The Confederated Siletz Tribes of Oregon are considering an amendment to require tribal employees to quit their jobs if they are elected to tribal office.

The amendment would also bar any elected official from becoming an employee. The tribe has asked the BIA to hold a general election on the proposed amendment.

The amendment came about recently when Alfred "Bud" Lane was elected to the council. Lane was told to quit his job within the culture department. The dispute went before the tribal court, which ruled in Lane's favor, saying that to bar him, as an employee, from holding political office was a violation of his free speech rights.

Get the Story:
Free speech rights at heart of pending vote on tribal constitutional amendment (The Newport News-Times 4/7)

Relevant Links:
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians - http://ctsi.nsn.us