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About Siletz news letter. (Siletz, Oregon) 1989-1997 | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1995)
2 May 1995 Chairman's Report From: Delores Pigsley, Tribal Chairman The Siletz Tribe is involved in some very important programs and issues which I would like to highlight for your information. Self Governance On June 20th thru the 22nd in Albuquerque, we will participate with other tribes in pre-negotiations with the BIA for our share of BIA funds. Specifically we will be addressing issues involving Contract Support, General Assistance, Judicial Services and Housing Assistance. Previously, funds for these Bureau programs were distributed on a formula basis. Because allocations will be made according to negotiated shares, and become part of the Tribe's base funding, it is essential that we make certain that the funds are allocated equitably. The Albuquerque meeting will give us an opportunity to have input into the allocation process. During the last Congressional session, Self-Governance became a permanent program and was expanded. In addition to the BIA and IHS, tribes can now negotiate for programs and funds from Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Land Management. This expanded program will enable tribes to have maximum input into these other federal programs and to operate them under compacts similar to those negotiated with the BIA and IHS. Misinformation About the Self- Governance Program Recently, the Tribal Council has been criticized for negotiating Self-Governance compacts. They claim that Self-Governance is "term ination". Nothing can be further from the truth. Prior to the 1950s, under patern alistic policies, the BIA had virtually all the authority and control over Bureau programs and services. We must remember that some tribes were terminated because they were unable to exercise true self-determination. In the 1960s, the BIA instituted what was then called the Community Development Program. It was a major effort to transfer decision making authority from the BIA to the tribes. This effort was met with strong resistence among BIA employees who cried "term ination". But the concept of Indian self- determination caught fire and culminated in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Act of 1974. The Act enabled tribes to undertake Bureau programs under federal contracts. Once again, many BIA and IHS employees cried "termination" and resisted the idea, throwing roadblocks in its path whenever they could. Today, Indian Self Determination is universally accepted as a positive reality by the BIA as well as the tribes. A change that has not been accomplished without strong BIA resistance. The Self Governance program, the logical extension of the principles embodied in the Indian Self Determination act, is once again being resisted by some BIA and IHS employees. They spread m isinform ation about Self- Governance to undermine its true objectives. The fact is that Self Governance enables tribes to secure their shares of BIA and IHS funds and allow for maximum flexibility to design programs to meet their unique tribal needs. Tribes can obtain waivers of specific regulations if such regulations impede the ability of tribes to meet their needs. Self-Governance, like the Indian Self Determination Act, has built-in safeguards. Tribes are still bound to use federal funds in compliance with federal laws - there is no latitude to change the laws. And, of basic importance is the fact that the federal government is bound by law to continue to exercise trust responsibility. Streamlining The Federal Government All Federal agencies have been mandated by the Administration and Congress to reduce federal positions and costs - a streamlining process that began earlier with Clinton/Gore. The objective is not only to reduce administrative costs, but to provide more direct funding and other resources to the local tribal level. There will be on-going negotiations with the BIA to acomplish this objective. It is essential that the Siletz Tribe be actively involved in these negotiations. Tribal Court and Child Welfare Issues During the past several months, there has been concern expressed about the operations of the Social Services program, specifically, Child Welfare. In carrying out oversight respon sibility for such programs, the Tribal Council authorized a review be conducted by Terry Cross of the American Indian Child Welfare Association which has conducted program reviews of other tribes. T erry w ill be w orking w ith a committee established by the Council comprised of Council member JoAnn Miller who will serve as Chairman and members Geneva Johnson, Joe Lane and Ralene Butler. • Another area that needs a thorough review and possible restructuring is the Tribe's court system. With this in mind, the Tribal Council has requested Joe Meyers of the American Indian Justice Association to conduct a review and make recommendations for stengthening the Tribe's judicial system. Appointed to the committee to assist in this effort are Council Member Rosemary Landis, and members Ralene Butler and Cheryl Lane. Gaming For a more detailed account of the status of the gaming project, I refer you to Jessie Davis' Gaming Report. Regarding our relationships with the City of Lincoln City, we regret that some adverse publicity has been disseminated by the media about our negotiations. We were astonished that the Mayor chose to use the Letter to the Editor as a forum for communicating with the Siletz Tribe. We were in the midst of negotiations and felt the Mayor's letter to be inappropriate contributing only to confusion and ill-will. We have been, and still stand, ready to negotiate in good faith with the city on any and all unresolved municipal service issues. REMEMBER MAY 25TH - TEMPORARY CHINOOK WINDS OPENS FOR TRIBAL MEMBERS - AND MAY 26TH FOR THE PUBLIC! Gaming Report By: Jessie Davis, Ad Hoc Gaming Committee Chairman Construction Wearing Completion As you can see from the photo on the front page, the construction of the temporary gaming facility is 50% complete. The concrete pad has been laid and the SPRUNG structure erected. By early May, the structure will be completely enclosed, the entiyway attached, the parking areas, sidewalks and curb cuts for parking completed. According to the SPRUNG super visor, his crew which included five Tribal members did an "excellent job" erecting the structure. Recruitment o f Personnel The hiring of employees - about 200 needed to operate the gaming center - is proceeding at a very rapid pace. John Fultz, the General Manager and Bev Youngman, the newly appointed Human Resources Director, have been spending an enormous amount o f time - 12 to 14 hours a day including weekends - to fill the required positions. Fultz is also responsible for coordinating the acquisition o f 1500 to 2000 pieces of equipment and supplies that must be in place in time for the opening. Burgess Harmer, General Manager of Comstock, will be sending two of his top managers to Siletz for the training o f our gaming employees. We are on a very fast track and barring an unforeseen catastrophe, we will open the temporary facility on schedule! Gaming Commission Undergoing Basic Orientation The Gaming Commission has been undergoing basic training relating to their responsibilities. Craig Dorsay, Tribal Attorney, met with the group on the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Cabazon decision, the Tribal/State Compact, our Gaming Ordinance and Regulations. The Commission also met with Comstock officials and toured the Comstock Casino and Hotel, viewing first hand, the internal operations of a major casino. Sharon House, who serves as attorney for the National Indian Gaming Association and the Oneida Tribe, was suddenly hospitalized and unable to keep her appointment. Her session will be rescheduled when she recovers. On the agenda for the week of April 24th was Lynn Hillman o f the Continued on page 22
