NEWS FROM THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF COOS, LOWER UMPQUA & SIUSLAW INDIANS (2021)

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The Voice of

September 2021

CLUSI

Issue 9

Volume 22

www.ctclusi.org

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

~ Summer School ~

Contributed by Josh Davies, Education Director

THPO Courtney Krossman sharing with students

a Cultural Resource Protection Activity.

What a wonderful experience we had

this summer at our Summer School. We

had 37 total students signed up with 30

of them being in person. Education,

Department of Natural Resources and

Culture, Health Department and Family

Services all teamed up to provide one

awesome time. Our day started bright

and early at 7am with students arriving

and playing board games with each other

while waiting patiently for breakfast to

begin. Prior to every meal, we washed our

hands, and then circled up. We showed

thanks and gratitude before every meal,

and throughout the two weeks students

started to help say these blessings. Chief

Doc Slyter gave the initial blessing prior to

our ﬁrst breakfast. It truly was an amazing

feeling, being back together, hearing the

laughter, and sharing conversations.

Students circled up at our Potlach Ceremony at

Sunset State Park.

Breakfast always started the day oﬀ no

matter what was on the menu. Chef Eddie

Helms did a fantastic job ensuring that our

staﬀ and children ate healthy, responsibly,

and made sure our tummies were full.

Thank you, Eddie, for helping and making

the food taste so good. After each meal,

Julie Siestreem and Karen Porter washed

and sanitized dishes, while Raquel Helms

and Pam Davies helped clean the Tribal

Hall. After breakfast was over, students

did a few laps around Tribal Hall before

making their way up to the Plankhouse.

Jesse Beers did a wonderful job

sharing with our students how to enter

the plankhouse, how to use manners and

listen, and then sang a song. Most students

knew the song, and by the end of the two

weeks all who came could sing along.

Music, drumming, ﬂutes, anything that our

Tyrell Walton was able to make each student a bird house that

they were able to paint and take home.

Talice Russell showing his

amazing origami skills.

children could absorb, they did. We were

able to incorporate language throughout

the two weeks thanks to Enna and Patty.

Some days we split into language groups

while other days we split by age groups.

After we returned from the Plankhouse,

we either went into the classrooms or on

our ﬁeld trips. Ann Petrie had the larger of

the two classrooms and did an amazing

job with our kindergarten through fourth

grade students. They were busy every time

I saw them, and were very well mannered

on our ﬁeld trips. Our older classroom,

the Fifth through Eighth grade classroom

was taught by Eriq Acosta. He did a great

job with these kids, especially utilizing the

outdoor environment and including Project

Venture into his classroom.

Our ﬁeld trips were a great time for our

students to enjoy the outdoors, learn

Campers getting ready to canoe at John Topits Park.

Summer School story continues on page 16

~ Important Upcoming Budget Dates ~

Sept. 8 - Delivery of First Draft of Budget to Budget

Committee per Tribal Code (CLUSITC 7-10-4(a))

Sept. 10 - Posting of First Draft Budget for Tribal Member

review per Tribal Code (CLUSITC 7-10-4(b))

Sept. 12 - First General Council Budget Hearing per

Tribal Code (CLUSITC 7-10-3(a))

Sept. 15 - First Meeting of Budget Committee per Tribal

Code (CLUSITC 7-10-5(a))

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

September 2021

Tribal Council Business

Activity of Elected Tribal Council Members from July 11, 2021 - August 8, 2021.

Chief Doc Slyter:

07/11 Tribal Council Meeting

07/12 Admin Oﬃce / Forestry Dept.

07/13 Oregon Tribal Gaming Alliance

07/13 Leader’s Circle

07/16 Tribal Summer School Luncheon/

Sunset Beach

07/19 3 Rivers Casino Distribution

Discussion

07/20 Kelp Forest / ELAKHA - Sea Otters

07/21 Jordan Cove/Port of Coos Bay

07/21 Special Meeting / Leader’s Circle

07/22 Admin Oﬃce(paperwork) & Koquell

Plankhouse with PSU students

07/26 Breakfast /Opening of Culture

Camp & Admin Oﬃce-paperwork

07/27 Native American Housing Webinar

07/28 GFORB & Business Meeting

07/29 Grant Writer-Native Learning

Center

07/30 Goose Point-North Bend/

Archeology blessing

07/30 Dinner with Archeology Group

08/1 Sacred Salmon Ceremony-Gregory

Point

08/5 Three Rivers Casino-CFO Interview

Emails and phone calls.

Total Hours: 90.25

Debbie Bossley, Tribal Chair:

July – August In Oﬃce 15 days

07/11 Tribal Council Meeting

07/13 Leaders Circle

07/21 Special Meetings (2), Leaders

Circle

07/28 GFORB / Business Meeting

07/29 BIA

08/05 TRC CFO Interview

Emails and phone calls.

Total Hours: 100

Iliana Montiel:

07/11 TC Regular Meeting / General

Council Meeting

07/13 Treasury Tribal Consultation on

Homeownership Assistance Fund /

Leader’s Circle

07/14 TRC CFO Interviews

07/15 TRC CFO Interviews

07/16 TRC CFO Interviews

07/21 Zoom meeting w/ Consultants /

Leaders’ Circle, Special Meetings

07/28 GFORB / Tribal Council Business

Meeting

08/02 – 08/16 Vacation

Emails and phone calls.

Total Hours: 30

Josh Davies:

07/11 Tribal Council Regular Meeting

07/12 Consultation BLM Assess Moving

HQ to Colorado

07/13 Homeowner Assistance Fund

(HAF)-Update and Tribal

Consultation on Implementation

Leaders Circle

07/15 OMB - Tribal consultation on the

President’s FY 2022 Budget

07/19 TRC Distribution Discussion

07/20 Back to School Commutes Webinar

07/21 Housing Committee Meeting

Special Meetings(2)

Leaders Circle

07/22 White House IGA Weekly Brieﬁng

Call

07/27 NAHASDA Refresher Conﬁrmation

Healthy Families Oregon State

Advisory Committee

07/28 GFORB

Tribal Council Business Meeting

07/29 White House IGA Weekly Brieﬁng

Call

08/04 EDA 101 and American Rescue

Plan webinar

08/05 White House IGA Weekly Brieﬁng

Call TRC CFO Interview

08/08 Special GFORB meeting

Emails and phone calls.

Total Hours: 64

Doug Barrett:

07/11 Tribal Council Meeting

07/ 13 Oregon Tribal Gaming Alliance

Meeting

07/13 Native American Storytelling:

Culture is Prevention

07/13 Leaders Circle

07/19 TRC Distribution Discussion

01/21 Leaders Circle

07/21 2 Special Council Meetings

07/26 Investment Committee Meeting

07/28 GFORB & Tribal Council Business

Meeting

08/04 OYA Stakeholders Meeting

08/08 Special GFORB Meeting

08/0 8 Tribal Council Regular Meeting

Emails and phone calls.

Total Hours: 42

Enna Helms

07/11 Regular Tribal Council Meeting

07/13 Tribal Council Leaders Circle

Meeting

07/21 Tribal Council Leaders Circle

Meeting

07/28 Tribal Business Council Meeting

07/30 Archaeological Investigations

Presentation

08/01 Salmon Ceremony

08/04 American Rescue Plan Webinar

FMLA

Emails and phone calls.

Total Hours: 40

NOTICE OF CODE AMENDMENT

The following proposed Code was passed for First Reading by Tribal Council on:

July 28, 2021

TITLE: 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS

Chapter 1-15 Executive Management

The Tribal Council has determined amendments

are needed for Chapter 1-15 Executive Management;

and

The Tribal Council wishes to amend CLUSITC Chapter

1-15 (Executive Management) adding a new Section 1-155 regarding the Tribal Chief Financial Officer and revising

Section 1-15-6 regarding conflicts of interest to include

any current or past business partner.

Tribal Council hereby approves the amendment of

Chapter 1-15 Executive Management Code and hereby

approves for first reading draft be posting for a twentyeight (28) day period

DATE OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING AT

WHICH THE PROPOSED CODE IS EXPECTED TO BE

CONSIDERED FOR FINAL PASSAGE:

October 10, 2021

The notice of the proposed amendment/creation of Code/Ordinance shall be published in the Tribal Newsletter and the text

will be posted for public comment for twenty-eight (28) days in the Administration Building, Tribal Hall, Outreach Offices, on

the Tribes’ website and at Three Rivers Casino (Office of the Gaming Commission). Written comments should be sent to the

Tribal Council in care of Jeannie McNeil, CTCLUSI, 1245 Fulton Avenue, Coos Bay OR 97420 or email: jmcneil@ctclusi.org.

www.ctclusi.org

September 2021

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 Jeannie

McNeil, 541-888-7506. 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

Christine Sylvester at 541-888-7538 or at csylvester@

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.

Upcoming Events

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: 541-888-7506

or Fax: 541-888-2853.

TRIBAL COUNCIL MINUTES

Full video available at www.ctclusi.org

If you would like to receive typed copies or

an audio CD of the Tribal Council meeting

minutes send a written request, including

your current address to Christine Sylvester,

1245 Fulton Ave. Coos Bay, OR 97420.

Sept. 20th from 6:00- 7:30 pm: Virtual No-Sew Drum Bags with Education & Culture

Sept. 22nd from 6:00- 7:00 pm: Virtual Literature Nights with Education

Tribal Council

Doc Slyter, Chief

Tribal Chief

541-808-7625 (cell)

dslyter@ctclusi.org

Enna Helms

Position #1 Council

541-297-7538 (cell)

Oct. 6th from 6:00 – 7:00 pm: Virtual Family Night - Chasing the Sun Solar Workshop with Education enna.helms@ctclusi.org

Oct. 4th from 6:00- 7:30 pm: Virtual Dance Fan Class with Culture and Family Services

Oct. 18th from 6:00 – 7:30 pm: Virtual Dance Paddle Painting with Culture

Debbie Bossley, Chair

Oct. 20th from 6:00- 7:00 pm: Virtual Literature Nights with Education

Position #2 Council

541-294-3972 (cell)

debbie.bossley@ctclusi.org

Vacant

Position #3 Council

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. E-mail

mgaines@ctclusi.org or call 541-888-7536. I look

forward to hearing from you! -Morgan Gaines

Join a Committee

Enrollment, Housing, Education, Culture, Health, Elders, Budget,

Investment, and Garden Committees are always accepting letters

of interest. Would you like to serve on a Tribal committee? Submit

your letter of interest to Christine Sylvester at csylvester@ctclusi.

org. All letters of interest are kept on ﬁle for one year.

CTCLUSI Departments, Services & Offices

Government Office

Carol Jacobs-Kosht

Interim CEO

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-7527

carol.jacobs-kosht@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

Health Services

Iliana Montiel,

Interim Director

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-7526

Toll free 1-888-280-0726

Fax 541-888-5388

imontiel@ctclusi.org

Education Department

Josh Davies, Education Director

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone: 541-888-1314

Cell: 541-294-4105

Toll free 1-888-280-0726

jdavies@ctclusi.org

Department of Human

Resources

Jennifer Silva- Director

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone: 541-888-7508

Toll Free: 1-888-280-0726

Fax: 541-897-9881

jsilva@ctclusihr.org

Tribal Housing Department

Josh Stevens, Director

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-7546

Fax 541-435-0492

jstevens@ctclusi.org

Family Support Services

Iliana Montiel,

Interim Director

2110 Newmark Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-7526

Toll free 1-888-280-0726

Fax 541-888-5388

imontiel@ctclusi.org

Tribal Dental Clinic

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-6433

Toll free 1-877-688-6433

Fax 541-888-7505

Elders Activities

Iliana Montiel

Interim Director

1245 Fulton Ave.

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-7526

Toll free 1-888-280-0726

Fax 541-888-5388

imontiel@ctclusi.org

Tribal Court

J.D. Williams

Chief Judge

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-9577

Toll Free 1-888-280-0726

tribalct@ctclusi.org

Cultural Department

Jesse Beers,

Cultural Stewardship Manager

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-1319

Fax 541-888-2853

jbeers@ctclusi.org

Eugene Outreach Office

135 Silver Lane, Suite 200

Eugene, OR 97404

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

Tribal Gaming Commission

Rusty Bossley

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

Chief

5647 Hwy 126, Suite 100

Florence, OR 97439

Phone 541-997-6011

Fax 541-902-6507

bdubray@ctclusi.org

Department of Natural

Resources

Roselynn Lwenya, Ph.D.

Director of Natural Resources

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-9577

Toll Free 1-888-280-0726

Fax 541-888-2853

rlwenya@ctclusi.org

Josh Davies

Position #4 Council

541-294-4105

josh.davies@ctclusi.org

Iliana Montiel

Position #5 Council

541-217-4613(cell)

iliana.montiel@ctclusi.org

Doug Barrett

Position #6 Council

541-297-2130 (cell)

doug.barrett@ctclusi.org

Council Meeting

September 12, 2021

10:00 a.m.

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

September 2021

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

Council Corner

Salmon Ceremony

Sunday, August 1st was the second year that our Tribal Salmon

Ceremony was canceled due to the Coronavirus. In keeping with

our annual Tribal tradition, one salmon was cooked and the remains

were returned to the ocean to nourish other plants and animals so

the salmon would return to our people the next year.

One week after this sacred ceremony, the Covid -19 cases for

Oregon had the highest number since the onset of the virus. It was

with much consideration and a heavy heart that I had canceled

our Annual Tribal Salmon Ceremony again this year. I do hope that

all our Tribal members will be able to come together next year and

celebrate and be part of our traditional Salmon Ceremony

Chief Doc Slyter

Please stay safe and healthy.

Chief Doc Slyter

Tribal Council Seeks Participation From

All Enrolled General Council Members

To Attend Council Compensation Meeting

Tribal Council invites all Enrolled Tribal Members to attend a Zoom

meeting for a question and answer session about Council Compensation

We ask in advance, where opinions may differ that everyone be respectful during this

open venue and allow all questions and answers be heard in a courteous manner.

For more information please contact Christine Sylvester , Tribal Council Assistant at 541-888-9577

Resolution Summaries

RESOLUTION NO: 21-049

Date of Passage: May 18, 2021

Subject (title): Authorizing the Confederated

Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and

Siuslaw Indians ( the Tribe) to submit a

Letter of Inquiry (LOI) to the Spirit Mountain

Community Fund (SMCF) Grant program

Explanation: The Tribal Council approves

this request to submit for up to 100,000.00 for

the Language Program.

Vote 7-0-0

RESOLUTION NO: 21-050

Date of Passage: May 18, 2021

Subject (title): Finance Credit Agreement

Explanation: Tribal Council approves this

agreement.

Vote 7-0-0

RESOLUTION NO: 21-051

Date of Passage: May 26, 2021

Subject (title): Appointment to Tribal Beneﬁts

Board

Explanation: The Tribal Council appoints

Jenifer Silva, Cindy Castro, Mike Mascolo,

Sharol McDade, Iliana Montiel, Bonnie

Foroudi.

Vote 7-0-0

RESOLUTION NO: 21-53

Date of Passage: June 13, 2021

Subject (title): Amendment to the Amended

Tribal –State

Compact for Regulation of Class III gaming

Between CTCLUSI and the State of Oregon

Explanation: The Tribal Council approves

amendment process to authorize sports pool.

Vote 7-0-0

RESOLUTION NO: 21-052

Date of Passage: May 26, 2021

Subject (title): Gaming Equipment Order

Explanation: The Tribal Council approves

this order for Three Rivers Casino & Hotel.

Vote 7-0-0

RESOLUTION NO: 21-054

Date fo Passage: J une 22, 2021

Subject(title): Banking Operating Accounts

for CTCLUSI and Authorized Signers

Explanation: Tribal Council approves

opening operating accounts and authorize

signers to be: Cheif Doc Slyter, Mark Petrie,

Josh Davies, and Iliana Montiel

Vote 7-0-0

In this public paper, some Resolution titles and explanation will not be displayed or will display minimal details due to conﬁdentiality.

www.ctclusi.org

September 2021

Rare Blue Crayﬁsh Observed in Eel Creek

Contributed by John Schaefer, Natural Resources

In July, a rare blue mutation of our native crayﬁsh (aka crawdad, crawﬁsh) was

observed in Eel creek. Richard Litts spotted the unusual crayﬁsh while conducting

Paciﬁc lamprey research (see issue 6, volume 21, June 2020 of The Voice of CLUSI

for information on the Tribes’ lamprey work). Richard managed to take a blurry photo

before it retreated into deeper water and hid from view. He immediately sent me the

photo and the exact location. After a quick drive with bait and ﬁshing gear, I was able to

easily lure it out of its hiding place with some raw chicken skin. The oddity now lives at

the Charleston Marine Life Center, which should reopen to visitors in August.

Our native crayﬁsh (Pacifastacus leniusculus), commonly called the Signal Crayﬁsh,

normally ranges from bright orange/red to duller browns and greens. Coloration depends

on the environment with clear fast moving streams having brighter animals and lakes

and ponds tending towards duller colors. One online reference estimates that this type

of color mutation occurs in one in 50,000 crayﬁsh.

Not all crayﬁsh in Oregon are native. Oregon now has at least 3 introduced invasive

species including the Red Swamp Crayﬁsh from Louisiana, the Ringed Crayﬁsh from

the Great Plains and the Rusty Crayﬁsh from Ohio and Kentucky. Invasive crayﬁsh can

compete with our native species, and cause other environmental damage. The Oregon

Invasive Red Swamp Crayﬁsh

Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has a handy one page crayﬁsh comparison

sheet online to help identify invasive crayﬁsh in Oregon and a number to report any

ﬁndings. https://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/invasive_species/docs/Crayﬁsh_Comparison.pdf

Suspected invasive species can also be reported to the CTCLUSI Department of Natural Resources.

ATTENTION

ELDERS, KNOWLEDGE and CULTURE BEARERS

CTCLUSI, in collaboration with SOCC and OSU in support of the New

Beginnings for Tribal Students in Oregon grant, is looking for interested

Tribal Members to:

1) Assist with sharing input/ideas/guidance for the NBTS steering

committee and other audiences

2) Help plan the Pre-College Summer Youth Camp

3) Provide mentorship to the Native Alliance Club at SOCC

The goal of NBTS is increasing academic success of Native students in higher

education science programs through experiential learning (internships/field trips), mentoring,

and financial support. https://gateway.oregonstate.edu/nbts

For more information or to sign up, please contact: Josh Davies at jdavies@ctclusi.org

or 541-294-4105 or Jesse Beers at jbeers@ctclusi.org or 541-297-0748

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

September 2021

Culture Camp – Honoring the Sacred

Contributed by Ashley Russell, Water Protection Specialist and Cultural Assistant

This year, CTCLUSI hosted its annual Culture Camp as a day time hybrid (in person

and virtual) activity from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm that began Monday, July 26th through

Friday, July 30th at the Community Center in Coos Bay, Oregon. The camp was

made available for Tribal family and staﬀ students entering Kindergarten through

12th Grade or students who were between the ages of 5 and 18.

During the ﬁrst day of camp, students were gifted a tote bag or ruck sack with lots of

goodies on behalf of the Tobacco Prevention and Education Program (TPEP). Tribal

Biologist and artist, John Schaefer, in collaboration with the rest of the Culture and

Natural Resources Department and the TPEP Coordinator, Mark Petrie, designed

this year’s theme, Honoring the Sacred. If you would like some Honoring the Sacred

swag, please contact Mark Petrie at (541) 435-7217 or mpetrie@ctclusi.org.

Activities during camp included berry picking at the Tribe’s Lake Tract Forest

Property, jam and ice cream making, swimming in the Siuslaw River, language,

dance paddle painting, traditional songs and dances, Náuhi’níiwas (Shinny), tree

aging and wooden name tags, tie-dye masks, clacker stick making, pulling in Tyee

at Sunset Bay, a sand castle competition, soap stone fetish carving, beading, tule

weaving, rock painting, origami, smudge stick making, salmon protection, a Harmful

Algal Bloom (HABs) presentation, water quality monitoring presentation, and archery.

On the last day, youth were able to travel to Goose Point, located in the Coos

Commercial Tobacco prevention swag

Bay Estuary, and partake in an archaeological investigation. This once in a lifetime

opportunity was followed by a potlatch ceremony at Coos Head where camper families

were able to enjoy lunch together, throw atlatl, play náuhi’níiwas, and exchange the potlatch gifts they had been working so hard

on all week.

It was so great to have are youth together again. Can’t wait for the next camp, which is slated for Spring Break 2022. Keep your

calendars open and see you there.

Tribal Biologist John Schaefer leads campers in tide pool exploration

Goose Point Archeology Presentation with THPO Courtney Krossman

Breathe Deep and Take Care

Contributed by CTCLUSI Health & Human Services Department

These past weeks have been unsettling. It makes sense if it’s hard to concentrate or to take in everything that’s going on. It is

important to make self-care a priority.

Breathe deep. Take a walk. Talk to your loved ones. Those simple acts can help us feel more grounded when we are stressed.

Here are some other ways to take care of yourself:

•

Unplug from the news for a while.

Play music you love.

Practice a hobby that you enjoy.

•

Read a good book.

Watch a favorite movie.

Cuddle with your pet.

And remember that taking precautions to keep yourself and your community safe from COVID-19 is also a way to take care: wear

your mask, watch your distance, limit your gatherings and wash your hands frequently.

Visit https://www.safestrongoregon.org/mental-and-emotional-health for more resources, including how to contact the Safe +

Strong Helpline and information in languages other than English.

It’s okay to give yourself this moment to believe that things can be okay.

www.ctclusi.org

September 2021

Culture Camp – Honoring the Sacred

Contributed by Mark Petrie, Tobacco Prevention & Education Program (TPEP) Coordinator

For me, summer feels so much more fulﬁlling when we have the

opportunity to put on summer camps/activities with our youth. It’s

a time for fun, learning, connecting, reﬂecting, building, exercising,

getting in touch with our Indigenous roots and more. This year’s

Culture Camp was a blast! Many impactful memories were made and

cultural experiences were formed throughout the week – marking

another successful Cultural Camp!

The TPEP funds were able to pay for my time at camp, and also

supply the campers & staﬀ with swag with the theme “Honoring the

Sacred” - bringing awareness to the many things we hold sacred in

our lives, which includes, but not limited to: family, land, water, air,

ﬁre, animals, plants, and our connection and relationship to each

of them. One plant in particular that I had the honor to emphasize

during camp was our sacred tobacco plant, daha (Hanis)/dahai

(Miluk)/ chiiyuusan (Siuslaw, Lower Umpqua).

Today, we often ﬁnd that tobacco has a bad name, being

predominately associated with the highly addictive and harmful

cigarettes, chew and other commercial tobacco products. My goal is

to bring more awareness of our traditional use of the tobacco plant

Tribal Forest Lake Tract – Berry Picking Event

as Indigenous people, while also talking about how the plant has been

misused by the commercialization of it for proﬁt by the Tobacco Industry. “Keep it Sacred”, “Smoke Salmon, Not Cigarettes” are a

few phrases we have adopted in the TPEP work to raise awareness of the harms of commercial tobacco use, and the importance

of the traditional tobacco within our culture.

Luuwii (thank you) for reading and please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions – mpetrie@ctclusi.org; Oﬃce

Phone: 541-435-7217.

Campers Carve Soapstone Animal Figurines

Swimming activity at Indiola, Deadwood

Campers practice atlatl throwing with Jesse Beers

Extra image 😊😊😊😊

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

September 2021

Safety Tips for Returning to

School during COVID-19

Contributed by Kristy Petrie, RN BSN, Community Health Nurse

Making the choice of having your child go back to school, participate in distance learning,

or do a hybrid schooling model can be a diﬃcult choice. It is our hope here at the CTCLUSI

Health Department that this article will help you make an informed decision on what is best

for your child and family unit.

Social Distancing or Physical Distancing

Remaining 3-6 feet between individuals had been proven to reduce the spread of disease

(including COVID-19). Weighing the risks and beneﬁts of in-person schooling for children

may be at diﬀerent levels of social distancing based on the child’s age and developmental

stage. Here are some tips from the Mayo Clinic to practice social distancing during inschool schooling

• Avoid gathering at locker spaces, as it can become crowded.

• Eating outside when possible, or in well ventilated area.

• There may be changes to the schools to reduce risk of exposure. Schools have already implemented safety measures,

and it is important to note that what works best for one school district may not work best for another. We are all in this

together, and the priority is to keep our children safe, and healthy. Some of these safety measures may include, yet are

not limited to the following;

o Reducing the number of children on school busses.

o Creating one-way traﬃc in school hallways.

o Dividing students up into district groups or cohorts that stay together during the school day and reducing

interactions between diﬀerent groups.

Wearing a Mask

The WHO and CDC recommend wearing cloth face masks in public places where it is diﬃcult to properly social distance. If your

child’s school requires or encourages the use of cloth face masks, here are some tips we hope that are helpful:

• Wearing of a face mask should be practiced when socially distancing is diﬃcult. Settings where this may apply include:

o When riding on the bus

o Carpool drop-oﬀ or pickup

o Entering the building, or when closer than 3 feet from someone.

• Label your child’s mask clearly so it’s not confused with another child’s.

o Tip: You can personalize masks to make them more appealing to wear by the child and/or adult. A lanyard can be

made to help preventing dropping or losing the mask when they don’t have to wear them (when outside, or during

a mask break).

• Practice properly putting on and taking oﬀ cloth face masks with your child while avoiding touching the cloth portions.

• Remind your child that they should clean their hands before and after removing their mask.

• Talk to your child about the importance of wearing a face mask and model wearing them as a family.

• Remind your child to never share or trade masks with others, even if they are family or close friends.

Do NOT place a face mask on children younger than 2 years of age, and/or a child that has any breathing problems, or a child

who has a condition that would prevent him or her from being able to remove the mask without help.

Stay Home if Sick

You should monitor your child each day for signs of COVID-19. These include:

•

Fever

Nasal congestion or runny nose

Cough

Sore throat

Shortness of breath

•

Fatigue

Headache

Muscle aches

Nausea or vomiting

Diarrhea

What to do if your Child is Exposed to COVID-19

•

Poor appetite

New loss of taste or smell

Belly pain

Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

If your child will be attending in-person school, take steps to be prepared for possible exposure to COVID-19 and changing

scenarios.

• Develop a plan to protect family and household members who are at risk of severe illness, such as those with compromised

immune systems or chronic conditions.

• Make sure that your emergency contact information and school pickup and drop-oﬀ information is current at school. If that list

includes anyone who is at risk of illness, consider adding an alternate contact.

• Find out how your school will communicate with families when a positive case or exposure to someone with COVID-19

happens and how they plan to maintain student privacy.

• Plan ahead for periods of quarantine or school closures. Schools may close if COVID-19 is spreading more in your community

or if multiple children or staﬀ test positive. Your child may also need to stay home if he or she is exposed to a close contact

with COVID-19.

Following these steps can help you feel assured that your child is as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more

information on what measures your local schools are taking to reduce the risk of illness, check with your local school district or

health agency.

www.ctclusi.org

September 2021

Delta Variant Vaccinated Information

Contributed by Kristy Petrie, Community Health Nurse

A COVID infection is concerning and dangerous for anyone, but those with diabetes

face unique challenges that warrant extra precautions – especially considering the new

Delta variant.

The Delta variant is one of the latest in a series of variants and has quickly become the

predominant virus in US COVID cases. Part of what can makes a variant so dangerous is

that it may spread more easily than the original virus. Data shows that the Delta variant is

so far the most aggressive and transmissible version yet – with the CDC saying that this

virus is as infectious (or transmissible) as chickenpox. The Delta variant now accounts for

the majority of new COVID hospitalizations in the US, and unvaccinated people are at the

highest risk of getting infected.

The best protection against the Delta variant is to be fully vaccinated – in the case of the Pﬁzer or Moderna vaccine, this would

include both shots and the recommended two week waiting period after the second shot. So far, there has been data (not peerreviewed) that the Pﬁzer vaccine is 96% eﬀective against hospitalization for the Delta variant while the AstraZeneca vaccine (which

is uncommon in the US but has been widely used in Europe) is 93% eﬀective.

“I ask every patient and family if they have been vaccinated – whether they have diabetes or not. I tell them all to get vaccinated,”

said Dr. Cuttriss. “To parents of children who are not yet eligible for COVID vaccination, I tell them to be ready to get their child

vaccinated once it becomes available for their age group. Keep up to date with the evolving guidelines and speak with your health

care provider if you have questions or need additional guidance.”

Dr. Buse agreed. “The most important thing to know now in the face of Delta variant and the emerging surge is that vaccination is

the key to your best possible outcome,” he said. “Wearing a mask will protect those around you but does less to protect you. The

most important thing is to get the vaccine to protect your health and future wellness.”

Good news for Language – Spirit Mountain Community Fund

The Tribes Language program received an amazing $100,000 grant from the Spirit Mountain Community Fund provided by

the Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde. The grant will begin September 2021 and run through September 2022. We want

to say what an honor and deep appreciation we extend to the Spirit Mountain Community Fund Committee. Language is a

such a vital piece to any Tribe, and with your generosity, our Tribes get to continue preserving, revitalizing, and implementing

our languages for future generations.

The Goals & Objectives of this year long grant are:

1. The Tribe’s three (3) languages (Miluk, Hanis and Sha’yuushtl’a (and Quuiich) are very well documented despite the

lack of ﬂuent (ﬁrst generation speaker) Native speakers. Today, the Tribe has identiﬁed well over 180 Tribal members

who are interested in reclaiming and learning their indigenous languages. Further, the Tribe has developed word lists

for Miluk (1,462 words), Hanis (9,898 words), and Sha’yuushtl’a-Quuiich (4,951 words) native languages.

2. The Project Goal: The project goal is to enhance and reﬁne the Tribe’s language repository, develop the ten (10) week

curriculum, and to make the Tribe’s native languages accessible for daily use of Tribal families and within CTCLUSI

activities.

3. Objectives: through a written survey/assessment, living databases, and dictionaries, the project builds on the work

completed over the last four (4) years and includes the primary objectives to be accomplished over the over the twelve

(12) month project period. Each objective is designed to address a primary outcome, utilize speciﬁc impact indicators

to track progress, and produce associated outcomes.

Enrollment Recommendations

Posted September 1, 2021

ENROLLMENT COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRIBAL MEMBERSHIP

The Enrollment Committee recommends that the enrollment of the Applicants listed below should be approved.

Besides publication in the Tribal Newsletter, according to CLUSITC 7-1-36(i), this information will be posted in

the Administrative Building, Tribal Hall, Outreach Offices, on the Tribes’ website and at Three Rivers Casino for

twenty-eight (28) days from the date listed above.

Hudson Angel Casillas

Parent: Kirsten Casillas

Lineal Descendant: Bennett Barney

Tribe: Coos

Paisley-Jean Noelle Lawrence

Parent: Allison Mariah Lawry

Lineal Descendant: Roberta May Lawry

Tribe: Coos

In accordance with CLUSITC 7-1-37(a), Tribal Members shall have the right to protest the recommendation of

the Committee approving an application and must file a written, signed protest with the Committee stating their

reasons for believing that an Applicant(s) is not entitled to enrollment. The protest must be filed with the

Committee within twenty-eight (28) days after notice of the proposed enrollment is posted as described in

CLUSITC 7-1-36(i).

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

Back to School

September 2021

Back to School Time!

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September 2021

www.ctclusi.org

KIDS CORNER - FUN TIME PUZZLES!

September 2021

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

Results of the Language Assessment

A big thank you to all who took the time to ﬁll out the language survey. We held a raﬄe at the language committee meeting

and the 4 winners received a novel or a blanket and smudge kit. The survey greatly beneﬁts the Tribe in that participants are

informing language revival as well as the language program informing participants!

Here are some highlights of the survey!

● There were exactly 58 participants who submitted responses; 56 were enrolled Tribal members and 2 were from those who

reside in a Tribal household.

● 30% of participants recorded they have no experience of a native language

It’s exciting that so many are not involved in language activities YET took the time to ﬁll out the survey. Of these

30%, an interest in language was expressed. Thank you!

● Over 25% of respondents have participated in a language class so far. Another quarter had been unaware of the classes.

The remaining half have not participated in any classes yet, but were aware there were classes. Nearly 78% so just over

three-quarters of the respondents have at least some interest in the native language classes.

Language classes are returning Fall of 2021: See the next page for more information.

● 40% of the respondents said they are interested in virtual online classes. 37% were interested in in-person classes. The

remaining respondents were interested in resources on the tribal website, sound recordings or social media.

We acknowledge that not everyone is available during the language class time and that is why we record the classes

which you can ﬁnd online at https://ctclusi.org/languageprivate/. There is also a ‘word of the day’ facebook page for each

of the three languages. You can contact Enna Helms or Patricia Whereat Phillips to be added to the pages.

● The survey respondents are scattered across the country, from the Paciﬁc to the Atlantic coast. However, most live in the far

west - 63% in Oregon, 75% in the Paciﬁc Northwest. Of the Oregon residents, nearly 70% live in one of the Tribe’s 5 service

counties. But even the 5 counties are spread out pretty widely, and many could ﬁnd it more convenient to have access to

remote classes or online learning materials versus attending physical classes.

● Only 3 of the respondents were potentially interested in a language class to satisfy requirements for higher education.

To date, 1 language learner has satisﬁed their language requirement. The Tribe recently has established a process

to see this work begin and there are plans to see students in the language grow from here! Seeing that 3 responded

in need within this survey is fabulous!

● 55% of respondents learned that the Tribe has a language committee.

The language committee formed in August 2020 and the meetings are open to all Tribal members. They meet on the 2nd Friday

of each month from 5:00pm-7:00pm via zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5288235223. There is one opening for the committee

at this time too! We value Tribal community members’ thoughts, questions, knowledge, experiences and interest around the

Native languages as language is central to our Confederated Tribes’ culture, history, and identity. gele, luuwii, iisha, hiis!

Free Monthly Workshops!

Free Monthly Workshop!

Sponsored by CTCLUSI Health & Human Services Division