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About Siletz news letter. (Siletz, Oregon) 1989-1997 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1996)
s To the Editor, I would like to say "Thank You " to the Tribe for assistance with the down payment for me to purchase a home. I know without assistance I would not have been able to purchase a home. I have lived in Salem for under 2 years and have moved 3 times. Now I can provide a real home for my children and not have to uproot them again. I think that the HIP program is a wonderful tool but I also think that is needs to be better explained to the participants, realtors, financial institutions and the committee members (the new ones anyway, which I am one of). My experience as a first time homebuyer was awful at best. I feel that the grant program was not explained to me as it should have been as a homebuyer or a committee person. There were many conflicts in information between my realtor and the Coordinator and myself and the Coordinator. After much grief and some further assistance from the Asst. CEO, the conflicts were resolved. I feel that the whole process needs explicit documentation as to what is expected of all the parties involved up front so there are no surprises. 1 really think the HIP program is of great value to tribal members and serves them well but there needs to be consistent, blanket rules and guidelines. Once again, thank you and I hope in the future more tribal members will be able to purchase homes through the HIP program. Rachenda Devenberg CONGRATULATIONS to all those who had any participation in the planning/ construction/ facilitating of the Chinook winds Casino. It is FABULOUS! My family and I attended both the opening on Thursday for tribal members and the Tammy Wynette conceit on Friday. We had a wonderful time. Everything was "top notch." The size and beauty of the casino is of an incomparable magnitude and caliber, the food was extravagantly wonderful; and the employees were helpful, and friendly. The pride among tribal members could be felt and seen as we visited around the facility. What a wonderful accomplishment for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz. We can all look forward to the many benefits that will be recognized from the revenue of this magnificent venture. WAYTOGOCTSIÜ Patty Logan Rodríguez Dear Clifford, .As a tribal Elder I feel I do have the right to voice my opinion at council meetings. As stated at the meeting, I was informed I was going to receive a new home and within a week it was taken away. My children that spoke on my behalf also have the right as tribal members to speak at these meetings. Reading your letter in the last tribal newsletter reminds me of a conversation I had with your brother along with several other Elders. We were talking about the beginning of Restoration. Looking back at those first meetings at the Siletz Grange Hall, Ed Ben, Robert Rilatos, Sr., Archie & Victoria Ben, Pearl Rilatos, Charles 8s Nellie Orton, Caroline Johnson, Sandra Brown, Alta 8s A1 Courville, Aurilla Tom, Vicki Nelsen, Dolly Fisher, Jim Cook, Jr. Tronson, Marlene Rilatos Stuart, Joe Lane, Ed Sondenaa, Kathryn Harrison, Chuck Ricks, Pauline Ricks, Dee Pigsley, and Maude Lane worked hard together to talk about restoring our Tribe. Our mission was to provide health, education, welfare and jobs for all Tribal Members. This group that met reached out to family members for support. Our Tribal Council later included, Chairman - Joe Lane, Vice-Chairman - Robert Rilatos Sr., Secretary - Dolly Fisher and Council Members Kathryn Harrison, Pauline Ricks, Sister Francilla Griggs, Alta Courville, Jim Cook, Adolph Tronson, and Stanley Strong. This was a group of volunteers striving for a common goal. The Council traveled to other tribes to view their tribal governments and to gain knowledge on how to put our tribes back together again. Our people in the 1970's, as well as today needed the positive reinforcements our Tribe could bring. It's unfortunate you were not here for all the beginning work. If you have a complex about this you need to resolve this within yourself and not blame me and my family for being there. There were many thankless hours involved and we did not have monetary support back ing this group. Clifford, as a Tribal Council Member voted in by the people, you need to be . able to take constructive criticism. If you can not hear the needs of the people and keep Tribal members a priority, then you need to step down. You are here to help u s and if you take offense to the past you will not be able to change our future. Clifford, from one old Elder to another - - 1 hope you can take this information and grow from it. Maxine Ben Rilatos Siletz Tribal Member Our family apologizes to those loved one's that we have mentioned in this letter that have passed on, it is important for members like Clifford to know the whole story. Tribal Members, I would like to know something. "Why” can't a Siletz Tribal Member get help? I put in for a loan to get my home fixed and this guy told me that I didn't have any right for help as a Siletz Indian. I made my home 25 years ago in Taholah WA. Why should I have to move back to Siletz just for HELP? My name is Daniel Woods Tribal Members & Readers: I would like to make some comments about what is happening at the workplace and at Tribal Housing. A lot of people don’t know nor do they care. Well I do! There’s this woman who is causing a lot of problems. First, she would have a Security person give her paycheck days earlier than the rest of the staff. This was done without prior approval (written and signed by the CEO). Well, when they were finally brought in and questioned, she blamed everything on the Security person and he was fired. Both were guilty, she should have been fired too. She is also causing problems with a co-worker. She would call and harass her and her daughter at both homes. Calling from the tavern and verbally harassing them. At work, she would use the Tribal phone to call her extension and continue the verbal harassment. One night, they were drinking and she had a couple of girls call 911 and say they were the one, (who she is harassing), to get her into trouble, but this backfired and they were cited for misusing 911. To top it off, they were calling from a neighbor who is in a wheelchair. Now, she may never use 911 because of her friends ignorance and stupidity. WHAT NICE FRIENDS! One night, they were both in the Pub, the other was on the phone, first she made a comment and told a guy to watch her back because she was ready to start trouble. She yelled at the other person and told her to get off the phone. well, after all the harassment’s, gossip and lies she was spreading, the fight was on. She was pulled off the bar stool by her hair and landed on the floor. Others stopped it. Just how much verbal abuse, harassment’s, gossip and lies can one take before finally.
