Siletz news /, June 01, 2012, Image 1

SILETZ NEWS
Siletz News
Confederated Tribes of
Siletz Indians
P.O Box 549
Siletz. OR 97380-0549
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
Delores Pigsley,
Tribal Chairman
Brenda Bremner.
General Manager
and Editor-in-Chief
Vol. 40, No. 6
June 2012
Ind»»0*
KNIGHT LIBRARY
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Siletz students present short films on problems of prescription drug abuse
Community comes
out to support
students’ efforts
By Natasha Kavanaugh
Eight years ago. a collabora­
tion between Lincoln County, the
Lincoln County School District and
the Northwest Film Center formed
the Lincoln County Youth Film
Program, which combines education
with the art of filmmaking.
This year, students at Siletz
Valley School wrote, produced and
directed broadcast-quality televi­
sion, short films and other public
service announcements. On May 18,
students presented two films entitled
The Sleepover and The Playground
at an event that was sponsored by
CEDARR (Community Efforts
Demonstrating the Ability to Rebuild
and Restore).
The Siletz Tribal Community
Center was packed with an over­
whelming show of community
support.
Lorrie Syms, media instructor
at Siletz Valley School, has been
involved in this program for two years.
"It's amazing what these kids
can do once they get a grasp of how
the whole concept goes of making
See Film, con’t on page 5.
Photo by Natasha Kavanaugh
Students at Siletz Valley School who participated in the Lincoln County Youth Film Program include (left to right) April Sied.
Valentina Knott. Scott Lundy, Windy Hill. Jesse Cadwallader, Angie Orellana. Lorrie Syms (instructor), Joseph Bostwick. Morgan
Crawford. Forrest Ross. Devon Reed. Misti Warren and Daniel Regan. Not pictured: Brittney Jordan-Goodell. Samantha Messer.
Koty One Feather. Tirzah Rilatos, Britany Robertson and Kai Skidmore.
State Board of Education bans use
of Native mascots in public schools
Oregon schools have until 2017 to make the change
SALEM. Ore. - The Oregon State Board of Education voted 5-1 to adopt a rule
prohibiting Oregon public schools from using Native American names, symbols or
images as school mascots. Schools have until July 1, 2017, to comply.
Key in this decision made on May 17 was research show ing that exposure to
Native American mascots had a negative impact on the self-esteem and self-image of
Native American children.
"The concept of Native American mascots being hurtful and racist was not new
to me," said board member Seri Ida Summers-McGee. "However, the testimony we
received from students, members of the Native American community and researchers
regarding the impact of Native American mascots on student learning and self-esteem
was extremely illuminating. The role of the Board of Education is to create an environ­
ment in which all students can learn and thrive; it was imperative that we pass this rule
and resolution to remove the use of Native American mascots in our public schools."
Researcher Stephanie Fryberg told board members at their April meeting that
the use of Native Americans as mascots devalues and limits individual identity, even
when these mascots are designed with the best intentions and are considered to be
“honoring” and "respectful"
"I do not believe any of our schools with Native American mascots intended to
be disrespectful, said Superintendent Susan Castillo. "However, intent is not enough.
We need to focus on what the impact is on our kids. Our role as educators needs to be
to create a safe, supportive and welcoming environment for all of our students - an
environment which honors them for who they are as individuals with a rich and varied
cultural history. We can no longer accept these stereotypical images for the sake of
tradition - not when they are hurting our kids."
See Mascots, con’t on page 4.
Siletz response to State Board
of Education’s decision to ban
Native mascots
We are very disappointed by the State of Oregon Board of Education’s
decision to ban the use of Native American mascots by all Oregon schools. In
addition, we are equally disappointed that the Tribe’s recommendation to allow
Native mascots to be used by our Tribal community schools when approved by
their local Tribe was not given consideration.
It is the opinion of the Siletz Tribe that this ban does nothing to address
the real issues of racism nor does it address the issue of the low self-esteem of
Native students attending public schools. For the Siletz Tribal community, this
action has a negative impact on our students and our community. We will be
forced once again to succumb to the misguided intentions of people who have
no knowledge of Indian communities.
In March, the Siletz Tribe passed a resolution on Native American Logos
and Mascots, recommending to the Board of Education that it “recognize the
authority of the Tribes of Oregon to approve the use of Native American mascots
and logos in their community schools.”
The resolution went on to say that, “Other schools in the State of Oregon who
wish to establish or maintain a Native American logo and mascot be required
to promote cultural studies that combat stereotypes, teach students the value of
cultural symbols and portray the true history of the people of their local Tribal
community, so that they promote pride in and respect for a Native American
logo and mascot.”
Unfortunately, these recommendations have been ignored and Siletz Valley
School, located in the Tribe’s historical homelands and called the Warriors from
the beginning, will have to change its Indian chief mascot.