To the editor:
A special thank you to my family and friends for your thoughtfulness and support
through this difficult time.
A special acknowledgment to Ronald Butler Jr. for the beautiful song, Pastor Vance,
ArdellaCase Parr, Shannon Case, Mary Dederick, Nancy Simmons, Cheryl and Alfred
Lane III, Elouise Case, Bonnie McAlpine, my co-workers, Melissa Strickler, Janet of
ABC and Frank Rilatos for being the true friend to Bo.
With sincere thanks,
Joella Strong
Editor’s note; This letter was written prior to Wayne L. Case H’s passing in October.
The family requested that it be published.
To the Siletz Tribal members of voting age:
I hear that there might be a vote on descendancy in the near future. If so, 1 hope
you vote “no.”
I can understand why you would want this if you’re a 16th blood degree because
of your children and grandchildren. But you must understand (the effect) it will have
on the members who are a 16,h or more. It will take away the little help we have now.
For example, we don't have money for all our health needs with the members we
have now. It will also take away money from the Elders. It would more than likely
take the money that families need for funeral costs. Plus it would take from our young
who would be going to school.
What scares me most is it will open the doors for the federal government to stop
giving the Tribe federal funding or not even seeing us as a Tribe any longer.
The U.S. government is under financial duress and is cutting money every way
they can. The government wants to break the treaties as it is. Look at history; they
never do what they agreed on, especially if it helps the people. If the government does
start cutting funds on matters, believe me the Tribes that have gone to descendancy
will be the first to go.
So to the people of a 16th or more, be happy with what you receive because it just
takes that mark of a pen and the government can take everything we have. We would
have no health care, casino, housing, nothing. I’m sure the government would consider
descendancy a Tribe that bred out all their Tribal blood.
Voting members, vote “no” if there is a vote. Remember the past. It can happen again.
Wayne L. Case II
Dear fellow Tribal members:
My name is Santos Curiel. For those of you who don’t know me, 1 am a fellow
Tribal member and I have been selling cars at Toby Murry Toyota/Nissan (Newport,
Qre.) for a year and a half now.
When I started here, I initiated the Tribal Preferred Pricing Program (TPPP) for
Tribal members and Tribal employees. I just want to write today to thank each and
every Tribal member and employee who has inquired, bought or referred a friend or
family member to me. You have made this transition easy and successful.
I just wanted to say thank you and you know who you are.
For info regarding TPPP, call me exclusively at Toby Murry Toyota/Nissan.
Thank you all again!
Sincerely,
Santos Curiel
541-272-4176 or Sc_tobymurry@yahoo.com
tobymurrytoyota.com
For more information about the Siletz Tribe, please visit ctsi.nsn.us.
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.
To the editor:
The family of Michael Elkins would like to express their sincerest thanks and
gratitude tor all of your thoughts, hugs and prayers during our loss. We couldn’t get
through this difficult time without all of our loving family and friends.
A special thank you goes out to the ladies and men who helped in the kitchen.
Thank you to my sister Jen Metcalf, Alissa Lane, Kelley Ellis, Selene Rilatos, Elaine
Jackson-Butler, Tasha Mason, Stuart Whitehead and Rick Leaton. Thank you to
everyone who cooked food.
Thank you Bud Lane for officiating my dad’s service; it meant a great deal to
our family. Thank you to Rick Bayya for making a wonderful DVD of our memories.
Elouise Case, thank you for coming up and praying with my dad, praying for him
and helping him accept the Lord into his heart.
Kyle, thank you for staying up all night and not leaving his side during the wake.
Taren, thank you for helping with the pictures. Thank you to those who attended and
honored his memory.
1 m so sorry if I missed anyone. He was a great man and he will be forever in our
hearts and missed every day.
With thanks,
The Elkins, Metcalf and Baker families
Dear Dr. Sparks:
Thank you for taking care of my dad and allowing us more time with him than we ever
thought we would have. My dad thought a great deal about you and he knew you always
had his best interests at heart; that’s what he appreciated about you. Thank you, Dr. Sparks.
Chuvonne Metcalf
To Tribal members:
I am going to run for the position of Tribal Council and have appreciated the sup
port 1 have always received in being elected to this position. 1 have not wavered from
the beliefs 1 started with when I first got on Tribal Council. The times have changed
and I do try to alter my decisions but still keep the values I began with.
1 am again asking for your support for a Tribal Council position.
Lillie Butler
To the editor:
Our Taft Elementary School fifth-grade students, chaperones and teachers enjoyed
our visit to the Siletz Tribal Center on Nov. 7, 2012. We would like to thank Juanita
Whitebear for organizing this field trip for our students. Hayu Masi, Juanita!
Brenda Bremner’s introduction and interesting history of the Siletz Tribal Coun
cil and the beautiful Siletz Tribal Center were very much appreciated. Many student
questions were answered as Ms. Bremner broadened our understanding of the Tribal
members and their organization. Ms. Bremner also explained the story behind the
fantastic Native American artwork throughout the center.
Students were very impressed with the fish hatchery and Stan van de Wetering's
explanation of how it works. Our fifth-graders were very excited to see the eels up
close. Touching the lamprey eels and petting the goats were both very exciting to
our young learners. Crossing the bridge over the salmon pond was very educational.
Students understood how the dead salmon helped feed the young fish.
Bud Lane’s wonderful voice enchanted young and old alike. His stories and infor
mative talk kept students on the edge of their seats in the Dance House. The room
became hushed each time his voice and beautiful native language filled the air. We
greatly appreciated his sharing of Siletz Tribal traditions.
We thank the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians for welcoming our students,
chaperones and teachers. Thank you to the Elders for sharing the cafeteria with our
students and chaperones. You were very kind.
Sincerely yours,
Valerie Baker and Kimberly Miller
Fifth-grade teachers
Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner
Editor: Diane Rodriquez
Assistant: Natasha Kavanaugh
December 2012
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