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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2009)
TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS lotos by Sherry Addis li Left. Tribal Elder Sister Francella Griggs talks to Rick Colvin at the community meeting in Portland. Above: Rick Colvin, environmental planner, makes a presentation to Siletz Tribal members and their families. Planning Department Listens to Concerns by Sherry Addis The Planning Department held the first of a series of area office meetings in Port land on March 5. Attending from Planning were Pamela Barlow-Lind, Tribal planner; Rick Colvin, environmental planner; and Naomi Shadwick, planner/grant writer. Also attending from Siletz was Tribal Council member Lisa Brown. Thirty Siletz Tribal members from the Portland-metro area came to hear the pre sentation and share their opinions. Pamela and Rick opened the meeting with a review of outcomes from last year's meetings and projects that were completed in the last year, which included our new Portland area office. Naomi discussed grants the Tribe has received and those on which she is currently working. Throughout the meeting there was a lively discussion that resulted in 10 pages of suggestions or concerns from Tribal members. Tribal members from the Portland area who could not attend but would like to provide input to this process are encouraged to contact the individuals listed below: Sherry Addis, Portland area office supervisor, 503-238-1512 or sherrya@ctsi.nsn.us Pamela Barlow-Lind, 800-922-1399, ext. 1361 or pamelal@ctsi.nsn.us Rick Colvin, 800-922-1399, ext. 1287, or richardc@ctsi.nsn.us Planning will return to Portland for a follow-up meeting April 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. We hope to see you there. April Notes From Healthy Family Healthy Child The phones in our office continue to have planned for May and June. This be quite busy with people asking us about project is called 1879-2009 Wellbriety when White Bison will return to Siletz. At first the answer was a difficult one Coyhis has been working toward the because there was no funding to continue completion of this project for a couple this important program. of years. The purpose of this journey This month, however, the answer is is to visit the sites of Indian schools in different. It is a pleasure to announce that Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Cali funding has been secured to bring White fornia, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Bison back to our community so its work Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Min can continue in bringing wellbriety to the nesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York Tribe. The question that now presents it and Pennsylvania. self is when this will happen, which is, as The Journey will begin at Chemawa it turns out, a difficult question to answer. Indian School on May 16 and will end at White Bison is a busy, thriving and the National Museum of the American In successful entity with many demands on dian in Washington, D.C., on June 24. The its time, which is an enviable position for last school site visited will be at Carlisle, any company to be in given the current Pa., just prior to the closing ceremony in economic situation. Trying to match their Washington, D.C. availability to our availability has proven Since 2000, White Bison has been to be a difficult thing, but we continue to carrying the Sacred Hoop to Native try to agree on a specific date. This article American communities around the nation. will endeavor to keep readers informed This journey represents the fifth multi when a date is set. state journey of the Sacred Hoop. One of the largest barriers to setting Coyhis says in a pamphlet, “Since a date for the next phase of White Bison 1988, White Bison has been develop training is working around an important ing resources and training materials to project that Don Coyhis and White Bison help Native American people heal from 4 * Siletz News • April 2009 alcohol and substance abuse. During this time we have learned that it isn't just the alcohol and substance abuse that needs to be healed. The unresolved grief from historical events that happened in genera tions long past affect the mental, physi cal, emotional and spiritual health of our people. This ‘intergenerational trauma’ has devastating effects on individuals, families, communities and nations. The elders have told us that before our people can heal from these effects, they will have to forgive and grieve for the losses of the past. The Sacred Hoop brings the gifts of hope, healing, forgiveness and unity.” The Wellbriety Journey for Forgive ness - Healing the Legacy of the Boarding School Days calls attention to the need to forgive and focuses on the impact of the boarding school experience for many of our ancestors. White Bison will hold gatherings at each of the 23 historic board ing school sites. On June 24 at the End of the Journey Gathering in Washington, D.C., White Bison will present a petition to President Obama asking him to provide an apology for the federal government's role in the abuses that occurred during the boarding school era. Siletz Tribal members can sign this petition online at www.wellbrietyjourney. org/petition.htm. This is a huge undertaking. Coyhis and White Bison ask for your support by spon soring a mile of this historical journey. “White Bison asks that you contribute $ 18.79 for one mile. Why $ 18.79 a mile? The first U.S. Government Indian Board ing School was founded at Carlisle, Pa., in 1879. The goal for this journey is to promote awareness, dialogue, forgive ness and healing among Native people for the intergenerational trauma resulting from this era, to highlight 1879 as the beginning of this tragic and as yet not a properly documented chapter in American history. In recognition of your generosity and support, you will receive a bracelet saying ‘2009 Forgiveness Journey’ for each mile you fund.” If you choose to make a contribu tion, you can do so by going to http:// wellbrietyjourney.org/FundaMile.htm or contacting Janet Wicklund in the Tribal A&D Program.
