Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Siletz news letter. (Siletz, Oregon) 1989-1997 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1992)
August 1992 ELECTION BOARD APPLICATION Tribal members are needed to serve as members of the Election Board for the election y e a r 1993. If interested, complete the following form and return it to the address below. NAME J-H- PHONE # ADDRESS. CITY. ■ZIP CODE. STATE. [Signature] Mail to: Confederated Tribes of Siletz Attention: Personnel Manager PO Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380 Gilbert Towner Nominated to Receive "Points of Light" Award The National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) has nominated Tribal Member Gilbert Towner of Lapwai, Idaho for a 1993 White House Points of Light award. "As an Indian Elder, Mr. Towner is completing his second term as a member of NICOA's board of directors. In that capacity , his work on behalf of the Northwest's Indian Elders has been exemplary, including: Several trips of more than 1,000 miles, at his own expense, to bring information on aging issues to Indian Elders throughout the Northwest; Providing verbal testimony on the Older Americans Act, .whffch was extremely well-received, before Senators and staffs of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources; Accurate representation of the concerns of Northwest Indians Elders to NICOA's board of directors; Months of personal advocacy for the organization of an Oregon State Indian Council on Aging, which was established in December, 1991; Informal emergence, due to his involvement in traditional Indian religion, as the spiritual leader for NICOA's 13-member board, comprised of Indian Elders from throughout the nation. Married to a descendent of Chief Joseph, Mr. Towner lives with his family on the Nez Perce Reservation in Lapwai, Idaho. His daily life, lived with exceptional humility, embraces traditional American Indian values and religion. Raised by his grandparents, Gilbert Towner has been giving his labor and his heart to America's Indian Elders since he was a small child. As a youngster, he performed Elder's chores in exchange for hearing their stories. Involuntarily relocated at age six to a repressive Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding school, this young man realized he had to escape from the cycle of poverty, alcoholism, and hopelessness that was devastating many of his friends. He joined the United States Marine Corps. He came home from the Korean conflict with two purple hearts, a silver star, and a slight limp that belies the daily pain he feels from his wounds. Gilbert Towner considers that pain a small price to pay for the daily hope he still brings to American's most poverty- stricken population. Americans everywhere- especially American Tndians-owe this man a debt of gratitude, although he seeks no recognition. He is a point of light." (Taken from his letter of nomination submitted by Dave Baldridge Executive Director, Indian Council on Aging). National SIGNATURE CARDS This is just a reminder that you need to sign your name as it is on your enrollment application when you fill out your signature card. For example: if your name is Nicholas Doe, you need to sign it exactly like that, n o t Nick Doe. If you cannot remember how your name is on the enrollment file; please call Bonnie Petersen at the Enrollment Office and check. The telephone numbers are: Toll free i- 800-922-1399 or local 444-2532. Election Ordinances are available to be read at all the Area Offices. Sharon Ricketts Election Board Chairman 'Positively Indian' Art Auction The Northwest Indian Child Welfare Association (NWIÇWA) is planning their fourth annual "P ositively Indian!" Art Auction scheduled for October 17, 1992 at the Masonic Temple in Portland, Oregon. This auction affords NWICWA the opportunity to raise program funding, promote our child abuse prevention message, and to continue to offer technical assistance to Indian com m unities in establishing th eir own prevention activities. Pentagon Seeks Info/Memorabilia On Indian Vets The Department of Defense has initiated a project to establish a permanent exhibit at the Pentagon in honor of American Indians who have served with or in the US. armed forces. The Pentagon is seeking memorabilia, artifacts, and pictures commemorating the full range of military contributions by American Indians. Eight groups will be featured in the permanent exhibit in one of the halls at the Pentagon. They are: (1) Medal of Honor recipients; (2) Flag and General Officers; (3) Indian women; (4) Military academy graduates; (5) Indian scouts during the 1800s; (6) First Indian soldiers (1890-1895); (7) Navajo Code Talkers; and (8) Eskimo scouts in-World War II and today. In addition, a booklet which illustrates and chronicles the full range of military contributions by American Indians is also being compiled. American Indians who are willing to share personal reminiscences about their military service, persons who have personal remembrance of military service with Indians, or persons who have background material about Indians in the military are being sought. Officials are also seeking persons who have photographs of Indians in military service and are willing to lend them for copying. The booklet will be published by the Defense Department and should also be available for purchase through the Government Printing Office. Proper credit will be given for any photos published. Persons having items or information to contribute should contact Jerry Anderson, EEO Manager, OASD (FM&P) - ODASD (CPP/EO), Room 3A256, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 20301- 4000 (703) 695-0105; or Mason Carl, Deputy Director, Graphics & Presentations Division, Washington Headquarters Services, Room 2A312, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C. 20301-4000 (703) 695-4266. Madge Mason "Super Mom of the Year 1992" Madge Mason, Siletz Tribal Elder, had a big surprise waiting for her on July 16, 1992. A car came to pick her and a friend up for a day of fun and excitement., Madge asked Pauline Ricks, also a Siletz Tribal Elder, to partake in all of the excitement with her. They informed her that she was nominated by Pam Payne, her daughter, for "Super Mom Of The'Tear 1992" for Siletz. Madge said that they had a wonderful breakfast at the Bank of Newport, then off to the fairgrounds. Madge said that she was very tempted by the fudge, but she didn't partake^ No one else would indulge, so she couldn’t cheat. They were served lunch of BBQ hamburgers, beans, chips and lots of goodies. She received a plaque, cup, calendar book, and glass blown z elephants that she collects. They were given a tour of the fairgrounds, Madge skipped the barns though (it was a hot day). Madge was quoted as saying that she enjoyed representing Siletz at the fair this year. Congratulations Madge, you are Siletz’s Super Mom of the Year!
