Tribal Government Day at
the Capitol
It’s been 35 years since the Legisla
tive Commission on Indian Services (CIS)
was created by statute. The commission
is composed at this time of 13 members
- representatives of the state Legislature
and the Oregon Tribes.
In 1975, then-Senator Victor Atiyeh
recognized the need for an entity that
dealt with the unique sovereign status of
Indian Tribes within our state and for our
governments to deal with each other based
on special government-to-government
relationships.
The legislative commission meets
periodically to discuss current critical
issues that our Tribes and the state of
Oregon have in common.
According to information issued by
the state, the commission:
monitors legislation affecting
Indians, both while it is being considered
by the Legislature and after it becomes
law, and assists in presenting information
to the Legislature on issues of importance
to American Indians in Oregon.
serves as the primary forum in
which Indian needs are considered, it
serves as the conduit by which concerns
are channeled through the appropriate
network; it serves as the point of access
for finding out about state government
programs and policies, and it serves as a
catalyst for bringing about change where
it is needed.”
At this, the 35th anniversary of the
commission, former Governor Atiyeh was
present to remind us of the time when the
CIS was being organized. He expressed
his fondness for those whom he worked
with in the early years of the formation
of CIS.
Gov. Atiyeh and subsequent gover
nors understood how the commission
should be constructed, an entity that has
endured through all these years despite
me to this event. It brought to mind the
fact that it’s functions like this that help
build community spirit that we should
have more of.
Delores Pigsley
changes in state and Tribal political
administrations.
Since 1975, the commission has been
served by an executive director. Karen
Quigley is the present ED who has served
ably in this capacity. She has the task of
keeping the Tribes updated on current
state issues that affect Indian Tribes.
Karen is to be commended for leadership
in this position.
Keizer Community Gathering
I attended a prayer breakfast held at
the Keizer Community Center. 1 was in
vited by Keizer Mayor Lore Christopher.
Various participants offered inspirational,
and appropriately, non-denominational
prayers for America, for Keizer and for
other governmental and community enti
ties. Mine was for the State of Oregon.
This event brought together represen
tatives from local churches and various
community organizations. It was very
thoughtful and kind of the mayor to invite
Do you value Siletz Native culture and want to help preserve it? If so, please con
sider fostering for the Tribe. The Siletz Tribe needs loving, stable, nurturing homes in
all areas. If you are interested, please contact Shawna Henarie, foster care certifier, at
541-444-8275 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1275; or visit www.ctsi.nsn.us/icw.html.
Nuu-wee-ya’ «swords»
Open to Tribal members of all ages
Siletz
Salem
Siletz Tribal Community Center
June 8-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
July 7-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Salem Area Office
June 15-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
July 27-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Portland
Eugene
Portland Area Office
June 14-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
July 26-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Eugene Area Office
June 7-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
July 6-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Come and join other members of your community and Tribe in learning to
speak one of our ancient languages.
For more information, contact Bud Lane at the Siletz Cultural Department at
541-444-8320 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1320; or e-mail budl@ctsi.nsn.us.
Siletz News
*
Vietnam Wall
The Siletz Community Health Clinic
held a grand opening of the new clinic on
May 12, along with a health fair for every
one in attendance. The clinic is a beautiful
facility on Government Hill that will serve
the Tribe and the community as well. It is
spacious, with state-of-the-art equipment
and, when necessary, allows for expansion
of services for Tribal members as well as
the community in general.
As reported by Mark Trahant in Indian
Country Today, one change in the health
care reform legislation that was signed by
the president “... allows services to non
Indians so long as there is no diminution
in services to eligible Indians ... This
means that Tribes can decide, as many
have, to serve their neighbors which could
be employees or rural residents ... By
The Tribe hosted the Vietnam Wall in
Newport last month. Tony Molina orga
nized the event on behalf of the Tribe. Not
only did he assist in the preparation of The
Wall, but he also organized the ceremony
that recognized all veterans.
The task wasn’t easy as he had to stand
watch over the wall all night and assisted
in properly placing the thousand flags.
Tony and the veterans who participat
ed in the ceremony represented the Tribe
admirably, as did the Tribal members who
participated in this ceremony.
On behalf of the council, I would like
to express our gratitude to all who par
ticipated in this important event in loving
memory and in honor of all who served in
the Armed Services of our country.
June 2010
Elders’ Council Meeting
June 12 • 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Chinook Winds Casino Resort
For more information. please contact April Bender at
800-922-1399, ext 1225; 541-444-8225; or aprils@ctsi.nsn.us
Out-of-Area Funding Is Available
If you live outside of the 11-county Contract Health Service area, are an enrolled
Siletz Tribal member and registered with CHS, then you may be eligible for out-of
area benefits.
Please call CHS as soon as possible at 800-628-5720. You will need to speak to
a CHS worker to receive an authorization number.
These benefits are available only through June 30, 2010. You must have services
completed and have claims in to CHS by June 30, 2010.
Available benefits include:
Vision - $400
Medical - $1,000
Send letters to:
Introduction to the Athabaskan Language
*
Clinic Grand Opening
STBC Retreat
Tribal Children Need Foster Parents
2
The Board of Directors of the Siletz
Tribal Business Corporation (STBC)
held a retreat to assess and set direction
for STBC. All economic development
activities are handled by and through this
organization. The retreat was a meaning
ful exchange of information.
broadening the base of patients, smaller
clinics could actually grow and have more
resources to spend on every patient.”
Trahant's comments could very
well be applicable to the Siletz Tribe and
our clinic.
I would like to commend the clinic staff
for doing an outstanding job of establishing
this new facility. They also accomplished
the move from the original to the new
facility while, at the same time, faithfully
keeping patients’ medical appointments
and providing appropriate care.
Siletz News
P.O. Box 549
Siletz, OR 97380-0549
541-444-8291 or
800-922-1399, ext. 1291
Fax: 541-444-2307
E-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us
Hearing - $ 1,400
Dental - $1,200
Siletz News is free to enrolled
Siletz Tribal members. For all others,
a $12 annual subscription fee applies.
Please make checks payable to CTSI
and mail to Siletz News.
Name:_________ _________________
Address:
Deadline for the July issue is
June 10. Submission of articles and
photos is encouraged. Please see the
Passages Policy on page 23 when
submitting items for Passages.
Member of the Native American
Journalists Association
Phone:________________________ __
Change of address: Tribal mem
bers - call the Enrollment Department
at 541-444-8258 or 800-922-1399,
ext. 1258; all others - call the newspa
per office.