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SILETZ NewS Delores Pigsley, Tribal Chairman Brenda Bremner, General Manager and Editor-in-Chief Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians Vol. 41, No. 1 Siletz News Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians P.O. Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380-0549 January 2013 Presorted First-Class Mail U.S. Postage Paid - Permit No. 178 Salem, OR Robin Limbert Photo by Natasha Kavanaugh employee of the Year See details on page 5. (Photo by Natasha Kavanaugh) Fourth-grade students at Siletz Valley School celebrate the holidays with a performance of Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree at the Winter Program on Dec. 20. See more holiday-themed photos on pages 10-11. President, cabinet officials, Tribal leaders reaffirm nation-to-nation relationship From the National Congress of American Indians The Fourth Annual White House Tribal Nations Summit convened the president, eight members of his cabinet, numerous high-level administration offi- cials and hundreds of Tribal leaders from across the country in our nation’s capital in early December to discuss key issues facing Tribal nations. “Three years ago, I was proud to see that this conference was the largest gathering of Tribal leaders in our history. Back then, an event like this was rare. Today, it’s gotten routine,” said President Obama. “What I told you then is that I was committed to more than a unique nation- to-nation relationship. I was committed to getting this relationship right so that your nations could be full partners in our economy and your children can have a fair shot at pursuing the American dream and that no one has to live under the cloud of fear or injustice.” Key Announcements The administration responded with action to address top Tribal pri- orities through a number of important announcements. Secretaries Ken Salazar (Interior) and Tom Vilsack (Agriculture) announced an interagency policy on sacred places. “The president is very, very insistent that these sacred sites are protected and treated with dignity and respect,” said Vilsack. He also announced that his depart- ment’s report on sacred places, a collab- orative effort with Tribes and the Forest Service, would be released in December. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Neal Wolin announced the release of a guidance document on general welfare exclusion. This contains a wide range of benefits, including assistance with hous- ing, utilities, education, job placement, Courtesy photo from NCAI See Summit, con’t on page 4. President Obama addresses Tribal leaders at the White House Tribal Nations Summit. NCAI remembers Inouye as ‘distinguished warrior,’ Native rights champion Sen. Daniel Inouye, former chairman of Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, passes on WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii passed away Dec. 17, 2012, at the age of 88, with his wife and son by his side at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C. A World War II combat veteran, Inouye served the second-longest term of any U.S. senator in history, representing Hawaii since its statehood in 1959. He passed away from respiratory complications. Inouye was a prominent member and leader of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, serving as its chairman for 10 years during two different periods. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) released a statement fol- lowing the loss of a great friend and war- rior for the rights of all people, including indigenous peoples and Tribal nations: “Sen. Inouye was one of the most honorable and courageous men modern Indian Country has known. He was a distinguished warrior and he served his country and people with dignity and a strong sense of advocacy. As a member and chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, he championed the rights of Native peoples and we will always remember him for holding the line on numerous issues critical to cultural protection and Tribal sovereignty. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. This country has lost a true patriot and statesman. “In the words of our Native Hawaiian brothers and sisters, we say Mahalo nui loa for his service and commitment and will forever remember this son of Hawaii as a great leader.” Inouye’s outstanding commitment to Indian affairs was demonstrated by his long service on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, serving as chairman from 1987- 1995, vice-chairman from 1995-1997 and again as chairman from 2001-2003. He was slated to continue his role as a committee member in the 113 th Congress. Throughout his incredible tenure, Inouye worked closely with NCAI and American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes as he advocated for Tribal sover- eignty, Tribal colleges and universities, and housing and community develop- ment, among many other issues. He also supported the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and was later See Inouye, con’t on page 5.
