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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2009)
Chaperones Thank R2R Youth Team for Great Run From R2R Youth Team Chaperones The R2R youth team chaperones want to thank all the youth who participated this year and made the run enjoyable. We are glad to have such a great group of kids who were willing to run as many miles as they did (20 miles total). They also helped serve all the Elders and cleaned up alter meals. They were very Courtesy photo by Jamie Mason respectful and we couldn't ask for a better group of youth. We want to let our youth team senior classman — Rachelle John. Raina Johnston and Darod Cheek - know we will miss them all next year and wish them luck in their future endeavors as Siletz leaders. Please know you are all invited next year to be chaperones as you are all good role models. Good luck and hope you all have a wonderful senior year! ouud, juun runam, ad wnnams, Josh Rilatos, Marika Pullam, Rachelle John, Ryan Williams i Jord^0^^ Metcalf, Duane Endres, Darod Cheek, Morgan Crawford, Savannah Woman, Leah Eversole, Clarinda Black, Seth Benedict and Tehyä Woodruff Bottom row: Damien Williams, Terry Mason, Raina Johnston, Jamie Mason, Rachelle Endres, Bo Johnson, Sidney Rilatos and Makiah Woodruff Restoration, con’t from page 1 was among the Tribes throughout the na Tribal offices in Portland, Salem and government. A government that tries to tion terminated by the U.S. government Eugene are now housed wholly in build meet the needs of its people that Anglo in August 1954. ings owned by the Tribe. The Portland of governments don't even try to meet.” Just a few years later, in the early fice moved to its current location last year, Wilkinson said the Tribe’s commit 1960s, it became clear that termination as a the Salem office moved into its building ment to its people and its culture is beyond policy was a failure. The only way for Tribal in 2006 and the Eugene office has been what he has seen in other Tribes. people to prosper in the modem world was located in its building since 2005. “The Tribe supports students of to have their status as sovereign Indian na The Tribe played a key role in fund all ages and encourages any one of its tions restored by the U.S. government. ing the opening of Siletz Valley School members to go to school whatever age After years of gathering and raising in 2003 and Siletz Valley Early College they are," said Wilkinson. “Students are funds to lobby Congress, the Siletz Tribe Academy in 2006. eligible for laptops and there is a terrific reached its goal of Restoration when then- The Tribe has owned and operated support staff there and they have great President Jimmy Carter signed Public C hinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln resources. The Tribe participates in Run Law 95-195 in 1977. City since 1995 and the Tribe purchased to the Rogue, Nadosh and summer culture The Siletz Tribe became the first the adjacent Shilo Inn in June 2004 to add classes. Any fair-minded person would Tribe in Oregon and only the second hotel accommodations to the casino. The be able to step back and say ‘I wish my Tribe in history to regain its federally Tribe completed the casino resort com government had accomplished this.’” recognized status. plex when it purchased the nearby Lake Wilkinson pointed to the Tribe’s abil Today, the Tribe is committed to side Golf Course and Fitness Center. ity to create and maintain relationships as improving the quality of life for its 4,600 The Tribe is now the largest employer they key to its progress. members and there have been many sig in Lincoln County and has distributed “Progress by Tribal government can’t nificant accomplishments by the Tribal more than $7.5 million in charitable con be denied." said Wilkinson. “In the case government in the last three decades. tributions through the Siletz Tribal Chari of the Siletz, they have anchors in main table Contribution Fund. stream society. They have relationships with the other Tribes and local and state Accomplishments government. They have made important Wilkinson: Tribe is a The Tribe opened a health clinic in Si relationships with banks and businesses. letz in 1991 and just recently broke ground Full-Service Government Tribes have never had those types of on a new facility also located in Siletz. The contacts and this Tribal government University of Colorado Law School Tribe has built more than 100 homes and has done a very good job of doing the Professor Charles Wilkinson, an acknowl constructed multiple housing sites for mem essential things.” edged expert on American Indian history bers, including 20 units in the newly opened and culture, feels that celebrating Restora Wilkinson said what it comes down to Neachesna Village in Lincoln City. is the Tribe has a different world view than tion is important for the Tribe for many The Tribe opened a traditional dance those folks in the dominant culture. reasons. Wilkinson currently is working house in 1996 and dedicated the Tenas II- on a book about the history of the Siletz “What the Tribe is doing is preparing lahee Childcare Center and the Siletz Gas Tribe to be released next year. to take advantage of the majority society of and Mini-Mart in 2003. The following ferings, but hang on to the Siletz way - the Wilkinson said that at the time the year, the Tribe opened the Logan Road important things are family, kind, health.” Restoration bill was passed, no one imag RV Park in Lincoln City and the Hee Hee ined the Tribe as it is today. Illahee RV Resort in Salem in 2006. "I don't think there were any of us Atiyeh: Tribes Now a The Tribe purchased Imprints printing at that time that thought the Tribe could shop in Lincoln City in 2008 and also last Social and Political Force be what it is today," said Wilkinson in a year opened the Tillicum Fitness Center, telephone interview from his home of When reached at his home office, a new gymnasium and a new USDA Food fice in Colorado. “What you have now former Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh was Warehouse in Siletz. is remarkable. The Tribe is a full-service surprised that it had been 32 years since Restoration. Atiyeh served Oregon as governor from Jan. 8, 1979, through Jan. 12, 1987. Atiyeh served the State of Oregon as a senator during the time of Restoration and said he supported the Tribe’s efforts from his position on the first Oregon Com mission on Indian Services. “My goodness,” he said. “Time does fly. It is remarkable what the Tribe has done in 32 years. Becoming only the second Tribe to achieve Restoration was quite an accomplishment and I remem ber it gave a great feeling to the other Tribes in Oregon and in the nation. It gave them the heart to move forward with their own situations.” Atiyeh said he remembers a time in Oregon when Indians were viewed dif ferently than they are now. He said he is happy for the change. “I can remember a time when Native Americans were basically ignored,” said Atiyeh. “State, county and city govern ments just didn't pay attention. Now that has changed. As I’ve watched. I’ve seen the respect has increased immeasurably. I think that will continue. The Tribes are now a social and political force.” Atiyeh said the way the Tribe does its business impresses him most. “The Tribe is sensitive and balanced,” said Atiyeh. “They quietly, consistently make significant contributions to the local community that surrounds them.” Atiyeh said he is especially proud of his close relationship with Tribal Council Chairman Delores “Dee” Pigsley. “I'm really quite proud of the Tribe.” said Atiyeh. “They are respected among their peers. Restoration was not easy. It took vision and hard work to get it done.” He repeated himself for emphasis. “I'm proud of what they have done." November 2009 • Siletz News • 5
