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
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Siletz News
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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.