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About Siletz news letter. (Siletz, Oregon) 1989-1997 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1994)
November 1994 Congress Approves Religious Use o f Peyote by Indians * j o b s " ‘ J o b s **‘ Jo b s* POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT BOULDER, CO: On Tuesday night, the Senate approved legislation that will -guarantee the right of American Indians to use peyote in traditional Indian religious ceremonies. The legislation, H.R. 4230, makes statutory the protection provided by a long-standing federal regulation, and the laws of 28 states. The measure exempts the religious use of peyote by Indians in bona fide traditional ceremonies from controlled substance laws of the federal and state governments. It also prohibits discrimination against Indians for such religious use, including the denial of otherwise applicable benefits under public assistance programs. "It is right and just that the First Americans will finally have the freedom to worship with the peace and dignify they deserve," said Frank Dayish, Jr., president of the Native American Church of North America. "It's a great day for members of the Native American Church to finally be able to pray without fear," said Abraham Spotted Elk, president of the Native American Church of Wyoming, The religious freedom legislation was introduced by Congressman Bill Richardson (D-NM), The bill had strong bi-partisan and Administration support, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). H.R. 4230 was passed by unanimous voice vote by the House of Representatives on August 8. Tuesday night the Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent, clearing the measure for approval by the President. President Clinton is expected to sign the bill. "This Congress will go down in history as 'the religious freedom Congress," declared Robert Peregoy of the Native American Rights Fund. "This is a very important first step in religious freedom for all of Indian country." He emphasized that "It is imperative that Congress and the Administration take care of unfinished business next year by enacting legislation that will protect Native worship at sacred sites, the religious use of eagle feathers, arid the Native prisoner worship." Walter Echo-Hawk, a Native American Rights Fund attorney for the Native American Church of North America, added that, "passage of H.R. 4230 proves that Congress will pass laws needed to POSITION TITLE: Forest Mapping Technician (6 month duration possible extention depending on funding) SUPERVISOR: Assistant Tribal Forester LOCATION: Siletz .Oregon SALARY: $22,229- $23,399 (TL 7) MINIMUM REQ UIREM EN T: Associate in Forest Technology or Cartography with one year of experience in computer aided mapping, OR a high school diploma or eqivalent, and 3 years experience in computer aided mapping. Must be proficient in the use of AutoCAD and ArcCAD, or Arc INFO computer software. Must be familiar with the use of aerial photos. Must be familiar with property legal description and surveying terminology. Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Oregon driver license. RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES: Gather inform- ation on all Tribal land holdings, including maps, aerial photos, legal descriptions, property surveys, acreage, present uses, important features, etc. Digitize and enter all data into AutoCAD/ArcCAD mapping systems and GIS databases. Create composite maps and land base inventory system. Obtain digitized map data from various government and private entities - covering areas of interest to the Tribe. Maintain GIS system to meet needs of various Tribal departments. EVALU ATIO N C R IT E R IA : The following criteria will be used to identify the best qualified applicant: (A) Education (D) Work Performance (B) Experience (E) Performance Test (C) Training (F) Interview HOW TO APPLY: All applicants must submit a Tribal "Application for Employment Form". Applications must be postmarked by the closing date. TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR TRAINING AND EDUCATIO N, DOCUMENTATION MUST BE PROVIDED. 21 OPENING DATE: 10/17/94 CLOSING DATE: 11/04/94 SEND APPLICATIONS TO: CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF SILETZ ATTN: PERSONNEL OFFICER PO BOX 549 SILETZ, OREGON 97380 The Tribe's Indian Preference will apply. All persons selected must pass the drug testing procedures described in the Tribe's Personnel Manual prior to the hiring date. A valid driver's license will be required (if placed in job description) by the date of employment. The high school diploma/GED requirement will be waived for Tribal Elders. Except as provided by the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, U.S.C., Section 472 and 473) and as described in the Siletz Personnel Manual, Tribal Government will not discriminate in selection because of race, creed, age, sex, color, national origin, physical : handicap, marital status, politics, membership, or non-m em bership in an em ployee organization. NO TE: For more information and Tribal ! application call 1-800-922-1399 or (503) 444-: 2532. CONSTRUCTION POOL The Confederated Tribes of Siletz is currently contracting for the construction of the new Administration Building. The Tribe is setting up a construction pool to assist the contractors and subcontractors in acessing the local labor pool. If you have prior construction related experience and would like to become an applicant of the construction pool, please contact the Tribal Personnel Office at 444- 4240 for an application. If and when a job vacancy occurs, hiring is at the discretion of the contractor and subcontractor. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Confederated Tribes o f Siletz Community Health Representative, Springfield - $17,946 annually. Part-time USDA Cleric, Salem - $7.71 per hour. Accounting Clerk, Siletz - $16,041 annually On-Call Medical Assistant - $10.69 per hour. Positions close 11/14/94. Tribal Indian Preference policy will apply. For application call 1-800-922-1399 or 444-2532. protect Native American religious freedom and provides a strong precedent for passage of additional laws next year." The bill was made necessary by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1990. In Employment Division of Oregon v. Smith, the high court ruled that the religious Use of peyote by Indians is not protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The decision opened the door to governmental prohibition of such sacramental use. President Clinton signed the Peyote Bill on October 7, 1994, at 6:30 p.m. Up-Coming Culture Committee Meetings By: Selene Rilatos-Lynch, Staff Rep. The next regular Culture Committee meeting will be on Nov. 3rd at 6:00 pm at theTribal Council Chambers. On Nov. 4th at 4:30 pm will be a joint meeting with the Sacred Lands and Culture Committee members. The meeting will be held at Siletz Tribal Council Chambers. The Agenda items are: Planning Department and Review of the proposed Repatriation Policy. If you need a copy of the Repatriation Policy, please give Robert Kentta or myself a call and we will send you one. if you have any comments or questions, please give me a call. Hope to see you at the meeting I ! I i i :
