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About Siletz news letter. (Siletz, Oregon) 1989-1997 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1996)
January 1996 Editor: Nationwide, Indian people living on reservations endure the highest poverty rate in the industrialized nations of the world; unemployment on a national average for our people is 86%; our Indian children possess the dubious distinction of achieving the highest suicide rate among children in the entire world; and fully 100% of our people are adversely impacted in one form or another by alcohol and substance abuse, with AIDS fast becoming the #1 killer among Indian people on reservations today. Additionally, our Indian people are represented in the penological arena at an alarmingly dispropor tionate rate. Consider this fact: Indian people comprise approximately point six seven per cent (.67%) of Oregon's population, yet we comprise almost ten per cent (10%) o f Oregon's Department of Corrections' population. On a per capita basis those figures represent nothing short o f genocide. They should serve notice on our people to wake up and realize this eurocentrist government's "war on Indians" is an on going reality this very day. Whiteman's killing fields o f Indian people haven't disappeared with the buffalo—they've simply assumed different modes o f expression; they're called "peniten tiaries" these days. The most effective weapon utilized against us in these prisons is the "Psycho logical Evaluation," a specious "tool" predicated on glorified guessing games. However, that weapon is inherently flawed by cultural bias, a fact which violates our civil and human rights on a monumental scale. In essence, either Indian people must think and respond in the "accepted” eurocentric manner, thereby implying the "rightness" of the prevailing racist status quo, or else they must respond according to their cultural dictates (which is "Indian") and remain in prison for disproportionately longer periods o f time. The issue of psychological evaluations o f Native Americans within whiteman's judic iary and penal colonies extends far beyond my recent denial for parole release — it is a civil and human rights issue which cries to be addressed at every level o f sovereign government. It's also an issue which will impact each and every Indian person sometime during their life. Studies need to be funded and conducted; para-meters for behavioral normalities need to be established which address Native American perspec tives, culture and ideals; normative data need to be obtained to ensure equitable dispensation of justice for Indian people in Indian lands. We didn't begin this fight; whiteman did. But we now need to address it as Indian people. Dusty Gray Send your VdZen-l tine a greeting ini the next issue of the I Siletz Newsletter. I Make it 50 words or I less, and please sign I it for our varifi- [ cation!! DO YOU NEED HELP WITH CHILD CARE? Assistance is available to help pay for child care for Siletz Native children. Child care assistance is allowed while families participate in wellness and betterment activities, training, continuing education, paid and volunteer employment and respite care. This program is available to children up to the age 13 * who live in the 11 county service area. Income limits do apply and you must receive approval before any child care is covered. Applications are available at each of the, CTSI Area Offices or you may call and request that one is mailed to you. For more information call your local CTSI Area Office or 1-800-922-1399. Under special circumstances, children up to the age o f 18 may qualify for assistance) 7 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!' I know I'm happy!! I got a calf from my son Joshua December 14 and I always smile for that day! I love ya, Josh. I want to say Happy New Year to my wife Sherry. Thanks for the deer kille r present and Happy New Year to my kids Phil, Josh, Athena and Kasandra; Mom and Dad and Mama Sheron; Lila, Jeff in heaven, L ily, D ennis, Micky, Kenneth, Bill, Tina & Baby, Larry & family, Shawna in heaven^ Kimmy, and all our relation. Hope C h ristm a s was good and God gives everyone a year of health and happiness. God Bless, Phil Rilatos, Jr.& Family HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY Delmer & Priscilla Butler!! You're so special in our lives everyday. With Prescious Love, Del Jr., Brant, Dent, Kent, Barry, & Ella jBUth fhttwwttttiwttt $at>v Mstcalf Parents Fawn Keene and Michael Metcalf proudly announce the birth of their son, Chayson Thunder Metcalf. Born November 27, 1995 at North Lincoln Hospital, he weighed 6 lbs, 14 oz. and was 18 inches long. CONGRATULATIONS!!! C M K ’fc Sunshine Butler, Rosalee Jurado & Rosa Strong attending the Lakota Oyate-Ki Pow Wow at OSP.
