4 JULY 1, 2003
Smoke Signals
- -
Election Day Saturday, September 6, 2003
Editor's Note: Candidate's statements were edited only for style (example: capitalizing "T" in Tribal). Statements were not edited
for content, spelling or punctuation.
Wesley West
self.
Dear Tribal members,
My name is Wesley West. I am a candi
date for Tribal Council. I am asking for
your support and your vote in the upcom
ing election. Council members are elected
representatives of all Tribal members and
should be elected not only on the content
of their character, but on their ability to
represent you as an individual. If elected,
I believe I can bring these skills to the
council table. Let me tell you about my-
After serving in the U.S. Army, as a Sergeant First Class for over
twenty years, I know what it means to fight for the people. It was
there that I also learned the meaning of such words as "honor,"
"integrity," "pride," "cooperation," and "contribution." In my mind,
these words represent important rules of conduct. If elected, these
are the words that would govern my actions as your representative
in council.
During my military career, I have had the satisfaction of teaching
GED preparation classes on the Sioux Reservation. I also taught
under the Junior Partnership Training Act at a community college
in Columbia, Georgia. It was through this experience that I first
realized that the education we provide our children determines, not
only their future, but the future of our whole community. I was the
first to suggest and support a mentorship program during a candi
date forum in 2000. This has been done, however it clearly needs to
be Revised,Reconstructed,and Broadened for maximum efficiency.
I applaud the priority education has been given by our present coun
cil in the past and the work our Tribal Education program has been
doing. I will support continued efforts in this and many other pro
grams within Tribal operations.
At the same time, there are areas in the daily operations of Tribal
Council which need changing. First of all, the Tribe needs a good
system of free communication. Tribal Council has a duty to: 1) in
form the people, 2) listen to the people, and 3) act according to the
interest of the majority membership. Currently, there is limited op
portunity for communication of any kind and what opportunity is
available, is severe restricted.
The monthly General Council and weekly Tribal Council meet
ings are brief and give very little opportunity for Tribal members to
be heard and participate in their own Tribe's governing process.
When a problem, concern, or question is brought forward it is often
not properly addressed or seemingly ignored by Council. Council's
lack of interest in including Tribal membership in the discussion
process is especially apparent when important issues have already
been voted on ,days or weeks in advance of public meeting.
Secondly, both the Council Forum and the Smoke Signals pro
vide only selected information. Articles or letters written are re
stricted (censored) in both subject and content.
I believe poor communication can encourages a Tribal dictator
ship. It can hinder our ability as Tribal members to hold individual
council members accountable for the decisions they make. It can
conceal incompetence, hide corruption, and build mistrust for Tribal
government. Other Policies such as the 1999 enrollment amend
ment, should be revised to determine if there is an unfairness issue
present that should be addressed and corrected.
As a Tribal Council member and your representative, I would work
toward a system of communication which encourages the free ex
change of ideas and information. Further, I would work to rein
state the membership's right to assemble on Tribal property and
support the right to freedom of speech without fear of retaliation. I
would do this, because I firmly believe Tribal member input and
involvement is essential to good government.
Thank you for this opportunity. I will look forward to listening
and addressing your concerns and views on different issues in the
months to come. You may contact me at Tel 1-503-843-2382 or Email
me at deeweshotmail.com or mail me at 937 SE Sheridan Rd
Sheridan, Oregon 97378.
Wesley (Buddy) West
Joyce Kirk
GRAND RONDE TRIBAL MEMBERS:
My name is Joyce Kirk; I am the daugh
ter of Fremond & La Verne Bean, Grand
daughter of Margaret Menard, Great -Great
Granddaughter of Joseph
Sangretta. I grew up in Grand Ronde
and Siletz. This is my home. No matter
where I go, I always come back. Now I
am home for good. In the years that took
me away from Grand Ronde I have spent
most of my life living, working for and
with Native Americans. I have done quite a bit of traveling, learn
ing much about the lives, needs and values of Indian people. In
1983 I served on the original Health Board and was responsible for
compiling the first Health Needs Assessment for the Tribe. I com
pleted my college education in 1986, and went to work at Chemawa
Indian School in the Intensive Residential Guidance Program for
chemical dependent andor abusive students. In 1988 1 married Joe
Kirk and moved to Chiloquin, OR. I worked for the Chiloquin Medi
cal Clinic for 2 years. In 1991 an opportunity came along for me to
work for Indian Health Service as an Executive Secretary, six month
later the Klamath Tribes took control of health services. I continued
to work for the Klamath Tribes for 10 years.
This was an excellent learning opportunity for me and I have to
say I greatly appreciate the Klamath people for allowing me to have
this great experience. I traveled throughout Indian Country at
tending workshops, training's, and Board meetings. I have studied
Grants & Contracts, In-direct Cost Rates, A-87 Regulations, Account
ing Principles, Procurement and Travel regulations, Business Man
agement, Policies & Procedures for Indian Organizations, Federal
regulations, yearly and quarterly meetings with other Tribes na
tion wide. These all have a tremendous impact on Tribes. I can't
stress the importance of having a presence at these meetings with
State and Federal Governments. We have to be there to have a
voice in decisions being made for Indian Tribes all over the nation.
Although Spirit Mountain Casino is the 1 tourist attraction in
the State of OR, It is also important that we have other diversified
enterprises that will create jobs for our individual Tribal members
and economic growth for the Tribe. We have grown so large it ap
pears we have forgotten or ignore the very reason we were restored
as a Tribe, there are times when Tribal members need an extra
hand, not all are asking for a hand-out but a hand-up and we need
to be there for them. We as Tribal people need to help each other to
become the best we can be. We hear talk about Community, yet the
Community center sets empty most evenings and weekends. We
talk about Indian culture and values, but do not walk our talk: Re
spect, honesty, integrity and family. These are things that will keep
us strong as Indian people working together. I would like to offer
these things to you from me. I do not have all of the answers, but I
am here to listen to every issue. I will bring these issues to council
work meetings, negotiate on your behalf and give you the results of
our discussions. I believe that we need to be more informed on deci
sions being made for all of us, this issue will be addressed. I do
believe I have knowledge and a diverse background to bring to the
table with me and I hope you will support me in the upcoming elec
tion. I can be reached at 503-879-1117 or annietom54aol.com