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About Siletz news II. ([Place of publication not identified] : $b [publisher not identified]) 1989-???? | View Entire Issue (April 21, 1993)
Volume 5, no. 1 Siletz News II Page 3 A Deck, A Deal, A Stack, No Cut A year ago I asked in these pages for the Oregon State Bar to come to Siletz and investigate Craig Dorsay. /They— I mean the lawyers who judge such matters for die State Bar— declined, saying that they could find “no violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility by Mr. Dorsay.” My first'thought on reading this news was that I must be all w e t But then again, it occurred to me, a system like the Oregon State Bar where lawyers are in charge of making sure that lawyers stay ethical is sort of like having an alcoholic tend bar. Not a good situation if you wantto make sure people leaving the bar stay upright. So-despite what the learned have said, I still my old opinion keep. Something is fishy when alawyer can draft the following resolution and then advise a Tribal Council to adopt it: WHEREAS, the Siletz Tribal Council has entered into a Development Agreement with First Astri Corp. Ill, with regard to establishing and financing [a] gaming operation; and Whereas,.... it will be less expensive to the Tribe in terms o f making profits from the proposed gaming operation to use the Tribe’s present lawyer rather than First Astri’s higher priced I sic 1 private legal counsel.... THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Siletz Tribal Council hereby approves the attached Specific Counsel Contract between Craig J. Dorsay and the Confederated Tribes o f Siletz Indians o f Oregon.... BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the hourly rate to be paid attorney under said Specific Counsel Contract shall be at the rate o f $90.00. The best thing to say about this resolution is that it’s a Dorsay’s Cheap Rates. very good advertisement of Craig Dorsay ’ s legal skills. If there is something wrong with all this, it must What better way to drum up business than to have a law have to do with the question of truth in advertising. passed that declares you work cheap? How, afterall, do we know that Craig Dorsay (self- The advertisement is also cheap itself. Inside described as inexperienced with Indian gaming law) sources confirm that Dorsay did not pay a dime to get was able to work on the cheap? Isn’t it just as likely (or this advertisement in circulation. And because this m ore likely) that the “higher-priced” attorney— that is, advertisement is also a law, it will look very good on the one with more experience and expertise—would Craig's resume. How many other lawyers can declare have been able to save the Tribe some money? that it is WHBIa matter of law that they work cheap? And what about the money? First Astri were the Who knows, this might be only a start. Other people footing the bill, so how could the fact of Craig Tribes might soon pass similar laws pronouncing that Dorsay substituting for First Astri’s attorney save the Craig J. Dorsay works cheaper than other attorneys. Tribe money? With the right connections, Craig Dorsay might even This is highly questionable advertising. I, for get the State of Oregon to declare that he can save one, would like to see if it is proper for a lawyer to make people money on legal matters. It sounds sort of far such unsubstantiated and questionable business claims. fetched, but I can even imagine the United Nations Therefore, I call upon the Better Business Bureau to coming out with an International Declaration of Craig investigate the dealings of Craig Dorsay. □ OF THE NATIVE YOUTH responsibility of passing on the knowledge to the coming generations. But our assimilation into an unnatural world has separated our Elders from their responsibilities, as does happen when a people come to depend on other people to take care o f them. By turning back towards our Elders with a strong, sincere, commitment to work for a better future for our children, maybe we can find that balance between the two worlds that we--as a Nation—must establish to secure a future free of the confusion and bitterness that is turning our children to the alcohol and drugs. AND ELDERS There is much work to do to prepare for this Gathering. We will be having meetings in Siletz and other areas to prepare for this Gathering. Anyone interested in helping may contact the following people: Darelle Butler/Juanita (503) 996-6316 Selene Rilatos (503) 444-4222 or 1-800-922-1399 or Lorraine Metcalf (503) 444-2031 We pray for the people, all our relations.
