Image provided by: Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians; Siletz, OR
About Siletz news. (Siletz, Oregon) 1983-1989 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1987)
PAGE 5 - Jane John As I am seeking a position on our Tribal Council, I would like to let you know of some of the aspirations and priorities that I support for the well-being of our Tribe and Tribal members. Economic Development being our first priority, the or dinance asking committees to cut their budgets was a step in the right direction, but that the Council should set a good example by looking at their travel expenses. Our Culture program should be supported by starting language programs for all ages, getting some type of museum started (we do have several people that would Frank D. Simmons C O T T A M IG A NIGA-TILLICUM Serving the Siletz Tribal Members has been a pleasure for me. Indeed it has been a challenge, but the challenge was mine. Prior to having had the honor of serving you on the Tribal Council, I would sit at the General Council meetings and other Council functions wondering why the SILETZ, OREGON, JANUARY 1987 William Towner, Jr. I served on the Tribal Council at the time our Tribe was restored, and I know what the Council does and doesn’t do. I pledge that I will work for what is best for all of you, and not just a few. Mark your ballot for me and I’ll do my best to serve you. William Towner Jr. donate items for a museum) and to have some type of pro gram that would involve our Elders so that traditions and history could be entered into our own archives. Seeing the Portland area getting started is really a step in the right direction toward reaching out and being able to service more of our members. The new housing that will be built this year is also a big plus. I know that some of our Elders will not consider moving to Siletz because of the lack of medical facilities. I think medical facilities in Siletz is a Necessity!! Come to the Candidates’ F air and get your questions answered as to what you think is important. I know that I w ill be supportive o f ell tribal m em bers — not jusf certain ones or of certain families or certain areas. Thank you, Jane John Council did not do more. I got real angry and became an agitator. I know our Indian people want more, but being on the Council, you learn the do’s and don’ts, the Can’s and can’ts Some candidates want to get on the Council and automatically change things, you don’t change things, you TRY to do things better becausebelieve.you me, you ju st have so much to work with. The tribe is staffed with excellent employees and they are a great asset to the Council and the rest of the tribe. It has been a pleasure working with them right from the bot tom to the top. A Council Member ought to be ready to shoulder some risk, be ready and willing to shoulder the risk now, so the Beverly Youngman Hatch future will be easier for our children and their children. When making a decision, I close my eyes and open my heart, I see our children and our elders and make sure the decision is for the betterment for all of our tribal members. If you make a mistake, it ought to give you bet- ter 20/20 hindsight. Our tribe is not like the picture of a Indian sitting on his horse who came to the end of the trail. We aré going fur ther, our paths never end, they spur off to different ven tures. We can make riDDles on still wat«- and make wind blow up still canyon. With all of that, we have got to remember the wants of our tribal people and being fair by sharing all that our tribe has to offer. I shall always have a place in my heart for the chittum peelers and fern pickers, all and all the less fortunate. While on the Council, I served on the interim STEDCO Commission, interim Land Acquisition Committee and Timber Committpe. In the last three (3) years serving on the Council I have only been absent from meetings 2 or 3 times. I believe with that attendance record, it shows that I have been a dedicated Tribal Council Member. With all of this, I have gained wisdom, leadership and experience. In closing, I hope that I have gained your friendship and your vote. Thank you, Frank D. Simmons Martha McMahon I’m truly excited about running for Tribal Council. Most all know of the programs for each tribal member. Just having the health benefit is so pleasing and I’m very thankful — I’m sure youare too. Restoration has brought to us as a Tribe many avenues to pursue toward self deter mination. Each tribal member can accept and contribute what they are capable of, my own belief is that each tribal member has the capability to serve on the Council and should have a chance at one time or another to serve on the Tribal Council. We all have the responsibility to carry out the precepts of the constitution. I’m sure most of us have personal concerns about the Tribal Council actions. I would like to represent you on the Council a t this time. I would like you to vote for me on February 7,1987. Thank You Martha McMahon I am Beverly Youngman Hatch. My brother, Paul Youngman, and I were brought up in Siletz by our grand parents, Frederick and Augusta “Tpots” Simmons. The Tribal Council needs to reaffirm a commitment to the Tribal members — to remember that their purpose is to work for the good of the people, not a select few, a few families, a by-invitation-only group, and especially not for outside self-serving influences. Certain major decisions need the sanction of the General Council before being activated. Within the last year, on a thin thread of doubtful legality, a corporation or commission called STEDCO was formed and funded. This was done even though the Tribe’s Constitution states that the Tribal Council will . . prevent the sale, disposition, lease or encumbrance of tribal lands, interest in land, or other tribal assets without the consent of the tribe” . I would like to see this credibility gap bridged. If the Con- stitutiion is not a workable document then it should be amended — not violated. At one time, in the not too distant past, General Council meetings were well-attended — people felt good about go ing to those meetings. This large attendance indicated a belief in Tribal government and a trust in the direction the Tribe was taking. To regain this belief and trust, the Tribal Council should proceed with integrity and honorable actions. Facts should not be bent to fit the theory. Tribal members should again take an active p art in Tribal government. The Tribal Council should be responsive and responsible to the people. The most impor tant resources this Tribe has are the Tribal members. I believe our Tribal goals can be achieved through cooperation and unity because I believe in you — the Tribal members.
