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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2014)
To the editor: The Siletz Valley School Board and administration would like to acknowledge the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians for their charitable contribution. For the 2013- 2014 school year, the Siletz Valley Charter School (K-8) and Siletz Valley Early College Academy (9-12) received $285,350 in donations through the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. This generous contribution supports classroom instruction, technology services, athletics, special community events, and college preparation and career readiness of our students. On behalf of our school, we thank you. Sam Tupou, Principal/Superintendent Courtesy photo by Chinook Winds Casino Resort staff Chinook Winds Casino Resort hotel convention center Remodeling of Chinook winds hotel convention center is complete Chinook Winds Casino Resort is proud to announce the completion of a $125,000 remodel project at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort hotel convention center. New windows, paint, carpet and sound system are among the upgrades made to the space. “It was just simply time to upgrade the hotel convention space. Among many ‘outside of the area’ convention groups booking here every year, we have several local organizations that utilize that space. The sound system has always been a concern and it can now be laid to rest,” said Eric Smileuske, marketing director. All of the work was done by in-house Facilities staff and most of the supplies were purchased locally. “I’m very proud of the work my crew has the ability to complete. This project is just one of many we are working on. We have also completed new concrete pathways in front of our hotel standard rooms and are currently working on a new laundry facility, which will allow us to add at least two additional hotel rooms,” said Sean Sheridan, facilities director. Chinook Winds is planning an open house in the near future. “We want to invite all guests who have been in the old space and new guests who want to see what we have to offer. The date of the open house will be announced at a later time,” said Smileuske. Be a Foster Parent–Help a Child in Need “When the Children Grow Old… We Want Them to Know We Fought for Them” ~ There are many ways to fight to protect our children. One of those ways is by being a foster parent. The Siletz Tribal Indian Child Welfare Department is accepting and recruiting foster homes on behalf of our Tribal children. ~ If we see a child in need, We meet the needs of that child. It is the way of our people. ~ For more information and an application, call: Leah Suitter, Case Manager lll Foster Parent Certifier, CTSI-ICW 800.922.1399, ext #1275, or 541.444.8275 To the editor: Thanks to you, Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund, for the $800 grant that helps pay for our liability insurance. Without this generous grant, the Siletz Valley Friends of the Library would not be able to use our fantastic volunteers. These monetary resources enable us to use our volunteers in many different areas of the facility. We assign our volunteers in many ways, i.e., alphabetizing the books, repairing and covering our old and new books, helping with the display cases, clean- ing the men’s and ladies’ restrooms, weeding the flower beds and power washing the sidewalks around the building. We also use volunteers to plan and prepare for events we have during the year, such as our library birthday party, book and bake sale during the pow-wow in Siletz, our ongoing fundraising events for the upkeep and maintenance of the library build- ing and grounds, and brainstorming ideas to add to the list of things our volunteers are able to help us with. Thank you so much again, we greatly appreciate your gracious generosity and thoughtfulness. Audrey Casper SVFOL Board Member Hello Tribal members: I would like to express my views on the upcoming marriage and divorce ordinances and the importance for all voters to vote on this issue. When these ordinances were first brought to council, there were Tribal Council members who requested that these ordinances be put to a Tribal membership vote. I was one of the TC who requested this. I feel that our concerns and requests were ignored by the Tribal Council officers. At the May 2014 Regular TC meeting, the marriage and divorce ordinances were on the agenda. I felt this was going to be voted on and passed without the requested Tribal membership vote. I made a motion that this ordinance be put to the vote of the people. The chairman asked if it was an advisory vote. I stated no. I want the membership vote to be law. The motion went down 3 voted yes, 4 for voted no. The officers voted no. Bud Lane then made a motion that the vote on the ordinances be an advisory vote. The motion passed 7-0. I voted yes in extreme duress as I felt an advisory vote for the people is better than no vote at all. I am against the marriage and divorce ordinances for a number of reasons: 1. The moral issue: What are we teaching our children? 2. Religious-spiritual teachings. This goes against many Tribal members’ beliefs. Their beliefs should be honored. 3. Health issues 4. This ordinance was written to benefit same-sex marriage. If these ordinances are passed, the Tribal Court should be required to hear all divorce cases. The Tribal Court should protect our Tribal assets, our Tribal property and our Tribal children. Many people have requested help from our TC and Tribal Court for help for their children, only to be told that we don’t do child custody cases. Not all people can afford high-cost lawyers and court fees to protect their assets. Until these ordinances are written to benefit all, I feel they should not be passed. Please assert your Tribal sovereignty by voting on these ordinances. An advisory vote can be ignored by the Tribal Council. In the Tribal chain of command, the people have the authority to govern our Tribe as we see fit. These ordinances will directly affect all Tribal members, therefore should be decided by the vote of the people. I am not a hater. I am the mother of five, grandmother of 22. I am a Tribal Elder and a Tribal Council member. Please vote. We all have the right to our own beliefs. Thank you, Loraine Y. Butler Siletz News LettersPolicy 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 August 2014 Editor: Diane Rodriquez • SiletzNews • 19
