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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2020)
Chairman’s Report Graduation not able to return for graduation, like all schools in Oregon. Congratulations to our many students who graduated this year without ceremony. We are proud of all the students, from Head Start to college, for graduating and we wish you the best in your future endeavors. Currently, the staff is working on a plan for the students to return, but like all schools it isn’t clear when classes will resume. Elders’ gifts CARES Act payment Many elders have expressed their appreciation for receiving phone calls, gift packages and the cash payments. The staff has been very attentive during this time of uncertainty. The Tribe was fortunate to get assis- tance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to help cover costs and to assist Tribal members who are having a difficult time dealing with the COVID-19 virus. The Tribe has been able to provide rent relief, food for families and many other services. Memorial Day Thank you to the Education Depart- ment for the veterans’ tribute on Memorial Day. All our veterans’ pictures were posted on the website, very nicely done. Chemawa Chemawa students were sent home early in March as the school shut down because of COVID-19. Students were Governor’s updates Oregon Tribes have participated in conference calls with Gov. Kate Brown on a regular basis. The state of Oregon has kept Tribes involved in sharing information, consultation and decision making with regards to assisting and funding Tribes to help deal with the coronavirus outbreak. Lincoln County had very low numbers since March (eight cases), but as of June 22 the county was up to 292 people who had tested positive. It’s extremely impor- tant that you wear a mask and keep a safe distance from others. Our staff is actively providing ser- vices by phone but the offices are still closed to the public for the protection of all the staff and Tribal members. Congressman Schrader Congressman Kurt Schrader has been in touch with the Tribe to inquire about the status of the Trribe and Chi- nook Winds Casino. Chinook Winds reopening The casino successfully reopened in May with many safeguards in place. Atten- dance is limited to 1,000 people, tempera- ture checks are done at the entrance for all guests and staff, and everyone must wear a mask inside the casino. It’s also been declared non-smoking. The buffet is not open. Guests seem to be Delores Pigsley enjoying themselves, and we look forward to getting past the virus. Other Tribal casinos Currently, all eight of the Tribal casi- nos are open in Oregon; most have limited hours of operation. Tenas Illahee Childcare Center Board of Directors Vacancies Résumés are being accepted for the Tenas Illahee Childcare Center Board of Directors. Currently, there are two vacant board positions. If interested, please submit your résumé to Siletz Tribal Council, c/o Execu- tive Secretary, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380-0549. Vacancies are open until filled. Children and the Census: Participate now for their future 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: _______________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________ Phone: _______________________________________________________ Change of address: Tribal members – contact the Enrollment Department at 541-444-8258; 800-922-1399, ext. 1258; or enrollment@ctsi.nsn.us. All oth- ers – call the newspaper office. Deadline for the August issue is July 10. 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 submit- ting items for Passages. 541-444-8291 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1291 Fax: 541-444-2307 Email: pias@ctsi.nsn.us 2 • Siletz News • July 2020 Member of the Native American Journalists Association For many years, American Indians have been undercounted and ignored by the Census Bureau. Yet there is one group that has been even more neglected and under-represented, that is children, our next generations. Children need the Census to fund Head Start, schools, school lunch pro- grams, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Sup- plemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If they don’t get included, there won’t be sufficient funds for them to thrive and grow. If our children are going to overcome the barriers to equal- ity in the larger society, they need all of the resources they deserve. It’s well worth the 10 minutes it takes to com- plete the Census survey. The Census response is safe, simple and confiden- tial – just nine questions that are used to count the number of people in this country and where they live. There are no questions about income or citizenship. Your information can’t be given to any other federal or private agency. There is one question about race. Be sure to mark your response as an American Indian and indicate your Tribe as “Siletz.” If possible, list the first person, the head of the household, as an American Indian. Some housing funds are based on the number of American Indians who respond. Tribal area offices and Census Assis- tance Centers will open soon to help members respond to the Census. If you’ve had questions about what you need to do, they are staffed to provide assistance. The Census Assistance Center phone line is open now for immediate help – 541-444-8285. Or call your area offices or main administration. You can respond online at my2020cen- sus.gov or phone 844-330-2020. Finally, the Census Bureau will do a non-response follow-up in person at your home for those who haven’t previously completed their survey. Your response is vital to receive funding that will keep our tran- sit shuttle programs and medical facilities operating. What we are receiving now in the way of funding is based on the 2010 Census. Any undercount in the 2020 Census won’t be corrected until the next census in 10 years. Because of the lengthy “stay at home” time, the Census Bureau is still looking for Census takers. Application can be made at 2020Census.gov/jobs. Help yourself and your community. The most important result of the Census response is not the amount of funding the Tribe can get. Rather, it is that members can be recognized by others and by themselves as proud members of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. So make your voices heard – I am Siletz and I count.
