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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2012)
Chairman’s Report Fundraiser for Kurt Schrader The Tribal Council hosted a campaign fundraising dinner for Congressman Kurt Schrader in April. As most of you know, Schrader was a member of the Oregon House of Representatives before being elected to represent the 5,h Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is moderate in his views, genuine in his motives and loyal to his constituents. He has taken the time to understand the complex issues of our Tribe and learn our Tribal history. He has visited Siletz and has taken the time to visit Chemawa Indian School and introduce the Chemawa legislation. I first met Bernice when she was working at the Pi-Ume-Sha Pow-Wow many years ago. Then over the years as council representatives at countless meet ings, we saw each other as we both served on our councils. She has visited our Tribe many times. In spite of her health, she always managed to travel to attend meetings and speak her mind. I was always amazed that she traveled so far when she had health problems. She was a strong woman and a strong voice for her Tribe. She was highly respected for her historical and cultural knowledge as well as for her position on current events. I will always remember her calm and kind friendship. She also had quite a sense of humor and shared lots of stories about her life. She made a buckskin dress for me that 1 will cherish forever and will always remember her as a true leader and a good friend. As a Tribe, we are proud of Congress man Schrader and give him our continued support in the election this fall. Passing of Bernice Mitchell A good friend and long-serving council woman of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs passed away in early April. 1 am sorry 1 was unable to attend her services. Host of ATNI Our Tribe will host the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians spring meet ing at Chinook Winds this month. Bernice Mitchell will always be remembered as a friend of our Tribe for her warm smile, friendly attitude, her kindness and her ability to make you feel welcome. Tribal leaders from all over the North west will be in attendance to discuss impor tant Tribal issues and legislative activities. We were pleased to be selected to host this event. NIGA/OTGA activity Lots of activity has been occurring with regards to Indian gaming. Tina Retasket, Loraine Butler and 1 attended the National Indian Gaming Asso ciation (NIGA) conference in San Diego in April. The Supreme Court decision on “Carcieri” has had a profound effect on many Tribes nationwide as it relates to taking land into trust and financing. Legislative attempts for a fix are expected, but the decision stands at this point in time. Our Tribe is not affected by the court decision but other Northwest Tribes may be. Delores Pigsley The Oregon Tribal Gaming Alliance recently met to discuss Oregon Tribes’ gaming. Another attempt will be made by a non-Tribal organization to win voter approval of a non-Tribal Portland-area casino. It would require a change to Oregon's Constitution as well as a vote of approval. Nez Perce class action lawsuit The Siletz Tribe joined this class action lawsuit about six years ago. The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) filed the action on behalf of several Tribes. Forty-one of the Tribes agreed to settle and we were one of them. We are very pleased with the outcome and con gratulate NARF on a job well-done. You will find a press release on this subject in this issue of Siletz News and on the Tribal website. A vote on the constitutional change failed two years ago. The promoters will be circulating petitions to get the needed signatures to place both measures on the Oregon ballot this year. Join others to help Elders during first Elders woodcut of year in Toledo The Tribal Natural Resources Com mittee and Natural Resources Department will sponsor the first Cut Wood for the Elders Day of the year on May 19. The woodcut will be held at the log yard at the Tribe's Toledo Mill property off Sturdevant Road in Toledo. Enter at the log yard entrance (go straight all the way to the end of Sturdevant Road, through the chain link fence gate and down the hill to the railroad tracks and the wood cutting area) We need lots of volunteers to help cut, split and deliver firewood for Tribal Elders. Bring your chainsaws, hydraulic wood split ters, splitting mauls, axes and lots of energy. Lunch, drinks and snacks will be provided. We will meet at the Tribal administration building in Siletz at 8 a.m. and caravan to the cutting site. For anyone wishing to come later, directions to the cutting site will be posted on the front door of the building. 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. The goal of this event will be to deliver firewood to as many Elders as possible. The Elders Program maintains a list of Elders who bum wood for their winter heat. People willing to haul firewood to Elders outside of the Siletz area should contact the Elders Program clerk at SOO- 922-1399, ext. 1261, or 541-444-8261 to be paired up with an Elder in need. We especially need folks who can haul wood to the Eugene, Salem and Portland areas. Nuu-wee-ya Elders in need of firewood also should contact the Elders Program clerk to get their name on the delivery list. If you have parents or grandparents who burn wood in the winter to stay warm, you need to help out at this event. Help replenish those wood piles after the long winter. Additional woodcuts are scheduled for July 21 and Sept. 15, so mark your calendars now. (our words) Introduction to the Athabaskan language Open to Tribal members of all ages Name: Address: Phone: Change of address: Tribal members - contact the Enrollment Depart ment at 541-444-8258; 800-922-1399, ext. 1258; or angelam@ctsi.nsn.us. All others - call the newspaper office. Send information to: Siletz News P.O. Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380-0549 Deadline for the June issue is May 10. Submission of articles and photos is encouraged. Please see the Passages Policy on page 20 when submitting items for Passages. 541-444-8291 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1291 Fax: 541-444-2307 Member of the Native American Journalists Association E-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us 2 • Siletz News • May 2012 Eugene Portland Eugene Area Office May 7 - 6-8 p.m. June 4 - 6-8 p.m. Portland Area Office May 14 - 6-8 p.m. June 11-6-8 p.m. Siletz Salem Siletz Tribal Community Center May 8 - 6-8 p.m. June 5 — 6-8 p.m. Salem Area Office May 15 - 6-8 p.m. June 12 — 6-8 p.m. Classes begin with basic instruction and progress over the year. They also are a refresher course for more-advanced students. Come and join other members of your community and Tribe in learning to speak one of our ancient languages. We also have equipment in thé Cultural Department available for use in grinding and drilling shell or pine nuts or other applications. If you need to use the equipment, call the number below to set up an appointment. 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.
