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About Siletz news letter. (Siletz, Oregon) 1989-1997 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 1995)
what he and the early tribal leaders had done to pave the way for the rest of us. The 1995 Restoration Day celebration was an especially memorable occasion because the celebration coincided with the grand opening of our magnificent new administration building that houses almost all of our program and administrative staff, including the Tribal Council and Court. Restoration was not something that was accomplished and completed in 1977. It was the beginning of a process that is on-going. The new administration building, Chinook e a / Is Chairman's Report From: DeloresiPigsley $ B I i p 0 j ü j f r. Restoration Day, 1995 The turnout at our Restoration Day celebrations are getting bigger and better each year. And you can't help but notice and take pride in the fact that we have a new generation o f accomplished Indian singers and dancers - even our little tots - who are active participants of oyr ceremonies and culture. We are being restored in more ways than one! It was good to have Joe Lane, (who happens to be my older brother) who served as the Tribal Chairman during the 1970s, recount the Tribe's struggle to achieve Restoration. While we can take pride in the many accomplishments since Restoration, it's important for us to be reminded that none of this could have happened if our early leaders didn't have the vision and fortitude to fight for Restoration. I have always had a deep sense of pride and gratitude for Winds, our little Siletz dancers aré all part of that ongoing process. Chinook Winds TV Ads Note: Our Chinook Winds TV Ads have been generating mixed reactions. My comments appear in the next issue of the Chinook Winds Bulletin, distributed to our tribal members. I would like to share with the non-tribal readers of the Newsletter, excerpts of my comments from the Bulletin. "Most of you have by now seen the Chinook Winds' Ads on the major TV channels. We are pleased that the comments have been overwhelmingly positive though there have been a few negative comments as well. "If you are among those who have been sincerely concerned that the ads have been demeaning, l ean understand your concerns. These days, even ethnic or cultural terms can generate heated debate. For example, is it proper to use Chicanos, Mexican Americans or Hispanics? Negroes, African Americans or Blacks? American Indians, Native Americans or Indians? "I suspect that the emotion Opening of new Administration B u ild in g . aroused by our TV commercials may be similar : But its important to H keep in mind that as far as gaming is concerned, it is not a corrupt j practice adopted from the non- : ■ Indians. It has always been an integral part of our cultural heritage 9 a major activity that historically had recreational, economic and cultural significance. "People need to know that there is no state or federal law that regulates hand games, stick or bone games which are considered class I games. Why? This is in recognition of the fact that gambling has always been a part of our culture and a sovereign right. "It was only when we began using casino style gaming that non- Indians have been acting as though Indian tribes are Johnny-come- latelys, invading their exclusive territory. "Many owners of non-Indian casinos, the States that run lotteries and other anti-Indian gaming interests don't like it a bit. They act as though gambling is then- exclusive right and have been trying to curtail if not destroy Indian gaming. "The fact is, the U.S. Congress didn't allow Indians to gamble. As confirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court, Tribes already had that sovereign right. It was only under pressure that congress passed the Indian Regulatory Act in 1988, succeeding only to regulate Indian gaming since they couldn't abolish it. "There are non-Indians that are upset about the ad because they either believe Indians have been corrupted by the non-Indians, gambling vices or because Indians have invaded the non-Indians exclusive territory. "We hope that instead of reinforcing these types of fiction, the TV ads will be regarded as a reaffirmation of gambling as part of our culture and sovereign right. "Our ad agency wanted to use professional Indian actors^ but we insisted on using our own tribal members. The song in the TV commercial was composed by one of our tribal singers - that could be used for any occasion, including gambling. "Finally, the ads have-been created and performed With a sense of humor. Remember, humor was also an important part of our heritage."
