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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2016)
Chairman’s Report The Oregon Commission on Indian Services (CIS), now the Legislative Commission on Indian Services (LCIS) Our late Gov. Victor Atiyeh’s vision of CIS was to bring Tribes and Indians in the community to the table and to communi- cate on all Tribal issues as they related to the state regarding common issues. Way back when, when CIS was first formed, there weren’t a lot of Tribes – just Umatilla, Warm Springs and Burns Paiute were federally recognized. We had members on board from the Willamette Valley and the Portland Area prior to the western Oregon Tribes being recognized. As the years went by, the western Oregon Tribes gained recogni- tion and they were all allowed a seat on the commission. This is when I felt the commission changed, becoming a commission of nine federally recognized Tribes and one community member from Portland. It still serves the same purposes as a clear- inghouse among the Tribes for the state. Legislators actively serve on the com- mission and in the early days, Gov. Atiyeh would often be in attendance. Art Bensell, Pauline Ricks, Bensell Breon and Jessie Davis have served as Tribal representatives appointed by the Tribe and the Oregon Senate. Currently, I am the Tribal representative and serve as the chairman of LCIS. In my discussions with Gov. Atiyeh, he was very proud of having formed this body and he always felt it was an “award” to be part of the commission and take part in events that went on at reservations. He loved his relationship with Tribal leaders. He visited Tribes often, even after he left the governor’s office. He was very proud to be part of forming the commis- sion and cherished his relationship with the Tribes. The value of the commission is evi- dent in the relations that have been estab- lished with state agencies and particularly with the governor. The governor’s Tribal summit and Information Days at the Capitol have provided a great opportunity for Tribes to share their issues, concerns and accom- plishments. We have experienced new contacts with many state agencies and have agreements in place. LCIS will stay on top of keeping state agencies responsible for communication and consultation with Tribes when con- sultation is in order. LCIS staff does a great job of getting current information out to Tribes when things happen quickly in the legislature. Tribes appreciate being told about legis- lation that is of interest to Tribes, which may not be of interest to all the Tribes but may be to others. We were thankful that Sen. Ted Ferrioli, Sen. Arnie Roblan, Sen. Peter Courtney, Rep. Caddy McKeown and Rep. Duane Stark all jumped in and assisted Tribes in getting Senate Bill 1528 passed and signed by the governor. The legisla- tion recognizes Tribal sovereignty and allows those serving on the LCIS to be treated as such, not like any other com- mittee or commission. It’s been rewarding to serve on the LCIS. Delores Pigsley Elders Council Meeting April 9 • 1-4 p.m. • Chinook Winds Golf Resort Siletz Elder potlucks are held monthly at 6 p.m. on the Monday before the regularly scheduled Elders meeting. Please bring a potluck dish you would like to share. For more information, contact the Elders Program at 800-922-1399, ext. 1261, or 541-444-8261. Hazel Sticks (k’vn) 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: _______________________________________________________ Tribal members interested in gathering hazel sticks for making Siletz bas- kets should send their contact info to budl@ctsi.nsn.us or call 541-444-8320 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1320. Hazel bark will begin slipping sometime in April or May. Because of the changing weather, we will notify people who send their contact info in when the time is right to pick and peel hazel. Address: _____________________________________________________ Phone: _______________________________________________________ Change of address: Tribal members – contact the Enrollment Depart- ment at 541-444-8258; 800-922-1399, ext. 1258; or covas@ctsi.nsn.us. All others – call the newspaper office. Deadline for the May issue is April 11. Send information to: Submission of articles and photos is encouraged. Siletz News P.O. Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380-0549 Please see the Passages Policy on page 20 when sub- mitting items for Passages. 541-444-8291 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1291 Fax: 541-444-2307 Email: pias@ctsi.nsn.us 2 • Siletz News • April 2016 Member of the Native American Journalists Association Nuu-wee-ya’ (our words) Introduction to the Athabaskan language Open to Tribal members of all ages Siletz Tribal Community Center April 4 – 6-8 p.m. May 9 – 6-8 p.m. Eugene Eugene Area Office April 5 – 6-8 p.m. May 10 – 6-8 p.m. All language classes in May will be dedicated to the Feather Dance and will include Feather Dance practice as part of the class. Portland Portland Area Office April 11 – 6-8 p.m. May 16 – 6-8 p.m. Salem Salem Area Office April 12 – 6-8 p.m. May 17 – 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 email budl@ctsi.nsn.us.
