Siletz news letter., January 01, 1994, Page 21, Image 21

Bev Owen does not agree with taking the entire
gaming committee away. She feels that we are within
our rights to try and have this in Salem.
Danny Rilatos called for Question—The motion
failed 27 to 35
Tina Retasket is very concerned with the gaming.
She voted no to this, only because we would lose
ground. She feels that having tribal members oh the
committee would benefit the tribe going on with this.
MOTION #4 - Tina Retasket moved to have 6 tribal
members at large on the gaming committee.
Seconded by Lori Johnson. Motion carried.
Loraine stated that with something as big as the
gaming it should be a general council decision and
not just a tribal council decision.
The membership would like to know of the lands
before 1988, so they are aware of them.
Amos stated that this land in Salem could be used for
other things other than an R.V. site. There are a lot of
other options for the property.
Carlotta Edenfield read a letter from her Uncle about
the blood degree corrections that would remove
several of the Martin family from the roll. This is
happening because one member of the family was
unhappy with the blood. She talked about restoration,
she asked why council would remove somebody that
has been on the roll for 15 years. It is not the
government this time removing us, it is our own tribe.
She stated that since she received this letter all of her
respect has gone down the drain. She would like each
council member to take a minute and think about it.
She stated that if they think that they are cleaning up
the Martin family, then you are splitting the family up
because there are some that the council did not catch.
She has always understood that the 54 roll cannot be
changed. To the rest of the tribal members, don't
think that you are safe from this. She does not feel
that nine people should have the power to decide
when to knock people off rolls because my family has
done nothing for this to happen. She
stated that this was a slap in the face and her
children's identity is gone. The people who have
done this need to apologize to the Martin family.
Kristi Martin-Bayya read a letter to the elected tribal
council — My name is Kayla Loop, I am 10 years old
and I do not appreciate what you are doing. I'm proud
to be a member of this tribe, but I feel that you are
trying to take my pride away from me. I have
proudly represented die tribe in many ways, such as
dancing at pow wow's, and in competitions. If I get
thrown off the tribal roll I will not be able to
competition dance, which I enjoy very much. I have
won second place three times. I will not be eligible
for dental work and I will not be able to go to die
Indian Health clinic in Salem. You let me in this
tribe 10 years ago and now you want to take me off.
This does not make sense to me or the rest of my
family. You start taking young people off the tribal
roll, then who will be left to carry on our traditions. I
have two teachers from my school who understand
about tribes who wanted to sign this agreeing that
what you are doing isn't right.
Her two teacher's gigned this. This is sad when you
have a ten year old child that goes to her school and
talks to her class about what it feels like to be an
Indian one day and the next day tribal council is going
to take it away from you. One of her teachers writes:
Kayla Loop was in my 4th grade class last year.
Throughout the year she shared her views about being
a Native American. She is very proud of her Indian
heritage. Kayla identifies herself as a member of the
Siletz tribe. She shares her experience at pow wow's
and her participation at dance competitions. Kayla is
quick to identify bigoted remarks and stereotypes that
talk about the Native Americans. Kayla is and will
continue to be an asset to the Siletz Tribe.
Kristi don't think any of you have given a thought to
the devastation that you have caused this family and
the devastation that you will cause other families.
Sara Edenfield stated that she never received a letter
and she feels that she is lucky her mother informed
her of this. If this goes into affect she will not be able
to go to the doctor because she does not have
insurance, even though she is working two jobs. She
could never receive help to go to school to better
herself to get a better job. She would never be able to
get help for housing. She makes to much money to
get on welfare to have any medical at all. Her main
concern is her getting sick and not being able to do
anything about this.
Aggie Pilgrim stated that this hurts her. She is very
much against what is happening here. She prays that
the elder's will not see the severing of families. We
need to go forward in a positive, productive way. She
prays that those that have the power to stop this today
and those who have already previously been enrolled
and call themselves an Indian won't see the end of this
today. We want them to stand tall, We want them to
walk tall and if they get knocked down here today
they can walk with me because they are my family.
Maxine Ben Rilatos stated that her mother was from
the same family as the Martin family. If her mother
was here today, not one of you would be sitting. She
would actually up end you off of your council seats.
Her mother was a very proud woman and she is proud
to say that her mother was who she was. When her
husband went to Washington, D.C.
with other
members, he spoke for all the people, not just his
family. As she stood there today, she looked at her
sister. They are elder's and they have to look forward
to their children. We do not want to cut anybody off,
we are the Siletz tribe. Let's look out for our children
and our grandchildren. I hope this tribe is always
here to look out for mine.
Laurie Brown-Godfrey came forward today to protest
the enrollment clerks recommendations as directed by
the enrollment adhoc committee to move our fam ily
from the tribal roll. She does not believe that the
tribal members led our tribal council to re-establish
the existing tribal membership. This seems to be an
uconstitutional act by those involved. It makes you
wonder why we have an enrollment process when this
can be recalled to the adhoc enrollment committed
She cannot see the tribe looking forward on self
sufficiency with these types of actions. Our tribal
government can work for the good of the tribe. She is
protesting reassessments of our tribal rolls.
Anthony "fish" Martinez stated that he had previously
spoke about enrollment as far as decendancy and his
children being made up of Native American and
whatever they will know their Native American
Heritage. He has the community and family that will
assure it. He is going to ask on behalf of the other
family members. — Termination has returned to the
Confederated Tribes of Siletz. This time it is not an
act of congress, it came from his own tribal
January 1994
Z i.
government. On October 28, 1993 the Enrollment
Clerk at the direction of the adhoc enrollment
committee and tribal council issued written notice to
70 Siletz tribal members informing that their blood
degree would be corrected. As r result of the
correction it has been recommended that tribal
council remove 26 members from the tribal roll and
lower the blood degree, 44 were affected by this
action. People tell him that he looks Indian and he
will be taken off this roll. Most of us directly
affected by this feel that they must defend themselves
from what they see as a arbitrary, malicious, and
illegal attack on us and our family by the council, the
adhoc committee, and the enrollment department.
They have chose to begin their response by drafting a
paper and distributing it to as many interested tribal
members as possible. Their reasons for writing the
paper : 1. An overview of what has taken place 2.
Objections to the procedure so far 3. Questions
asking why this was done. You may have been told
that this action does not affect you if you haven't
received one of the termination letters. Do not be
deceived that this practice will end on November 20,
1993.
In the past week an information sheet
distributed by the enrollment department says in clear
terms that tins is to be an ongoing practice. We vote
that you as tribal members will aid in stopping this
practice now, before more tribal members are
harmed. An October 28 letter notified each person
that research of records by the enrollment staff
showed that the blood degree shown on the present
roll was not correct and then proceeded to list the
actual blood degree's.
If a person's actual blood degree dropped lower than
1/8, which his will, the person is told then that they
are being recommended for removal from the roll.
Included with the letter were inserts of article I of the
tribal constitution, tribal enrollment ordinance, list of
tribal services and programs that will no longer be
available to non-tribal persons, tribal court rules and
procedures. It was important to say that this action
was approved 5-0-0 by tribal council. Recommended
to tribal council by the adhoc enrollment committee
members; Gladys Staggs, Mary Fisher and Lillie
Butler. No where does any of these committee's tell
the person what proof or documentation was used for
the basis of this action. No copy of any supportive
document was included in the letter, in fact, even
when a person went to the enrollment office to ask for
supportive proof, the only supportive document was a
family tree showing the advised blood degree, why?
Why has our tribal government chose to handle this
matter in such a cruel and uncaring way? Consider
the letter received by the Martin family, there is
nothing in tribal law that states that the first action
must be removal.
At no time did any person
associated with tins process ask if the question could
be addressed in a kinder way. Did anyone consider
their feelings in this matter? Apparently not. Ask
yourself how you would feel if your tribe terminated
you. If anybody should know what it is like to lose
your identity, it should be the Siletz Tribe. Council
did not consider how much an act like this would hurt
those affected. This is not the kind of action that we
would expect from elected leaders.
Anthony
explained how it feels: It hurts, it is the pain and hurt
of having your heart crushed and your spirit ripped
away, you cry, you can't sleep, you can't concentrate
on your work, you can't eat, your mental, physical,
and emotional well being suffer everyday and you
become angry. Tribal Council has already rescinded
there resolution there is nothing to stop this from
taking place again. The General Council must also