April 17, 1995
Smoke Signals
D ana) (SpOQSOD
Chairman's Report: Rumors aren't always the whole truth
Page 2
By Mark Mercier
On April 5 1 995, I attended a
hearing conducted by the U.S.
Senate Committee" on Indian
Affairs to present testimony on
welfare reform, with respect to
block grants.
Since November's election,
Congress has been moving at a
rapid pace to re-structure govern
ment, and welfare reform a
priority. Congress is committed to
reducing the federal deficit, and it
is a real possibility that some social
EDITORIAL POLICY
Letters From Our Readers
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of Oregon. We have recently adopted an Editorial Policy that encourages input from readers
about stories printed in Smoke Signals, as well as other tribal issues.
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teed publication upon submission. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of
Smoke Signals, tribal employees, or Tribal Council.
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programs may be cut.
It is our belief that since
Congress is going to re-structure
these programs, that the Tribe may
wish to provide some suggestions
on how these programs may be
administered. In my testimony, I
told the Committee that we feel we
are capable of putting welfare
block grants in a more effective
and efficient way than either a
Federal or State agency can.
One may ask, "Why travel to
Washington D.C. to attend these
hearings?" Our response is that
few Tribal leaders get invited to
these particular hearings when
they are conducted. Whatever
course of action Congress takes on
this important issue, will have a
profound impact on all tribes
throughout the United States.
Therefore, it is prudent to let
Congress know what we feel
would be beneficial to the Tribe,
since they requested our input. It is
considered an honor to be invited
are planning on moving, let us know so you won't miss a single issue
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by these Committees to participate
in their hearings.
I received a letter dated April 6,
signed by Senator John McCain,
(Arizona) the Chairman of the
Senate Committee on Indian Af
fairs. There is another subject I wish to
address, that is the "rumor mill".
Currently, there is talk among the
tribal membership regarding a so
called "Executive Committee,"
made up of administrative person
nel, also allegations are circulating
that this "Magnificent Seven" have
received enormous pay raises for
serving in thiscapacity. Thisneeds
to be clarified. First of all, due to
the growth of the Tribe, it is
sometimes necessary to make
some changes to how we operate.
The result of this is the Tribe is in
the process of doing a comprehen
sive strategic plan for the future
direction the Tribe wishes to
pursue. Attached is a memoran
dum dated March 9 which explains
the process to be used in develop
ing this plan. Also, no pay raise
was provided to any of the
participants listed in the March 9
memo.
Rumors such as this one circulat
ing only damage the morale of staff
working for the Tribe. No attempt
is being made to exclude anyone
from this planning process. The
Tribe has done several surveys
urging General Council input into
the Strategic Planning Process.
Also, the Tribe seeks Staff input
into the process as well.
Another "rumor" circulating is
that the Tribe is over harvesting
timber on the reservation. The
Tribe has a timber management
plan, which the Tribe sought input
from the General Council while the
Tribe was formulating the plan.
Some of the questions asked of the
General Council was if the Tribe
should intensively harvest the
timber, or reduce the annual cut, by
focusing on wildlife management
Letters
Concerns about Forestry building
Tribal Members:
I am writing this letter as a concerned tribal member. I am concerned
with the burning of the old Forestry building. On March 1 9, the building
was burned. Prior to burning the building the Tribe allowed people to
come in and take what is salvageable, however the Tribe did not get any
money for all the materials that were salvaged.
I feel that it is important for Tribal members to be aware of this action.
To point fingers and find blame will not solve the problem. It is impor
tant to now see that this kind of action does not take place in the future.
This Casino is important to the future of our Tribe, but we must also
live in the present. Mistakes now will effect our future. The concern that
the Tribe has in the Casino should not blind our concerns in the present.
I feel that money could have been made regarding the salvage of materi
als. This money may have been minimal, but the Tribe could have used
this in many ways. It could have been used for relocating the forestry,
renovation of the new training facilities, or over expenditure on the Pub
lic Works building. It upsets me that we burned a house that before it
was stripped, was in better condition than many of the houses that our
elders are living in today. As what was stated in the April 2 General
Council meeting by Tribal Council, there was a mistake made. This
mistake was made by what I feel a lot of miscommunication. The build
ing was burned and the mistake made that is done, however my concern
now is did anyone learn from this mistake? Are people going to be held
accountable if a mistake like this happens again?
In conclusion I would like to emphasize that I am not pointing fingers,
but I would like to make Tribal members aware of the action that take
place. I encourage you Tribal Members to take notice and hopefully
next time a circumstance like this arises the situation will be handled
differently.
Reynold Leno
and recreation. The majority of
respondents said they felt the Tribe
should be able to harvest the timber
on a sustained yield basis, and
effectively manage for wildlife
and recreation purposes as well.
The Tribe harvests six million
board feet from the reservation
annually, on a 75 year rotation.
Most of the harvest areas are "clear
cut" rarely exceeding 40 acres in
each unit size. Also, the Tribe
works closely with the State of
Oregon Forestry Department and
many different Federal agencies to
insure that over cutting is avoided.
In the period of twelve (12) months
or less, each area harvested is
replanted.
The Tribal Council feels it
important to counter some of these
frivolous allegations since the
facts can demonstrate otherwise.
If any one has questions about
what the Tribe is doing, feel free to
ask. We urge everyone not to rely
on rumors.