Image provided by: Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians; Siletz, OR
About Siletz news. (Siletz, Oregon) 1983-1989 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1987)
PAGE 3 - Tribal Council Robert E. Simmons s K / **.Ï'. t a m « M U M Freddie McClintock I would like to introduce myself to those of you who, don’t know me. My name is Freddie McClintock. I am the son of Earl L. McClintock and the grandson of Racheal Carson. I am married and reside with my wife Cindy, son Jason (nine), and daughter Kathleen (six) iri Eugene. I am employed by the Willamette National Forest in their Soils Lab as an Engineer Aide. I am a Vietnam veteran and served six years in the United States Marine Corps. Upon returning to the Eugene/Springfield area, I accom panied my dad on many occasions as he worked with fellow tribal members on the restoration for the tribe. During the time I spent with my dad, I came to realize that if we were to have a strong self supporting tribe we would need dedicated tribal members willing to make a commitment. For the past several years I have been ac tive in the Indian community as a member of the Title IV Parent Committee as well as being a participant in the CETA-JTPA program. Since restoration, I have enjoyed and benfited from many of the programs provided by the Tribe. Because of all the benefit, support and guidance I received I felt it was time for me to make a commitment and I do so by running for Tribal Council. If I am elected to Tribal Council, I would like to see our plans for Economic Development continue to expand. This is a priority for me because I realize one day we MUST become self sufficient. I would also like to see our programs for Health, Hous ing, Education and Employment meet the needs and pro vide the necessary services for ALL Tribal members. I believe our elderly must be cared for, for they have the wisdom, and our young be taught because they are the hope for our future. In closing, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to express my feelings, and let you know that I will be at the Candidates’ Fairs to visit with you at your conve nience. Arthur Betts I am a candidate for tribal council and I would like to let you know a little about myself before I tell you why I’m running. I am the grandson of Archie Ben who is one of the last full-blooded Indians we have left in our tribe. I’m also the nephew of Ed Ben who has devoted many hours of his time to the restoration of our tribe. Since our elders have put so much time into getting restoration for us I feel that we should show enough respect to keep the tribe alive! Another reason for running is that I believe that there are many prejudicial members amongst our tribe. It ap pears to me that the tribe is turning into a family organization. Wnat I mean by that is that just family members are getting tribal jobs and tribal assistance. Well, this is one of the main things I would like to see changed. I don’t believe that one member is better than the next. I also believe that the tribe should pull together in order to benefit all tribal members and the future members. I would appreciate your vote and hope that you would find time to participate in more tribal activities. Sinerely Yours, Arthur Betts SILETZ, OREGON, JA N U A R Y 1907 Candidates Arthur S. Bensell Den Na, I have just greeted you in my own language. My name is Arthur S. Bensell, and a member of the Mackanutunee tribe. I am running for a Council seat this year, I have been asked to tell why I want to run for a seat on the tribal government. I notethat the last time I ran for a position on the Coun cil, I mentioned goals that I think are still viable which are education and jobs for all, good health programs and good programs for the elderly and the handicapped. These goals are still viable and my priority. I am on the Timber Committee, the Housing Authority, the Sacred Lands Committee, also Indian Service Com mission, Board of Director on the Oregon Indian Educa tion Association. All these committees and organizations are dedicated to find ways to solve our problems and to provide us with necessary information to help us become a better enlightened tribe. The pressures in our tribal government are immense, ask any coach or general manager of a sports team. You will find to achieve success today therefore it is my goal to protect the present and to secure the future with very good programs. I’m concerned about the budget and thè possibilities of cuts which may happen next year. I think those cuts are definitely coming and we have to prepare for those cuts in our future planning. My name is Robert E. Simmons, son of the late Ed and Clara Simmons of Siletz. Except for the six years spent in the U.S. Navy, I’ve been a lifetime resident of Siletz and Lincoln County. A few years prior to our Restoration, up to the present date, I’ve been involved, to one degree or another, in our tribal activities. I am a concerned Tribal member, and through the years of not just living here, but actually par ticipating in our tribal affairs, I have absorbed and ac- cummulated a broad perspective of tribal works and an increasing understanding of Tribal members concerns. Through the years I’ve been honored to have many, many Tribal members grace my home to discuss and air their concerns. This has given me a greater insight into the needs and wants of what we laughingly call the “Little People” , when in reality, together, we are the biggest voice of all!! I have always been interested and concerned in the restoration and preservation of our culture and heritage. All my life I have tried to incorporate the teachings of the elders, my grandfather Hoxie, my father, Edwin, my uncles, and many friends, into my way of life. Not only to share these teachings with whoever may be interested, but also try to live by them to best of my ability. I always cherish the memories of the years gone by, when all the ladies of our community would get together at least once a month, with their individual dishes of salmon, eel, deer, desserts, salads, etc., and have a meeting whether we needed it or not. These were the times when each shared his or her thoguhts; which is in fact part of our culture!! When tradition and ceremony was at its best. A time of teaching and of learning. But most of all, a time of sharing. A time when we could pick up bits and pieces of our own language by listening, and learn some of the old songs and dances not in a classroom, but in the doing. A happy time with much laughter. These are the times I like to call Community Unity, In jun Style. Nearly everyone participated in some way or another, and I think that even today that word, “par ticipate” is one of the most important words to emphasize. Individual involvement, Community Unity. If elected, this is one thing I will be working for. There are so many aspects and avenues leading to our culture and heritage, and only through community in volvement can we hope to get even close to what is left of our own traditions. Only through you, the “Little People” can we hope to achieve such an enormous task. Therefore, there is a great need within the tribal council for the voice of the “Little People” to be heard. If elected, I will work hard and diligently to be that voice!! Thank you. Respectfully yours, Robert E. Simmons I am in favor of our economic development plan, also in favor of the tribal enterprises. I am also in favor of hir ing a good proposal writer and I will advocate for that position. We do not have anyone at present to fill this posi tion, and we are losing a lot of money because of it. Because I put faith in the Tribal Council and I have always felt compelled to see that the Tribe will become stronger as we proceed. My goals are two-fold — to pro tect the present and to secure the future. Our Indian people are deserving the best programs. We should always consider them when we develop them. If the programs aren’t developed for Indian people, why have the program. Again will see you at the polls in February.
