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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2012)
To the editor: The Siletz Tribal Arts and Heritage Society, located in Siletz, Ore., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public benefit that promotes Siletz Tribal cultural and religious activities. The corporation further supports the development of a cultural center and museum where our Tribal artifacts, history and culture can be shared and maintained. STAHS will be working with the Cultural staff to offer a variety of outreach, educational and training programs that are related to the culture and traditions of the Tribe and other indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest. The Tribal Council has recently presented STAHS with startup funds that will allow us to apply for significant grants and other funding sources. This support will let us increase our efforts and expand our options. Through our efforts in fundraising and those of the Siletz Tribal Charitable Con- tribution Fund, we have purchased Tribal baskets from private collectors and business owners, making sure they return to our Tribe. Members of the STAHS Board of Directors are appointed by Siletz Tribal Council. Members are volunteers who do not receive any pay or compensation. If you are interested in helping to preserve and promote our cultural heritage by being a board member, you must fill out an application form and return it to Executive Secretary to the Tribal Council, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380-0549. If serving on a board isn’t something you would like to do, the board always needs volunteers to help with activities. If you would like to volunteer, you can contact Gloria Ingle at 541-994-5953 or e-mail siletz_tribal_arts_heritage_soc@yahoo.com. Be sure to stop by our STAHS table during the Restoration Pow-Wow and check out our website (huu-cha.org). Josh Eddings (Siletz Tribal member) recently developed the site and will answer your questions as well as give you a site tour. We will have a prize drawing for those who view the site. Gloria Ingle To the editor: I would like to tell a very “warm” thank you for a Tribal STHD staff – Casey Godwin, LIHEAP case manager. Casey recently has allowed my family the opportu- nity to be “warm” when we want to or need to, instead of when I can afford to! We have a lot more opportunity to be comfortable and without me going into my case, I noticed Mrs. Godwin has gone overboard not only in assisting myself, but for the whole program, many many others no matter young or old can be warm. The LIHEAP program sounds like it could have remained the same; yes, all would qualify, could still receive help. The change is when Mrs. Godwin went further and took it upon herself to “better serve” those who are in need. After understanding what little I do know, I felt a huge grandiosity for this program and, of course, Mrs. Godwin and thinking of how many persons can benefit from it, enjoying at times what at times one cannot normally afford to consistently do. Not only recently, Mrs. Godwin but also multiple staff within the Siletz Tribal Housing organization, from our case worker, various internal programs, to Mainte- nance, one (Jack M.) of whom decides to take a day off and all cane seems to happen or break. No more days off, huh? Haha! Seriously though, I would also like to thank these STHD staff for their nice and professional help. My family has a lot to be thankful for and many times, unfortu- nately, more than not this is not brought up or said. So I, Glenn Y. and Amber Y., say now a great big warm thank you to all for the helpful determined ongoing assistance you continuously provide. We as a family have an awesome two-bedroom apartment with green grass and a grand (small) section allowing for gardening. Amber will sit there day in and out snacking on fresh green beans and sweet peas, just to name a few, that were picked that day from harvest. It is nice to have this to provide to my child so as a family we can grow and put our concerns elsewhere. With this said, I wish all a happy fall/winter. Sincerely, Yarbrough Family (Glenn Yarbrough) To the editor: Seniors Support Dave Gomberg The Oregon State Council for Retired Citizens (OSCRC) carefully scrutinized the state House race in District 10 and unanimously endorsed Dave Gomberg for state representative because we believe in his strong commitment to older Oregonians. He has large shoes to fill with the retirement of Rep. Jean Cowan, who was considered the champion of seniors and people with disabilities in the state House. But we feel that Dave shows real promise for being a true champion for seniors in Oregon at a time when senior champions are hard to find. I have worked with Dave since the 1970s in the Gray Panthers, the Salem Human Rights Commission and many other nonprofit causes. Dave has a long history of fighting for vital services for seniors, people with disabilities, low-income individuals and other vulnerable populations. OSCRC was founded in 1969 and is the longest standing statewide senior advo- cacy organization in Oregon, as well as the sole grassroots senior endorsing body. The candidates that we support must show themselves to be truly committed to the serious issues impacting the senior and disability populations, including community- based senior/disability long-term care, Medicaid and Older American’s Act programs, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, consumer protections within managed health care, freedom of access to prescription drugs, senior dental and denture care, development of new low-income housing and increased senior and disability trans- portation programs. We have grown tired of senior and disability issues being at the bottom of legis- lative priority lists once the election season ends. I’ve seen so many legislators who will tout their support of seniors when they need their votes in November, but won’t fight for them when they get to Salem. We trust Dave will stand up for seniors when it really counts. Dr. Jim Davis, Executive Director Oregon State Council for Retired Citizens 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 November 2012 • SiletzNews • 19