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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 17, 1978)
PAGE 8 NOVEMBER 17, 1978 Vic Atiyeh: A Time for Indians? If Warm Springs had its way »wm; on election day Bob Straub would be preparing for his second term as governor of Oregon. But instead a man who captured only three of every eight reservation votes has been selected to run the state. The name Victor Atiyeh may not be a household word in Warm Springs, but a number of Oregon Indians know the 19-year veteran of the state senate as a quiet champion of Indians in Salem. Atiyeh co-sponsored (with Rep. Sam Johnson) the legisla tion that established Oregon’s Commission on Indian Services in 1975 and has served on the Commission ever since. The Commission is the only state- funded Indian advisory group in the country and Atiyeh has fought along with Indian mem bers to maintain that dollar commitment. Before funding was available, Atiyeh showed his own commitment by offering his staff for support service. Warm Springs’ Rudy Cle ments, as Chairman of the Com mission on Indian Services, has had the opportunity to observe and work with Atiyeh. “He is a very strong advocate for minori ties,” noted Clements. “It’s my personal feeling that he would at least make an effort to carry this attitude into the governorship.” It so happens that the gover nor-elect enjoys a quiet retreat to Kah-Nee-Ta every now and then and has even been known to campaign at the tribal resort. Three days before the election Atiyeh was at Kah-Nee-Ta for a speaking engagement and the tired candidate paused long enough for this exclusive inter view. VICTOR ATIYEH Governor Elect know, but it’s there. I want to make sure that everybody under stands that I as governor am very interested in this . . . I think it was very clearly seen when we went with H.B. 2)45 in the prior session (priority funding for minority programs through counties) and we got denied the funds for special Indian programs because they had to go through a county unit and some counties put up bar riers. There’s always kind of a silent thing that goes on and I recognize it. "Two of the goals that I see are education and day care," Two of the goals that I see are education and day care . . . S.T. How would you assess the relationship that currently exists between the state and S.T. What will your in Indian tribes? Is the state provi volvement with the Commission ding enough in services? on Indian Services be if you are V.A. I think we can do more elected governor? than we’re doing. I really don’t V.A. My involvement would think there is as much of a be a lot more than the Governor. priority in Indian needs as at But I say it having worked with least I’d like to see. the Commission, which is in the S.T. Do you think the ex legislative and not the executive clusive relationship between branch of government. Having tribes and the Federal Govern been this close and the one who ment presents an obstacle to sponsored that legislation (co enhancing tribal-state relations? sponsored by Sam Johnson) and V.A. No, I don’t. Well, ob one that’s been on it since the viously there are some rules and very beginning, it’s very clear regulations and an established that I’ve got a very close interest relationship between the reser and knowledge of the problems vations and the federal govern and opportunities of the Indians. ment but I'honestly don’t see any I will say to you that it would obstacles. I think a government be disappointing to me to leave can fight for its citizens. Certain the Commission but obviously I’d ly Indians aren’t the only ones have a greater opportunity as who have to deal only with the governor . . . and I’m going to federal government. keep very, very close touch with I find that I’m very closely the leaders that I’ve met and will related to our congressional give my encouragement as strong people and I know them all and if as I can to their requests. there are some changes, I even There’s a lot of things within know those that are running. So the governor’s office in the I’ll be able to deal with the executive branch that I can do to congressional delegation very expedite those things that relate easily. Abourezk, incidentally, to the Indians. and this is kind of curious, S.T. What role have you happens to be a countryman of played on the Commission? What mine. He’s Lebanese. I know he’s has your input been? quitting but I can find out from V.A. It’s really been a two- ’ him who are sympathetic to our way road. What I thought was really important in the beginning cause. In other words, I have a bridge to Congress . . . was getting startecLon the right ... I can help them fight foot. First thing we had to do was their fight as governor of Ore get to know each other.. And gon. obviously that’s been accomp S.T. Would you like to see lished. Get to respect the probl- more funding for Indian services lems of each other — from funneled through the state? reservation tribes to those who V.A. No and I don’t think were non-reservation tribes. We they want that either. One of the still have things yet to do. I sense a very discrimina earlier concerns was that the state was going to intercede tory feeling in the minds of itself. I think they understand people in the various agencies of government. No one says it.ybu now that that’s not the case. I An Interview by Cynthia Stowell We don't have to choose up sides Reasonable people can sit down in an air of mutual respect and confidence between human beings and work these problems out," don’t plan to dominate, take over or anything else. What I plan to do is help them whereever they need help whether it’s state help or federal help. S.T. Have you followed the Tribal-State Compact Act that’s now before Congress? V.A. Is this the one that’s going to take away all the rights that Indians have built up? S.T. No, it would enable tribes to contract with the state for services. V-A. Oh, well, I’m sorry I haven’t. It may have come up in our committee meetings but I have to say I haven’t been to some of them lately. If it’s something positive, certainly I’d want to look at it. S.T. I’m sure you are aware of the fishing controversy in the state of Washington and the upcoming Supreme Court review of the Boldt Decision. What would you like to see come of it? V.A. I’ll only give you what really is almost an obtuse ans wer — and that’s “a fair treat ment.” That doesn’t say much. I’m not going to define how much the Indians should get and how much the commercial should get and how much the sports fishermen should get . . . Let me tell you, rather than take that tack, I’ll tell you what I’ve said as I’ve gone through this frustrating time now for almost twenty years.. It seems like all we’re doing is fighting over what’s left . . . The only reason there is a fight is that there’s a shortage of fish. So who’s going to get some of that shortage? I have declared myself very strongly on improving the fish ery — and that’s where I’m going to come from. I think that hatchery up here (Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery) — and I visited it — is outstanding. "I have declared myself very strongly on improving the fishery," happen, and incidentally I think from what I’ve sensed, what the reservation tribes don’t want to happen either, is that this is going to get people so uptight that we’re going to create some friction between the Indians and the non-Indians . . . So in talking to you about their water rights, I believe in a person’s rights. But here again, I don’t think they want to start any kind of retaliatory reaction. S.T. One element of the water rights issue that Indians dread is quantification — that what they believe to be unlimited rights could be measured and limited. V.A. The Indian I’m sure has surplus water at least in some cases. We can sit down and make sure they have title to it, but that they would share this surplus. We wouldn’t argue that they have control over it. I’m not saying that that’s the solution. I’m just saying that we can sit down and work it out. And I am saying clearly that I don’t plan to force anything on them. S.T. What do you think the state’s role should be in regula ting or protecting Indian water rights? V.A. I have said in public speeches that I think the next major problem in Oregon is water rights. To be honest with you I wasn’t thinking about the Indians at the time I said it. I was thinking of domestic water and water rights between farmers, both river and ground water. Obviously an element in this is Indian water rights and I’m glad you’ve asked this question be cause it helps me in my perspec tive. There’s going to have to be give and take on this deal and everybody’s going to have to understand the serious problems involved. If I went in saying ‘Here’s my idea’ immediately there’s a little hostility. I’m going to say ‘I know this is a problem, now how are we going to solve it?’ I believe there are some very responsible Indian leaders and I know them and they know me well enough to know I don’t fool around with them — that they can trust me. I think we can sit down and talk about it. "As governor I would offer the respect I have for the Indians" We don’t have to choose up sides. The atmosphere is: Who are you for? The Indians or non-Indians? I’m saying we don’t really have to get to that point and I don’t think that they want to get to that point. Reasonable people can sit down in an air of mutual respect and confidence between human beings and work these problems out. That may sound naive but I believe it very strongly. As long as you play fair and honest and right on top of the table . . . I think as governor I would offer the respect I have for the Indians — very deep, emotional feelings about them. It’s not a phony thing, I really feel them and I think they sense I feel that way. It’s not something you need to verbalize. It’s a certain “vibe.” We get along and respect each other. I think they have confidence in me, they’ve seen me perform, they’ve seen how I respond. How Warm Springs Voted BALLOT MEASURES Warm Springs 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 11. 7. 8. 9. 10. 12. Yes, 96 — No, 74 Yes, 101, — No, 68 Yes, 46 — No, 128 Yes, 60 — No, 105 Yes, 91 — No, 87 Yes, 42 — No, 134 Yes, 97 — No, 79 Yes, 70 — No, 104 Yes, 86 — No, 91 Yes, 95 — No, 74 Yes, 58 — No, 116 Yes, 124 — No, 38 Countywide 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 11. 7. 8. 9. 10. 12. Yes, 1523 — No, 1826 Yes, 1825 — No, 1485 Yes, 894 — No, 2634 Yes, 1233 — No, 2162 Yes, 2863 — No, 711 Yes, 1797 — No, 1750 Yes, 1237 — No, 2207 Yes, 1872 — No, 1669 Yes, 2630 — No, 920 Yes, 2119 — No, 1224 Yes, 1333 — No, 1963 Yes, 2778 — No, 412 S.T. If the Supreme Court decides against the Boldt Deci sion what can you do as governor to apply a more “fair treatment” locally? V.A. We deal in conjunction with Washington on the Colum bia River so all we’re talking now is tributaries. I don’t know CANDIDATES what “share” is — what’s a (Governor) proper amount. I’m not here to Atiyeh - 77 Atiyeh - 2328 decide it should be half or 40 Straub -102 Straub - 1265 percent or 25 percent. I’m just (U.S. Senator) going to sit down and say ‘Look, Cook - 44 Cook * 1459 we’ve got a problem. They’re Hatfield - 138 Hatfield * 2108 entitled to à share of fish. Let’s (U.S. Congress) see if we can work it out.’ Hicks - 15 Hicks - 1312 In the meantime my real Ullman - 166 Ullman - 2235 efforts will be where I told you before. Ballot Measures Briefly S.T. Water rights are a Ballot Measure 1 — Changes ad valorem (property) taxes. major concern of Indian people Ballot Measure 11 — Pro especially since Carter came out the method for selecting appel vides property tax relief from with his national water policy late judges. Ballot Measure 2 — Gives state funds. which does not effectively sepa Ballot Measure 7 — Pro rate federal reserved rights from the state Senate consitutional Indian water rights. Do you powers to veto the governor’s hibits state funding of abortions. Ballot Measure 8 — Restores recognize the prior aboriginal appointments. Ballot Measure 3 — Increas death penalty rights asserted by Indians to Ballot Measure 9 — Limits es vehicle registration fees. water? Ballot Measure 4 — Changes utility rate bases by prohibiting V.A. I do, but I have to procedure for formation of peo billing for construction work in recognize this as well: that ple’s utility districts (PUDs) progress. whenever you talk about water, Ballot Measure 10 — Nulli Ballot Measure 5 — Author anytime, anywhere, what you izes, regulates the practice of fies existing state land-use plan have is a very emotional issue. dental technology. ing goals and strips LCDC of And what I don’t want. to Ballot Measure 6 — Limits enforcement powers.
