Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2011)
New Babies! Chayton Skye Yarbour Congratulations! Isaac Butler 2011 OWA Collegiate State Champion Siletz Warrior Mat Club 120# Novice TLC attitudes of gratitude: We’re not meant to be alone We need you! As your Tribal veterans coordina tor (TVR), I wish to encourage all of our Tribal member veterans to submit a copy of their DD214 to our Siletz Tribal veterans office. This will accom plish many things. It will begin the process of enroll ing you in Veterans Affairs programs. While it’s true that the VA has a lot of requirements, the only way to find out if our veterans qualify is to enroll. Also for those Siletz Tribal fami lies that have veteran loved ones buried on Government Hill who do not have a headstone, I can apply for a military headstone through our office to the VA. When we have your DD214 in hand, it also puts you in line to have your name added to our Living Vet erans Memorial on Government Hill. It takes awhile to accumulate enough names for the memorial company to come out to do the sandblasting. Your DD214 helps us show your proof of service. We unfortunately cannot just place your name with a phone call or a letter unless it’s accom panied with a copy of your DD-214. I thank all of our veterans for their service to our nation, for answering the call to serve and protect our country. I'm here to help you in any way I can. We also are in the process of mak ing our Siletz Tribal Honor Guard one of the best. We can only be the best if you choose to join our proud Siletz Honor Guard team. Thank you, Tony Molina, TVR and Honor Guard Director P.O. Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380-0549 541-444-8330 800-922-1399, ext. 1330 8 • Siletz News • Chayton Skye Yarbour, our beautiful circle of life, was born Dec. 28, 2010, in Clackamas, Ore. He weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 21 inches long. His father is Bruce Vincent Yarbour and his mother is Krista Katherine Kuntz. By Lynn Whitlow “No man (woman) is an island.” I don’t know who said that originally, but it is a universal truth. The truth is, as human beings, we need each other. Some of us are more “social” than others and love to be surrounded by people, a lot of people, a lot of the time. Others of us like people a lot, love inter acting and talking, playing and working closely with others. There are those of us who are dis trustful of others because of life circum stances, but still need others and hopefully have a friend or two who understands and supports us. We are not meant to be alone. We need people to reach out to and in turn be there for others to reach out to us. I know there are times when I value my solitude, but I don’t want to be there too long. I love being with and interacting with others. I am grateful for my family and friends - someone usually is there when I want and need them. TLC residents express their gratitude: I’m grateful for a warm place to sleep. I‘m grateful for everyone’s help and for being sober. I’m grateful for my children and for child care. I’m grateful for the air I breathe. I’m grateful for Janet, Lynn, Delina, Jenifer, Elaine, Ellen, George, Zeb, Lawrence, Atreaux, Angela, Ashliegh, my mom, Stacey, Aunt Denise, Aunt Kelly, Grandpa Arlen, my dad, all my friends, my new roommate and her kids and my beautiful daughter. Wow, I did it! From the help of all these people, I have my life! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. SSP is another huge part of my pro cess. Thank you for being there when I need you! I’m off to a great start in my life because you all made it possible. I’m truly grateful. -------------------- ----------- —=------------------------ -------------- ---------- --------------------------------------------- 1................. — ■ ............. . I’m grateful for my new job. I’m grateful for my carpool buddies and for Anna for being an excellent child care provider. I am so thankful for being able to watch my son play basketball and for my best friend, Jay. I am grateful for my sponsor and my counselor! We all are truly grateful for the folks who volunteer to help out at the TLC. Thank you to Alice McCain and Denise Riding In for caring enough to be that extra security at the TLC and for staff who help out beyond their regular duty. Thank you to Jeremy Whitlow for providing a “security stick” for the sliding door and again to Tracy Bailey for doing a few repair jobs and helping figure out the electricity snafu. Each one of you is so appreciated! An Irish blessing to each of you from a part-Irishwoman. You pick your own blessing. My favorite is “May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows you’re dead!” .......... ..... Send Us News: Siletz News is looking for information about Tribal members, positive news about you or someone you know. Here’s an example of what we’ll include: births, graduations, awards, the Armed Services, new jobs or businesses, weddings, anniversaries and deaths. Contact information is on page 2. ________ VA expands outreach to American Indians, Hawaiians, Alaska Natives to serve as advocate for Tribal veterans WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced the creation of a new Office of Tribal Govern ment Relations to ensure the more than 200,000 veterans who are American Indi ans, Alaska Natives, Hawaiian Natives or are part of Alaska Native corporations receive the VA benefits they have earned. “There is a long, distinguished tra dition of military service among Tribal peoples,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “VA is commit ted to providing these veterans with the March 2011 full range of VA programs as befits their service to our nation.” About 200,000 veterans are repre sented by the 800 Tribal governments officially recognized by the United States. Although VA has long provided benefits to veterans in Tribal lands, the new office will further strengthen and expand that relationship. Stephanie Elaine Birdwell, an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation from Oklahoma, has been selected as the office’s first director. A former social worker, she has spent nearly 15 years working on Tribal issues with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and, most recently, the Bureau of Indian Education. She will oversee a six-person office responsible for “establishing, maintain ing and coordinating a nation-to-nation, federal-Tribal relationship,” according to a VA briefing. The office has a charter that officially extends to veterans who are American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawai ians or part of Alaska Native corporations.
