Siletz news /, October 01, 2011, Page 21, Image 21

NCAI urges passage of American Jobs Act to help boost U.S. economy
Act is beneficial for
Indian-owned small
businesses, American
Indian workers
WASHINGTON - The nation’s
oldest, largest, and most representative
American Indian and Alaska Native advo­
cacy organization, the National Congress
of American Indians (NCAI), released a
statement Sept. 9 supporting President
Obama’s Jobs Act proposal.
“NCAI applauds the president for
taking action and supports the very real
impact of the American Jobs Act for
Tribal nations and Native people. Over
20,000 Native American-owned small
businesses would benefit from tax cuts
and 1.5 million Native American work­
ers will benefit from the extension of
the payroll tax cut,” said Jefferson Keel,
president of NCAI.
“We applaud the act’s specific invest­
ment in Tribal infrastructure - schools,
roads, homes - and our citizens - con­
struction workers, teachers and veterans
- to name just a few. Given the staggering
unemployment crisis in Indian Country,
for Tribal economies the time to act is
now and Congress cannot wait another
minute,” concluded Keel.
The American Jobs Act as proposed
by President Obama has the potential
to fully utilize the economic potential
of Tribal nations. Tribal governments
create jobs for Tribal citizens and their
non-Native neighbors from Phoenix to
rural Alaska and from Mississippi to
Minneapolis.
As Tribal governments make tough
choices to spur economic growth and
close budget gaps, NCAI urges our col­
leagues in Congress to reach across the
aisle, get this bill passed and put America
back to work.
Keystone XL Tar Sands Oil Pipeline ‘poses grave dangers’ to Tribal nations
NCAI opposes
pipeline; calls for
energy demand to be
met by responsible
energy development
WASHINGTON - In anticipation
of a forthcoming Environmental Impact
Statement by the U.S. State Department
on the proposed Keystone XL Oil Pipe­
line, the National Congress of Ameri­
can Indians (NCAI) issued a statement
in August saying the proposed pipeline
expansion could severely impact Ameri­
can Indian communities and “poses grave
dangers if it is constructed.”
The statement released by NCAI,
the nation’s oldest, largest and most rep­
resentative American Indian and Alaska
Native advocacy organization, reaffirms
the position of its members and expresses
solidarity with Canadian First Nations
concerned about the project.
“The Keystone XL pipeline ... would
threaten, among other things, water aqui­
fers, water ways, cultural sites, agricul­
tural lands, animal life, public drinking
water sources and other resources vital
to the peoples of the region in which the
pipeline is proposed to be constructed,”
reads an NCAI resolution passed in June
at the organization’s most recent gathering
of its members.
NCAI is calling for domestic energy
demands to be met by developing energy
resources responsibly in order to pro­
tect vital natural resources, such as vast
water reserves.
“Homeland and economic security
starts with energy security, but Indian
Country wants it to be done right, not at
the expense of the health of our communi­
ties and resources, both Tribal and non­
Tribal,” said Jefferson Keel, president of
NCAI, citing the importance of looking to
clean domestic energy as a more reliable
solution. “During challenging economic
times in our country and in our Tribal
nations, domestic energy when developed
responsibly can create jobs while ensur­
Find New Ways to Relieve Stress When Quitting Smoking
ing that our people and natural resources
remain safe and plentiful.”
The proposed expansion of the
pipeline would cross through northern
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana, South
Dakota, Nebraska and Oklahoma, with
potential devastating
impacts on communi­
ties in surrounding areas
and states.
A recent study by a
University of Nebraska
hydrologist outlines a
worst case spill sce­
nario, estimating that
Keystone XL could spill
as much as 7.9 million
gallons in Nebraska’s
Sandhills, polluting
5 billion gallons of
groundwater with ben­
zene and contaminating
water used for agricul­
ture and drinking drawn
from the Ogallala Aqui­
fer, and more than 6.9 million gallons
of tar sands crude at the Yellowstone
River crossing.
That estimate far exceeds Exxon
Mobil’s July 1, 2011, spill of 42,000
gallons near Apsâalooke (Crow) Nation
territory in south-central Montana,
contaminating 240 miles of the Yellow­
stone River.
Responsible alternatives to importing
energy resources from outside the United
States are abundant, specifically on Tribal
lands. In addition to plen­
tiful traditional energy
options on Tribal lands,
the National Renewable
Energy Lab estimates
that the wind potential
in Indian Country could
provide 32 percent of
U.S. annual electric gen­
eration, whereas the solar
energy potential in Indian
Country equals twice the
total amount of electric­
ity the U.S. generates
per year.
The U.S. State
Department was expected
to issue the Final Environ­
mental Impact Statement
(FEIS) for the pipeline in mid-August.
Following this, the State Department will
undergo a 90-day process to determine
whether the pipeline serves the national
interest. This is the final step in the per­
mitting process.
Start eating a healthier diet.
A lot of those greasy foods we like also are smoking
triggers.
Planning to apply for Tribal
education funds?
brink less caffeine.
Once you quit smoking, the effects of caffeine can increase,
potentially making you nervous or cranky.
Some requirements and deadlines
to keep in mind
Spend time with positive people.
Find a support group, talk with a friend.
1.
The once-a-year annual deadline for funding is June 30 of
each year (for funding for the upcoming fall semester or
academic year).
2.
Students must apply for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student
Aid) at fafsa.ed.gov between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31 each year. Your application
for Tribal funding will not be accepted if you do not meet this deadline.
3.
If you plan to enter a graduate program and wish to be considered for
Tribal funding, you must meet the requirements above as well as apply
to the American Indian Graduate Center for additional funding at
aigc.com . Please note that AIGC has an early spring deadline.
Exercise or take up a hobby.
Walk the dog, walk, do things with your hands, play cards, bead,
go bowling, paint, sew - anything to stay busy helps.
Carry a bottle of water.
Take a cleansing drink of water when you feel an urge
to smoke.
Get enough sleep.
If you feel tired throughout your day, it can make minor little
annoyance seem like a major issue.
For more information, contact the following educational specialists:
Treat yourself to something.
Maybe go fishing with your friends, to the movies, walk on the
beach, a massage. Doing something that relaxes you can work
miracles.
Tasha Mason
541-444-9659 or 800-648-0449, ext. 1659
tasham@ctsi.nsn.us
Oregon Quit Line
800-QUIT-NOW
oregonquitline.org
•
Katy Holland, Portland Area Office, 503-238-1512
•
Sonya Moody-Jurado, Salem Area Office, 503-390-9494
•
Nick Sixkiller, Eugene Area Ofice, 541 -484-4234
•
Alissa Lane, Siletz and out-of-area, 541-444-8373 or 800-922-1399,
ext. 1373
October 2011
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Siletz News
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