Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2009)
TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS Council, con’t from page 1 COUNCIL MEETS WITH MEMBERSHIP - Tribal members, area residents and local dignitaries (left) listen to historical and cultural presentations at the Tribal Council meeting in Brookings, which included a review of the treaties of the Siletz Tribe by Robert Kentta (below). The Tribal Council held its regular monthly Tribal Council meeting for June on June 12 at the Best Western Beach front Inn in Brookings. The portion of the meeting that took place on June 13 was a historical presentation on the Tribe’s historical and cultural ties to the area. “Tribal leadership wants you to know that the Tribe is inviting you all to share in this presentation of our history of the area,” said Tribal Chairman Delores Pigsley prior to the meeting. The Siletz Tribe has ties to the area that trace back to time immemorial, but it was in the 1850s when Tribal people were removed from the area after the Rogue River Wars ( 1855-1856) that is perhaps one of the most poignant times in Tribal history. Rogue River War Chief Tyee John, or Tecumtum, as he was known to his people, submitted to the relocation of his people only after years of trying to preserve their way of life in their homelands. The depic tion of the removal of Tyee John and his people in 1856 by artist Peggy O’Neal is a vision of what that moment in time must have been like for our ancestors. It shoes Tyee John with his hands bound and his people in line behind him and soldiers standing guard as they wait to be loaded onto ships that would relocate them to the Siletz Reservation. Today, the people of the Tribe have revitalized their lives throughout the membership with a Tribal government op eration housed on the Siletz Reservation in Siletz, Ore. The membership is more than 4,500 people and they have programs to help them with education, health, social services, cultural knowledge and housing, among many others. “We are very proud of our folks who have become involved in their Tribal cul ture,” said Chairman Pigsley. “I think it is vital to point out how important cultural values and activities are to our Tribe. Our Tribal Constitution states that our commitment is to continue forever our unique identity as Indians and to promote our cultural heritage and beliefs and pass them on to our children, grandchildren and grandchildren’s children forever. The Tribe is proud of how passionately we have been fulfilling that mission.” Just in the last few years, the Tribe has constructed a traditional ceremonial dance house on reservation lands, restored the ancient feather dance, spawned a new generation of basket makers and language speakers, and has become a leader of cul tural activities on the Oregon Coast with the teaching of the Athabaskan language and the establishment of a culture camp in the summer months. The Athabaskan language is taught to Tribal youth and adults today through lan lotos by Brenda Bremner Cultural renewal is at the forefront of the Tribe today. guage classes taught by Alfred “Bud” Lane III in Siletz, Portland, Salem and Eugene. The Siletz Tribe has come a long way and yet in many ways the people The language originates from the oral have remained the same. They have the traditions of the Southwest Oregon Atha same values and desires of success and baskan Tribal people who were relocated prosperity for their children and future to the Siletz Reservation. generations. They still feel as though it is Today as the Tribe reaches back into their responsibility to be good stewards of the past for guidance, it is moving forward the land - all land and all water. They still with exercising its government and looking believe that to honor their ancestors they for successful economic ventures to ensure must maintain a strong tie to their history, a promising future for its children and their to their culture and to their heritage and children. The Tribe has become a model traditional ways of life. The important for success that other Tribes throughout things must be passed on and preserved the country use as an example of what they and it is important to share the story of that would like to accomplish for their people. success with everyone who will listen. NIN..... I... !....... I... ..... !...... ..................... ,lmllllM1...................... CEDARR Community Efforts Demonstrating the Ability to Rebuild and Restore July 1 * 5:30 p.m. • Siletz Community Health Clinic Conference Room We II finalize plans for White Bison summer activities. Please join us! Siletz Tribal A&D Programs Prevention, Outpatient Treatment and Women’s Transitional Siletz: 800-600-5599 or 541-444-8286 • Eugene: 541-484-4234 Salem: 503-390-9494 • Portland: 503-238-1512 Ask Raven Raven will answer your questions about problems associated with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. You can call in your questions to the numbers below or mail them to Raven, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380-0549. TLC Attitudes of Gratitude By Lynn Whitlow July just might be my favorite month of the year. It evokes images of sunshine on sparkling water, fireworks, Fourth of July picnics and parades, gardens bursting with color and carefree summer days. When I was a child, I had no idea July 4 was a holiday to celebrate freedom. I knew it had something to do with being American, but mostly it was a picnic-fireworks day. We always had a picnic, usually with family friends or relatives. I can remember some pretty miserable days on a soggy, fogged-in beach and some joyous ones seeking shade on a creek bank. To admit to how old I am, our highlight was going to the drive-in movie at South Beach to watch a B-grade movie and waiting impa tiently for the movie to get over so we could 6 ’ Siletz News * watch the fireworks after. Compared to today’s shows it was lacking, but to my knowledge it was the only one around and to a kid it was pretty exciting! Nowadays, I attach a new reverence to the holiday. I still love the picnics and the awe-inspiring fireworks, but I know we continue to be able to celebrate Indepen dence Day because we have freedom! Freedom to come and go as we wish, freedom from a tyrannical government, freedom of speech, freedom of religion - all just dreams to citizens of some countries. Be thankful for our democratic government and for our protectors. Next time you see a veteran, say “thank you.” At the TLC our residents regularly write down and share their gratitudes with each other. Some of the things they July 2009 are thankful for this past month are: Ac ceptance. For my cooking class and eat ing healthier. For my friend who has the strength to come back. For my doctors. For listening to music. Letting go! To forgive the unforgiveable. Being able to forgive my mom and dad finally after 33 years of not understanding. Other gratitudes include: For pow-wow season. For my awesome roommates who go over and above the call of duty. They are fantastic women! To be able to take care of my lil niece. For beading projects. Also appreciation for our wonderful volunteers - Alice McCain, the ever faithful overnight volunteer, and Denise Riding In, who fills in occasionally. We also are grateful to George Nagel for weed-eating the grass and weeds from Old River Road up to the A&D/TLC house. Sure looks a lot better around here! We welcome new volunteers. If you are interested, please give me a call at 541- 444-8238 or 800-600-5599. Also, you are welcome to join our Women’s Talking Circle on the second Wednesday of the month. Enjoy your Fourth of July! For Siletz- area residents, the city Parks and Recre ation Committee is sponsoring the Third Annual Community Picnic at Hee Hee Illahee Park (or Siletz Grange if it rains) from noon to 2 p.m. Dogs, burgers and water will be pro vided. Bring side dishes, chips or desserts. This is a drug- and alcohol-free event. Thank you to the Siletz Tribal Chari table Contribution Fund for helping fund this event!
