To the friends and family of Vic Miner
Thank you to all the friends who have helped me, and continue to help me,
through the sorrow of losing my husband, Vic. I would especially like to thank
Kelley Ellis for being the special friend you are.
Thank you to the following who helped make Vic’s service a special one:
Bud Lane, David West, the Dancing Again Singers, Jennifer Easter, Sara Bell-
Tellez, Angeline Orona, Kelley Ellis and Celesta Lee. Also, thanks to Bristo
Bayya, Rose Bremner, Brenda Bremner, Judy Imbler and Cody Gray for bring
ing the food to our house for our guests.
I also would like to send a special message to Hector at Affordable Burial
and Cremation - you are truly a wonderful, kind-hearted person. There are no
words that could begin to express the thanks I would like to give to you.
I'm sure I am not remembering everyone who should be acknowledged,
but please be assured that anyone who has given me words of encouragement
and has shown their kindness is truly appreciated.
And lastly, to all my family - thank you for your love and support.
Tami Miner
To the editor:
Self-Sufficiency - Attention all Tribal members
My name is Tonya Marie Smith, roll #1827.1 am 34 years young and currently a certi
fied union crane operator with the Local 701 International Union of Operating Engineers.
My path to success started five years ago when I joined the 477 Self-Sufficiency
program. I was tired of jobs where 1 was just working for a paycheck and not being
passionate about what I was doing. I knew what I wanted to do for my career, but 1
struggled to obtain the path to get me started. I knew my Tribe could help me with my
journey. 1 called the office and that’s when my path began!
Meeting Anna Renville, Katy Kaady, Penny Painter and Frank Simmons - all of
these members were knowledgeable and resourceful. This program is designed for
Tribal members to succeed — I am living proof! The program will give you exactly
what you put into it, that’s what you will get out of it.
I put in five long hard years and volunteer now as a mentor. Countless hours on
and off the job will fulfill my career and happiness.
Thank you, Siletz Tribe!
Sincerely paying it forward,
Tonya Smith
To the editor:
I m writing this letter to let everyone know how appreciative I am of my friends
and family. I just celebrated my four years clean. The last four years have been very
challenging, but I have made it through it with the help of my good friends and family.
I want to thank my brother, Darrin, and sister-in-law, Mandi, who have been a big
support to me and allowed me back into their lives; my parents, Dan and Darlene, for
never giving up on me and for being here for me through all the ups and downs that
life brings, and Natasha Kavanaugh for always being there for me when I needed you.
You will forever be my sister by choice.
Thanks also to Amy and Heidi Bayya for always being my friend and being here
to support me in all my choices.
Thank you also to Teacher Tony, Teacher Robin and De Ann Brown for always
having faith in me and wanting to help and watch me succeed; and Sonya Moody-
Jurado and her family for never giving up on me and now giving me a place to stay
so I can further my education.
I never thought in my life that I would be going back to school, but I am now
enrolled in the associate s degree program for early childhood education through
Chemeketa and that is thanks to the Education Department and also the 477-SSP
Department through the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. There are a lot of
resources available to our people and we just have to reach out and ask.
I am proud to say that today I am doing what I love and that is being with children
- and it’s something I am good at. Today I choose to live life regardless of the roller
coaster it might put me on. I am proud of who I am and the growth that comes with it.
There are more friends and family, too many to name, but know that I appreciate
every one of my friends. I am now working toward my goal to become a Head Start
teacher, going to college and working full time. I have learned that life isn’t perfect
but it s a heck of a lot better than it was when I was using.
Sincerely,
Danelle Smith
Oregon Native Chamber offers scholarships
The Oregon Native American Chamber (ONAC) is dedicated to working
with all members of the community to advance the educational and economic
opportunities for American Indians in Oregon and Southwest Washington. ONAC
scholarships will be presented at the group’s Annual Gathering on Oct. 5. This
year, ONAC will award up to eight $1,000 scholarships.
Application Deadline: Must be postmarked or electronically sent to ONAC
by May 18. For more information, visit onacc.org.
Happy Anniversary to Mommy and
Daddy on May 1!
Love, your son Kai Running Bear
Williams
Happy Anniversary to Jake and
Stacee on May 1 and many more.
Love you both, Uncle Randy and
Aunt Nora
Happy 17th Birthday to Damion Williams on May 21.
Love, Mom
See more Passages on page 20.
Siletz News Letters Policy
Siletz News, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, is
published once a month. Our editorial policy encourages input from readers about
stories printed in Siletz News and other tribal issues.
All letters must include the author s signature, address, and phone number in
order to be considered for publication. Siletz News reserves the right to edit any
letter for clarity and length, and to refuse publication of any letter or any part of
a letter that may contain profane language, libelous statements, personal attacks,
or unsubstantiated statements.
Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Published let
ters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Siletz News, Tribal employees or
Tribal Council.
Please type or write legibly. Letters longer than 450 words may be edited for
length as approved by Tribal Council Resolution #96-142.
Please note: The general manager
of the Siletz Tribe is the editor-in-chief
of Siletz News.
Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner
Editor: Diane Rodriquez
Assistant: Natasha Kavanaugh
May 2012
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Siletz News
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