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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2015)
Dear friends and family: I want to let all of you know what is happening with me. I got arrested Sept. 28, 2013, with a handgun and charged with felon in possession of a firearm by the U.S. government. Having been convicted in the past for burglary, I was indicted under the “Armed Career Criminal Act,” which Congress created in 1986. In short, this sentenc- ing enhancement is a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to life. I plead guilty on Dec. 2, 2014, in federal court. I go to sentencing on March 16, 2015. On that day, Judge Marcos Hernandez will determine my final sentence. I’m trying to show the U.S. district attorney that I’m not a violent or dangerous person. When I was pulled over and arrested, I was just returning from target shooting and had my compound bow and other hunting apparel. No stolen items or contraband. Now I’m asking for any friends, family or acquaintances to write a letter to my attorney showing support and possibly telling the government that I’m not an evil person, not a violent offender, dangerous or deserving of such an outrageous sentence. Any letter of support will be welcome. For those who wish to help or contact me, please do. Time is a factor, so please write me or my attorney: Manuel Bayya #76100-065 Federal Detention Center P.O. Box 6000 Sheridan, OR 97378 Gerald Needham Federal Public Defender 101 SW Main St., Suite 1700 Portland, OR 97204 I sincerely miss you all and love you. All the letters of support I can get will be very helpful. Please help. Sincerely, Manuel Joseph Bayya On behalf of my campaign (Ninja) clan and myself: We want to extend our appreciation for all the support we have been shown on the campaign trail. It’s been a very learning and wonderful experience. By the time you read this, hopefully you have already voted and have learned more about our powerful Tribe and have helped to bring about healthy change. I have so much respect for our Sovereign Nation, our trusted leaders, our wonderful Tribal staff and our diverse and mighty general membership. We belong to a very strong people. I will continue to support the Tribe in the commitments I have made to serve our people, our communities. Not knowing the results of the elections, as I write this, I want to say that I’m happy to be a part of this campaign. There was a showing of many good candidates, I am fortunate as I know each of them personally. I want to wish them each good luck and blessings in their next chapter of their lives. Whatever the outcome, I truly thank you for helping me in so many ways. I’ve learned a lot more about our people, made many new friends and appreciate all of you that have contacted me, supported me throughout the campaign and in my life. I couldn’t do it without your love, encouragement and your prayers. I especially am grateful for all the first-time voters. Please keep it up and cast your ballots by staying informed and staying involved. Our family circle has grown. Until we meet again, be well and I hope we continue our friendships for life. Ta-gah huska sho na schisly. May God/Creator watch over you until we meet again. Respectfully, Selene Rilatos Dear Tribal members: It has been a real honor and a privilege to be on Tribal Council for the past 26 years. I have always worked for the best interest of all Tribal members, not just a select few. I would like to thank those of you who supported me throughout the years. I have always been committed to keeping a positive attitude and building an economy that would hire all the Tribal members possible. I am very proud to be involved in a lot of the economical and cultural actions of the Tribe. I am especially proud of being chairman of the gaming that planned, designed and constructed Chinook Winds Casino Resort. It took a lot of people and hard work, but the results have been successful. I am also proud of the current council as we have moved forward in getting sup- port and help from the legislatures in Washington, D.C. Dee Pigsley has been an excellent chairman for the Tribe and I’ve been glad to work with her over the years. I would especially like to thank my family for their support and allowing me the time to be on Tribal Council. Sincerely, Jessie Davis First Nations grants help Indian youth LONGMONT, Colo. – First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) has awarded five grants to American Indian organizations through its Advancing Posi- tive Paths for Native American Boys and Young Men program for the 2014-2015 funding cycle. The grants, totaling $300,000, will sup- port organizations or programs connecting American Indian boys and young men to community mentors to experience mean- ingful and culturally based community services from support systems that empha- size educational achievement and cultural learning as vehicles to future success. First Nations believes the success of Native boys and young men is ultimately important to the future success of Indian Country. The Robert Wood Johnson Foun- dation, in partnership with NEO Philan- thropy (formally Public Interest Projects), supports First Nations and this project to promote opportunity and health for young men of color in rural communities in the South and Southwest. Matching grant support from the Kalliopeia Foundation also was used to support this program. The 2014-2015 grantees are: • Contact the Siletz Community Dental Clinic if you experience dental pain or a dental emergency. The staff will do everything it can to see you as soon as reasonably possible. Morning check-in time is Monday-Thursday from 8:30-9 a.m. and Friday from 10-10:30 a.m. Afternoon check-in time is Monday-Friday from 1-1:30 p.m. 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. Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner Editor: Diane Rodriquez Cocopah Indian Tribe (Somerton, Ariz.) – Credit Recovery and Career Exploration (CRACE) – $50,000. The goal of the CRACE project is to provide the resources and materials for at-risk youth and truant students to recover academic credit, provide the resources and networking oppor- tunities for future career exploration, develop opportunities for male youth to experience and develop leader- ship skills and, ultimately, to reduce school delinquency and increase student performance in school. Santa Fe Indian School Leadership Institute (Santa Fe, N.M.) – Pueblo Pathways Project – $75,000. The pur- pose of the Pueblo Pathways Project is to reduce middle school and high school dropout rates within Pueblo Indian communities. The mentor- ship program seeks to reinforce the cultural values and traditions that are the foundation of Pueblo identity. Tewa Women United (Santa Cruz, N.M.) – Sengipaa Ing Vi: Journey of Becoming a Man – $75,000. The project is a mentorship program for American Indian youth age 14-18 • • that seeks to re-engage youth discon- nected from culture and traditions. The program focuses on intergenera- tional trauma as well as the concepts of patriarchy and gender roles. The STAR School (Flagstaff, Ariz.) – All My Relations: Mentoring Native American Young Men and Boys – $50,000. This project will focus on pairing 20 American Indian young men and boys who are at risk of dropping out of high school or who have dropped out of high school in the Flagstaff area with nine respected American Indian adult men and Elders and one American Indian woman teacher, all of whom are com- mitted to working toward success with these youth. Ysleta del Sur Pueblo (Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, Texas) – Empowering Tribal Warriors – $50,000. The Young Warrior Initiative is a mentorship program that teaches Tribal youth how to “walk in two worlds.” Tribal youth and their mentors participate in activities such as bow and arrow mak- ing, drumming, pottery and a college preparatory workshop. About First Nations Development Institute For 34 years, using a three-pronged strategy of educating grassroots practi- tioners, advocating for systemic change and capitalizing Indian communities, First Nations has been working to restore American Indian control and culturally compatible stewardship of the assets they own – be they land, human potential, cul- tural heritage or natural resources – and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of American Indian communities. First Nations serves American Indian communities throughout the United States. For more information, visit first- nations.org. About NEO Philanthropy Launched in 1983 as Public Inter- est Projects, NEO is a national leader in creating and unleashing innovative philanthropic strategies that marshal the collective resources and experience of people passionate about driving positive social change. Visit theneodifference.org for more information. February 2015 • SiletzNews • 19
