# NEWS FROM THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF COOS, LOWER UMPQUA & SIUSLAW INDIANS (2026) > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aconfederated_clusi%3Aa1add75a4095c31d ## Record - **Collection:** Tribal code - **Document type:** Tribal code ## Text The Voice of CLUSI April 2026 Issue 4 Volume 27 www.ctclusi.org NEWS FROM THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF COOS, LOWER UMPQUA & SIUSLAW INDIANS CTCLUSI Joins the Nine Tribes of Oregon for Legislative Government Day at State Capitol Chief Doug Barrett, Tribal Council Member and LCIS Representative Julie Siestreem, along with Cultural Stewardship Manager Jesse Beers attended and showcased our continued strength thru demonstration and cultural displays at the annual LCIS Nine Tribes of Oregon Legislative Government Day Contributed by Julie Siestreem, Council Position #3 The Confederated Tribes of Coos Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) Chief Doug Barrett, Tribal Council Member and Legislative Commission on Indian Services (LCIS) Representative Julie Siestreem and, Cultural Stewardship Manager Jesse Beers attended and participated in the annual LCIS Nine Tribes of Oregon Legislative Government Day March 2, 2026, in the Oregon State Capital Building. Secretary of the Senate Obie Rutledge’s office organized the Invocation to be given to the Senate. Primary contact was Bonnie Allen, Senate Reading Clerk. Carol Suzuki, Deputy Chief of Staff for the Senate, and President Rob Wagner helped as well. Chief Doug Barrett and Council Member Julie Siestreem participated in a shared Invocation with Grand Ronde Council Member Jon George. Chief Doug Barrett used a clacker stick, Council Member Jon George used a drum, and Council Member Julie Siestreem used a rattle as they sang a Grand Ronde prayer song chosen and led by Council Member Jon George. Cultural Stewardship Manager Jesse Beers tabled a presentation of cultural items from the CTCLUSI archives. Jesse also included recently created language books and dictionaries. Jesse engaged in conversations with children, parents and adult visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. sharing information about our tribal cultural practices, languages and history. We were all fortunate to see Sara Siestreem’s etched glass artwork installation on the entryway stairwell and read her words explaining why she chose the assorted Basket Pattern designs. “In the 1850’s attempted genocide violently interrupted Tribal material culture, The physical objects: tools, clothing, and art were erased from our memory and in many cases destroyed. I center my research on reclamation of our basket pattern traditions in both meaning and form. All world cultures practice some variety of hardedge geometric abstraction made possible through the matrix of the woven object. When you are on this land mass those traditions are part of the Indigenous people’s intellectual property and should be understood as unique to that particular culture.” We were thankful for the kind and respectful engagement with the LCIS Executive Director Patrick Flanagon, LCIS Commission Assistant Adrienne Fischer and LCIS State Physical Anthropologist Dr. Ellissa Bullion throughout the day’s activities. Sara Siestreems etched glass art installation at the Capital Building Save the Dates: Tribal Council Election Day: April 12, 2026 Secretarial Election Timeline Updates See page 5 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 2 THE VOICE OF CLUSI Tribal Council Business April 2026 Activity of Elected Tribal Council Members from February 8, 2026 - March 8, 2026 Chief Doug Barrett: 02/08 Tribal Council Regular Meeting 02/09 DOC/Tribal Advisory Committee Meeting, Sea Otter Recovery Tribal Engagement Meeting 02/11 Noble Creek Hatchery visit, Lane ACT Monthly meeting 02/12 maniis tei hap’ mini canoe Planning Meeting, Elders Lunch, Culture Committee Monthly Meeting 02/17 Representative Val Hoyle in person meeting on Coquille MOU 02/18 Culture interviews in Coos Bay, MHA/ LADPC Monthly meeting 02/19 Leaders Circle 02/20 Winter Storytelling Event 2026 02/22 Painted Horse, Chief Barrett, Recovery Center Anniversary 02/23 NAAC – OYA Monthly Meeting 02/24 NARA NW Monthly Meeting 02/25 GFORB – Tribal Council Business Meeting 02/28 Education Department, Round One Arcade in Eugene 03/02 Tribal Government Day at the Capital building in Salem, Teresa’s Retirement Gathering 03/05 Leaders Circle 03/07 Feather Dance on the beach in Lincoln City 03/08 Tribal Council Regular Meeting Total Hours: 147 Chair Brad Kneaper: 02/08 Regular Tribal Council Meeting 02/13 ZOOM Meeting with REDW, Finance, CEO Legal and Planning regarding Request for Proposal (RFP) for future financial planning strategies. ZOOM Meeting Debrief following above meeting. ZOOM Meeting with Mapetsi, Dept Cultural and Natural Resources, and Planning Pre-meeting regarding for 2/17/26 meeting with Representative Val Hoyle 02/17 In Person meeting with Representative Val Hoyle at Three Rivers Casino regarding Coquille Tribe Land Bill 02/19 Leader’s Circle: Meet with Eugene City Planner and staff: introductions; Canoe Journey Discussions; Secretarial Election discussion. 02/21 CTCLUSI Tribal Employee Praise Dinner. (Funded by voluntary employee Praise donations) (No mileage or other Tribal Expense for my attendance) 02/23 Meet with CEO, Legal, and Mapetsi (our Federal Lobbyists), follow-up to Representative Hoyle meeting on 2/17) 02/25 Gaming Facility Operational Review Board (GFORB). Meet with CEO and Staff, updates. Tribal Council Business Meeting. 03/02 Attended Retirement Gathering for Vice Chair Spangler, retired from Three Rivers Casino with 20 years 03/05 Leader’s Circle: Review Restoration Project Videos (X3) for approval; Planner review Education building redesign; Secretarial Election updates Total Hours: 151 Vice Chair Teresa Spangler: 02/08 Regular Council meeting 02/17 Meeting with Rep Val Hoyle 02/19 Leaders Circle 02/20 Winter Story Telling 02/21 Praise Annual Staff Dinner 02/25 Business Council Meeting Total Hours: 65 Debbie Bossley 02/17 Meeting with Rep Val Hoyle 02/19 Leaders Circle 02/21 Praise Annual Staff Dinner 02/25 Tribal Council Business Meeting 03/05 Leaders Circle 03/08 Tribal Council Regular Meeting 03/10 Meeting w/Merkley & Wyden Staffers Total Hours: 50 Julie Siestreem 02/08 Smudge Ceremony Three Rivers Casino Coos Bay Oregon Chief Barrett, Vice Chair Spangler, Site Manager Chuck Baker and, myself 02/09 Tribal Council Regular Council Regular Monthly meeting Community Center 02/10 4j Natives Program IPC meeting Josh Davies Eugene Oregon 02/11 4j Natives Program Culture night Josh Davies Eugene Oregon 02/12 Elders Luncheon Three Rivers Casino 02/17 Special Meeting Tribal Council with US Representative Val Hoyle Three Rivers Casino Florence Oregon 02/19 Tribal Council Leaders Circle meeting Community Center Coos Bay Oregon 02/20 7th Annual (Winter Story Telling) basaq/ hecht/hatk Sponsored by the Cultural Coalition Community Center Coos Bay 02/21 PRAISE Annual Employee Dinner and Recognition gathering Kokwell Casino Resort Salmon Room North Bend Oregon 02/24 Education Committee meeting zoom 02/25 Gaming Facility Organizational Review Board Regular Business monthly meeting Three Rivers Casino Florence 02/25 Tribal Council General Council Regular Business monthly meeting Three Rivers Casino Florence Oregon 03/02 Legislative Commission on Indian Services Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon Tribal Government Legislative Day Capital Building Salem Oregon Chief Doug Barrett, Cultural Stewardship Manager Jesse Beers and, myself 03/05 Tribal Council Leaders Circle Community Center Coos Bay Oregon 03/08 Tribal Council General Council Regular Monthly meeting Community Center Total Hours: 130 Iliana Montiel 02/08 Tribal Council Regular Meeting 02/17 Meeting with Rep Hoyle 02/19 Leaders Circle 02/25 Tribal Council Business Meeting (via Zoom) 03/05 Leaders Circle Total Hours: 25 Ashley Russell 02/17 Meeting with Rep Hoyle 02/18 Reviewed Leader’s Circle Packet 02/19 Leader’s Circle 02/21 Praise Annual Employee Dinner 02/24 Reviewed Business Meeting Packet 02/25 Business Meeting 03/04 Reviewed Leader’s Circle Packet 03/05 Leader’s Circle Meeting 03/07 Reviewed Regular Meeting Packet 03/08 Tribal Council Meeting 03/10 Meeting with Senator Merkley’s Southern Oregon Field Representative, Dahna Black Total Hours: 60.75 Tribal Council Upcoming Dates Tribal Council Election Day - April 12th Regular Council Meeting April 12th at 10:00 a.m. General Council Meeting April 12th at 1:00 p.m. UPDATED DATE Secretarial Election Day April 28th Regular Council Meeting May 11th at 10:00 a.m. Regular Council Meeting June 14th at 10:00 a.m. Regular Council Meeting July 12th at 10:00 a.m. Regular Council Meeting August 9th at 10:00 a.m. Regular Council Meeting September 13, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Regular Council Meeting October 11th at 10:00 a.m. General Council Meeting October 11th 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 avaialbe in the Citizen Portal www.ctclusi.org April 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. 3 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 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 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 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 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 Elders Activities Barbara Black, Tribal Navigator/ Community Health Aide 1245 Fulton Ave. Coos Bay, OR 97420 Phone 541-888-7532 bblack@ctclusi.org Three Rivers Behavioral Health 250 Hull Street 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 Dept. of Human Resources 1245 Fulton Avenue Coos Bay, OR 97420 Phone: 541-888-7508 Fax: 541-897-9881 recruitment@ctclusihr.org 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 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 Forestry Department Tyler Slyter, Director 1245 Fulton Avenue Coos Bay, OR 97420 Phone 541-888-1311 tslyter@ctclusi.org 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 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 bdubray@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 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 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 Cultural Coalition Committee 1. Enna Helms 2. Cynthia Hovind 3. Pam Stoehlser 4. VACANT 5. VACANT Culture Committee Jesse Beers, Cultural Stewardship Manager Phone 541-997-6685 jbeers@ctclusi.org 1245 Fulton Avenue Coos Bay, OR 97420 Enrollment Committee 1. Earla Kirk 2. VACANT 3. Alyssa Lydick 4. Nicole Romine 5. Michael Brainard 6. Patricia Whereat-Phillips - Chair 7. VACANT 1. Courtney Krossman 2. Patricia Whereat-Phillips 3. Skip Brainard 4. Vicki Faciane - Chair 5. Teresa Spangler 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 Housing Committee 1. VACANT 2. Dan Krossman 3. Enna Helms 4. Tyler Slyter - Chair 5. Melinda Sprague 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 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 All committee members with an expired term have been notified and are encouraged to submit a letter of interest for reappointment. If you wish to no longer participate as an active member, please send an email to enrollment@ctclusi.org Interested in being on a committee? Submit a letter of interest (can be found on the Enrollment page on the Tribal website). 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 April 12, 2026 Tribal Council Election Day Regular Meeting 10:00 a.m. General Council Meeting 1:00 p.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 4 THE VOICE OF CLUSI April 2026 Council Corner Greetings everyone. I hope all are safe and well. I wanted to touch on a couple of things that are happening around the Tribe and the State of Oregon. First thing, there is a group in Oregon gathering signatures to get an Initiative on the November ballot in Oregon. IP 28, also known as the PEACE Act, would ban hunting and fishing within the State of Oregon, as well as other activities related to raising livestock. This group has twice attempted to get similar initiatives on the ballot. This year, they are close to having the signatures required to get it on the ballot. There are numerous articles and news reports which seem to confirm that it would ban hunting and fishing. I have forwarded this to our attorney for clarification and to develop recommendation for a Tribal response. Reading the draft initiative, it appears to remove exceptions from the existing animal cruelty laws for (among other things) “Lawful Fishing, Hunting and Trapping.” I am opposed to any law that would take the ability to Hunt and Fish responsibly from our citizens. If passed, it would have a disastrous effect on our ability to engage in our inherent right to sustenance hunting and fishing as our people have done for thousands of years. This may also affect our ability to receive even hatchery salmon for our ceremonies and cultural practices. This could result in Oregon farmers and ranchers going out of business and remove those sources of protein and dairy products, necessitating out of state sources, greatly increasing costs for consumers. Given the importance of hunting and fishing to the Tribe, I will continue to closely monitor this and will recommend that the Tribe take action to protect the rights of the Tribal membership. As you are probably aware, the BIA will be conducting a Secretarial Election for our Tribe for membership to vote on proposed Constitutional Amendments. This is the first time since its adoption that any amendments have been proposed to the Constitution. These amendments propose changes to a number of areas, including enrollment, tribal council qualification, Chairman Brad Kneaper and BIA’s role in future amendment elections. By now, you should have received from the BIA a registration form that was sent to everyone 18 years and older to vote on the proposed amendments. I hope that everyone registered to vote. It is your right to consider and vote in all elections and I hope that you exercise that right. Please vote! In the meantime, be safe and well! Resolution Summaries Number 26-034 26-035 26-036 26-037 26-038 26-039 26-040 26-041 26-042 26-043 26-044 26-045 Date Subject/Title 02/25/2026 Approval to Purchase Tribal Police Vehicle 02/25/2026 Approval of Oregon Health Authority Healthy Fish Consumption Program Funding 02/25/2026 Professional Services Agreement 02/25/2026 Change order #4 to approve 2026 Scope of Work for Final Phase of Construction at haich ikt’at’uu (formerly Waite Ranch) 02/25/2026 Lease Agreement with Pitney Bowes and Tribal Council Approval Thereof 02/25/2026 Practice Agreement with Delta Dental and Tribal Council Approval Thereof 02/25/2026 Participating Insurance Provider Agreement (TRHC) 02/25/2026 Designation of TRC Distribution 02/25/2026 Euna Solutions Order 02/25/2026 Approval to Submit DOT BUILD Grant Application 02/25/2026 Donation Acquisition of Property 02/25/2026 TRC Furniture Purchase Hidden Image Search: Vote 6-0-0 5-0-1 6-0-0 5-0-1 6-0-0 6-0-1 6-0-1 6-0-1 7-0-0 7-0-0 7-0-0 5-0-1 If You Need to Talk, the 988 Lifeline is Here At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life’s challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you’re facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone. The 988 Lifeline is for everyone. Through the 988 Lifeline, you have access to free, quality, one-on-one assistance. Skilled, judgment-free counselors provide compassionate support. You deserve to feel heard and cared about anytime, anywhere, 24/7/365. Learn more online at https://988lifeline.org/ Dial or Text 988 Can You Find Me? In this edition of The Voice of CLUSI there is a hidden image of an Arrow 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 ARROW hiding! Must email by April 15th 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. Thank you to all of the Tribal Government Departments that donate raffle prizes! Thank you to everyone for playing, and for your patience as the raffle prizes for the winners are mailed out. Questiosn? Contact mgaines@ctclusi.org March Trillium Raffle Winners: Adult - Beth Hager Youth - Myrtle Gaines The trillium flower was hidden on page 10, in the top right hand photo of Miss Congeniality’s bouquet. www.ctclusi.org April 2026 Tribal Council Election Process TRIBAL COUNCIL ELECTION CANDIATES April 12, 2026 – FINAL All Registered Voters having Signature Cards on file shall be mailed a ballot after the closing date for filing but no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled election date. For Positions #2, #4 and #6 POSITION NUMBER Position #2 Position #2 Position #2 CANDIDATE Brad Kneaper - Incumbent Sarah Marical Howard Roy Position #4 Position #4 Position #4 Teresa Spangler - Incumbent Tyler Slyter Jack Garcia Position #6 Position #6 Debbie Bossley - Incumbent Justin Krossman 5 Mailed ballots received by the date the scheduled election is held shall be counted in the vote tabulation. The independent third party, as outlined in CLUSITC 7-3-25 (e)(1), will assist the Election Board on Election Day. Election Day: April 12, 2026 CANDIDATE FORUM INFORMATION The Election Day voting hours shall be from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday March 21, 2026 Event Time - 12:30 p.m. (Light lunch served at 12:00 noon) The election shall be held at the CTCLUSI Tribal Hall, 338 Wallace Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420 YOU MUST BE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN ANY ELECTION You can register and vote in person on Election Day during Voting Hours. 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. Location in Person: The Community Center in Coos Bay. Virtual: A Zoom link will be provided. (Only registered voters will be sent a ballot) April 12, 2026 is Election Day Voting hours shall be from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Election shall be held at the No write-in candidate will be allowed. Any ballot containing a write-in candidate will be disqualified as to the position for which a write-in vote was made. 338 Wallace Ave, 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 under Election for more details of the 2026 Tribal Council Election. Please reach out to enrollment@ctclusi.org to verify your registration is valid, or should you have any questions about the election process. Tribal Hall 2nd NOTICE – REVISED Secretarial Election For Constitutional Amendments APRIL 28, 2026 – Secretarial Election Day Tribal Hall 338 Wallace Ave. Coos Bay, OR 97420 A Secretarial Election facilitated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Secretarial Election Board to amend the Constitution of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. You will be receiving a letter from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) with a corrected Registration packet explaining to you about a technical error that occurred causing changes to the color of text to some areas of the document BIA sent and the corrective measures the Secretarial Election Board took to remedy this error. This error was created by a technical glitch from the software used by the vendor from the BIA in which no words were changed in the documents, only colors were transposed in areas of blue and red text. All information from the Tribe has been consistent. Questions about the Secretarial Election Process can be directed to SecretarialElectionBoard@ctclusi.org Secretarial Election Dates are Hereby Revised • March 30, 2026. Voter Registration Deadline • April 2, 2026. Voter Registration Deadline Challenge • April 3, 2026. Ballot Mailout for Registered Voters • April 28, 2026. ELECTION DAY • May 3, 2026. Deadline, Election Results Challenge Ballot Drop Off ONLY – 12:00p.m. – 4:00 p.m. NO IN PERSON VOTING A Secretarial Election is a Federal Election by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Secretarial Election Board to amend the Constitution of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. 6 THE VOICE OF CLUSI April 2026 FORESTRY OUTREACH NIGHT Join the Forestry Team to learn about our Forest Management Plan Forest Products Use Permits Current & Future Projects THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026 5:30 - 7:00 P.M. CTCLUSI COMMUNITY CENTER 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) RSVPs encouraged aabarca@ctclusi.org (541) 435-7194 Scan the QR Code below or visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ QDZPKPS Remote participation welcome! Teams Meeting ID: 222 055 971 017 42 Teams Passcode: Kq3RW6ne to fill out the survey today! Open to CTCLUSI Tribal Members and Government Employees Make Parenting a Pleasure Free Parenting Workshop Series via Zoom! 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) May 12th to June 16th Tuesdays 6pm-8pm June 20th, 2026 – Coos Bay, Tribal Hall Cedar Bark Cape Workshop (During Summer Solstice) Focus: Cultural teachings, Gathering Cedar & processing, making capes į Registration & Contact: Please RSVP by scanning the code and filling out the attached form Sponsored by the CLUSI Social Services Dept. & In Partnership with the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians & the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians  Locations: Florence Canoe House Coos Bay Tribal Hall Eugene Outreach Please RSVP Shayne Platz 541-297-3450 or Nichole Benner 541-888-9577 Questions? Contact: Alycia Cossey acossey@ctclusi.org or 541-294-1237 for any questions or assistance with filling out the form www.ctclusi.org April 2026 GATHERING TRIPS FOR BARKS, WEAVING & MEDICINES For CTCLUSI Tribal Families May 22nd (Cedar Bark focused) June 5th (Maple Bark focused) *Gathering trips are subject to change based on location and season. For the most up-to-date information, please RSVP by email or phone. Once you RSVP, we’ll add you to our outreach list and send a reminder text with confirmed details for each gathering trip three days in advance. Snacks and lunch will be provided* RSVP for detailed information Contact: Alycia Cossey, DCNR, Cultural Stewardship Associate acossey@ctclusi.org or Call: (541) 294-1237 7 Tribal Citizen John Schaefer Returns to Department of Culture and Natural Resources Contributed by Ashley Russell, Director DCNR I am pleased to share that John Schaefer has returned to the Culture and Natural Resources Department. John is a Hanis Coos Tribal member and Elder who worked for the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians from 2005 to 2023 as a Water Quality Specialist and Biologist. After taking a twoyear hiatus to care for family, he has returned to resume his work with the department. In his role, John will be leading the Tribe’s Air Monitoring Program while also assisting with water quality monitoring, the Big Canoe Program, and the Tribe’s Native Plant Nursery. John holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a marine emphasis from Oregon State University. Prior to working for the Tribe, he spent 10 years with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as a Shellfish Biologist and Research Diver in the Charleston office. Over the years, John has helped locate and reestablish several rare and culturally significant plants in our area, including giant chain fern, native cranberry, wapato (Indian potato), and viable seeds of our sacred tobacco that had long been thought to be extinct. He has extensive knowledge of the plants, animals, and ecosystems of the Oregon coast. Outside of work, John is an avid first foods forager with interests in horticulture and mycology. He also teaches mushroom identification each fall at the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. Please join me in welcoming John back to the Tribe. John Schaefer pictured below during lingcod fishing trip A T T E N T I O N ! We Want to Hear From You! We are looking at overhauling our website ctclusi.org and would love your feedback on how we can improve the website user experience, and any changes or features you would like to see. Please share any recommendations or requests by emailing news@ctclusi.org or contact 541-435-7175. 8 THE VOICE OF CLUSI OSU Extension Service | New Beginnings for Tribal Students New Beginnings for Tribal Students (NBTS) Collaborative Gatherings CTCLUSI members, families, and community partners are warmly invited to join us for an evening of connection, conversation, and shared learning. NBTS program leaders will share updates about the program, listen to community experiences with education, and gather input to help guide our work supporting Tribal and Indigenous youth and students. All ages are welcome What to expect: Dinner and refreshments Games and prizes Community conversation and storytelling Space for our youth, families, and Elders Have fun, reflect, and build community Dates & Location: April 3rd in Coos Bay, 5:30-7:30 pm at the Tribal Hall 338 Wallace St., Coos Bay, 97420 April 10th in Eugene, 6-8 pm at the Lane Community College Longhouse Longhouse BLD 31 4000 East 30th Avenue Eugene, 97405 Childcare available upon request RSVP here: scan the QR Code, or visit Connect with US: beav.es/qXs Erika Carrillo-Program Coordinator erika.carrillo@oregonstate.edu Jesse Beers-CTCLUSI Cultural Stewardship Manager jbeers@ctclusi.org Jemiah Wassman- CTCLUSI Director of Education jwassman@ctclusi.org The USDA/NIFA funds this program In partnership with: Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences OSU Extension Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs, services, activities and materials. This publication will be made available in an accessible alternative format upon request. Please contact Erika Carrillo erika.carrillo@oregonstate.edu Apply for CTCLUSI Tribal Scholarships Today by scanning the QR Code at right or going online to www.ctclusi.org/ education/ April 2026 www.ctclusi.org April 2026 9 Education Department Bring Education Outreach Advocate Cheri Moos On Full Time Contributed by Jemiah Wassman, Education Director I’m pleased to share that Cheri Moos has officially joined the CTCLUSI Education Department as our Education Outreach Advocate as a full-time staff member. This position is fully supported through the Empowerment, Prevention, and Sustainability grant funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Many of you already know Cheri through the work she has been doing with our team over the past year and a half as a contractor supporting Tribal students in local school districts and through the after-school program. During that time, she has built strong relationships with students, families, school staff, and community partners while helping us strengthen our presence in the K–12 education system. Through her work in the schools, Cheri has helped: • Support Tribal students with advocacy and guidance within school systems • Build positive relationships with teachers, counselors, and administrators • Connect students and families with Education Department resources • Support cultural connection and representation for our students in school environments • Help us better understand the day-to-day needs and barriers our students face in the classroom As Education Outreach Advocate, Cheri will continue strengthening our relationships with local school districts while supporting CTCLUSI students across the K–12 system. Her work will focus on helping students and families navigate school systems, supporting academic success and engagement, coordinating with school partners, and helping expand culturally grounded educational opportunities for our youth. This role will also be an important part of our broader efforts to strengthen outreach to Tribal students, support the implementation of Tribal History/Shared History work in schools, and help ensure our students have the support they need to thrive academically and culturally. Please join me in welcoming Cheri into this role and in supporting the important work she will continue doing on behalf of our students and families. Spring Language Classes 2026 CTCLUSI Tribal Families and Households are invited to join us for Spring Language Classes. March 31st through June 2nd Last class for all languages Tuesday, June 2nd Chapter 7-5 GENERAL COMMITTEE CODE 7-5-1; General Policy; Committees are established to assist the Tribal Council in carrying out its responsibilities, to provide quality services to the Tribal membership and to develop, maintain and protect the assets and interests of the Tribes. Tuesdays, 4:00-6:00 pm: miluk Wednesdays, 4:00-6:00 pm: hanis QRC for Language Class Fridays, 4:00-6:00 pm: wa’as Sign Up ✔ High Schoolers: Earn your Seal of Biliteracy ✔ College Students: Complete your Language Requirement ✔ Classes are fun, engaging, and open to Tribal member household! Contact: language@ctclusi.org (541) 888-1303 -the Language Team CLAS SES G R O AM R P S ’ SPRING LITTLE LANGUAGE dai chil sla, shi WHERE: VIRTUAL ON ZOOM ALL 3 LANGUAGES: sla n dai , nii s hmanii. hachii c FOR AGES: FOR AGES: 0-5 0-5 REGISTER: SCAN THE QRC TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES OR GO TO: HTTPS://LASERFICHE.CTCLUSI.ORG/F ORMS/LANGUAGE-CLASS-SIGN-UP This program will be geared towards 05 year olds with parental support on zoom. If you are interested in joining class or would like more details please see the contact information below. If you are unable to make class times we have material and support available and would love to connect. Tribal Committee appointments are made by Tribal Council and are for a four (4) year term. Tribal Code allows for you to be on no more than three (3) committees at a time and you may only server two (2) terms, unless special consideration is necessary. You must complete a Letter of Interest Form to be considered by the Tribal Council. Below is a list of Tribal Committees: Budget Committee Culture Committee Cultural Coalition Committee Education Committee Elders Committee Election Board CTCLUSI Tribal Families and miluk, hanis, Households are invited to join us as sha’yuushtɬ’a uɬ quuiich we continue our Littles Language Program this spring. WHEN: SATURDAY 9:OO - 10:OOAM Join a Tribal Committee Enrollment Committee DATES: Housing Committee April 4 April 11 April 18 April 25 May 2 May 9 May 16 May 23 May 30 Language Committee CONTACT: language@ctclusi.org (541) 888-1303 - the Language Team Visions Committee Letters of Interest forms can be found on the Tribes’ website: www.ctclusi.org. Questions? If you would like to know any further details, please contact: Lorin Krossman by email, enrollment@ctclusi.org or call 541-435-7178 10 THE VOICE OF CLUSI April 2026 Commercial Tobacco Prevention Program Review of 2025 dai, chil sla, Nicole sinsanuu, miluk coos k’a’uu, (Hello, all cousins, Nicole I am called, I am a miluk coos person) Nicole Romine, Tribal Tobacco Prevention Program Specialist II. In my position, I get the opportunity to engage tribal families and our wider community to educate and advocate for our Traditional Tobacco and Culture Is Prevention Programming. The program is geared toward tribal membership and tribal families to create opportunities to engage in culture and provide space for drug, alcohol and commercial tobacco free activities. I enjoy being able to support the community and I appreciate the aspects of my position that allow me to cultivate and grow the Sacred Tobacco that has been utilized by our ancestors since time immemorial and the extraordinary opportunity to gift the Tobacco back to the people and lands its inhabited for thousands of years. I get to work with a relatively understudied and unknown species of Tobacco-dahai (m), daha (h), and chiiyuusan (s.q), Columbian Tobacco (Nicotiana quadrivalvis var. mutlivalvis) and share that knowledge. I have been asked to explain my job and its many facets for the last 3 years, yet I have still not been able to articulate the impact this position has in the indigenous communities or the personal growth this position has provided me, and I am eternally grateful for this opportunity. If you would like Tobacco leaves, seeds, or starts please reach out to Nicole Romine at nromine@ctclusi.org or 541-294-9341 for more information. Tobacco Program Highlights for 2025 • • Hands of Harvest Voucher Food Accessibility Program with the Coos Bay Farmer’s Market 150 Families received vouchers and overall, 423 persons benefited from the program. This program was open from May 2025 to late October 2025, and a few generous market vendors donated food items toward a couple of Elder’s Luncheons, Summer Solstice Ceremony, Fresh Air Camp, Language Camp and the Local Rivers Canoe Journey this summer. The Fresh Air Day camp youth had an excursion to the Famer’s Market to enjoy purchasing a few items and engaging the community resources available. Please look for more information about the program in the April Newsletter. Glass Float Hunt, Narcan Training and Beach Cleanup Day which had 53 attendees and we ran out of Narcan kits to distribute. This year’s event is scheduled for the first weekend in May 2026. Please watch the April newsletter for more information. If you are interested in receiving Narcan, please reach out to the CTCLUSI Police Department or Social Services. • • • • Float Hunt 2025, Florence, Oregon • • • Pumpkin Patch and Prevention in Coos Bay featured Upper Coos River stories told by Patty Whereat-Phillips and a pumpkin harvest at Mahaffy Ranch with 55 people attending. Pumpkin Patch in Eugene at Putter’s Pizza and pumpkin harvest at Thistledown Farms and had 45 people in attendance. Haunted Halloween and Prevention Event had a prize table, games, candy apple station, zombie cake walk, cookie decoration, and more with a total of 83 people in attendance this year. Thank you to all the families willing to travel in the storm that night. Pictured at right: The Haunted Halloween and Prevention Event saw lots of creative costumes including the Pitch Lady from some of our own Tribal lore • • Canoe Pull Munsel Lake and Tobacco Starts Gifting Tobacco Planting and Invasive Species Removal at Tribal Hall Earth Day Community Outreach and Invasive Species Removal with Coos Watershed at Empire Lakes. Presented at the Oregon Suicide Prevention Conference to highlight the Sources of Strength Training and edits to include cultural practices and programming. The Sources of Strength Training is an upstream prevention geared program to teach youth and adults to recognize and build support systems within their own lives and communities. Invasive Species Removal at • Presented at The Tribal Hall, Coos Bay, Oregon National Native Seed Conference on the Traditional Tobacco species Nicotiana quadrivalvis var. multivalvis and assisted in establishing an Intertribal Plant and Seeds Collaborative with North and South American indigenous peoples and programs. • Cultural History Presentation at Coos History Museum for Leadership Coos Program with Patty Whereat-Phillips. • Facilitated Sources of Strength Suicide Prevention Youth and Adult Training Sessions. • Certified in Postvention Training, training for posttrauma events to assist families and communities. • CTCLUSI Health and Prevention Materials Carnival in August 2025 to engage tribal community and families to give out life jackets, bicycles helmets, gun lock boxes, fire alarms, emergency preparedness information, dental kits, and other prevention items. The carnival featured a dunk tank, and Chief Doug Barrett volunteered to get dunked! Community Health Fair with Reedsport High/JH Charter School with Circles of Healing and Education Staff for prevention outreach around domestic violence, suicide prevention, and commercial tobacco and oral nicotine cessation. Cultural Educational Outreach and Prevention community engagements and presentations include tsalila, North Bend High School Science Honor Society, Mayfly Festival, Folk Art Society, Matson Native Plant Nursery, North Bay Elementary, and more. April 2026 www.ctclusi.org 11 Prevention Review continued... Pictured above and at left: Canoe Pull at Munsel Lake, Florence, Oregon. Fire and gifting tobacco starts. Multivalvis tobacco plant growth stages pictured in above four photographs. Top left, new sprouting tobacco plant. Top rigth, seed pod left behind after flower bloom. Bottom left, tobacco plant in full bloom. Bottom rigth, tobacco leaf. Photographs provided by Nicole Romine. If you would like Tobacco leaves, seeds, or starts please reach out to Nicole Romine at nromine@ctclusi.org or 541-294-9341 for more information THE VOICE OF CLUSI MONTHLY TRIBAL PAPER If you or anyone in your 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! Visit www.ctclusi.org/events to view the online event calendar Morgan Gaines, Communications Specialist Office: (541) 888-7536 Cell: (541) 808-7918 Email: mgaines@ctclusi.org 12 THE VOICE OF CLUSI April 2026 Elders Corner 27th Annual Elders Honor Day Contributed by Morgan Gaines, Communications Specialist The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) celebrated their 27th Annual Elders Honor’s Day on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Three Rivers Casino Resort (TRCR) in Florence, Oregon. Close to two hundred Elders from the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon, as well as extended Tribal Nation guests were in attendance. Upon entry into the event, Elders were greeted with a warm welcome, programs with the schedule of events, a t-shirt designed by quuiich (Lower Umpqua) Tribal Citizen Morgan Gaines, as well as raffle tickets with a chance to win “King or Queen for the Day”! Tribal Chairman Brad Kneaper of CTCLUSI took to the stage to welcome the honored Tribal Elders to TRCR. He expressed his appreciation for all those joining us there in person, and those with us in spirit to celebrate our esteemed honorees. Tribal Elders, you are the heartbeat of our Tribes. Your wisdom and leadership have helped shape our Tribal Nations into what they are today. You are the source of our spiritual knowledge, and we thank you for keeping our traditional wisdom alive. Thanks to your perseverance and resilience we are still here, and we will continue to always be here. Chair Kneaper had the Color Guard, Chief Warren Brainard, Kyle Gaines, Roy Brainard, and Chief Doug Barrett, post the flags after walking in to the Warrior Song sung by Jesse Beers, Cultural Stewardship Manager. Chief Doug Barrett then gave an invocation to start the day in a good way. Chief Barrett and Chair Kneaper then welcomed Jesse Beers back up to the stage. Beers gave a brief history presentation of CTCLUSI and the local area of flants (Florence) as well as an introduction to canoe protocol when asking to come ashore in neighboring lands. He held up a canoe paddle to explain how the shapes of the paddles let people know where you come from. Beers welcomed everyone “ashore” to flants and then helped lead a few CTCLUSI dancers in a demonstration of the dip net song and dance. Tribal Citizens Zhade Beers, Alycia Cossey, Enna Helms and daughter, along with Kyle Gaines, Chief Barrett and Jesse Beers danced and then invited everyone to join them in a friendship round dance. Many Elders joined them in dancing, with happy hearts and big smiles. A special honoring of the eldest Elders occurred after dancing. Elder Edmund Ben from the Siletz Tribe graciously asked Chair Kneaper to select the next eldest Elder, as he had received the honor many times over the years. The honor went to Tom Brainard of CTCLUSI and Maxine Marlow, also from CTCLUSI. Tom and Maxine were presented with a gift basket by Barbara Black as the representative of to retire the colors. Elders continued to the CTCLUSI Elders Program. visit and enjoy one another’s company. Chair Kneaper then drew the raffle Breakfast was served the following tickets for the lucky winners of King and morning in the TRCR event center for any Queen of Elders Honors Day. Siletz Tribal Elders who attended before their journey Elder Lydia Kentta was awarded the honor home. of Queen, while our very own CTCLUSI hiisa (sha’yuushtt’a ut quuiich), luuwii Tribal Elder Steve Bouman was crowned (hanis), k’ele (miluk), thank you to King. Lydia and Steve were showered with CTCLUSI Tribal Council, Government and amazing gifts for winning King and Queen; Casino Staff, and to all our Honored Tribal from CTCLUSI, a beautiful Pendleton Elders for making the 27th Annual Elders blanket, necklaces made by CTCLUSI Honor’s Day an event to remember. Tribal Elder Arleen Perkins, and cedar crownw to wear for the rest of the evening. Some of the Tribes in attendance also gifted CTCLUSI for hosting the event. The Siletz Tribe gifted a beautiful wool blanket, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs gifted a basket of multiple items featuring hand crafted beaded necklaces, tiny weaved baskets, along with a handmade blanket, and the Ko’Kwel also gave CTCLUSI a canvas bag featuring a beautiful trillium flower along with a blanket, note cards, salmon, waxed fire started, and magnet. A light lunch of soups, sandwiches and a selection of fruits was enjoyed by all before the excitement of Bingo began! Bingo winners shouted out their victories for all to hear and were given a prize. Raffle prizes were also drawn throughout the day’s events, and the Chinese Freedom game was also played. Winning participants had Color Guard Posting the Flags a chance to win either luggage, Cuisinart toaster oven, or a glass float. Many items won were gifted to the Elders Honors Day event by CTCLUSI Tribal Council member Julie Siestreem, CTCLUSI Elders Jill Barrett and Mary Adamec, along with CTCLUSI member brother and sister duo Kyle and Morgan Gaines. The evening feast featured a selection of Salmon, roast beef, mashed potatoes and vegetable sides, along with an assortment of delicious desserts and fry bread made Pamela Davies, Julie Siestreem and Donna McNutt and served by TRCR staff. Casino staff also hosted a photo booth in the corner of the events center, where Elders could take group photos and have them printed out on the spot. Chair Kneaper announced that today was also CTCLUSI Tribal Elder Pam Davies’ birthday. The entire event center sang “Happy Birthday!” in unison. Kneaper closed out the evening by asking the Color Guard of Chief Warren Brainard, Kyle Gaines, Roy Brainard, and Mitch Harper Rhonda and Mitch Harper www.ctclusi.org April 2026 13 Elders Corner “Queen” Lydia Kentta “King” Steve Bouman Chief Doug Barrett, Vice Chair Teresa Spangler, Iliana Montiel, Julie Siestreem and Chairman Brad Kneaper Phyllis Howlett, Janet Thorn, Tommy Thorn, Lynette Gaines, Gloria Miller and Jim McGlothlan Tom Brainard, Honored Eldest Man Maxine Marlow, Honored Eldest Woman Arleen Perkins, Angela Bowen and Earla Kirk Howard Roy and Phyllis Howlett The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs gifted a basket Singers and Dancers from CTCLUSI 14 THE VOICE OF CLUSI April 2026 Elders Corner...Honors Day continued Scott Krossman and James Baughman Shana Swigert, Kathy Swigert and Butch Swigert Lynette Gaines and Jim McGlothlan James and Margaret Young Warrior Song is Sung for Color Guard to Post the Colors Welcome New Tribal Elders Patrick Brainard Jason Lobland Chad Elliott Supplemental Security Income Program for Elders On December 18, 2026 Tribal Council approved Resolution 25-217 to Increase the Tribal Elders Pension and Supplemental Security Income beginning on January 1, 2026. Tribal Elders aged 65 and up are eligible for this $1,000 monthly supplemental security Income. An application form is required. The form can be found on the Tribal Government website or using this web address https://laserfiche. ctclusi.org/Forms/ElderSupplemental-SecurityIncome Need assistance filling out your application or have questions about the program? Contact the Enrollment Department today at 541-435-7178. Guests join in for a friendship dance April 2026 www.ctclusi.org 15 CTCLUSI Field School Inspires the Next Generation of Stewardship Contributed by Angela Henry, Camp Director Last summer, the CTCLUSI Field School brought youth together for an immersive learning experience focused on forest stewardship, climate resilience, and cultural knowledge. The 2025 program welcomed nine youth interns, including CTCLUSI Tribal members, youth from CTCLUSI families, and participants from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. Using a Two-Eyed Seeing approach, the program braided Indigenous Knowledge with Western science. Youth learned directly on Tribal lands while working alongside staff from the CTCLUSI Department of Culture and Natural Resources and Forestry, as well as researchers from Oregon State University. Participants gained hands-on experience in forest ecology, soil science, pollinator habitat, and fire stewardship while learning to use professional forestry tools and monitoring techniques. Evenings were filled with cultural activities such as archery, beading, weaving, fishing, swimming, and storytelling. These shared experiences strengthened youth connections to culture, community, and the land. Building on last year’s success, the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians Field School 2026 will continue to provide Tribal youth with hands-on learning opportunities and exposure to careers in natural resources and forestry. The CTCLUSI Field School is designed to introduce Tribal youth to workforce opportunities and practical skills within the Tribe’s Natural Resources and Forestry Departments. Through field-based learning and workshops, participants gain real-world experience while exploring potential career pathways. This year’s Field School is open to Tribal youth, youth living in Tribal households, and youth from neighboring Tribes. As well as youth of CTCLUSI Staff. This program is open to youth 14-18 years of age. Participants will attend workshops and take part in forestry and natural resource field activities throughout the week. Program Length: One Week Dates & Schedule Sunday, June 28: Set-Up & Family Salmon Cook Monday, June 29 - Thursday, July 2: Field Days Friday, July 3: Camp Wrap-Up, Clean-Up, and Pick-Up The CTCLUSI Field School is a paid workforce program. This program only has 15 spots available. Interested youth must fill out an application. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of CTCLUSI employees from both the Forestry Department and the Department of Culture & Natural Resources. Applicants will be notified by email if they are selected. Accepted participants will receive additional information regarding required gear, employment paperwork, and program logistics. Application Deadline: May 15, 2026 To apply, please complete the registration form here: https:// laserfiche.ctclusi.org/Forms/FieldSchool-2026 For questions, please contact: Angela Henry – Camp Director Email: ahenry@ctclusi.org Cell: 541-294-9602 Scan QR Code for Application CTCLUSI Field School Participants from 2025 Photograph below shows Field School Participants learning in the field Photograph bottom left: fish trap basket being worked on with materials from Tribal forests Through programs like the CTCLUSI Field School, the Tribe continues to invest in the next generation of Tribal land stewards who will help care for Tribal lands, culture, and natural resources for generations to come. 16 THE VOICE OF CLUSI April 2026 April is Move More Month! Contributed by Elizabeth Escobedo, MS, CHES, CNC Diabetes Educator Sources: National institute on Aging, American Heart Association, Beyond Type 1, IHS Webinar: physical Activity’s Effect on Diabetes Management- Russell Price, B.S., CSCS Let’s Get Moving! Moving your body is one of the best things you can do for your health, and it doesn’t have to be hard. Small steps add up to big changes. Types of Exercise: You don’t need to do all of them at once. Just start somewhere! Want to get moving? Simple Guidelines Before You Start ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING A NEW EXERCISE PROGRAM It’s not safe to exercise when blood sugar is below 90mg/dL or above 250 mg/dL. Always check first! Here are some goals to aim for: ► 150 minutes of movement each week Try different types of exercise! ► Stretching or mobility work most days ► Strength training 2-3 times a week ► About 10,000 steps per day Aerobic Muscle-strengthening Balance Aerobic exercises improve the health of your heart, lungs, and circulatory system. Muscle-strengthening exercises can help you stay independent and prevent fall-related injuries. Balance exercises help prevent falls and can improve stability. To learn more about older adults and exercise, visit: www.nia.nih.gov/exercise. Did You Know? Moving your body lowers blood sugar, helps insulin work better, and keeps your heart healthy. Even a short walk makes a real difference! Think of it as an exercise snack is just a few minutes of movement spread through your day. You don’t have to do it all at once! A little here and a little there. It all counts. MAKING IT STICK Choose What Works for You! Find something you love Any movement that brings you joy is good movement! Dancing, gardening, walking your pet. It all counts! Start Small Stepping stones, not boulders. Just starting out? Try a 5-minute walk before a 50-minute one. The first step is always the hardest part. Try habit stacking Pair a new habit with one you already have. When you lay out your things for tomorrow, set out your walking shoes too! Ready shoes = ready you! Make it Fun! ► Invite a friend or family member ► Listen to music or an audio book ► Reward yourself! Try a new snack, like a dragon fruit! ► Need help building habits? Check out those short videos from Habit Coach! Scan QR Code to visit the Habit Coach Website www.heart.org 6 Essential Exercises for Seniors to Stay Moving, Fit & Pain Free Video on Youtube Beginner Get Moving Workout in a Chair Video (Seated Exercises) Captain Don Takes Tribal Citizen’s Out on Another Successful Steelhead Fishing Trip “Thank you for organizing this fishing trip for my nephew and I we have landed five fish and we’re even blessed with one that we could keep for dinner.” -Loren Furber “Had a great time fishing with my uncle. Thanks for getting us out there! Also captain Don is great captain and fun guy to hangout with.” -Tristan Furber Interested in going on a fishing trip on “The Big Canoe”? Sign Up! Call DCNR 541-435-7151 April 2026 www.ctclusi.org 17 Now Offering Online Patient Portal Using Intelichart Our new Patient Portal makes it easier than ever to access your medical records and manage your health. With our Patient Portal, you can: • Schedule appointments online • Request medication refills online • Receive reminders to your cell and email • Send secure messages to your provider Patients will automatically receive an email invitation with a PIN to register for the portal after their appointment, typically within 24 hours. If you wish to enroll before your appointment, you will need to contact the clinic to obtain a PIN. Scan QR Code to Visit Patient Portal Preventative Steps in Protecting Your Home and Property Contributed by Leslie Thompson, Housing Assistant Have you ever been the victim of theft? It can leave you any broken windows, doors, or property damage. Contact your feeling violated, vulnerable, disgusted or even enraged. When it insurance company and notify them of what has occurred, as happens in your personal space such as your vehicle, property, you may be able to file a claim and get reimbursed. Check with your local law enforcement agency as they may or in your home these feelings can be amplified. Let’s look at some preventative measures to avoid this from be able to perform a home safety assessment. These are conducted by trained law enforcement officers that survey and happening, and some measures to take if it does happen. One of the most basic, but important preventative measures identify vulnerabilities in and around your home. Some local is locking your doors and windows to not only your home, law enforcement agencies may even have a Vacation Check but those of your garage, vehicle, or storage facilities. Many Program – where law enforcement conduct perimeter checks thefts are crimes of opportunity – meaning they’re looking for on you home while you are on vacation to ensure there are no something easy. Don’t make it easy, make sure all entry points signs of forced entry to your home. are locked and secured. Don’t leave tempting valuables in easy For more information: https://dps.usc.edu/safety-tips/theft-prevention/ to spot or reach places that would make an individual want to https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/vehicle-theft-prevention https:// take that chance. consumer.ftc.gov/identity-theft-online-security https://www.nicb.org/ While researching this subject, many common practices kept reappearing such as having dark areas around your home well lit. This can be with a porch light, or a motion sensor light. You can even have automatic timers on some lights. People who commit acts of crime don’t want others to BUDGETING see, having light acts as a deterrent and highlights their GUIDANCE actions. Another common practice is trimming shrubs and bushes around your home; this reduces the availability of hiding places and dark corners. If you’re going to be out of town, tell a trusted neighbor RESUME so they can keep an eye out. Leave a hallway light on, or even a radio on. These create the illusion that someone BUIDLING & is home and can help deter malicious activity. Have ASSISTANCE someone check your mail and your home. You may even want to think about asking the post office to hold your mail until you get back into town. Never leave a spare key outside, instead give a copy to a trusted family member, friend, or neighbor. RENTAL & Do you have homeowners or renter’s insurance? Great if you do, but have you made a list of all your valuable HOME possessions and their approximate worth? If not, OWNERSHIP there’s no time like the present. Having a list of items, COUNSELING their approximate worth, along with receipts, identifying markings/ serial numbers and photos can help if you ever have to report a theft to the police department or to your SELF -SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM insurance company. There are many home security options nowadays. This The Housing Department offers a self-sufficiency program LIFE SKILLS includes sensors placed at entry points such as doors or designed to assist Tribal Members in reaching their full potential. With this program, the Housing Self-Sufficiency windows, along with indoor/outdoor cameras that have COACHING night vision capability – even doorbell cameras. Smart Coordinator collaborates with Tribal Households to assist in identifying and planning opportunities that promote financial home systems are another option, they can be monitored stability and independence. or unmonitored systems, wireless or wired systems. If you CTCLUSI HOUSING are looking at these options think about the installation, Services can include but are not limited to developing time DEPT. the cost, and the security type. Always do your research management and money management skills, resume creation 1320 Neese St. and building or referrals for childcare and employment. Please as you know your situation and home best. Coos Bay, OR 97420 What happens if I am a victim of theft? Report it to law contact the housing department for more information. (541)-888-1310 enforcement immediately, this creates a record of the Monday-Friday crime. Make sure you get a case number, the officer’s name or business card so that you may contact them for 8am-5pm any useful information or future questions you may have. Document everything, this includes a list of stolen items, Gui CTCLUSI 18 THE VOICE OF CLUSI April 2026 CTCLUSI Human Resources recruitment@ctclusihr.org COOS BAY JOB OPPORTUNITIES Department Health Services Tribal Dental Clinic Planning Gaming Special Events Natural Resources & Culture Job Title Clinical Pharmacist Dental Assistant I Project Manager* Surveillance Agent I Depends on Assignment Tribal Archaeologist** Status FT FT FT FT OC FT Age 18+ 18+ 25+ 21+ 14+ 25+ Starting Wage $127,874/yr - DOE $22.30/hr - DOE $74,159.64/yr - DOE $22.50/hr - DOE Depends on Assignment $68,000/yr - DOE FLORENCE JOB OPPORTUNITIES Department Gaming Administration Special Events Natural Resources & Culture Job Title Licensing Associate Administrative Assistant II* Depends on Assignment Tribal Archaeologist** Status FT FT OC FT Age 21+ 25+ 14+ 25+ Starting Wage $22.30/hr - DOE $22.00/hr Depends on Assignment $68,000/yr - DOE EUGENE JOB OPPORTUNITIES Department Special Events Natural Resources & Culture Job Title Depends on Assignment Tribal Archaeologist** Status OC FT Age 14+ 25+ Starting Wage Depends on Assignment $68,000/yr - DOE *Position requires a valid driver’s license and ability to be insurable by CTCLUSI’s insurance agency. ** This posting represents one full-time position offered across multiple locations; applicants may select their desired location. Please visit Job Opportunities on the Tribes website for full job descriptions and benefits available. You may also apply for any position online. https://ctclusi.org/human-resources-job-opportunities/ Tribal Members please log in to your Citizen Portal to access additional CTCLUSI Tribal Member Job Opportunities as they become available. Updated: 02/12/2026 Human Resources Welcomes New HR Coordinator to the Team Contributed by Shelby Erickson MHRM, THRP, CTCLUSI Human Resources Director Please join me in welcoming Crystal Johnson, who joined the HR department today as our new HR Coordinator. Crystal grew up in Austin, Texas, and recently relocated to Coos Bay to be closer to her family. She is a proud mom who loves spending time with her daughters and enjoys reading, attending country music concerts, and making the most of the outdoors. Crystal especially loves the beach and boating, so she’s excited to explore all that the coast has to offer. We’re excited to have Crystal join our team and look forward to the experience, energy, and support she will bring to CTCLUSI. Please join me in welcoming her! ATTENTION! We Want to Hear From You! We are looking at overhauling our website ctclusi.org and would love your feedback on how we can improve the website user experience, and any changes or features you would like to see. Please share any recommendations or requests by emailing news@ctclusi.org or contact 541-435-7175. www.ctclusi.org April 2026 19 Upcoming Events RSVP for events by calling 1-541-435-7155 April 2026 SUNDAY MONDAY 29 30 5 6 Tribal Council Election Day Regular Council Meeting 10:00 am General Council Meeting 1:00 pm 12 19 13 20 26 27 Secretarial Election Day TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY wa’as class 4pm 1 miluk class 4pm hanis class 4pm 7 8 9 miluk class 4pm hanis class 4pm Elders Luncheon Springfield, 11:30 am NBTS Gathering LCC Longhouse, Eugene Littles Program Language Class 9am 6pm-8pm 14 15 16 miluk class 4pm hanis class 4pm Forestry Outreach Night Community Center or Online via Teams, 5:30pm 17 21 22 23 miluk class 4pm hanis class 4pm 28 29 miluk class 4pm Business Council Meeting 6:00 pm hanis class 4pm 30 3 SATURDAY 31 Secretarial Election Day 2 FRIDAY NBTS Gathering Tribal Hall, Coos Bay 5:30pm-7:30pm 10 wa’as class 4pm 4 Littles Program Language Class 9am 11 Tobacco Planting/ 18 Invasives Removal wa’as class 4pm Tribal Hall, 9:00 a.m. Littles Program Language Class 9am 24 25 wa’as class 4pm Littles Program Language Class 9am 1 2 Narcan Training wa’as class 4pm Littles Program Language Class 9am FRIDAY SATURDAY Glass Float Hunt and Florence 11:30 a.m. May 2026 SUNDAY MONDAY 26 27 3 4 TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 28 29 30 miluk class 4pm hanis class 4pm 5 6 7 Glass Float Hunt 1 2 & Narcan Training, wa’as class 4pm Florence 11:30 a.m. Littles Program Language Class 9am 8 9 wa’as class 4pm Littles Program Language Class 9am Siletz Elders Honor Day miluk class 4pm 10 Mother’s Day 17 Parenting Workshop 11 hanis class 4pm 12 Online via Zoom 13 14 Regular Council Meeting 10:00 am miluk class 4pm hanis class 4pm 18 Workshop 19 Parenting 20 Online via Zoom 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 21 Scholarships Deadline! Field School Application Deadline! wa’as class 4pm Littles Program Language Class 9am 22 23 15 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. miluk class 4pm Memorial Day 24 25 All Tribal Offices Closed 31 Parenting Workshop hanis class 4pm hanis class 4pm 26 Online via Zoom 27 miluk class 4pm Business Council Meeting 6:00 pm 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 28 Cedar Bark Gathering 16 wa’as class 4pm Littles Program Language Class 9am 29 30 Language Class 9am wa’as class 4pm hiisəch hai - with a good heart Littles Program Salmon Canning TRHC on Hull St. 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 20 THE VOICE OF CLUSI April 2026 --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aconfederated_clusi%3Aa1add75a4095c31d. Public record. Not legal advice.