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
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