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
: