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TO THE EDITOR:
In every organization
there exists a time and place
for legitimate dissent, and all of
us have been in this situation
during our lifetimes.
But today, Tribal
members should take time to re
assess and appreciate just how
far the Siletz have come since
the days prior to restoration -
when Siletz had nothing going
for it - no services, tribal
identity, high unemployment,
and excessive alcohol and drug
activity. Restoration brought
changes to these problems.
In post - restoration,
we have witnessed gigantic
growth in education, employ
ment, health and cultural
programs. The landscape now
features a state-of-the-art
health clinic, beautiful
community center, and an in
progress construction of an
office building that will take our
departments out of the old,
inadequate, fragile structures
they presently occupy.
But, the one greatest
economic opportunity that we
have ever had - our gaming
facility and its vast potential -
did not come by accident. No
one can make a ligitimate, or
valid argument against success,
and credit must go to the people
who wrought it. Jessie Davis,
the Ad Hoc Committee on
Gaming, Dee Pigsley, Phil
Rilatos and the Council - through
what had to be one of the most
arduous, time-consuming, gut-
wrenching experiences involv
ing distant travel, criticism,
and soul-searching - these
people never gave up!
. The proof is in the
pudding. They delivered for the
Siletz people. Gaming is now a
reality.
If one Elder will be
heard - let me advise all that
now is the time to come
together, and rally behind those
who have been elected to lead.
To our fellow (and respected)
members circulating recall
petitions - I would urge that you
put them in the nearest
shredder and offer your
leadership talents in support of
our leaders.
There is a time and
place for everything - this is
the time and place for us to
remember who we are, respect
and love each other, and show
the world that we are the
greatest Indian tribe on Earth.
Joe Lane, Sr.
TO THE EDITOR:
We Wish to express our
sincere gratitude fo r the
assistance of the HIP Committee
and Indian Health Service for
the installation of our septic
system.
We may not have
gotten it accomplished without
your assistance.
A special "Thank You" is
extended to Howard Roy for his
expertise, committment and
patience in working with us on
this project and to the Siletz
Tribe fo r institution of this
program for the assistance of
Tribal members.
Again, your assistance
is greatly appreciated. Thank
you.
Sincerely,
Raymond & Pamela Ben
DEAR FOLKS:
It was a, happy day
when I was notified that
the Council will allow
those of us with I/16th
blood to now join the rolls
along with our mothers,
fathers and ancestors; it
was a sad day to have to
tell my two daughters that
they will have to continue
waiting to be "formally”
recognized, as then-
heritage dictates. As I
make application for
enrollment, it occurs to
me that I have always
considered myself "Native
American" or "American
Indian" and have listed
myself as such over the
years. As a Lieutenant
Colonel in the United
States Air Force, I have
had the opportunity of
travelling (and living) all
over the world. I may
have drifted far from my
Oregon roots in body, but
never in spirit. I have
trained my daughters as
my father and mother
trained me; to respect the
land and all that it holds.
Those of us that know our
heritage will understand,
just as my daughters will
understand (and the years
have taught us), to be
patient; you see, we are a
patient people!
I do thank you for
sending me the Siletz
Newsletter over the years.
It is always heartwarming
to read about things of
real life and home; I have
property in Tre'-geem-on
(Port Orford), Oregon and
have not drifted far from
my ancestors, even after
all these years and
generations. Regardless,
this writer, Mickey Jay
Melton, Lt. Colonel
proudly serving in the
United States Air Force;
ancestor of the Tototin
(Tututunne band) of the
Tututni Tribe is proud and
happy to be finally
allowed to formally enroll
as a member of this
hearty and resilient family
of Confederated Tribes of
Siletz. Thanks to each
and everyone of you who
proudly and faithfully
watch after and care for
one another (and I can tell
you from experience, there
is no place greater than
our homeland of the
United States of America).
Until we meet.....writing to
you from Guam;
Mickey J. Melton,
Lt. Col, USAF
(edited for length)
Dear Editor:
The Tribal Maintenance
staff have consistently
supported and contri
buted to the yard and
facility maintenance at
the Salem Head Start
Center. I believe their
united efforts exceed the
ordinary expectations of
the job because o f the
need
for . travel,
scheduling, and the wide
array of duties asked of
them.
The tasks
completed at Salem
contribute to the overall
beauty,
health,
and
safety o f the center.
When I was concerned
that heavy bushes at the
entry way could easily
conceal intruders, Sam
trimmed the limbs from
ground level up to a
person's average height.
My
concern
wasn't
minimized or ignored,
action was quickly taken
to correct a potentially
unsafe situation.
The Salem Head Start
parents
obtained
a
donation o f lumber from
Siletz Tribal Forest
Products for a play
ground structure. The
/ Maintenance Staff trans
ported the lumber from
Toledo to Hillsboro for
treatment at PefmaPost
and from Hillsboro to
the Salem center. This
was an unusual request
but Dan's support was
unwavering & appre
ciated by staff and
parents.
The Maintenance staff
have supported the Head
Start program when it
would have been easy to
say other jobs were
more important and less
time consuming. With
their
support
and
consistency,
they've
made my job easier and
supported the use of
Head Start funds for
direct program services.
It would be cost
prohibitive to purchase
the many services that
the Maintenance staff
have willingly provided.
Thank you Dan, Sam,
Lenny and Bristo for
superior service to Head
Start.
Sincerely yours,
Denise A. Wilson
Head Start Director
SILETZ NEWS
DEADLINE
July W 1995
mail articles and photos to:
Siletz News, P.O. Box 549,
Siletz, Oregon 97380
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