NEWS FROM THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF COOS, LOWER UMPQUA & SIUSLAW INDIANS (2026)

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The Voice of

CLUSI

February 2026

Issue 2

Volume 27

www.ctclusi.org

NEWS FROM THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF COOS, LOWER UMPQUA & SIUSLAW INDIANS

16th Annual Peace Hike Brings in the New Year

k’ele nəluwehe, luuwii niluwechise, hiisəch hai (with a good heart)

YACHATS, Ore. The Commons Welcome Gathering was

a heartfelt coming together of community

members, visitors, and tribal guests.

The commemoration of the 16th Annual

Yachats Peace Hike felt especially

resonant this year, carrying a depth of

connection and intention from the very

beginning.

The morning opened with the steady

rhythm of Yellow Bear, the Yachats

Community Drum, inviting all who

gathered to take a seat and join in a

welcoming beat. A series of speakers then

helped set the tone for the day, offering

guidance on the options for participation,

either the hike or a village walk, along

with the Mayor’s welcome, a tribal

prayer, the telling of the Amanda story,

and reflections and offerings from tribal

members that grounded the gathering in

shared history and purpose.

A ceremonial fire was then ignited by

Chief Barrett of the Confederated Tribes

of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw.

Fire and Healing songs were shared, and

a palpable sense of weaving together where Amanda was waiting with a second

emerged as people settled into the shared fire ignited by Chief Barrett. With cedar

placed on the flames participants gathered

experience.

From there, hikers were ceremonially to hear Tribal members from Confederated

sent off to the Amanda Grotto, while others Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and

remained to tend the fire or set out on a Siuslaw Indians, Confederated Tribes of

village walk to the Peace Pole and Bench. Siletz Indians , The Coquille Indian Tribe,

an Indigenous woman

As we overlooked the

[during

the

Peace

from Mexico and a

ocean, impressions and

stories were exchanged, Hike, the] telling of

Navaho tribal member

and grey whale visitors the Amanda story,

speak

and

perform

accompanied our return

prayer songs.

to the Commons. The and reflections and

During the entire Peace

offerings

from

tribal

gathering

concluded

Hike Commemoration,

around the fire, where members... grounded

the portrait of our

cedar was placed into the the gathering in shared

beloved and late Chief

flames, carrying collective

Doc

Slyter

graced

visions and prayers for history and purpose

us all, a man who

the year ahead.

believed deeply about

Terri Theisen, Coos, our 2026 Peace forgiveness and reconciliation.

Hike artist was warmly welcomed and

The Peace Hike and Ceremony would

shared her magnificent art pieces.

not have been possible without the

Despite the rainy weather, one hundred hard work of the Peace Hike Planning

and forty plus participants of all ages Committee and over 70 local volunteers

either hiked the 2.2 miles or took the new and tribal members who made this a most

Yachats City trolly to the Gathering Area heartfelt and safe commemoration.

Save the Dates:

baldija Naming Ceremony

February 7, 2026

hanisiich Naming Ceremony & First Canoe Pull of 2026

March 7, 2026

more information on pages 6 & 7

Confederated Tribes of Coos,

Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Presorted Standard

U.S. Postage

PAID

Eugene, OR

Permit #481

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

Tribal Council Business

February 2026

Activity of Elected Tribal Council Members from December 14, 2025 - January 11, 2026

Chief Doug Barrett

12/14 Tribal Council Regular Meeting

12/15 STEP Trap Maintenance at

Whittaker Creek, Opening of Painted

Horse Recovery in Medford –

Philip Archambo Recovery

12/16 Blue Earth Board meeting

12/17 MHA / LADPC Monthly Board

Meeting

12/18 Leaders Circle, Special Meeting,

NARA Northwest Board Meeting

12/19 Elders Lunch – Winter Solstice start

12/20 Winter Solstice – Events and Start

of Fire

12/21 Winter Solstice – Dinner

12/23 NAIC Monthly Board Meeting

12/24 Staff Appreciation Day

12/29 GFORB Meeting, Tribal Council

Business Meeting

12/31 NARA New Years Eve Pow Wow in

Portland

01/01 Amanda Trail Peace Hike in Yachats

01/05 Special TC Meeting

01/08 Culture Committee Meeting, STEP

Trap cleaning at Whittaker Creek,

Culture Items Task Force Meeting

01/09 Diane Whitson Retirement Gathering

01/10 Senator Merkley Town Hall in Coos

Bay

01/11 Tribal Council Regular Meeting

Total Hours: 147

Brad Kneaper, Chair

12/14 Tribal Council Regular Meeting

12/16 Meeting (ZOOM) with CEO, Legal

and Staff regarding Project

Management

12/18 Special Council Meeting: Resolution

to increase Elders Pension

Program; Resolution to approve

Software and Maintenance Program;

Resolution to Assign Project

Management to the Planning

Department for all tribal, and

business projects; Initial discussion

on expansion of Health Care for

Tribal Membership outside the

Five County Service Area, Leader’s

Circle (ZOOM): Forestry Department

Update; Director Lovell Oregon

State Lands regarding Elliot State

Forest Board Participation

12/22 ZOOM meeting with the Projects

Team regarding updates on Three

Rivers Casino Projects

12/29 Gaming Operational Reviews Board

(GFORB), Meet with CEO and

Staff for updates, Tribal Council

Business Meeting

12/31 Meeting regarding Constitutional

Amendment process and status

01/05 Special Council Meeting: Call for

Secretarial Election (BIA) for the

proposed constitutional amendments

01/08 Oregon 9 Tribes Meeting:

discussion on Role of Legislative

Council on Indian Services (LCIS);

Discussion on Consultation with

State Agencies and Government and

status of the Consultation Work

Group

01/09 Attend Retirement gathering for

Court Clerk Diane Whitson. Diane

worked for the Tribal Court for 17

years

Total Hours: 129

Teresa Spangler, Vice Chair

12/14 Regular Council meeting

12/18 Special Meeting (Zoom), Leaders

Circle (Zoom)

12/29 Business Council Meeting

01/05 Special Meeting

01/09 Diane Whitson Retirement Party

Total Hours: 45

Julie Siestreem

12/13 Annual Christmas Celebration Three

Rivers Casino /Florence

12/14 Tribal Council General Council

Regular Monthly Meeting/ Coos Bay

12/16 Education Committee meeting /

zoom

12/18 Tribal Council Special Meeting:

Elders Pension, Tribal Data Software

support Agreement/zoom and Coos

Bay, Tribal Council Leaders Circle:

DSL/zoom and Coos Bay

12/18 -12/21 Winter Solstice

Ceremony: Tribal Hall, Community

Center, Plank house, Sweat Lodge,

Tribal Lands

12/19 Elders Luncheon Three Rivers

Casino/Florence

12/23 Department of Early Learning and

Care Preschool Promise Discussion

Dr. Paulina Whitehat, Jemiah

Wassman, Lyndsay Carroll, Brandy

Lauby, Daylen Cossey/zoom

12/29 Gaming Facilities Operational

Review Board monthly meeting /

Three Rivers Casino Florence, Tribal

Council monthly Business meeting/

Three Rivers Casino Florence

01/01 Amanda Trail Peace Hike

01/05 Tribal Council Special meeting Call

for Secretarial Election/zoom

01/09 Diane Whitson Retirement

Ceremony/Coos Bay

01/11 Tribal Council General Council

Regular Monthly Meeting Coos Bay

Total Hours: 130

Debbie Bossley

12/18 Leaders Circle 3 hours

12/29 Tribal Council Business Meeting

01/05 Tribal Council Special Meeting

01/09 Diane Whitson Staff Retirement

Party

01/11 Tribal Council Regular Meeting

01/13 LCIS (virtually)

Total Hours:50

Iliana Montiel

12/14 Tribal Council Regular Meeting

12/19 Elders Lunch

12/29 GFORB / Tribal Council Business

Meeting

01/05 Special Meeting

01/09 Diane Whitson Retirement Party

Total Hours: 28

Ashley Russell

12/17 Reviewed Special Meeting and

Leader’s Circle Packet

12/18 Special Meeting, Leader’s Circle

Meeting

12/19 Winter Solstice

12/21 Winter Solstice

12/28 Reviewed Business Meeting Packet

12/29 Business Meeting

01/04 Reviewed Special Meeting Packet

01/05 Special Meeting

01/09 Attended Diane Whitson’s

Retirement Party

01/10 Reviewed Tribal Council Packet

01/11 General Council Meeting

Total Hours: 62.75

Tribal Council

Upcoming Dates

Regular Council Meeting

February 8, 2026

Regular Council Meeting

March 8, 2026

Tribal Council Forum

March 21st

Regular Council Meeting

April 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

General Council Meeting

April 12, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

Election Day - April 12th

Regular Council Meeting

May 11, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Regular Council Meeting

June 14, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Regular Council Meeting

July 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Regular Council Meeting

August 9, 2026 at 10:00

a.m.

CTCLUSI Community Center

338 Wallace Avenue,

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Join by Zoom link by logging

in to the Citizen Portal of

www.ctclusi.org

Full list of Tribal Council

Regular and Business

Meetings avaialbe in the

Citizen Portal

www.ctclusi.org

February 2026

QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS?

The CLUSI Tribal Council welcomes your ideas,

comments, criticisms, etc.

Please write to: Confederated Tribes of

Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians

ATTN: Tribal Council 1245 Fulton Ave.

Coos Bay, Oregon 97420

COMMITTEE INTEREST LIST

If you are a Tribal member and interested in being

on a committee, please contact Lorin Krossman at

541-435-7178 or enrollment@ctclusi.org

We are currently keeping a list of those interested

so that when a committee vacancy occurs we

can fill it as soon as possible, so please contact us

whether there is a vacancy or not.

Information

ATTENTION VETERANS AND FAMILIES

Veterans we need your help. Veterans are honored at

the Salmon Ceremony each year. Please contact Lorin

Krossman at 541-435-7178 or at email lkrossman@

ctclusi.org for new requirements needed to be honored.

US FOREST SERVICE

NORTHWEST FOREST PASSES

Now available at the Tribal Administration Building,

Florence and Eugene Outreach offices.

Requirements are: 1. Must be a CTCLUSI Tribal

member. 2. Must be over 16 years old. 3. You may

only be issued one per year. The passes hang from

the rear view mirror and are good for access to some

Forest Service fee areas. Area maps available.

CHANGES?

Please let us know if you have a change in address,

phone number, name or addition to your family.

Changes should be submitted to Enrollment Dept.,

either online at www.ctclusi.org/enrollment or

mail to Enrollment Dept., 1245 Fulton Ave., Coos

Bay, OR 97420. Phone: 541-435-7178 or Fax: 541888-2853.

TRIBAL COUNCIL MINUTES

The full meeting video is available at www. ctclusi.

org If you are an enrolled member of CTCLUSI

and would like to receive typed copies of the

Tribal Council Meeting minutes please submit a

written request to Jeannie Miller at 1245 Fulton

Ave. Coos Bay OR 97420 or lkrossman@ctclusi.org

Please include the meeting date requested, your

name, current address, and Tribal Roll number for

verification.

CTCLUSI Departments, Services & Offices

Government Office

Lee Ann Wander

Chief Executive Officer

lwander@ctclusi.org

Brian Dubray,

Chief Operating Officer

bdubray@ctclusi.org

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-9577

Eugene Outreach Office

149 149 W. 12th Avenue

Eugene, OR 97401

Phone 541-744-1334

Toll Free 1-800-877-2718

Fax 541-744-1349

Florence Outreach Office

Physical: 3757 Hwy 101

Mailing: P.O. Box 2000

Florence, OR 97439

Phone 541-997-6685

Toll Free 1-866-313-9913

Fax 541-997-1715

Dept. of Human Resources

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone: 541-888-7508

Fax: 541-897-9881

recruitment@ctclusihr.org

Health Services Division

Davon Smith, Chief

Operating Officer

of Health Operations

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-7515

Fax 541-888-5388

dsmith@ctclusi.org

Community Health

Diann Weaver, Director

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone: 541-888-7502

dweaver@ctclusi.org

Forestry Department

Tyler Slyter, Director

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-1311

tslyter@ctclusi.org

Purchased/Referred Care

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-4873

Toll free 1-800-227-0392

Fax 541-888-5388

prc@ctclusi.org

Department of Culture and

Natural Resources

Ashley Russell, Director

Phone 541-888-9577

arussell@ctclusi.org

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Three Rivers Health Center

150 S Wall Street

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone (541) 435-7200

info@threerivers.health

Amanda Craig, Assistant

Director

Phone 541-435-7164

acraig@ctclusi.org

149 W. 12th Avenue

Eugene, OR 97401

Three Rivers Behavioral

Health

250 HullStreet

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone (541) 435-7200

info@threerivers.health

Three Rivers Pharmacy

150 S Wall Street

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone: (541) 435-7234

Fax: (541) 435-7233

Three Rivers Dental Clinic

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-6433

Toll free 1-877-688-6433

Fax 541-888-7505

Jesse Beers,

Cultural Stewardship

Manager

Phone 541-997-6685

jbeers@ctclusi.org

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Social Services Department

Kelly Bradley, Director

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-7537

Toll Free 1-888-280-0726

Fax 541-888-5388

kbradley@ctclusi.org

Tribal Housing Department

Mary Gordon, Director

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-435-7150

Fax 541-435-0492

mgordon@ctclusi.org

Tribal Committee Members

Budget Committee

1. Martin Harris

2. Allen “Butch” Swigert

3. Margaret Corvi

4. Stephanie Watkins

5. Kerry Brainard

6. Sarah Marical

7. Roseana Perry - Chair

Culture Committee

1. Earla Kirk

2. VACANT

3. Alyssa Lydick

4. Nicole Romine

5. Michael Brainard

6. Patricia Whereat-Phillips

- Chair

7. VACANT

Education Committee

1. Lorin Krossman - Chair

2. Julie Siestreem

3. Nicole Romine

4. Ashley Russell

5. Michael Brainard

Elders Committee

1. Arleen Perkins - Chair

2. Laura Fortin

3. Warren T. Brainard

4. VACANT

5. Mike Lent

6. Stan McNutt

7. Teresa Spangler

Enrollment Committee

1. Courtney Krossman

2. Patricia Whereat-Phillips

3. Skip Brainard

4. Vicki Faciane - Chair

5. Teresa Spangler

Housing Committee

1. VACANT

2. Dan Krossman

3. Enna Helms

4. Tyler Slyter - Chair

5. Melinda Sprague

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

If you or anyone in your Tribal family has had

any recent special awards or achievements that

you would like to share, please submit your

information and photos to the newsletter. I

look forward to hearing from you!

-Morgan Gaines, Communications Specialist

mgaines@ctclusi.org or 541-888-7536

Language Committee

1. Nicole Mendoza

2. Tammy Evarts

3. Ashley Vandevort

4. Jade Fong - Chair

5. VACANT

6. Jesse Beers

7. Ayuthea Cisneros

Election Board

1. Jade Fong

2. Michael Brainard - Chair

3. Tes Gagner

4. Mark Petrie

5. Kathy Perkins

6. Kimmy Bixby

7. Ashley Russell

Are you a Tribal member

who would like to learn more

about a Tribal Committee, or

are interested in being on a

committee? Reach out to a

Education Department

Jemiah Wassman, Director

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone: 541-888-1318

Toll free 1-888-280-0726

jwassman@ctclusi.org

Elders Activities

Barbara Black, Tribal

Navigator/ Community Health

Aide

1245 Fulton Ave.

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-7532

bblack@ctclusi.org

Tribal Gaming Commission

Brian Dubray, Interim

Executive Director of the

Gaming Commission

5647 Hwy 126, Suite 100

Florence, OR 97439

Phone 541-997-2830

Fax 541-997-7293

rbossley@ctclusi.org

Tribal Police

Brian Dubray, Police Chief

5647 Hwy 126, Suite 100

Florence, OR 97439

Phone 541-997-6011

Fax 541-902-6507

bdubray@ctclusi.org

Tribal Court

Karen Costello, Chief Judge

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-9577

Toll Free 1-888-280-0726

tribalct@ctclusi.org

Tribal Council

Doug Barrett, Chief

541-297-2130 (cell)

doug.barrett@ctclusi.org

Ashley Russell

Position #1 Council

541-808-4455 (cell)

ashley.russell@ctclusi.org

Brad Kneaper, Chair

Position #2 Council

541-808-5178 (cell)

brad.kneaper@ctclusi.org

Julie Siestreem

Position #3 Council

541-294-6055

jsiestreem@ctclusi.org

Teresa Spangler, Vice

Chair

Position #4 Council

541-294-3972

tspangler@ctclusi.org

Iliana Montiel

Position #5 Council

541-217-4613(cell)

iliana.montiel@ctclusi.org

Debbie Bossley

Committee Chair person or

a Tribal Government Staff

member.

Committee Chairs are

noted at left with current

sitting members of the

committee at the time of

publication of this paper.

For questions, please

contact Lorin Krossman,

541-435-7178

enrollment@ctclusi.org

The Tribe maintains a list

of those interested so that

when a committee vacancy

occurs we can fill it as soon

as possible, so please

is a vacancy or not. Letters

of interest remain on file

for one full year. Members

can serve on up to three

committees simultaneously.

Upcoming Events

Turn to page 19 of this publication for a monthly calendar

of upcoming events or visit the Events Calendar on the tribal

website at https://ctclusi.org/events/

Position #6 Council

541-808-5580(cell)

debbie.bossley@ctclusi.org

Council Meeting

February 8, 2026

Regular Meeting 10:00 a.m.

Coos Bay Community Center

338 Wallace Ave.

Coos Bay, Oregon 97420

Please login to the citizen portal of www.

ctclusi.org and click Council Meetings for

the zoom link to this meeting.

Agenda:

1. Call to Order

2. Invocation

3. Approval of Minutes as needed

4. Tribal Council Reports

5. Tribal Chief Executive Officer

Report

6. Chief Financial Officer Report

7. Old Business

8. New Business

9. Other

10. Good of the Tribes

11. Executive Session as needed

Council meeting video available to view at

www.ctclusi.org

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

Council Corner

Hello everyone,

I hope everyone is doing well and staying warm this winter.

It has been a couple of months since I have posted an article here.

As my first term winds down, I have been reflecting on what I have

learned since I was elected to Tribal Council. After coming from the

Oregon State Police, I worked for the tribe for just over 17 years, in

which I started the Tribal Police Department from Scratch and also

served as the Executive Director of the Tribal Gaming Commission

which regulates the Three Rivers Casino in Florence and Coos Bay.

I retired with 34 years in Law Enforcement in March of 2021. I ran

for and was elected to Council in April 2022.

I am very proud of the accomplishments of this council during my

term:

Casino Debt

Paying off the casino debt. When I came to council in 2022, paying

off the Casino debt became a priority of the Council. The Previous

Council set stage for that to become possible. We worked with Tribal

Government, Three Rivers Casino Management to pay that debt in

about 2 years and was accomplished.

Reinvestment

Tribal Council has approved and assigned the task of evaluating

business opportunities and potential for the Casinos, Tribal

Government, and Blue Earth Federal Corporation. This decision

was made after consultation with outside professionals already

working with the Tribe. An independent company with this expertise

will be completing this task to help Council make decisions on future

investments for all three entities.

Health Care

The Tribe has opened up the Three Rivers Health Center. Medical,

Behavioral Health, and Pharmacy services are provided. We are

starting to the explore the possibility of expanding Health Care

coverage outside of the Five County Service Area. It is too soon to

know what it might look like, but that is a goal of the Council. All of

our membership deserves health care services, no matter where

they live.

Hunting and Fishing

Establishing the agreement with the State of Oregon Department

of Fish and Wildlife co-management which resulted in the ability of

our tribal members to hunt and fish within our five-county service

area with our own licensing and tags without having to buy expensive

Oregon State licenses and tags. Members outside of Oregon are

also able to come and participate in this opportunity.

GFORB

We have re-formed the Gaming Operational Review Board

(GFORB) to oversee the gaming operations of the tribe independent

of Tribal Council filling seats.

Constitution

We have completed a draft Constitution with some Amendments

being clerical and in line with our current practices, while others,

with the feedback of the membership will include: Proposed

changes to allow for additional negotiations to expand Hunting

and Fishing Rights while disallowing any that would reduce or

harm those rights; A new Background check requirement for Tribal

Council candidates as well as any current sitting council members.

Tribal Council oversees a government with a budget of more than

$60 million, including grants. The membership deserves to know

that the Council is able to pass a background check that all levels

of casino and tribal government employees are required to pass;

Membership requirements for enrollment will be better defined and

more inclusive. Once the BIA has completed their review, this will be

coming to the membership for a vote.

Fee to Trust

The Fee to Trust process is light years faster than it has in the

past, particularly with the current upper management and Planning

Department Director. Three properties have been successfully

placed in trust in the last year or so, that we have had in fee status

for 20 years or more, because of various contaminants or potential

contaminants. This includes Coos Head and properties adjacent to

the Three Rivers Casino – Florence property. There are currently 8

more pending status with the BIA and another 18 properties in pre

submittal status at this time.

Woking on Tribal Debt

The Tribal Council along with the Tribal Government is working on

any residual government debt. This is slightly more complicated as it

involves evaluating properties. Some debt can be shifted to federal

government programs and other involves property management. In

any case, the Tribal Government debt is very minor compared to the

previous casino debt.

Offshore Wind Energy

When I was first elected to Council, the Council was already

dealing with the subject of Offshore Wind Energy with the Bureau

February 2026

of Ocean Energy Management

(BOEM). The Council had

already passed a resolution

supporting the idea of Offshore

Wind Energy PROVIDED

that certain environmental

concerns were met. It very

soon became clear that our

concerns were not being

addressed, and our questions

were not even being answered.

In 2022 we passed a second

resolution,

rescinding

the

original resolution in support, to

a conditional support provided

that the many concerns we

had were addressed. In 2023,

we passed our final resolution

opposing wind energy because

of our concerns and the lack

of meaningful consultation. In

Chairman Brad Kneaper

addition, we met with BOEM,

other Federal, State and

Local Governments, Tribes in Oregon, Washington and California.

Eventually, the plans for the Offshore Wind Energy Projects were

dropped in Oregon.

Forestry Department Funding

The Tribal Council and government staff worked with our federal

lobbyists and were able to secure federal funding appropriations

through our compact for the Forestry Department. These are

new dollars that will continue to be a part of our annual funding

agreement.

These are some of the major highlights. Most of these

accomplishments would not be possible without teamwork with

the Tribal Government CEO and staff. I heard a comment at the

most recent Regular Council Meeting that Council should not trust

Government Staff when it comes to the budget process. This was in

response to a comment that I made, that I like to look at the previous

2 years budgets, to compare to the new proposed budget, and look

for anomalies or budgets that weren’t consistent. I stand by that.

Those are not the only things I look at. But they are a good indicator

of errors or things that might not be right. I disagree wholeheartedly

with the statement about not trusting our government staff.

The Tribal Budget is very well protected by the procedures

put in place for spending by policy and practices, in which each

expenditure is reviewed a number of times by a number of people

before approved and spent. As far as the budget approval process,

it is reviewed by the department heads, the Chief Financial Officer,

the CEO, and the budget committee. Tribal Council is kept apprised

of the progress as it happens. Tribal Council makes the final

decision as to whether the Budget is approved. In addition to that

oversight, there is an annual independent audit that is conducted

to the levels required by the Federal government standards. The

company chosen for the audit is changed every 3 to 5 years in order

to preclude personal relationships/friendships that might be seen

as compromising the audit process and conclusions. Last year’s

audit was remarkable in which the auditors presented at a Regular

Council meeting to membership that we, the Tribe, are in the best

position a Tribe would want to be in with high assets and limited

liability. This is a huge accomplishment.

In conclusion, I have not made a final decision as to whether I will

run again. I had planned on one term only. However, I have very

high expectations of who I vote for. I believe a Council Member

should work with the rest of the Council in the best interest of the

Tribal Membership as a whole. We have to hold ourselves to a

higher standard and not let ourselves be sidetracked by distractions,

while still listening to all, even those voices that are outside the Five

County Service Area.

Save the Date: Election Forums

Forum Day - Saturday, March 21, 2026

Forums will be held from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Join in person at

Community Center

338 Wallace Avenue, Coos

Bay, Oregon 97420

or Join Online via

Zoom

(link will be made available in the

Citizen Portal of the www.ctclusi.org

closer to date of Forum)

Questions? Email enrollment@ctclusi.org

www.ctclusi.org

February 2026

YOU MUST BE

REGISTERED TO

VOTE IN ANY TRIBAL

ELECTION

Current Declared Candidates

TRIBAL COUNCIL ELECTION

April 12, 2026

For Positions #2, #4 and #6

Posted in the order of submission as of 1/13/2026

POSITION NUMBER

Position #2

Position # 2

CANDIDATE

Sarah Marical

Melinda Sprague

Howard Roy

DECLARED DATE

12-17-2025

12-28-2025

1-13-2026

Position #4

Teresa Spangler

Tyler Slyter

12-4-2025

12-17-2025

Position #6

Roseana Perry

Debbie Bossley

12-17-2025

12-18-2025

TO BECOME A CANDIDATE FOR TRIBAL COUNCIL PLEASE SEE BELOW

7-3-23 Candidate Eligibility

According to the Tribal Constitution (Article VIII, Section 4(a)), in order to be eligible for election

to a Tribal Council position, candidates shall meet the following qualifications:

(a) Be a duly enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes;

(b) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age; and

Tribal Constitution was ratified. (May 23, 1987).

7-3-24 Statements of Candidacy

(1) Candidates shall file Statements of Candidacy no later than thirty (30) days before the

scheduled date of the election. CLUSI Const. Art. VIII, Section 4(c).

Each candidate shall indicate the position for which he or she is filing. No shuffling of positions

will be allowed. You may submit to any CTCLUSI Government Office.

Deadline to File – Friday March 13, 2026 by 5:00pm

POSITION STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Each candidate will be given the opportunity to present a position statement for inclusion

in the Tribal Newsletter if submitted by the Newsletter deadline. Position statements shall

not be longer than one (1) sheet of 8-1/2” by 11” paper printed on both sides, capable of

being copied on a black and white copier (can be color). Position statements shall be

published in the February, March or April issue, depending upon when the candidate

filed and the candidate’s preference once submitted to Election Clerk. Once a Statement

of Candidacy is submitted, see Newsletter deadlines below.

Newsletter Deadline for Position Statement Publication:

January 15th for the February Newsletter

February 15th for the March Newsletter

March 17th for the April Newsletter

You can only be in one publication; any other political mailings, once reviewed by

the Election Board will be at the candidate’s expense.

CANDIDATE FORUM INFORMATION

Candidates are not required to participate; however, there will be an opportunity

for any candidate to meet with the membership and have a question/answer

session on

Saturday March 21, 2026

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Location in Person: The Community Center in Coos Bay.

Virtual: A Zoom link will be provided in the Citizen Portal of the www.ctclusi.org website

closer to the date of the forum.

Please reach out to enrollment@ctclusi.org to verify your registration is valid.

Visit www.ctclusi.org under Election for more details of the 2026 Tribal Council Election.

Only registered voters will be

sent a ballot

Election Day:

April 12, 2026

Voting hours shall be from

12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Election shall be held at the

Tribal Hall

338 Wallace Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon

97420

You can register and vote in person

during this time.

Please reach out to

enrollment@ctclusi.org

to verify your registration is valid

Visit www.ctclusi.org and sign in to

the Citizen Portal to view more details

of the 2026 Tribal Council Election.

Constitutional

Amendment Secretarial Election

Contributed by Lorin Krossman, Enrollment

Specialist & Election Clerk

Tribal Council would like to update you and

provide information on the current efforts to

amend the Tribes Constitution. Our Tribe’s

Constitution is one of the few that have never

been amended since its original final recorded

date of June 23, 1987. This process currently

requires the United States Department of

Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to

facilitate the process called a “Secretarial

Election”. There will be several areas called

“Proposed Constitutional Amendments”

you will be able to vote on.

A Secretarial Election Board will be

established under the BIA to assist with

this Election process; this will allow some

representation from our Tribe.

All CTCLUSI members will be contacted

directly by the BIA. First, you must register

and then the BIA will create and send

those who registered a ballot to vote. The

BIA will also make the final determination

of result of this Election.

Previously, the Tribal Council directed

outreach to membership, held question and

answer forums and collected comments about

various areas of proposed amendments.

Council has worked with legal Counsel

and submitted proposed language for

amendments to the BIA to seek a technical

review and ensure all suggested language

meets legal sufficiency. The BIA brought back

an approval to the request.

We will begin again to provide you with

information through various methods. Please

review these communications when they are

received as we move through this historic

process together.

Please update your information through

the website, www.ctclusi.org or contact

the Enrollment Department at enrollment@

ctclusi.org for more information.

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

February 2026

Join Us in Returning baldija (Gregory Point)

Back to its miluk Name Through Ceremony

baldija - Gregory Point – baldija, baldija, baldija

baldija Naming Ceremony

February 7th at 10:00am

Come join us in returning Gregory Point back to its miluk name

through Ceremony.

Imagine our miluk ancestors gathering for dances at baldija,

facing the ocean in reverence, canoes tied in the trees to avoid

the pounding waves below. For thousands of years or since time

immemorial the miluk people lived on baldija they truly were the

people of the ocean. Shortly before Euro-American contact the

village site was attacked by our southern Athabascan neighbors and

most of its inhabitants were killed at this time. This place became a

place of remembrance, a memorial. When Euro-Americans came

to our lands this is one of the first places they took from the miluk

people. Due to its orientation, the United States felt it was perfect

for a lighthouse so in 1854 the President of the United States

withdrew the lands from public entry. They did this despite the

lands not being owned by the United States as the land had not

yet been ceded under treaty to the United States (of course, as we

know, the treaty of 1855 that would have legally ceded our lands to

the United States was never ratified by congress). Regardless the

United States occupied baldija, renamed it Gregory Point and built

and rebuilt boat houses, crew quarters, keepers quarters, bridges

and lighthouses through the years. This place even though owned

Photo from before the bridge to the island was removed

by the United States continued to be a place of healing and memory

for the people. Eventually through the hard work, perseverance

and dedication of a few of our Tribal Members Gregory Point was

returned to our Tribe in 2013 by the United States Coast Guard.

Many of our Tribal Citizens will recognize this place as Gregory

Point, or as the site where, in recent years, we have practiced

our annual Salmon Ceremony. However, the name baldija was

not lost, only sleeping. Our Linguistic staff

have been working alongside our Language

Committee to bring back the use of these

traditional place names. The surviving

names of these places hold great meaning

for us and for our lands. Please join us on

February 7th for the first of many returning

place-name ceremonies. Together, we will

once again face the ocean in reverence at

baldija.

RSVP to Jesse Beers at 541 297-0748

as transportation will be available from

Tribal Hall.

www.ctclusi.org

February 2026

hanisiich Naming

Ceremony and

First Canoe Pull of

2026

Beginner Friendly!

Contributed by Isaac Dull, Tribal Youth

Engagement Coordinator

hanisiich – the Hollering Place – hanisiich, hanisiich, hanisiich

hanisiich Naming Ceremony

March 7th at 11:00am

Come join us in returning our Empire

property back to its hanis name through

Ceremony.

Every one of our coastal nations seems

to have a main village site that is really

known around the area as the place to

go to trade goods. The trade hub for that

nation. Hanisiich was this for the hanis coos

people. While today many people know

this place as the hollering place, this was

actually on the other side of the bay. This

was the narrowest part of the bay where

people would come in order to holler to the

people of hanisiich to come pick them up.

They would then trade their goods with the

wealthy people of hanisiich. Now that our

Tribe owns land in this area the Language

Committee put forth bringing the name

of hanisiich back to this place. This was

approved by Tribal Council and our Chief,

Doug Barrett will be leading the Naming

Ceremony. Finally on March 7th 2026 we

will return the hanis name of hanisiich to

this place.

RSVP to Jesse Beers at 541 297-0748

as transportation will be available from

Tribal Hall.

hanisiich

First canoe pull of the year!

March 7th

@ Hanisiich, Empire, OR

9:30 am meet at Tribal Hall

10 am canoeing at Hanisiich

11 am Hanisiich Naming Ceremony (see

article)

/2/

continue canoeing after

SVP

We will be meeting at Tribal Hall (338 Wallace St, Coos

Bay, OR 97420) where we will be making a sack lunch

to take with us.

OPEN TO TRIBAL MEMBERS

*Please bring a water bottle!*

Hidden Image Search: Can You Find Me?

In this edition of The Voice of CLUSI there is a hidden image of A

DRAGONFLY exactly like the one pictured here.

It could be any size and on any page, but will look exactly like the one

shown here.

If you find it, email mgaines@ctclusi.org to have your name entered into

a prize drawing. In your email you must include your name, age,

address (for mailing purposes) and contact phone number.

In your email you must also let us know what page and where on

the page you spotted the Dragonfly hiding!

Must email by February 13th to be included in the raffle drawing.

Winners will be notified by phone or email and their name will appear

in an upcoming edition of the Voice of

CLUSI paper. Prizes will vary

and are provided by different

CTCLUSI

Government

departments.

AND FAMILIES

Contact Jesse Beers @

541-297-0748

2026 Cedar Cape Workshop Series

*dates updated*

Hosted by the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians

Join us in community to learn the traditional art of creating cedar bark capes —

from identifying and gathering cedar to making cordage and constructing

finished capes for all genders.

Workshop Series Dates Time & Focus: 10 am - 4 pm

January 17th 2026 – LCC Longhouse

Focus: Cultural teachings, Cape assembling

May – 22nd - Focus: cultural teachings, gathering cedar

(location TBD, date subject to change depending on cedar readyness)

June 20th, 2026 – Coos Bay, Tribal Hall Cedar Bark Cape Workshop

(During Summer Solstice)

Focus: Cultural teachings, Gathering Cedar & processing, making capes

Registration & Contact:

Please RSVP by scanning the code and filling out the attached form

January Snowflake Raffle Winners:

Adult - Tiffany Rose

Youth - Cooper Boccard

The snowflake was hidden on page 14, bottom left photo over the blue

cup on the right side of the table (above the word friendship).

Locations:

Florence Canoe House

Coos Bay Tribal Hall

Eugene Outreach

Questions?

Contact: Alycia Cossey

acossey@ctclusi.org or 541-294-1237

for any questions or assistance with filling out the form

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

February 2026

Trust and Will

Workshop

Free!

‘Trust & Will’

Workshop

Informational

Series

Contributed by Kevin Gillooly, Transitional Housing

Specialist

Have you given any thought to how you’d like

to prepare a “Will or Trust” for your loved ones or

family in the event of your passing? This Spring, in

partnership with The Native American Program of

Legal Aid Services of Oregon (NAPOLS) and Cow

Creek Band Of Umpqua Tribe Of Indians, CTCLUSI

will be offering a free Workshop Series on Trusts and

Wills. The workshop will be led by an expert and an

attorney. Taking these steps can greatly reduce the

stress on your surviving family. This series is for all

ages, including those with young families and children.

Completing a ‘trust or will’ can promote peace of

mind, carry out the wishes of the deceased, assist in

preventing fighting over belongings and help prevent

financial burden and stress for your loved ones.

Some questions that people consider when creating

a trust or will are: Who will have guardianship of

your younger children? What happens if you become

incapacitated? What happens to your financial

savings and real estate? How would you like your

body to be cared for? What is probate and do you

need an executor? You will have an opportunity to

ask questions during the Trust and Will Workshop

Series this coming Spring. This event will be a hybrid

series offered both by zoom and in-person.

CTCLUSI in partnership with Cow Creek Band Of

Umpqua Tribe Of Indians and the Native American

Program of Legal Aid Services of Oregon (NAPOLS),

present an informational free ‘Workshop Series on

Creating Trusts & Wills’. The series is for all adult (ages)

and will include an expert and an attorney as

presenters. A free binder for storing documents will be

given to all participants and this event is intended to

promote general information.

3 WEEK WORKSHOP :

For All (Adult) Ages in the

Tribal Community

Collaborative Event

Trust & Will Attorney and

Expert as Presenters

Hybrid (Zoom) and In Person

Connect with Attorneys and

learn more

REGISTRATION INFORMATION :

RSVP: 541-435-7190 (leave message)

or email: kgillooly@ctclusi.org

March 12, 19, & 26th @ 6p - 7:30p

To RSVP email kgillooly@ctclusi.org

or call 541-435-7190

Eugene Outreach Office | Coos Bay

Tribal Community Center | Online Event

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Power & Control

What

Can

Dating

Abuse

Look

Like?

Emotional & Verbal Abuse

•

Tracking you

•

Putting you down

•

Needing to know who you’re

•

Embarrassing you in public

talking to

•

Threatening you

Monitoring your relationships

•

Telling you what to do/wear

with other people

•

Accusing you of cheating and

•

Controlling where you can be

Internet Abuse

•

Sending threats via text,

social media, or email

•

Stalking or humiliating you on

social media

•

Logging into your social

being jealous of your friends

media or email accounts

Sexual Abuse

Physical Abuse

and when

Financial Abuse

•

Taking your paychecks

Pressuring or forcing you to

•

Hitting

•

Not paying bills

do anything sexual without

•

Punching

•

Preventing you from working

your consent or to

•

Slapping

•

Controlling where and how

watch/create sexual content

•

Kicking

Forcing you to sext

•

Shoving

Restricting access to birth

•

Biting

control

•

Choking

you work

•

Making you buy them things

but not for yourself

•

It is important to know what a healthy

relationship looks like, and what an unhealthy

relationship looks like. A healthy relationship

includes communication, respect, trust, honesty,

and other qualities along this line. An unhealthy

relationship can look like dishonesty, not trusting

each other, trying to take control, spending

time with only each other, and other qualities

that could lead to a repressed or controlled

feeling. An unhealthy relationship can very

easily venture into an abusive relationship,

which is why we want you to know the signs

of an unhealthy relationship. A relationship can

become abusive when things like mistreatment,

isolation, belittling, threatening or causing

physical violence, damaging your property, and

other qualities that could make you fear them

enter the relationship.

This month is Teen Dating

Violence Awareness Month. We

highly encourage teaching youth

what a healthy, unhealthy, and

abusive relationship can look like.

If you or a loved one are

experiencing domestic violence,

please reach out to

the Circles of Healing team.

We are here to help.

To reach a confidential

Advocate, call 541-294-8624.

www.ctclusi.org

February 2026

Oregon Tribal Student Grant

Funding is now available for undergraduate and graduate student college

costs for enrolled members of:

• Burns Paiute Tribe

• Confederated Tribes of Siletz

• Confederated Tribes of Coos,

Indians

Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw

• Confederated Tribes of the

Indians

Umatilla Indian Reservation

• Confederated Tribes of Grand • Confederated Tribes of Warm

Ronde

Springs

• Coquille Indian Tribe

• Cow Creek Band of

Umpqua Tribe of Indians

• Klamath Tribes

Eligibility

Awards

The Oregon Tribal Student Grant is available to new

and existing students. Eligibility requirements are:

The Oregon Tribal Student Grant is expected to pay for

most or all public college-related expenses not covered by other grants for students pursuing their first

Associate, Bachelor’s, or Graduate degree. Award

amounts will vary depending on where the student

attends school and the degree pursuing.

•

Must be an enrolled member of an Oregon federally

recognized tribe

Enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an Oregon

college or university

Working towards earning first

associate, bachelor’s or graduate

degree

Application

•

Complete a grant

application

Submit a Free Ap-plication

for Federal Student Aid

(FAFSA) or the Oregon

Student Aid Application

(ORSAA)

See website for additional

information

Funding is available for the 2022-2023 academic year for

undergraduate and graduate students. Grant renewal is

dependent on funding being allocated for the 2023-2024

academic year by the Oregon State Legislature.

Undergraduate Public Colleges or

Universities:

Award will be calculated based on the

Average Cost of Attendance (COA)

reduced by the amount of state/

federal grants and scholarships

Undergraduate Private

Universities:

Award will be calculated

based on the average COA

at the highest cost public

university reduced by the

amount of state/federal

grants and scholarships

Undergraduate Other

Private Institutions:

Award will be calculated based on

the average COA at the highest cost

public community college reduced by

the amount of state/federal grants and

scholarships

Graduate Student Awards:

Award will be calculated based on the average undergraduate COA at the highest cost public institution reduced by the

amount of state/federal grants and scholarships

Award amounts cannot exceed the student’s actual cost of

attendance.

Additional information

can be found on our website:

OregonStudentAid.gov/Oregon-Tribal-Student.aspx

Tribal Council

Regular and Business

Meeting Dates

Regular Council Meeting - 2/8/26

Business Council Meeting - 2/25/26

Regular Council Meeting - 3/8/26

Business Council Meeting - 3/25/26

Regular Council Meeting - 4/12/26

General Council Meeting - 4/12/26

Regular Council Meeting - 5/11/26

Business Council Meeting - 5/27/26

Regular Council Meeting - 6/14/26

Business Council Meeting - 6/24/26

Regular Council Meeting - 7/12/26

Business Council Meeting - 7/29/26

Regular Council Meeting - 8/9/26

Business Council Meeting - 8/26/26

Regular Council Meeting - 9/13/26

Business Council Meeting - 9/30/26

Regular Council Meeting - 10/11/26

General Council Meeting - 10/11/26

Regular Council Meeting - 11/8/26

Business Council Meeting - 11/24/26

Regular Council Meeting - 12/13/26

Business Council Meeting - 12/30/26

Regular Meetings Start at 10:00 a.m.

Business Meetings Start at 6:00 p.m.

General Meetings Start at 1:00 p.m.

CTCLUSI Community Center

338 Wallace Avenue,

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Join by Zoom link by logging in to the

Citizen Portal of www.ctclusi.org

Full list of Tribal Council Regular and

Business Meetings available in the Citizen

Portal

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

February 2026

qwǝle’es biinats’, tqalis biinats, tsiitiixa chiin

The Sun Returns

Contributed by Alycia Cossey, Culture Stewarship Associate

From December 19–22, tribal members and families

gathered to welcome the return of the light during

the Winter Solstice Celebration and Ceremony. Over

three days, community members spent time together

in ways that nourished connection, learning, and

presence. Activities included beading, making bull

kelp rattles, working with and processing cedar,

sharing meals, participating in sweats, gathering

in the plankhouse, language, and sharing stories,

songs, and dances.

Youth played an active role throughout the

gathering. Some learned how to build a sweat fire,

including identifying which types of wood are used

at different stages, while others helped prepare

meals alongside this

year’s

lead

cook,

“many reflected

Kyle Gaines. These

on the feeling

moments

offered

hands-on

learning

of simply being

and opportunities to

together—

support the collective

unhurried,

in meaningful ways.

More than any single

grounded, and at

activity, many reflected

peace”

on the feeling of simply

being

together—

unhurried, grounded, and at peace. The gathering

created space to be fully present with one another

and with the season, honoring the quiet turning point

of the year as the days begin to lengthen.

The Winter Solstice gathering and Ceremony

served as a reminder of the importance of slowing

down, sharing space, and reconnecting with one

another, our ancestors, the land, and our animal

relatives as the sun returns.

Tribal Community Center

Friday, February 20th

5:00pm Doors open

5:30pm Dinner

6:00pm Storytelling

seventh annual

UPCOMING EVENTS

CULTURAL-DCNR

Winter 2025 - Summer 2026

February 7th

baldija (temp name Gregory Point) Coos Bay

basaq’ / hechj’ / haɬk’

(WINTER STORYTELLING!)

Join us for a traditional meal & winter storytelling!

March 7th

hanisiich renaming Ceremony (Coos Bay)

April 18th & 19th

invasives removal + planting dahai, daha, chiiyuusan

May 22nd

medicines, basketry, and Cedar gathering

June 5th

Maple Bark Gathering/processing

June 19th - 21st

Summer Solstice + Cedar Bark Cape Workshop

July 27th

tkimiya naming Ceremony

RSVP by Monday, February 16th (541) 435-7155

Sponsored by the Tribal Cultural Coalition and Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians

Questions?

email Alycia Cossey- acossey@ctclusi.org

February 2026

www.ctclusi.org

Hands-On

After School

Program

at Tribal Hall

3pm-5pm

Monday - Thurs day

Mon & Wed :

Homework help

& Tutoring

CTCLUSI Scholarship

Applications Open

Now!

Scan the QR Code with your

smart phone or visit

https://ctclusi.org/scholarships/

Tue & Thu :

Experiential

Learning

Scan the QR

code below or

ctclusi.org/

after-school-program

Questions?

Please contact:

education@ctclusi.org 541-888-1314

to apply online today!

Cultural

Event Interest

Questionnaire

- For CTCLUSI Tribal

Members & Families

The Department of Culture and Natural Resources

(DCNR) Culture Sector would like to hear about

current community interests to make sure our

programs and offerings are aligned with what our

tribal community is wanting and needing at this

time.

Please take a minute to fill out this form individually

or as a family.

k’ele nəluwehe, luuwii niluwechise, hiisəch hai

(with a good heart)

Scan the QR Code below or visit

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QDZPKPS

to fill out the survey today!

Coming Soon

Spring

Equinox

Household Kits for Tribal Families

Be on the lookout

for a TEXT with the

Application Link

or check online at

www.ctclusi.org

All Tribal Households

are eligible to sign up!

(at least one member of

your household must be an

enrolled CTCLUSI Tribal

member)

ALL KITS WILL CONTAIN THE SAME CONTENTS

Kits are designed for multigenerational households

and will include items/activities for all ages.

SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED!

Kits will be given out on a

first come, first served

basis, while supplies last.