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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2013)
Chairman’s Report December was a sad month for us, Indian Country and the nation. On Dec. 17, 2012, the nation and Indian Country lost two prominent leaders to illness. wayne Ducheneaux Our good friend Wayne Ducheneaux, former president of the National Congress of American Indians, former chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and for- mer president of the National American Indian Housing Council, passed away in Mobridge, S.D. Ducheneaux was a very strong Tribal leader not only for his Tribe, but all Tribes. He served honorably as chairman and in his capacity as an organizational chairman. He was responsible for helping to pass important legislation, such as the Indian Religious Freedom Act, inclu- sion of Tribes in the Transportation Act, legislation to fix Duro v. Reina, legislation to change the name of Custer Battlefield to Little Bighorn Battlefield and a memorial to honor Native warriors at the battlefield site. As a Tribal leader from the Plains, he had many more accomplishments too numerous to mention. We became close friends with Duch- eneaux when he offered to assist our Tribe in our efforts to build a casino. He was quick to offer his support and friendship. Over the years, we enjoyed many conversations and visits. On our family vacation, he invited us to visit his ranch during their roundup and we were able to visit a couple of times. He was a rancher at heart, raising horses and cattle and working alongside his sons on the ranch. Not only will Indian Country miss Ducheneaux, we will miss his friendship, kindness and support of our Tribe. He is the brother of our retired lobbyist, Frank Ducheneaux. Sen. Daniel Inouye The nation lost another warrior and supporter of Indian Country on Dec. 17 when Sen. Daniel Inouye passed away. Sen. Inouye served for 10 years as a prominent member and chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. According to the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), “Inouye’s outstanding commitment to Indian affairs was demonstrated by his long service on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, serving as the chairman from 1987-1995, the vice-chairman from 1995-1997 and again as chairman from 2001-2003. He was slated to continue his role as a com- mittee 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 Com- mission Act and was later able to secure funding for Native Hawaiians to purchase property as a part of the Home Lands effort. Sen. Inouye was honored by NCAI in 1999 with the NCAI Leadership Award for his service to Indian Country.” NCAI also issued the following state- ment on Sen. Inouye’s passing: “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 Delores Pigsley 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.” We should be extremely thankful for the leadership and support of these two great leaders. elders Council Meeting Feb.9•1-4p.m. Chinook winds Casino Resort For more information about the Siletz Tribe, please visit ctsi.nsn.us. For more information, contact Dee Navarro at 800-922-1399, ext. 1261; 541-444-8261; or deen@ctsi.nsn.us. Culture Craft for Tribal Youth Feb.5•4-6p.m.•SiletzTribalCommunityCenter 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. Name: _______________________________________________________ Come learn about dentallium shell money – what it is, what it means to our people, how to process it and the variety of things one can make out of it. This activity is sponsored by the Tribal Cultural and Education departments. Please contact Cultural Education Director Buddy Lane at 541-444-8320 or Siletz Area Education Specialist Alissa Lane at 541-444-8373 (or either one at 800-922-1399) if you have questions. 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. Deadline for the March issue is Feb. 11. Send information to: Submission of articles and photos is encouraged. Siletz News Please see the Passages Policy on page 20 when sub- mitting items for Passages. P.O. Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380-0549 541-444-8291 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1291 Fax: 541-444-2307 e-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us 2 • Siletz News • Member of the Native American Journalists Association February 2013 Nuu-wee-ya’ (our words) Introduction to the Athabaskan language Open to Tribal members of all ages eugene Eugene Area Office Feb. 4 – 6-8 p.m. March 4 – 6-8 p.m. Portland Portland Area Office Feb. 11 – 6-8 p.m. March 11 – 6-8 p.m. Siletz Siletz Tribal Community Center Feb. 5 – 6-8 p.m. March 5 – 6-8 p.m. Salem Salem Area Office Feb. 12 – 6-8 p.m. March 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 the 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.
