Siletz news /, June 01, 2009, Page 5, Image 5

TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS
Elders’Wood Cut Attracts 39
Volunteers of All Ages
by Brent Merrill
What started out as a few of the locals cutting a few pieces of wood here and there on
a cnsp late spring morning soon turned into a major gathering of Tribal members team­
ing up to cut, stack and haul loads of wood off to heat the homes of area Elders.
The volunteer event on May 9 drew 39 people throughout the day and although every­
one was working, there was a sense of harmony between young and Elder that reminded
you of what things used to be like before video games and riding lawnmowers.
Family members worked side by side and seemed to enjoy each other as they took
part in what has become an annual Tribal event.
This year’s wood cut was sponsored by the Tribe’s Natural Resources Depart­
ment and the Tribal Natural Resources Committee and was held at the Tribe’s Toledo
Mill property.
Volunteers for the Elders’ wood cut include Cat Tufts, Pam Ben and Raymond Ben
(top photo) and Shawn Foultner, Dion Napolean, Lewis N apolean
and Seth Benedict (bottom photo).
“Cut Wood for the Elders Day” was organized, as usual, by Tribal Natural Re­
sources Manager Mike Kennedy. He was joined by several local staff members and
Tribal members who gathered to help out their Elders.
Local folks came out to volunteer their time to the Tribal Elders and they brought
their hydraulic wood-splitters to help get things done. The volunteers cut and delivered
T/i cords and were treated to lunch and snacks throughout the day.
The group also cut four and a half cords of wood for future delivery to Tribal Elders
for a total of 12 cords cut for the day’s efforts. Thirteen Elders were served by the cut.
According to Kennedy, there have been 17 wood cut events since they began in
2003. He said 79% cords of wood have been split and delivered in the history of the
event. There are 61% cords set aside for future delivery, bringing the total cut since
2003 to 14P/2 cords.
Kennedy said there have been 149 deliveries to Tribal Elders since 2003 and he
said the source of the wood for the cuts varies.
Tribal development projects that bring members new housing, Tribal businesses
room to expand and the casino resort new options for revenue also bring about op­
portunities to claim wood for these events, explained Kennedy.
Various housing projects and clearing work at Government Hill was a source as
was leftover wood from Tribal logging projects. Once the logging is completed, Tribal
staff can get in there and gather wood for use in this fashion.
Future Elder’s Wood Cut Days will be held July 11 and Sept. 19 at the Tribe’s
Toledo Mill site.
Tribal, con’t from page 1
leader and Commission on Indian Ser­
vices Chairman Jay Minthom when he
started to refer to her as “Rep ...”
Everyone laughed as Minthom then
corrected himself to properly introduce
Brown, who used to serve the state of
Oregon as a representative in 1991 and
then as a senator beginning in 1996 before
being elected to her current position in the
2008 election.
In 1998, Brown was elected Demo­
cratic leader and became the first woman
in Oregon to be elected senate majority
leader in 2004.
Kulongoski remarked that he has
enjoyed good relations with the Tribes
over the years and looks forward to the
trend in Oregon not only continuing into
the future, but also serving as a model
for other states to follow in establishing
govemment-to-govemment relationships
with Tribes in their areas.
Each Tribal leader took the opportu­
nity to explain their pride in having what
they all consider a positive relationship
with state government and their feelings
about the new flags being dedicated in the
Walk of Flags area.
Each leader also took turns praising
the services of Karen Quigley, director of
the state Commission on Indian Services.
Minthom explained that the staff of the
commission is two people and praised the
amount of high-level work they get done
between the leaders of the Tribes.
Following the Flag Dedication Cer­
emony, Tribal leaders gathered for a bar­
beque across the street from the Capitol
at Water Fountain Park. The luncheon
was sponsored by the Cow Creek Band of
Umpqua Indians and prepared by staff of
Cow Creek’s Seven Feathers Casino.
RAISING THE TRIBAL FLAG -
Siletz Tribal Elders and Veterans Alan
Fish, Dennis Lane and Earl Edmonds
raise the Tribal Flag at the State Capitol
on May 14 as part of a special
dedication ceremony during this year’s
annual Tribal Government Day.
STATE LEADER — Representatives of
all nine federally recognized Tribes in
Oregon took part in Tribal Government
Day. Gov. Ted Kulongoski said he was
proud of the relationship he has shared
with the Tribes and their leaders over
the years. Siletz Tribal Chairman Delores
Pigsley said she was proud to be a part
of the unique event each year.
June 2009
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Siletz News
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