circulation statis
tics (60 percent more books checked
out since opening in January 2007) are
welcome signs that people are using
the library for its intended purposes.
Our second award, for almost $800,
will be used to purchase liability insur
ance for SVFOL. By donating for this
purpose, the STCCF allows the Friends
of the Library to use precious funds for
continuing improvements to the library.
Thank you so much for the dona
tions, STCCF. We are honored to be
partners in making the Siletz Library
a beautiful, proud part of the Siletz
community.
Alice McCain
Board member and vice president
Siletz Valley Friends of the Library
To the editor:
We would like to send our thanks
and blessings for all the help, prayers,
food and love during our great loss of
our beloved liny Jane Rilatos.
The people we would like to espe
cially thank are Ray Taylor and the
Harley Davidson Riders, Bonnie
Petersen and DeAnn Brown. Earl
Littleton and Denny Pearson, Darin
Toot Rilatos, Hector De Los Santos and
Janet Cummiskey. ABC Co., Mona
Fisher, Rick Leaton, Buddy Lane,
Vance Lindstrom, Jennifer Easter,
Rusty Butler and Sundance Singers,
Ray and Ed Ben for singing Grampa’s
song, Roundstone Singers and Charles
Wilkinson.
Tiny was such an inspiration to so
many people and a super good person.
Her shoes won't ever be filled and she
is truly missed and loved for always.
Ta gah huska sho na schisly
The Rilatos family
To the editor:
In early May I was happy to catch
my first glimpse of the new, upgraded
CTSI website. It looks fabulous. Con
gratulations to those involved in build
ing and maintaining the site. I'm thrilled
about the new features, such as online
minutes and resolutions in the Mem
bers section and the Siletz News ar
chives on the general site. It’s a great
step forward for the Tribe. Those of us
who live away from Siletz are especially
grateful to those who made the website
possible.
Sincerely,
Lynette Warren
To the editor:
I want to thank the people in the
Salem Area Office for the wonderful
Garden Party they had on May 14. It
was so beautifully decorated and deli
cious food and fun games. Bev and her
people really went to a lot of work to
make a nice event for us. They are to
be commended for the fantastic job
they did! I am looking forward to go
ing to more get-togethers there.
Cindy Jackson
To the editor:
More Than Just a Medal
May I, 2008, was the day for the opening ceremony for the traveling memo
rial, the “Field of Honor” here in Newport. Ore.
May 3 was the day selected for the Oregon Honorable Service Medal to be
presented to all veterans. The blending of these two events was beyond my
expectations. Why?
Because when you plan and plan, you want these events to be flawless. I
never expected to be engulfed by the positive energy of all the people present.
There were veterans, disabled veterans and family members from all eras. All
the presentations were right on and to the heart, and after the medals were pre
sented there was a strong feeling of peace. And we could hear the long-awaited
words from our community - welcome home!
There seemed to be an invisible cloud of healing which touched us all. This
event brought many tears to many veterans and their families. In these past few
months I have had the privilege to work with three of the seven Gold Star Fami
lies. These families lost their sons to the Iraq War, along with the other past 25
Gold Star Families of Lincoln County who lost their sons to the Vietnam War.
I have the utmost respect and admiration for these families. In working to
gether we have not only become new friends but extended family. Out of respect
and privacy I will not mention their names and I hope that these past few days
have become the beginning of the perpetual standing ovation for their sons.
This traveling memorial from the veterans of Oregon has been such a gift to
our community of Newport and our surrounding cities.
Somehow in the future I will make known how many businesses and friends
worked with me to make these six glorious days possible. These powerful six
days have become a fabric of our lives. If our world could only live in peace?
My dad and many men and women from the 1940s gave their ... yes ... to
answer the call ... to protect and to serve.
This torch of patriotism was passed on to us! We veterans are trained to give
our all. And we ask this great nation not to confuse the war with the warriors.
Thank you,
Tony Molina
To the editor:
I've been watching the news and reading the papers ... These are troubled
times, when folks cannot afford to live, let alone drive to work to collect a paycheck
so they can have not enough money to pay bills ... We are definitely in a recession.
It is my opinion that what is transpiring with our economy is happening with
Tribes too. Responsible investments and spending is needed. It is not okay for
any entity to rack up millions of dollars in debt without asking for the permis
sion or opinion of the people they serve.
I'he reason why I believe this has occurred: Negligence and incompetence.
Governments are refusing to reveal details regarding our encumbrances and
debt. I believe it is the right of the public/Tribal members to be able to see a
detailed accounting of the expenditures for purchases and operating expenses.
For refusing to provide these details to the public/Tribal members, I believe
elected representatives should be held accountable. Until they (administrative
staff and government officials) step up to prove there is no impropriety, or mis
use or abuse of funds ... I believe that this proves that there is something hap
pening that is illegal. For these illegal actions, I think those who are responsible
for the loss of funds or misuse should resign - immediately!
I am a Tribal elder and I have an opinion to share. I know I am not alone. I
am just one person, who is not afraid to speak the truth.
David Tyee John, Great-Grandson of Klamath John
(--------------
Siletz News Letters Policy
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 num
ber 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 employ
ees, or Tribal Council.
Please type or write legibly. Letters longer than 450 words may be ed
ited for length as approved by Tribal Council Resolution #96-142.
Please note: The general manager
of the Siletz Tribe is the editor-in-chief
of Siletz News.
2
•
Siletz News
•
June 2008
Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner
Editor: Diane Rodriquez
Assistant: Natasha Kavanaugh
Send letters to:
Siletz News
P.O. Box 549
Siletz, OR 97380-0549
541-444-8291 or
800-922-1399, ext. 1291
Fax: 541-444-2307
E-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us
Deadline for the July issue is
June 10. Submission of articles and
photos is encouraged. Please read the
Passages Policy on page 23 when
submitting items for Passages.
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
|
1 Name:________ ________________ ■
। Address:____________________ __ ।
Phone:_________________________ '
Change of address: Tribal mem- I
I bers - call the Enrollment Department I
I at 541-444-8258 or 800-922-1399. I
I ext. 1258: all others - call the news- I
I paper office.
-------------------------------------------------- )