Smoke Signals May 1990
Page 14
Settlement of Puyallup Land Claims all but in the Bank
The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is about to issue $20,000
checks to its 845 adult members, tribal officials an
nounced Wednesday, the last step in translating the
tribe's huge land-claims settlement into reality.
Tribal officials said the checks will be issued April 26,
27 and 30 at the tribal administration building. Pugct
Sound Bank, which the tribe selected to handle its large
trust fund, will set up a portable office at tribal head
quarters to handle distribution.
The payments are part of the tribe's $162 million land
claims settlement, in which the tribe relinquished legal
claim to hundreds of acres of prime real estate in the
Tacoma Tidcflats and other parts of the county in
exchange for cash, land and social-service programs.
The settlement was completed last month, but the cash
payments were postponed while the tribe determined its
exact enrollment and a tribal committees selected a
bank to manage the trust fund.
Tribal leaders said they are glad the money is about to
be distributed.
"It's a relief to me, because there's been pressure on
the tribal council to get the money out," said the tribal
chairman, Henry John.
The money will mean much to many tribal members,
some of whom are poor, live in run-down homes and
piece together livelihoods by fishing and selling fire
works. The tribe's unemployment rate is 67 percent,
tribal officials say.
Tribal member Patty Butler said she'll open her first
bank account in 20 years and will buy some basic
necessities - a used car, for instance, and appliances that
work. She says she also plans to buy a computer for her
daughter.
"It's nice to know the money is here now," she said.
"We can finally start making plans."
Some tribal members, however, are still unhappy with
the claims they relinquished in exchange for the cash
and said they are not looking forward to the day the
checks are issued.
"Just another sad day in the life of Puyallup," said
tribal member Alan Miller, a fisherman and the owner
of a fish-buying company.
Altogether, 1,545 tribal members will receive the
payments. But because a tribal member must be 21 to
receive a check, only about half of them will receive
payments in two weeks.
At one point, tribal officials feared the checks would
not reach the $20,000 suggested in the settlement
because the tribe's enrollment was larger than expected.
But because the money has been collecting interest,
tribal officials said, they were able to issue payments of
exactly $20,000.
Meanwhile, many still worry that some tribal members
will misuse the money or slip into an underworld of
drugs.
John said he shared some of those concerns but for the
most part believes tribal members will use the money
wisely. Pugct Sound Bank, he added, will offer invest
ment advice to members.
"Naturally, there are worries," he said. "But for the
majority of the people, it will be a good benefit to
them."
Major Programs and
Activities Funded by
the Settlement
$24 million One time cash payment to all Tribal
members.
$22 million -- Permanent trust fund, that will pay out
an estimated $88 million over the next 50 years to meet
the Tribe's social, health, and welfare needs.
$37 million Total value of 900 acres of land going to
the land going to the Tribe (including 240 acres of Port
of Tacoma land, 118 of which is on the Upper Blair
Waterway.
$3.5 million Job training program for 265 Tribal
members and jobs for 115 Tribal members in Pierce
County private sector businesses.
$9.5 million Fund for providing economic develop
ment and land acquisition assistance.
$2 million - Fund for starting or expanding small
business enterprises.
$10 million - Enhancement of Tribal fisheries.
Major Contributors to Settlement
Federal Government
Port of Tacoma
State of Washington
Private Businesses
City of Tacoma
Pierce County
City of Puyallup
City of Fife
$77.25 million
$43.00 million
$21.00 million
$11.46 million
$ 6.10 million
$ 2.60 million
$ 250,000
$100,000
The Water is not a
Dumping Ground
By Patricia Jatczak, State Parks
and Recreation Commission
Garbage is something we don't usually talk about, but
we always seem to hear about. We hear that we each
throw away 2.2 pounds of garbage per day, and that the
landfills are getting full. We hear that garbage thrown
in the water causes problems for wildlife and for humans
and that we shouldn't do it. At home, the garbage can is
there, but what do we do with garbage we create while
out boating and fishing?
There is no reason to discard wastes overboard. Parks,
launch ramps, piers and marinas usually have cans
available for garbage. Marinas often have sewage
pump-out stations for holding tank wastes and collection
points for oil recycling. If we use these facilities, we will
help keep the water clean.
While boating or fishing, make sure that your wastes
don't end up in the water. Carry a litter bag and use it!
It is illegal to "litter" in the water, just like it is on the
land. Bait bags and trays, fishing line, plastic wrappings
and styrofoam cups are some of the wastes that people
have thrown ovwrboard in the past. Besides being
unsightly, wastes in the water pose threats to marine life
and fellow boaters.
Discarded plastic waste can harm or kill marine life.
Animals that become entangledin fishing lines and nets
may drown or be wounded by the cutting action of the
debris. Birds, fish and sea turtles have mistaken plastic
particles for food items. Ingesting plastic causes them to
feel full, yet they can die of starvation. Birds, fish and
marine mammals swim or dive into six-pack yokes,
cousing them to choke or drown.
Plastic debris can also endanger human lives and
property. It can get tangled up in boat motors or props
and clog up the intake valves, causing engine failure.
This can put a boater in a dangerous situation, not to
mention causing costly repairs..
Proclamations
On April 10, 1990, Governor Neil Goldschmidt signed
two proclamations; one recognizing the government-to-government
relationship between the State of Oregon
and the Oregon Tribes; and the other declaring Oregon
American Indian Week 1990:
Govcrnmcnt-to-Governmcnt Relationship:
Whereas: It is the intent of the Governor of the State
of Oregon to affirm the government-to-government
relationship between the State of Oregon and the
Oregon Indian Tribes; and
Whereas: The State of Oregon recognizes that there
are nine separate and distinct federally recognized
Indian tribal governments located within the boundaries
of the state; and
Whereas: The State and tribal governments acknowl
edge that tribes and the State have historical relation
ships and unique rights shaped by federal and state
constitutions, statutes and treaties with the United
States government and executive orders of the Presi
dent. Now Therefore. I. Neil Goldschmidt, of the State of
Oregon, hereby proclaim that the State of Oregon ac
cepts the fundamental principle and integrity of the
government-to-government relationship between the
State of Oregon and the Indian Tribes.
Oregon American Indian Week Proclamation:
Whereas: It is a deeply held belief of the Indian people
that their ancestors have welcomed the changing of
seasons forever in this land; and
Whereas: They attach special significance to the
passing of Winter as a signal for the return of abundance
and giving by Mother Earth; and
Whereas: The sharing of their wisdom in the protection
and preservation of those bounties has served to enrich
the lives of all Oregonians; and
Whereas: The spring of each year is the propitious time
for acknowledging and celebrating the continued
importance of that historic endowment.
How,
ThereforerI, Neil Goldschmidt, Governor of the State of
Oregon, hereby proclaim May 13-19, 1990 as
Oregon American Indian Week:
in Oregon in recognition of the countless past and
present contribution made to our State by these historic
peoples.
Keep marine debris out of the water for the safety of
all boaters and marine life. Come up with a system for
your wastes that will keep them on board. A litter bag
that is weighted down will do the trick, as will a small
plastic pail with a lid. Whatever method you choose,
make sure that your best attempts don't get blown away!
Empty your litter bags onshore and set a good example
for others. Make it boat policy that nothing goes
ovcerboard. Try to retrieve any trash that has blown
away or that you see floating. The best way to combat
marine debris is for us all to stop throwing our waste in
the water.
FRee litter bags and other information on waste
reduction can be obtained by calling the Washington
State Department of Ecology's Litter Hotline at 1-800-LITTERS.
Courtesy of The Trout & Salmon Leader.