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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2009)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To the editor: The Native American Circle would like to give a special thanks to the people who made it possible so us brothers could rebuild our sweat lodge here at the San- tiam Correctional Facility. Walt Klamath (Siletz), thank you for the time you have taken for us Natives behind the walls. It was an honor and privilege to have your help in rebuilding our sweat. We appreciate all you do and have done for us. Paul Butler (Siletz), thank you bro for the time you have taken to collect the wil lows not only for us, O.S.P and O.S.C.I. May you have many blessings for your hard work for the people. Your prayers and love for us is an honor. Selene Rilatos (Siletz), for your dona tion of cloth for our prayer ties and colors for the sweat. Sherrie Nez-Butler (Navajo), for your help, prayers and the time you took so all this could happen. Your love and patience for me and the brothers is much appreciated. Without all of your help, none of this could have happened. The lodge looks beautiful and has even started to grow. Your love for us all is appreciated. Thank you all so much. May you all have many blessings and beauty upon each of your paths upon the Red Road. Shu Ashi Nuu la! Hvm’-chi’! Respectfully, Sage Bruce Butler To the Tribal membership: I was in Tribal Court recently and 1 heard Judge Gantenbein say, “The Tribal Council didn’t make me the ‘Chief’ of anything going on around here!” This comment was made while he sat directly beneath a staff of eagle feathers that hangs on the wall. As we know, eagle feathers represent respectfulness when speaking, but more importantly they represent fallen soldiers. Ask any Indian veteran if he was called “Chief' in the military! My father served as a medic in Korea and was called Chief. My husband was called “Injun” because the word Chief was already being used. I sent a letter to council asking them to remove the judge or remove the staff. Shouldn't he be charged by Tribal Coun cil with “making racist comments” and expelled from Tribal Court? Now there is a lawsuit charging Lynette Warren with libel and slander. The problem with this suit is there is no Tribal ordinance that restricts what Tribal members can say. Libel and slander are not against Tribal law, so the Siletz Tribal Court has no jurisdiction. Tribal ordinances apply to employees and elected and appointed Tribal officials. Article III of the Siletz Constitution pro tects Tribal members’ speech. The closest anyone in the Tribe can come to silencing a Tribal member is the council chair saying “You’re out of order" during meetings. Delores Riding In can be reached at siletzwoman@nativeweb.net. Delores Riding In, BS 22 • Siletz News • To the editor: To the editor: To the editor: I never thought 1 would be writing I want to make a few comments re In 2007, I wrote to the membership a letter about our Tribe. I’m very disap garding the trend of suits, the most recent about the lack of timely information from pointed in how our Tribal programs, one by the Election Board against Lynette the Tribal government. Tribal Council and Tribal offices are Warren, who was one of the candidates I said, “It has been a constant struggle allowed to give up, forsake and totally who ran last year for Tribal Council to persuade the present Tribal government ignore our Tribal members’ needs. election and plans to run in future Tribal to transmit information to the members in I know of three mothers of Tribal Council elections. a timely and accurate manner ... We are members who had a miserable Mother’s I'm wondering why we can’t put into not informed of what occurs in the meet Day. I’m one of them. Three Tribal mem effect a peacemaking effort or mediators to ings for at least a month, and often three bers in the Portland Area Office have re resolve disputes, conflicts and differences. months, after the meetings.” turned to drugs, drinking or suffering from Find out the reasons and circumstances on Since I wrote that statement 18 severe depression. Most of the Tribe knows why people get caught up in this situation. months ago, we've gotten a new Tribal my son as a caring and helpful person who Most cases, I see where both parties website and our Siletz News has become enjoyed working and participating in Run believe they are in the right. Why can’t a a more stylish publication filled with large to the Rogue and Culture Camp. He will meaningful list of remedies or a context color pictures of awards ceremonies and do neither of these this year unless he gets of choices be created to use in promoting photo ops for the Tribal chairman and help and gets back on his medications. peaceful and harmonious relationships. her political supporters, but little else He’s homeless now because he was When these remedies and choices are ex has changed. The official Tribal website evicted from his apartment because of the hausted and they don’t resolve the issues, features the minutes, the Siletz News and psychotic delusions he has when he’s off use the suit as a last resort. I think this is the Nesika Illahee, unfortunately we still his medications. He went back to drinking a more dignified and respectful manner don't receive the minutes until they are and we think to using drugs. He stopped to use other options than the indifferent, yesterday’s news. his medications because he feels he doesn’t harsh and chilling action of taking a mem All our members, particularly our need them since he’s doing so well. ber and suing them in court. distant members, need meaningful infor Only a few people have tried to help Doesn’t our Tribe have peacemakers? mation about our businesses, finances, him or showed any caring for him. He’s to If so, are they ever in session? Tribal programs, committees, and elec be terminated from his Section 8 housing The great law of peace was adopted tions in order to best select and advise since he didn t respond after or before his by the Iroquois Confederacy long before our leaders. eviction. With his delusions, he’s inca settlers set foot in this country. Their For example, Tribal members should pable of knowing what is right or wrong principals of respect and diplomacy were have been informed about the action to in his care. applied among themselves, neighboring expel Tribal Council member Lisa Brown They sent someone on a welfare check nations, cultures and traditions, but also before the hearing to expel, not after it was but failed to check if he was eating or even had significant positive consequences a done deal. Members were not informed had food in his apartment. 1 don't know if among individuals by using a created in any effective sense until directly after any of the Tribal staff from the area office context of choices. the vote to expel, when it was too late were with the person who did the check This law and the democratic frame for them to voice their concerns about or not. If not, why weren’t they? When we work were admired by the founding it. In the May issue of the Siletz News, removed his things from his apartment, he fathers of this nation; it was influential in the Tribal Chairman gave only her side had only five packages of instant oatmeal, the makings of the American Constitution. of the issue. one can of tuna, two jars of peanut butter, Our founders also used this framework Our Tribal publications, which are three pickles in three jars and part of a for relations of peaceful coexistence. The supposed to belong to each and every gallon of milk. He had a fir bough in the United Nations applied these principles. member of the Tribe, have become a freezer and pine cones in the refrigerator. World and community leaders sit down to tool for the entrenched powers-that-be in Someone should have intervened at that a table today to discuss their differences. Tribal government to advance their own time and got him some help. There are so many reasons why people political agendas. There are other sides to My oldest daughter saw him a few bring suits against one another. It could be these and many other issues. days ago after not seeing him since Janu- just for self-satisfaction, monetary, to stop Members should also know that there ary. He weighs about 150 pounds, looked an opposing action, to thwart future ac is an attempt under way to silence politi homeless and had changed so much she tions, to satisfy a favor for someone, peer cal speech among the membership of this walked right by him the first time. pressure, to enhance community citizens Tribe. The chairman and vice-chairman of I think it’s too late for these three Tribal or a friend’s relationship, to keep a job, the Election Board are attempting to sue members but we can only hope; it’s up to the to better a job position or to be in a boss’s _ me to silence my whistle blowing in my Creator now- 1 Just hope ^e Tribe doesn’t favor, wrongful death and for justifiable personal campaign letters sent out at my ignore any more Tribal member needs and causes as defamation of character. own expense directly to members. provides mental health care, more drug and 1 love the following quote: They “may We have our work cut out for us if we alcohol counseling, more health care and get me at last, as you say, but I will have good are going to protect the members’ right general caring in the areas outside of Siletz. times till then. You are fools to make your to communicate with one another, but I I especially hope that something is done selves slaves to a piece of fat bacon, some remain optimistic that in the future our soon in the Portland area so other mothers hardtack and a little sugar and coffee.” Sitting government will become more open and don’t have to wonder where their children Bull was right — It’s a mistake to surrender tolerant to criticism and input from our are and if they’re safe and well. humanity for a pittance. - Sitting Bull membership. Until then, you can read the Respectfully, Thank you for your time. rest of the story at www.siletz.net. Kay Steele, Siletz Elder Rose Kentta Lynette Warren All members of our Tribe, As if stripping Lisa Brown of her rightful election to the Tribal Council was not detestable enough, it has come to my atten- Kurti B “ Candlda,e Lynette Warren is ^"8 sued f" libel by Election Board members Tracey Woman and Though I do not reside in the Siletz area, I do my best to stay abreast of the matters that affect our Tribe. I believe this gives me some perspective. As such, it seems obvious to me that those who control the leadership of our Tribe are not only afraid of an outsider rocking the boat, but worse, are vindictive to the point of recklessness. Please stop this madness and listen to the voices of those you represent. One of those voices belongs to me Sincerely, b Nicholas Daniels July 2009
