2
JUNE 1996
Chairman's Report
From Delores Pigsley,
Siletz Tribal Chairman
Governor Signs Proclamation and
Executive Order
In a ceremony on May 22, 1996,
at which all Oregon Tribes (except
Bums
Paiute)
were
represented,
Governor
Kitzhaber
signed
two
documents, one proclaiming May 19
thru May 25, 1996 to be American
Indian W eek and the other, an
Executive
Order
fo rm a liz in g
the
govemment-to-govemment relationship
between the Oregon's Tribes and the
State of Oregon.
In view of the difficulties that the
Siletz Tribe and other tribes, have had
in our relationships with the State,
specifically over gaming issues, the
question on the minds of all tribal
officials was whether the Tribe should
participate in the ceremony at all. The
question weighed heavily on the minds
of the tribal leaders who met in
Umatilla last week prior to the date of
the ceremony.
I attended the ceremony, and
used the opportunity to express the
Siletz Tribe's view that this ceremony
marks only a beginning 4 that the
State's improved relationship with the
tribes has yet to be seen.
The Executive Order signed by
the Governor, said, in part: " As
sovereigns the Tribes and the State o f
Oregon must work together to develop
mutual respect f o r the sovereign
interests
o f both parties.
The
relationships between our governmental
structures can only be built through
trust and mutual respect. The purpose o f
formalizing
the
Government
to
Government Relationship that exists
between Oregon Indian tribes and the
State is to establish a process which can
assist in resolving potential conflicts.,
maximize
key
inter-governmental
relations and enhance an exchange o f
ideas and resources fo r the greater good
o f all o f Oregon's citizens, whether tribal
members o f not. "
Tribal Council Hosts Lincoln City
Council to Informal Meeting
On Saturday, May 11, our Tribal
Council hosted the Mayor of Lincoln
City, several of his council members
and the City Manager to an informal
meeting in Lincoln City. The meeting
was held in our new nearly completed
Chinook
Winds
Gaming
and
Convention Center.
Members of both Councils were
given a tour of the facility with Dietmar
Goebel, our Owner's Representative, as
our guide. I believe the city officials
were duly impressed with the fact that
Chinook Winds will be a facility that
Lincoln City could be justly proud -
beautiful, high tech and first class!
In view of the extremely strained
relationship we have had with thé City
during the past year, this informal get
together between the Tribe and the City
was a major
step forward in
establishing cooperative relationships.
Despite our difficulties, the Tribe
and the
City have successfully
negotiated an agreement with the City
for water, sewer and other essential
municipal services.
This
recent
informal
joint
meeting helped to further cement our
relationships.
I'm sure there will be issues over
which we will disagree, even very
strongly, but it's important that we
keep our communications open and
negotiate issues in good faith. It's to
the benefit of both Lincoln City and the
Tribei
Personnel Developments
During the past two months, a
number of important personnel actions
have taken place including the
reappointment of Nelsen Witt as our
CEO.
Hie applications of over 60
candidates who applied for this
position were
reviewed
and
10
candidates were selected for interview
by the Tribal Council.
Nelsen was
determined to be the best qualified
from the standpoint of his experience
and expertise as a manager and of his
knowledge of federal and tribal laws,
regulations and programs.
The Council voted to reappoint
him for a two year term by a vote of 7
to 2.
Also taking place at this time is
the screening and interviewing of
candidates for the vacant Gaming
Commission position.
After the ;
interviewing and testing of all 35
candidates have been completed on
June 8th, the Tribal Council wjll make
it's final decision on June 9th to fill this
critical position.
And recently, I have appointed
Tribal Councilman Clifford Case to the
Ad Hoc Gaming Committee to join
Jessie Davis, Bensell Breon, Craig
Dorsay and myself to address many
gaming issues still remaining.
Chinook Winds' Grand Opening!
And, of course, I can't conclude
my June report without recognizing the
Grand Opening of our permanent:
facility on June 28th for the General
Public and a sneak preview for our
Tribal Members on June 27th.
We are expecting a great crowd,
including guests who were in one way
or another involved from the b e g in n in g
in our struggle to develop our gaming
enterprise. In less than a month, our
dream will become a reality!
Gaming Report
From Jessie Davis, Ad Hoc Gaming Chair
FIRST OFF,
CHINOOK WINDS!!!!
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY
We gave birth to Chinook Winds
on May 27th one year ago. It's been a
successful year. The temporary gaming
center employed over 200 people,
helped with financing of the permanent
facility, and was a fertile training
ground for staff to move smoothly into
our permanent center. Chinook Winds
enjoyed a beautiful spring and summer
and survived a blustery winter. It's
been a great year. A gala birthday
party, open to the public, was held
complete with birthday cake, balloons,
door prizes and all!
Now our attention will turn to
THE GRAND OPENING OF THE
CHINOOK WINDS
GAMING
AND
CONVENTION CENTER - JUNE 28TH -
LESS THAT ONE MONTH AWAY!
Festivities start at noon on the
28th with dedication and blessing,
ribbon cutting, sky-divers, and a
fireworks salute.
A ceremony dedicating Chinook
Winds will be held in the Bingo
Hall/Showroom at 12:30 P.M. where
Tribal officials and honored guests will
be recognized and presentations will be
made.
There will be personal tours of
the new facility and entertainment
throughout the afternoon and evening
and continuous, scrumptious hors d'
oeuvres.
That evening, entertainment in
the Showroom will feature Tami
Wynette and Williams and Ree -
r~