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

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The Voice of

January 2026

CLUSI

Issue 1

Volume 27

www.ctclusi.org

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

Tribal Families Gather for Annual Holiday Celebration

Tribal Council celebrate with Santa at the Annual Holiday Celebration. Pictured left to right: Ashley Russell, Debbie Bossley, Iliana Montiel, Julie Siestreem,

“Santa”, Teresa Spangler - Vice Chair, Chief Doug Barrett, and Brad Kneaper - Chair

Contributed by Morgan Gaines, Communications Specialist

The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower

Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians held their

annual Holiday Celebration on Saturday,

December 13, 2025 at the Three Rivers

Casino Resort in Florence, Oregon. Tribal

families gathered to celebrate and were

greeted by Tribal Government staff serving

up warm welcomes and smiles. Each

family received their 2026 Tribal Calendar,

wooden die cut ornaments in the shape

of snowflakes printed with the CTCLUSI

Government Seal, canned salmon and

tuna.

After a warm welcome by members of

Council and an invocation by Chief Doug

Barrett, a delicious feast of roast and an

assortment of side dishes was enjoyed by

all. A selection of hors d’oeuvres were also

savored throughout the afternoon, followed

by sweet treats including apple pie, cookies,

and cobbler for dessert.

Families enjoyed visiting with one another

and reminiscing over the slideshow of

photos from previous holiday gatherings

that played throughout the day. A festive

backdrop and fun holiday props were

provided for families to take photos with

and were gifted with prints of these photos

throughout the day. Guests also visited

the Tribal member run vendor booths and

played their odds by purchasing raffle

tickets for a gift basket and 50/50 raffle from

the Education Department. All proceeds

of the two raffles are going towards Tribal

Scholarships for youth.

Following the meal, Tribal youth and

those young at heart joined in singing some

holiday songs alongside Tribal Council

member Ashley Russell, accompanied

by Janet Niessner from the Department

of Culture and Natural Resources on the

keyboard. The pair delighted guests with

the lyrics to sing along with them to an

Indigenized rendition of ‘The 10 Days of

Solstice’. The next song helped call in the

special guest of the evening, Santa Claus!

Santa made sure to take time to speak

to all the children in attendance and was

assisted by his “elves” from Tribal Council,

in handing out gifts and stockings to all the

children.

Tribal Chairman Brad Kneaper and Chief

Doug Barrett, along with all Tribal Council

helped call out the raffle prize winners. A

number of gifts found new homes with

lucky winners.

The Education raffle basket was won by

Jessica Olson and the 50/50 raffle winner

was Leann James. Congratulations to

them both and thank you to everyone

who purchased tickets to go towards

scholarships!

Tribal members then gathered on the

stage, sang and danced a friendship round

dance to end the event in a good way.

Thank you to all the incredible members of

Tribal Government and the Staff at Three

Rivers for all of their hard work. Without

you, these events would not be possible.

We hope you have a wonderful holiday

season and a very Happy New Year!

More photos can be viewed on page 10

baldija Naming Ceremony

February 7, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

see page 4 for more details

Confederated Tribes of Coos,

Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Presorted Standard

U.S. Postage

PAID

Eugene, OR

Permit #481

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

Tribal Council Business

January 2026

Activity of Elected Tribal Council Members from November 9, 2025 - December 14, 2025

Chief Doug Barrett

11/09 Budget Presentation – Tribal Council

Meeting

11/10 Sea Otter Recovery Tribal

Engagement Meetings

11/11 Moon Complex Cooperator Meeting

11/13 Culture Committee Meeting

11/14 Special Meeting: Election Code

Amendment, Connection to Culture

for Painted Horse Recovery in

Portland

11/15 Harvest Celebration and Drum

Making, Confederated Tribes of

Siletz 48th Annual Restoration Pow

Wow

11/17 City or Florence Proclamation:

Native American Heritage Month

11/18 Canoe Carving – Education

Afterschool Data Canoe

11/19 MHA/LADPC Monthly Meeting

11/20 Leaders Circle

11/24 GFORB / Tribal Council Business

Meeting

11/25 maniis tei hap’ Data Canoe planning

meeting / NARA Board Meeting

11/26 Meeting on Sea Otters

11/28 Native Heritage Day

12/03 STEP Meeting

12/04 Peace Givers Training / Special

Council Meeting / Leaders Circle,

Culture Items Task Force Meeting /

Elakha Alliance Board Meeting

12/05 Peace Givers Training

12/06 Peace Givers Training

12/07 Deedee Celebration of life

12/08 Sea Otter Tribal Engagement

Meeting / DOC – Tribal Advisory

Committee

12/09 Indian Country Elders Knowledge

Holders Culture Keepers ECHO

12/10 OYA – NAAC Quarterly Meeting /

MHAC Special Meeting / Lane ACT

Meeting

12/11 Peace Hike Planning Meeting /

maniis tei hap’ Data Canoe Event,

Culture Committee Meeting

12/12 Solstice Ceremony Planning

Meeting

12/13 Holiday Celebration

12/14 Tribal Council Regular Meeting

Total Hours: 172

Brad Kneaper, Chair

11/09 Budget Hearing with Budget

Committee, Regular Council Meeting

11/20 Meet (ZOOM) with Legal and CEO

for updates, Leader’s Circle: Meet

new Director of Oregon Youth

Authority; Discussion on state

grant; Discuss land acquisition and

Fee to Trust; Budget Committee

meeting; Various discussion.

11/24 Gaming Operational Review Board,

Tribal Council Business Meeting

12/02 Meet (ZOOM) with Oregon Governor

discuss Consultation Task Force;

Elliot State Forest

12/04 Special Council Meeting:

Resolutions: Oregon Department

of Human Services (ODHS) Family

Support and Connections Program

Grant; PacificSource Funding

Request (Health Initiative related

to Food and Nutrition); Discussion

Blue Earth; Discussion Three Rivers

Casino Budget, Leaders Circle:

Update on Misery Creek Restoration

Property; Discussion with Education

and presentation of SB 13

Curriculum

12/05 Meeting (ZOOM) with CEO and

Legal regarding budgets

12/10 Meet with TRC CEO, GFROB

Chairman, and Legal regarding

format of Three Rivers Casino

Budget, Meet with Oregon State

Police Tribal Gaming Section, and

Interim Gaming Commission

Director at Florence Outreach

12/13 Holiday Celebration

Total Hours: 145

Teresa Spangler, Vice Chair

11/09 2nd Budget Hearing, Regular Council

meeting

11/14 Special Meeting (Zoom only)

11/15 Harvest Celebration

11/20 Leaders Circle

11/24 Tribal Council Business Council

Meeting

12/04 Special Council Meeting BECF and

TRCR Budget discussions, Leaders

Circle

12/13 Holiday Celebration

Total Hours: 65

Debbie Bossley

11/14 Special Mtg

11/20 Leaders Circle

11/24 Business Mtg

12/04 Special Mtg, Leaders Circle

12/13 Holiday Celebration

12/14 Tribal Council Mtg

Total Hours: 70

Julie Siestreem

11/09 2nd Budget hearing Tribal Councilexcused, Tribal Council General

Council Regular Monthly meetingexcused

11/13 Elders Luncheon Three Rivers

Casino Florence

11/14 Tribal Council Special Meeting,

Southwestern Oregon Community

College Port Development

Discussion Oregon State University

Sea Grant Sara Swett

11/15 Harvest Celebration Tribal Hall,

Community Center Coos Bay

11/20 Oregon Department of Health

Services Transformation Project

Kristen Potts zoom, Tribal Council

Leaders Circle Coos Bay

11/24 Gaming Operational Review Board

Three Rivers Casino Florence, Tribal

Council General Council Business

meeting Three Rivers Casino

Florence

12/04 Tribal Council Special Meeting

Blue Earth Federal Corporation and

Three Rivers Casino Budget

discussion, Tribal Council Leaders

Circle Coos Bay, Oregon Legislative

Commission on Indian Services

Budget Information Session Rep.

Sanchez zoom

12/09 4j NATIVES Program IPC meeting

Eugene

12/10 4j NATIVES Program Culture

Gathering Activities Eugene, Oregon

Department Of Early Learning and

Care Interview Panel New

Administrator zoom

12/13 Annual Christmas Gathering Three

Rivers Casino Florence

12/14 Tribal Council General Council

Regular Monthly meeting

Community Center Coos Bay

Total Hours: 130

Iliana Montiel

11/09 Tribal Council Regular Meeting

11/14 Special Meeting

11/15 Harvest Celebration

11/19 Leaders Circle

11/24 GFORB / Tribal Council Business

Meeting

12/04 Special Meeting / Leaders Circle

12/13 Holiday Celebration

Total Hours: 40

Ashley Russell

11/13 Harvest Celebration Prep

11/14 Harvest Celebration Prep

11/15 Harvest Celebration

11/19 Reviewed Leader’s Circle Packet

11/23 Reviewed Business Meeting Packet

11/24 Business Meeting

12/03 Reviewed Leader’s Circle Packet

12/04 Special Meeting and Leader’s Circle

Meeting

12/13 Holiday Celebration

12/14 General Council Meeting

Total Hours: 79

Upcoming

Regular

Council Meetings

January 11, 2026

February 8, 2026

March 8, 2026

Election Day - April 12th

Regular Meeting

begins at 10:00 a.m.

CTCLUSI Community Center

338 Wallace Avenue,

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Join by Zoom link by logging in

to the Citizen Portal of

www.ctclusi.org

January 2026

QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS?

The CLUSI Tribal Council welcomes your ideas,

comments, criticisms, etc.

Please write to: Confederated Tribes of

Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians

ATTN: Tribal Council 1245 Fulton Ave.

Coos Bay, Oregon 97420

COMMITTEE INTEREST LIST

If you are a Tribal member and interested in being

on a committee, please contact Lorin Krossman at

541-435-7178 or enrollment@ctclusi.org

We are currently keeping a list of those interested

so that when a committee vacancy occurs we

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

whether there is a vacancy or not.

Information

ATTENTION VETERANS AND FAMILIES

Veterans we need your help. Veterans are honored at

the Salmon Ceremony each year. Please contact Lorin

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

ctclusi.org for new requirements needed to be honored.

US FOREST SERVICE

NORTHWEST FOREST PASSES

Now available at the Tribal Administration Building,

Florence and Eugene Outreach offices.

Requirements are: 1. Must be a CTCLUSI Tribal

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

only be issued one per year. The passes hang from

the rear view mirror and are good for access to some

Forest Service fee areas. Area maps available.

CHANGES?

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

phone number, name or addition to your family.

Changes should be submitted to Enrollment Dept.,

either online at www.ctclusi.org/enrollment or

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

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

TRIBAL COUNCIL MINUTES

The full meeting video is available at www. ctclusi.

org If you are an enrolled member of CTCLUSI

and would like to receive typed copies of the

Tribal Council Meeting minutes please submit a

written request to Jeannie Miller at 1245 Fulton

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

Please include the meeting date requested, your

name, current address, and Tribal Roll number for

verification.

CTCLUSI Departments, Services & Offices

Government Office

Lee Ann Wander

Chief Executive Officer

lwander@ctclusi.org

Brian Dubray,

Chief Operating Officer

bdubray@ctclusi.org

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-9577

Eugene Outreach Office

149 149 W. 12th Avenue

Eugene, OR 97401

Phone 541-744-1334

Toll Free 1-800-877-2718

Fax 541-744-1349

Florence Outreach Office

Physical: 3757 Hwy 101

Mailing: P.O. Box 2000

Florence, OR 97439

Phone 541-997-6685

Toll Free 1-866-313-9913

Fax 541-997-1715

Dept. of Human Resources

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone: 541-888-7508

Fax: 541-897-9881

recruitment@ctclusihr.org

Health Services Division

Davon Smith, Chief

Operating Officer

of Health Operations

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-7515

Fax 541-888-5388

dsmith@ctclusi.org

Community Health

Diann Weaver, Director

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone: 541-888-7502

dweaver@ctclusi.org

Forestry Department

Tyler Slyter, Director

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-1311

tslyter@ctclusi.org

Purchased/Referred Care

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-4873

Toll free 1-800-227-0392

Fax 541-888-5388

prc@ctclusi.org

Department of Culture and

Natural Resources

Ashley Russell, Director

Phone 541-888-9577

arussell@ctclusi.org

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Three Rivers Health Center

150 S Wall Street

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone (541) 435-7200

info@threerivers.health

Amanda Craig, Assistant

Director

Phone 541-435-7164

acraig@ctclusi.org

149 W. 12th Avenue

Eugene, OR 97401

Three Rivers Behavioral

Health

250 HullStreet

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone (541) 435-7200

info@threerivers.health

Three Rivers Pharmacy

150 S Wall Street

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone: (541) 435-7234

Fax: (541) 435-7233

Three Rivers Dental Clinic

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-6433

Toll free 1-877-688-6433

Fax 541-888-7505

Jesse Beers,

Cultural Stewardship

Manager

Phone 541-997-6685

jbeers@ctclusi.org

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Social Services Department

Kelly Bradley, Director

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-7537

Toll Free 1-888-280-0726

Fax 541-888-5388

kbradley@ctclusi.org

Tribal Housing Department

Mary Gordon, Director

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-435-7150

Fax 541-435-0492

mgordon@ctclusi.org

Tribal Committee Members

Budget Committee

1. Martin Harris

2. Allen “Butch” Swigert

3. Margaret Corvi

4. Stephanie Watkins

5. Kerry Brainard

6. Sarah Marcial

7. Roseana Perry - Chair

Culture Committee

1. Earla Kirk

2. VACANT

3. Alyssa Lydick

4. Nicole Romine

5. Michael Brainard

6. Patricia Whereat-Phillips

- Chair

7. VACANT

Education Committee

1. Lorin Krossman - Chair

2. Julie Siestreem

3. Nicole Romine

4. Ashley Russell

5. Michael Brainard

Elders Committee

1. Arleen Perkins - Chair

2. Laura Fortin

3. Warren T. Brainard

4. Eddie Helms

5. Mike Lent

6. Stan McNutt

7. Teresa Spangler

Enrollment Committee

1. Courtney Krossman

2. Patricia Whereat-Phillips

3. Skip Brainard

4. Vicki Faciane - Chair

5. Teresa Spangler

Housing Committee

1. VACANT

2. Dan Krossman

3. Enna Helms

4. Tyler Slyter - Chair

5. Melinda Sprague

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

If you or anyone in your Tribal family has had

any recent special awards or achievements that

you would like to share, please submit your

information and photos to the newsletter. I

look forward to hearing from you!

-Morgan Gaines, Communications Specialist

mgaines@ctclusi.org or 541-888-7536

Language Committee

1. Nicole Mendoza

2. Tammy Evarts

3. Ashley Vandevort

4. Jade Fong - Chair

5. Naomi Biesanz

6. Jesse Beers

7. Ayuthea Cisneros

Election Board

1. Jade Fong

2. Michael Brainard - Chair

3. Tes Gagner

4. Mark Petrie

5. Kathy Perkins

6. Kimmy Bixby

7. Ashley Russell

Are you a Tribal member

who would like to learn more

about a Tribal Committee, or

are interested in being on a

committee? Reach out to a

Education Department

Jemiah Wassman, Director

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone: 541-888-1318

Toll free 1-888-280-0726

jwassman@ctclusi.org

Elders Activities

Barbara Black, Tribal

Navigator/ Community Health

Aide

1245 Fulton Ave.

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-7532

bblack@ctclusi.org

Tribal Gaming Commission

Brian Dubray, Interim

Executive Director of the

Gaming Commission

5647 Hwy 126, Suite 100

Florence, OR 97439

Phone 541-997-2830

Fax 541-997-7293

rbossley@ctclusi.org

Tribal Police

Brian Dubray, Police Chief

5647 Hwy 126, Suite 100

Florence, OR 97439

Phone 541-997-6011

Fax 541-902-6507

bdubray@ctclusi.org

Tribal Court

Karen Costello, Chief Judge

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Phone 541-888-9577

Toll Free 1-888-280-0726

tribalct@ctclusi.org

Tribal Council

Doug Barrett, Chief

541-297-2130 (cell)

doug.barrett@ctclusi.org

Ashley Russell

Position #1 Council

541-808-4455 (cell)

ashley.russell@ctclusi.org

Brad Kneaper, Chair

Position #2 Council

541-808-5178 (cell)

brad.kneaper@ctclusi.org

Julie Siestreem

Position #3 Council

541-294-6055

jsiestreem@ctclusi.org

Teresa Spangler, Vice

Chair

Position #4 Council

541-294-3972

tspangler@ctclusi.org

Iliana Montiel

Position #5 Council

541-217-4613(cell)

iliana.montiel@ctclusi.org

Debbie Bossley

Committee Chair person or

a Tribal Government Staff

member.

Committee Chairs are

noted at left with current

sitting members of the

committee at the time of

publication of this paper.

For questions, please

contact Lorin Krossman,

541-435-7178

enrollment@ctclusi.org

The Tribe maintains a list

of those interested so that

when a committee vacancy

occurs we can fill it as soon

as possible, so please

is a vacancy or not. Letters

of interest remain on file

for one full year. Members

can serve on up to three

committees simultaneously.

Upcoming Events

Turn to page 19 of this publication for a monthly calendar

of upcoming events or visit the Events Calendar on the tribal

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

Position #6 Council

541-808-5580(cell)

debbie.bossley@ctclusi.org

Council Meeting

January 11, 2026

Regular Meeting 10:00 a.m.

Coos Bay Community Center

338 Wallace Ave.

Coos Bay, Oregon 97420

Please login to the citizen portal of www.

ctclusi.org and click Council Meetings for

the zoom link to this meeting.

Agenda:

1. Call to Order

2. Invocation

3. Approval of Minutes as needed

4. Tribal Council Reports

5. Tribal Chief Executive Officer

Report

6. Chief Financial Officer Report

7. Old Business

8. New Business

9. Other

10. Good of the Tribes

11. Executive Session as needed

Council meeting video available to view at

www.ctclusi.org

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

January 2026

Join Us in Returning baldija (Gregory Point)

Back to its miluk Name Through Ceremony

Contributed by Jesse Beers, Cultural Stewardship Manager

baldija - Gregory Point – baldija, baldija, baldija

baldija Naming Ceremony

February 7th at 10:00am

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

through Ceremony.

Imagine our miluk ancestors gathering for dances at baldija,

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

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

immemorial the miluk people lived on baldija they truly were the

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

village site was attacked by our southern Athabascan neighbors and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

United States occupied baldija, renamed it Gregory Point and built

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

and lighthouses through the years. This place even though owned

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

for the people. Eventually through the hard work, perseverance

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

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

IMPORTANT

FITNESS

PROGRAM

REMINDER:

Photo from before the bridge to the island was removed

Many of our Tribal Citizens will recognize this place as Gregory

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

annual Salmon Ceremony. However, the name baldija was not lost,

only sleeping. Our Linguistic staff have been working alongside

our Language Committee to bring back the use of these traditional

place names. The surviving names of these places hold great

meaning for us and for our lands. Please join us on February 7th

for the first of many returning place-name ceremonies. Together,

we will once again face the ocean in reverence at baldija.

RSVP to Jesse Beers at 541 297-0748 as transportation will be

available from Tribal Hall.

Save the Date: Election Forums

Forum Day - Saturday, March 21, 2026

Receipts for July-December 2025 are

due no later than January 14, 2026.

Late submissions will not be

accepted.

QUESTIONS? Contact

fitnessprogram@ctclusi.org

Hidden Image Search: Can You Find Me?

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

SNOWFLAKE 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 Snowflake

hiding!

Must email by January 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.

December Cranberries Raffle Winners:

Adult - Stan McNutt

Youth - No youth entered December raffle

The cranberries were hidden in the photo on page 11 (In the basket of

the top left photo under Fall Harvest and Drum Making banner)

Forums will be held from

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

Join in person at

Community Center

338 Wallace Avenue,

Coos Bay, Oregon

97420

or Join Online via

Zoom

(link will be made available

in the Citizen Portal of the

www.ctclusi.org closer to

date of Forum)

Questions?

Email enrollment@ctclusi.org

Important PRC Application Deadline

The Purchased and Referred Care department is now accepting applications

for the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) program for 2026. You must submit

a new application each year for each PRC-eligible Tribal member in your

household.

This year, the deadline for applications is Friday, January 30, 2026.

Failure to apply for the program will result in denial of eligibility for

the PRC program. If an application is received after January 30, 2026,

PRC will only pay claims 90 days prior to the date the application was

submitted for that calendar year.

You can apply online at www.ctclusi.org. You will see a link at the bottom of

the home page that will take you to the online form (or look under Member

Services, Purchased and Referred Care). Please be sure to upload the

front and back of your insurance card(s) to ensure we have the most

current information. You must complete a separate form for each PRCeligible family member. Please call PRC at (541) 888-4873 or (800) 2270392 to have a hard-copy application mailed to you or with any questions.

New Limited Benefit

PRC is pleased to announce that both Massage Therapy and Acupuncture

have been added to your annual Limited Benefits. Starting January 1st,

2026, you will be able to seek Massage Therapy and Acupuncture with a

licensed provider. The facility you chose must bill all insurances and be

willing to work with the PRC billing requirements. Each benefit will be limited

to one visit per month for a total of 12 visits in a calendar year.

All remaining Limited Benefits remain the same.

www.ctclusi.org

January 2026

NOTICE IMPORTANT ELECTION INFORMATION

YOU MUST BE

REGISTERED TO

VOTE IN ANY TRIBAL

ELECTION

TRIBAL COUNCIL ELECTION DATE: APRIL 12, 2026

Only registered voters will be

sent a ballot

POSITION NUMBER

INCUMBENT

Position #2

Position #4

Position #6

Brad Kneaper

Teresa Spangler

Debbie Bossley

Tribal Council Guidelines per Chapter 7-3 Elections

7-3-22 Public Notice of Upcoming Elections

(a) The Election Board must publish in the Tribal Newsletter and post at the Tribes’

Administrative Building, Tribal Hall, Outreach Offices, on the Tribes’ website and in

the office of the Gaming Commission, a notice of upcoming regular Tribal Council

elections. This shall be done no later than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to

the scheduled date of a regular Tribal Council election.

7-3-5 Voters List: no later than 90 days prior to an election, Chief Executive Office

or the Enrollment Clerk shall furnish a list to the Election Board a list of eligible voters.

7-3-23 Candidate Eligibility

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

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

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

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

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

Election Day:

April 12, 2026

Voting hours shall be from

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

The Election shall be held at the

Tribal Hall

338 Wallace Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon

97420

You can register and vote in person

during this time.

Please reach out to

enrollment@ctclusi.org

to verify your registration is valid

Visit www.ctclusi.org and sign in to

the Citizen Portal to view more details

of the 2026 Tribal Council Election.

Constitutional

Amendment Secretarial Election

1-1-24 Candidacy Procedures

Contributed by Lorin Krossman, Enrollment

Specialist & Election Clerk

(a)Statements of Candidacy (1) Candidates shall file Statements of Candidacy

no later than thirty (30) days before the scheduled date of the election. (3) Each

candidate shall indicate the position (#2, #4, or #6) for which he or she is filing. Once

a person has filed for a position, he or she will not be allowed to change positions or

to withdraw and refile for the same election. (All Gov. Offices have this form)

Tribal Council would like to update you and

provide information on the current efforts to

amend the Tribes Constitution. Our Tribe’s

Constitution is one of the few that have never

been amended since its original final recorded

date of June 23, 1987. This process currently

requires the United States Department of

Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to

facilitate the process called a “Secretarial

Election”. There will be several areas called

“Proposed Constitutional Amendments”

you will be able to vote on.

A Secretarial Election Board will be

established under the BIA to assist with

this Election process; this will allow some

representation from our Tribe.

All CTCLUSI members will be contacted

directly by the BIA. First, you must register

and then the BIA will create and send

those who registered a ballot to vote. The

BIA will also make the final determination

of result of this Election.

Previously, the Tribal Council directed

outreach to membership, held question and

answer forums and collected comments about

various areas of proposed amendments.

Council has worked with legal Counsel

and submitted proposed language for

amendments to the BIA to seek a technical

review and ensure all suggested language

meets legal sufficiency. The BIA brought back

an approval to the request.

We will begin again to provide you with

information through various methods. Please

review these communications when they are

received as we move through this historic

process together.

Please update your information through

the website, www.ctclusi.org or contact

the Enrollment Department at enrollment@

ctclusi.org for more information.

The Candidate Filing Deadline for the 2026 Tribal

Council Election

Friday, March 13, 2026, by 5:00 p.m.

7-3-24(b) Public Notices and Position Statements

(1) Per Article VII Section 4(c) “A Public list of candidates shall be published no

later than 20 days before elections for the calendar year. March 23, 2026- in

all offices and website.

(2) Election Board shall publish in January 2026 issue a notice of Tribal Council

Election Deadline for this posting

(3) Position Statements: Candidates will be given the opportunity to present

a Position Statement for inclusion in February, March or April Tribal

Newsletter. The statement must be submitted before the paper’s deadline

and shall be no longer than one (1) sheet of 8-1/2” x 11” paper printed on both

sides, capable of being copied on a black and white copier.

February 2026 Newsletter – deadline is January 15, 2026; March

Newsletter – deadline is February 15, 2026; April Newsletter – deadline

is March 13, 2026

Ballot Mailing: Once a person has declared to run by filing a “Statement of

Candidacy”; if a “Position Statement” is submitted by the final deadline March

13, 2026, it will be included in the ballot mailing.

For the complete Election Code and other information please see www.ctclusi.

org Tribal Code, Chapter 7-3 Elections or visit the Elections Page. For questions,

please email enrollment@ctclusi.org.

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

January 2026

Department of Culture and Natural Resources:

Year in Review & Welcoming Our Growing Team

dai chil sla (m), shin dai sla (h), nishachii chamanii (sq), Greetings

DEPARTMENT

relatives,

Direct Supervisor: Ashley Russell

The Department of Culture and Natural Resources (DCNR) is honored

to share highlights from a year of tremendous growth, stewardship, Environmental Sector

• Janet Niessner, Laboratory Manager

and cultural reconnection. Guided by our mission to braid Indigenous

• Jessie Marlenee, Laboratory Technician

Knowledge and Western Science, our work supports the health and well• Patrick Winczewski, Quality Assurance Specialist

being of our lands, waters, non-human relatives, and people, for the next

• Kathryn (Katie) Ribble, Cultural Resources Protection

seven generations.

Technician II

This year, DCNR organized into four sectors, Environmental, Cultural

• Sarah Hardisty, Tribal Response Specialist

Resources, Language, and Culture is Prevention, to strengthen our

• Dan Kirk, Restoration Projects Manager

Cultural Resources Protection Sector

programs and better serve the community.

• Courtney Krossman, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer

Highlights from 2025

• Tribal Archaeologist, Vacant

• Expanded the Air Quality Program and continued monitoring lands

Direct Supervisor: Amanda Craig

and waters across the Tribe’s Area of Interest.

Language Sector

• Grew the Environmental Toxicology Lab, adding new testing

• Patty Whereat Phillips, Linguist

capabilities.

• Enna Helms, Contract Language Teacher

• Advanced restoration projects, including haich ikt'at'uu (Waite

• Ashley Vandevort, miluk tɬiis də yets k’a (miluk Language

Ranch) and Misery Creek (Brainard Tract)

Nest Facilitator)

• Collaborated on new interpretive signage in Coos Bay and

• Naomi Biesanze, tɬ’iisu ets’me (hanis Language Nest

Florence.

Facilitator)

• Continued cultural stewardship, artifact care, and practitioner

• Kris Wing, wa’asamɬ hiits ‘ii ‘ii hiich (sha’yuushtɬ’a uɬ

access through the Cultural Resources Protection Program.

quuiich Language Nest Facilitator)

• Offered subsistence fishing opportunities and provided salmon for

• Isa Helms, Language Nest Helper

the Sacred Salmon Ceremony.

Culture is Prevention Sector

• Hosted monthly cultural gatherings and expanded Language

• Jesse Beers, Cultural Stewardship Manager

• Alycia Cossey, Cultural Stewardship Associate

Program offerings.

• Angela Henry, Camps Director

• Published 16 early literacy books and a language workbook in the

• Nicole Romine, Tribal Tobacco Prevention Specialist II

Tribe’s heritage languages.

• Sam Riding In, Tribal Youth Engagement Specialist

• Acquired the Florence Canoe House and expanded Building C

• Isaac Dull, Tribal Youth Engagement Coordinator

with new offices and a conference room.

• Finalized key Tribal policies, including FPUP, ERA, TCMP, and the

We thank Tribal Council, elders, youth, and community members

Tribal Forest Access Policy.

for supporting this work. Together, we are strengthening our lands

• Welcomed 13 new staff across all sectors.

and waters, our culture, and our future.

Ashley

Leadership

Russell, Director, Oversees the

Department as a whole, with primary leadership of

the Environmental and Cultural Resources Sectors,

and guides DCNR’s growth through culturally

grounded, community-centered leadership.

Ashley Russell, a Miluk citizen of the Tribe,

serves as the Director of DCNR, a role she officially

assumed in October 2024 after working in the

department since 2014. Ashley brings over a decade

of experience in environmental stewardship, policy

development, and cultural resource protection.

Her leadership focuses on integrating Indigenous

Knowledge with Western Science to protect Tribal

lands, waters, and cultural lifeways. Her work centers

community stewardship, cultural revitalization, and

strengthening opportunities for Tribal citizens of all

ages.

Amanda Craig, Assistant Director, Oversees

the Culture is Prevention and Language Sectors

Returned to DCNR in March 2025.

Amanda is honored to be back with the Tribe and

the Department of Culture and Natural Resources

(DCNR), supporting youth, families, and community

through culturally grounded programming. Her work

centers language revitalization, Culture is Prevention,

and intergenerational learning, connecting land,

language, and people.

Amanda brings a strong interdisciplinary

background in cultural stewardship, program

development, planning, environmental science and

education, landscape architecture, and collaborative

leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Science in

Environmental Studies and a Master’s degree

in Landscape Architecture from the University of

Oregon.

Amanda has worked for and with the Tribes for over 14 years, beginning at the

age of 16, and brings deep institutional knowledge and long-standing community

relationships to her role. She is especially passionate about creating safe,

welcoming spaces for youth and strengthening partnerships that support longterm community well-being.

Tonya Davis, Administrative Coordinator,

Supports all DCNR sectors and the Directors. Tonya has lived most of her life in

North Bend, with earlier administrative experience in city government, the timber

industry, and legal offices. She enjoys reading, hiking, bicycling, and spending

time with her family. She and her husband, Chris, have two children, Cooper and

Lexi.

Meet the Team

Angela Henry, Camp Director

shin dai sla, my name is Angela

Henry, and I am excited to join the

DCNR team as the Camp Director.

As a Tribal member, mother of two,

and dedicated advocate for youth

education and development, I bring

a deep passion for creating culturally

rich, engaging programs for our Tribal

youth.

Nature has always been a guiding

force in my life, especially the ocean. In

2022, along with my husband, Cy, and

two kids, Elijah and Shiloh, we moved

onto a sailboat in Hawaii and sailed it to

Coos Bay then down to Mexico. Since

then, we have been splitting our time

between sailing and spending time in

Oregon.

These adventures continually strengthen my appreciation for

the environment, our traditions, and the importance of connecting

young people to both.

As a mother of two, I understand firsthand the impact that

meaningful experiences can have on young minds. I am thrilled to

step into this role and honored to serve the Tribes by helping create

safe, inspiring, and culturally grounded opportunities for our youth.

Janet Niessner, Laboratory Manager

Janet Niessner is the Laboratory

Manager of CTCLUSI’s Environmental

Toxicology Laboratory. The Laboratory

investigates contaminants of concern for

Tribal lands and resources and supports

the Tribe in ensuring resource health and

prosperity. The Laboratory also supports

the Tribe’s cultural collections and curations

through the Tribal Historic Preservation

Office (THPO), ensuring that materials are

accessible to Tribal membership. Janet has

a B.A. in Archaeology from George Washington University (2007),

and an MSc in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology from

Cranfield University (2014). She has strong scientific background

and forensic laboratory management experience as well as cultural

resource management experience.

January 2026

www.ctclusi.org

Department of Culture and Natural Resources:

Meet the Team

Jesse Beers, Cultural Stewardship Manager

Dan Kirk, Restoration Projects

Jessie Marlenee, Laboratory

Niisachii. Jesse Beers namɬiin

Manager

Technician

ɬiin. Sha’uushtɬ’axan uɬ quuiich’axan

I’m Dan Kirk, nə

Jessie

hiich. (hello everyone. My name is

hanis coos me (I

Marlenee is an

Jesse Beers. I am a Siuslaw and

hanis

coos

ecologist with

Lower Umpqua person.) I am an

person)

and

I’m

a background

enrolled citizen of our Tribal Nation

the

Restoration

in mycology,

and currently I serve as a Cultural

Projects Manager.

forestry, and

Stewardship Manager for our Tribe.

I like being on a

molecular

I live in the Department of Culture

and Natural Resources. We work to restore and steward journey with the

biology. She

the lands and waters that are necessary for our Culture department and the

joined the

to thrive while also working to restore and steward our Tribe to develop

CTCLUSI

Culture so that our lands and waters may thrive, bringing and implement

Environmental

the lessons of our Ancestors into the present so that

Testing Laboratory in August 2025 as a

our future generations may have healthy and abundant programs and

projects

that

center

Laboratory

resources and relatives to appreciate. Currently I’m

care

and

healing

Technician/Microbiologist. In this role,

excited to introduce the community to the siixaiyamɬ

our

homelands.

Currently,

work

with

Jessie tests environmental samples using

hiitsii’ii (the canoe’s house). This is the location of my new

office and of cultural programing out of the Florence area. department and outside organizations and genetic tools like eDNA and qPCR to track

These buildings will be where the family canoe program entities to bring back the full potential of ecosystem health and support restoration

will be run and provides a place in between Eugene and natural processes to wetland areas that lack projects. She also helps develop new

Coos Bay to base cultural activities, staff and resources. this potential. This might mean increasing testing methods, ensures the lab meets

If you’d like to visit me at siixaiyamɬ hiitsii’ii feel free to call native habitats, reshaping how water flows quality standards, and assists with water

or text me and set a time at 541 297-0748 and I can give

through a wetland, adding more complexity to quality monitoring in the field. Jessie earned

you a tour. ailaɬa.

channels, removing invasive species, and so her B.S. in Biology from Western Colorado

Alycia Cossey, Cultural Stewardship Associate much more. This type of on-the-ground work University and her M.S. and Ph.D. in

Alycia Cossey sinsanuu, wen

is one way to perpetuate healing and growth Biology from the University of New Mexico.

miluk k’a’uu. My name is Alycia

of abundance of natural and cultural resources She is passionate about environmental

Cossey (formerly Brainard), and

within our homelands. While I greatly enjoy stewardship and using molecular tools

I am miluk Coos. I am deeply

the work in the field, strategizing and project to identify rare or vulnerable species,

grateful to serve our people

planning, and various other aspects of my document biodiversity, and understand how

as the Cultural Stewardship

position, what makes my job particularly climate change and related disturbances

Associate, now entering my

special, though, is weaving this work with the affect natural communities. Jessie is excited

second year in this full-time

broader scope of restoration and stewardship to learn more about the local ecosystems

role. I am always learning

(of languages, forests, histories, baskets, and the environmental issues impacting

something new and continually

etc.) that has and continues to take place at the Tribe, and to use her skills to help

striving to grow for the benefit

the Tribe. We have the honor, privilege, and manage and protect its natural and cultural

of our community and future

right to steward the many intersecting pieces resources.

generations.

that define our cultures, lands, and identities.

Katie Ribble, Cultural Resources

In this position, I have the rewarding role of helping

Protection Technician II

to plan and support cultural events for our tribe. These Issac Dull, Tribal Youth Engagement

Katie Ribble is a Marine Scientist with

include ceremonies, regalia making, gathering traditional Coordinator

strong background in water quality

medicines, and harvesting basketry materials, to name I serve as a

assessment, harmful algal research, and

a few. When I’m not preparing for events, I assist with Youth Engagement

environmental outreach. She currently

cultural partnership requests within DCNR—supporting Coordinator for

serves as a Cultural Resources Protection

projects such as interpretive signage, art initiatives, land the Confederated

Technician II, where she focuses on water

stewardship, and other collaborative efforts. I love the Tribes of Coos,

quality monitoring through both fieldwork

variety of this work and the opportunity to contribute to Lower Umpqua,

and laboratory analysis.

our people, our culture, and the well-being of our lands. and Siuslaw

Katie holds a B.S. in Marine Science

What excites me most about this role is the ongoing Indians within the

and

an M.S. in Environmental Science

opportunity to engage with our community—teaching, Department of

from

Florida Gulf Coast University. Her

sharing, building confidence, and helping to strengthen Prevention and

roles include conducting research

our connection to the traditions and knowledge of our Culture. In this

on harmful algal blooms and marine toxins,

ancestors and lands. As I continue my own learning, role,

as well as leading water quality compliance

I hope and aim to be in service to our people and the I

help

create

investigations for the Louisiana Department

generations to come

meaningful, culturally grounded learning

of Environmental Quality. Her work has

opportunities that support the growth,

Samuel Riding In, Tribal Youth Engagement

spanned coastal ecosystems across the

resilience, and overall well-being of tribal

Specialist

Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of Maine and now

youth. My work centers on sharing traditional

I am excited to continue to

Pacific Northwest.

knowledge, building hands-on skills, and

work for the Confederated

Outside of the lab, Katie is passionate

encouraging healthy, drug-, alcohol-, and

Tribes of the Coos, Lower

about

outdoor

exploration

and

commercial tobacco–free lifestyles.

Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians.

environmental stewardship. In 2022,

Some of the work I’m most

I instruct a wide range of outdoor and

she thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, an

proud of being involved with

cultural activities—including archery, hunting

experience that deepened her connection

has been supporting the

and fishing tactics, woodworking, wilderness

to the landscapes of the western U.S. and

Harvest Party, and Fresh Air

survival, and plant identification—designed

reinforced her commitment to conservation

and Language Camps. Working

to strengthen confidence, connection, and

with the CTCLUSI community

and sustainability.

cultural identity. I also help plan and lead youth

has been a great experience,

She is especially excited about the

camps, community events, and preventionand positively impactful for

opportunity to

focused programming that create safe,

both myself and my family who

contribute to longhave continued to be welcomed at all Tribal events we’ve supportive spaces for learning and personal

term environmental

attended. My role as the Youth Engagement Specialist growth.

involves working with Tribal youth and promoting the A lifelong outdoors enthusiast, I’m monitoring efforts

Culture is Prevention method towards Youth Prevention. passionate about snowboarding, hunting, that are rooted in

I look forward to continuing to engage with the Tribal spearfishing, fly fishing, traditional archery, both science and

cultural stewardship.

community from the Eugene area office, as well as in

working with sharp tools, and spending time

Florence, and Coos Bay when necessary.

She looks forward to

Working in the Department of Natural Resources near water and fire. These experiences shape working on projects

and Culture has been an honor and I look forward to not only my personal life, but also the way I that directly impact

connect with youth and bring authentic, landsupporting traditional cultural activities and events.

local ecosystems and

based learning into every program I support.

communities.

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

January 2026

Department of Culture and Natural Resources:

Meet the Team Continued

Ashley Vandevort, miluk Language Nest Facilitator

dai chil sla. Ashley Vandevort tɬə’nə

san. miluk k’a’uu. tɬə’nə halqaima

Brainard. tɬə’nə umnatɬ’əch Madeline

Knowlton də san. miluk tɬiis də yets k’a.

(hello you all. My name is Ashley

Vandevort. I am a miluk (Coos)

person. My family is the Brainards. My

grandmother is Madeline Knowlton. I am

the miluk Language Nest Facilitator.)

Learning, speaking and teaching my

language are all aspects I enjoy about

my job. Supporting other learners as

they speak miluk in their homes is very

rewarding. I love speaking miluk with

my k’ilga (baby) and my husband in the

home and sharing language with my extended family.

I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Indigenous Foodways

and Heritage Reclamation and a certificate in Culinary Arts from

University of Alaska Fairbanks. I enjoy using miluk in the kitchen

and cooking with ingredients indigenous to North America.

In my free time I enjoy gathering, listening to audiobooks, working

on a myriad of different crafts, rock climbing, kayaking and hiking.

In 2023 my husband and I hiked the Oregon Coast Trail from

Astoria to California. Spending time on the land and water is when

tɬə’nə k’ele luwe (my heart is happy).

Courtney Krossman, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer

Naomi Biesanz, hanis Language Nest

Facilitator

I’m thrilled to be part of the project of bringing

our languages back into use! I teach the hanis

language nest, our weekly online hanis (Coos)

class for children 0-5 years old and their caregivers.

I also assist our Tribal linguists with developing

educational materials like flashcards, children’s

books, and example audio demonstrating

pronunciation.

I hope to help make learning and using our

languages as approachable as possible.

Kris Wing, sha’yuushtɬ’a uɬ quuiich

Language Nest Facilitator

niishachii! Kris ɬiiniin, quuiichaxan hiich. tain tqauwii

quuiich hyatsuuwiiyuus tainat namɬiin qastɬiiuu uɬ

namɬiinɬ shiit’a. (Hello all! My name is Kris, I am a

quuiich person. I live upriver in Reedsport with my

husband and our pets.)

I am our sha’yuushtɬ’a uɬ quuiich Language Nest

Facilitator and I am so in love with my role in our

community. I am always looking for new ways to

bring language into the homes of our tribal families

as well as my own. I have a passion for linguistics on

its own, but learning our language has made me feel

connected to our land and our people in ways that

are indescribable. Being able to hear all

three of our languages be spoken on a

regular is such a special, irreplaceable

feeling. I am looking forward to seeing how much our community

language use will grow!”

Courtney Krossman sinsanuu, wen miluk k’a’uu.

My name is Courtney Krossman and I am a miluk coos

person. I am an enrolled citizen of CTCLUSI, where

I currently serve as the Tribal Historic Preservation

Officer, within the department of Culture and Natural

Resources. In this role, my focus is the protection

of cultural resources within our ancestral territory,

cultural continuity, and our sacred places and to

ensure that archaeological preservation reflects

our Tribal values and cultural protocols. We strive

to protect and preserve these resources through

engagement, consultation, and collaboration with

Federal, State, and local agencies as well as private

landowners. Hosting Cultural Monitoring Training

has been a highlight the last few years, and I look

forward to having more Tribal members trained on

cultural preservation in the coming year.

Outside of the office, I enjoy raising our four kids within the Tribal community

and teaching them our love for the outdoors through harvesting our own food in

the garden and hunting in our Tribal forests.

Patrick Winczewski, Quality Assurance Specialist

Patrick Winczewski (he/him) joined CTCLUSI in

December 2024 as the Quality Assurance Specialist

for DCNR and the Environmental Testing Laboratory.

His work focuses on building and maintaining

the lab’s Quality Management System as testing

capacity and programs continue to expand.

Patrick earned his B.S. in Chemistry with a minor

in Nutrition from Oregon State University in 2015.

His background includes laboratory work, regulatory

compliance, quality assurance in the food industry,

and more than 15 years supporting outdoor youth

programs. He enjoys learning, and has passion for

all things related to environmental science, public

health, and is excited to keep growing professionally

with CTCLUSI.

Outside of work, Patrick loves all things mushroom-related, he forages,

cultivates, cooks, and educates about them through a nonprofit he leads. He

lives in Albany with his wife, pets, and an ever-growing list of hobbies.

Sarah Hardisty, Tribal Response Specialist

Hi all - my name is Sarah and I just had my twoyear anniversary working for Confederated Tribes

of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians

as the Tribal Response Resource Specialist. I

look forward to continue this work ensuring that

Tribal land gets assessed and remediated. My

background is in biology and marine science, and

I have really enjoyed learning about all the marine

life that is important to CTCLUSI and exploring the

Southern Oregon Coast. I hold a B.A. in Biology

and B.S. In Integrative Biology, with a background

in computational and laboratory analysis. When not

working, I enjoy food, reading a good book, painting,

pulling weeds from my community garden, and

hiking all over the beautiful PNW rain or shine. Right now is a really expansive

time in indigenous science and important time to work in natural resources for a

Tribal government, and I am constantly learning and growing!

Patty Whereat Phillips, Linguist

Patricia Whereat Phillips is a tribal

member of miluk descent. She was

born and raised on Coos Bay and from

an early age was interested in wildlife

around her family’s house. She also

learned a lot of tribal history from her

father Don Whereat.

Inspired by her interest in wildlife and

Native languages, she earned a BS

in biology in 1992 from Oregon State

University and an MA in linguistics at

University of Oregon in 1996. Since

that time she has spent much time

researching and teaching the Tribe’s

languages; miluk, hanis and sha’yuushtɬ’a uɬ quuiich.

2026 Cedar Cape Workshop Series

*dates updated*

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

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

from identifying and gathering cedar to making cordage and constructing

finished capes for all genders.

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

January 17th 2026 – LCC Longhouse

Focus: Cultural teachings, Cape assembling

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

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

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

(During Summer Solstice)

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

Registration & Contact:

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

Locations:

Florence Canoe House

Coos Bay Tribal Hall

Eugene Outreach

Questions?

Contact: Alycia Cossey

acossey@ctclusi.org or 541-294-1237

for any questions or assistance with filling out the form

www.ctclusi.org

January 2026

Certification of Two Language Teachers

Contirbuted by the Language Sector

On Sunday, October 12, the Tribal

Council officially approved the certification

of our two first Language Teachers: Patty

Phillips (miluk) and Enna Helms (miluk).

This marks another important milestone

in the Confederated Tribes’ Coos,

Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw

continuing commitment to language

revitalization and cultural continuity.

The overarching goal of the

Tribe’s language program is to

broaden and strengthen our speech

communities for miluk, hanis, and

sha’yuushtɬ’a uɬ quuiich. Extending

not only within our citizenship, but

also among the descendants of our

languages enrolled in neighboring

tribes; the Coquille Indian Tribe,

the Confederated Tribes of Siletz

Indians, and the Confederated

Tribes of Grand Ronde.

Language revitalization efforts

first began through consulting and

working with the elders from both the

Confederated Tribes’ Coos, Lower

Umpqua and Siuslaw and Coquille

Indian Tribe. Elders recalled words,

phrases, songs in the language and stories

of their elder’s using language. In total,

over two dozen elders recalled.

“Working with our elders shifted something

within me, both in my passion for language

Patty Phillips and Enna Helms

revitalization and in the language itself,” said

Enna Helms, Language teacher for miluk,

hanis, sha’yuushtɬ’a uɬ quuiich. “It rewired

language memory and activated pathways

of our tribal identity, emotion, and continuity

of our culture and language.”

Since working with the elders (20172019), the Tribes language sector

has continued to grow. The Language

committee was established in 2020

to guide language advocacy, policy

and education, and our community is

celebrating its sixth year of teaching

the three different languages.

Some of the work includes building

dictionaries, developing curriculum

and learning materials, producing

bilingual and multilingual children’s

books, developing the Language Nest

Program for young children and their

families, and continually working with

elders, and shaping policy to support

language revitalization. The adoption

of the Tribe’s Language Teacher

Certification Protocol provides a

framework for training, experiential

opportunities, and resources to certify

and support future language teachers.

The certification of Language Teachers

Patty Phillips and Enna Helms allows them

to apply for the American Indian Languages

Teaching License to teach in public schools.

Enna said, “It is our hope that this milestone

will guide conversations to developing the

pathways and capacity for teaching in the

local public schools”.

Want to learn more about language?

Contact the language sector by

emailing language@ctclusi.org

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

Holiday Celebration 2025

January 2026

www.ctclusi.org

Holiday Celebration 2025

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

Tribe Hires

New Diabetes Educator

Please join us in welcoming our new Diabetes

Educator, Elizabeth “Liz” Escobedo. Elizabeth will be stationed

at our Eugene Outreach Office and can be reached at her office

direct line of 541-435-7191 or email eescobedo@ctclusi.org.

Below is a bio Elizabeth has prepared, together with a photo of

her at the beach.

“My name is Elizabeth Escobedo and I’m excited to be joining

the team in the Eugene Outreach Office as a Diabetes Educator.

My background is in medical nutrition and health education.

Diabetes education is personal to me. My family’s journey with

diabetes inspired me, and I’m excited to support others on

theirs. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, hiking, and spending

time outdoors. The photo I’m

including is from my Highway

1 drive on my own from the

Redwood National and

State Parks. One of my

favorite nature trips!”

Elizabeth will be

working directly with

the SDPI (Special

Diabetes Program

for Indians – IHS)

and the GHWIC

(Good Health and

Wellness in Indian

County

–

CDC)

grants. In addition,

she will be providing

prevention

education,

doing demonstrations of

diabetic-friendly recipes, and

provide blood glucose testing at

certain Tribal events to name a few.

We are happy to have Elizabeth onboard and look forward to

working with her.

January is National Glaucoma

Awareness Month

Contributed by Elizabeth Escobedo, MS, CHES, Diabetes Educator

Did you know that people living with diabetes are twice as likely

to develop glaucoma and other eye diseases? The Indian Health

Service reports that about 14% of American Indians and Alaska

Natives live with diabetes in 2024. This puts our communities at

higher risk for vision loss.

The good news? Finding it early makes all the difference. A

complete eye exam can find eye disease before you get any

vision changes. The CDC reports that getting treatment quickly

can lower your risk of serious vision loss by 95%. Vision loss

happens slowly. You won’t feel it or see symptoms until later.

There’s no way to prevent glaucoma, but treatment can help keep

it from getting worse. That’s why finding it early is so important.

This month, we encourage you to:

• Make an appointment with your primary care doctor

• Ask about getting a complete eye exam with an eye specialist

• Don’t wait until you notice a problem. Early detection helps

protect your sight!

See the flyers at right for more information about diabetic eye disease.

Sources: Indian Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and

prevention, Mayo Clinic.

January 2026

Diabetic Eye Disease

What is diabetic eye disease?

Diabetic eye disease can happen when a person

has high blood sugar over a long period of time.

This causes blood vessels in the back of the eye to

leak or bleed. It can occur in one or both eyes. This

is called retinopathy.

How do you know if you have diabetic eye disease?

There are often no warning signs. The only way to know

if you have diabetic eye disease is by getting your eyes

checked. People with diabetes need to get their eyes

checked at least once a year.

There are two ways to check:

Get a dilated eye exam by an eye doctor.

Some clinics can screen for diabetic eye disease

by taking pictures of the back of your eyes.

You can help prevent or slow diabetic eye disease.

Manage your blood sugar and blood pressure.

Take your medicines as prescribed.

Get an eye exam every year.

Produced by the IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention

in collaboration with the IHS National Diabetes Eye Care Committee.

For more diabetes information and materials, visit www.ihs.gov/diabetes

05/2020

Take a picture with your cell phone.

Look at the picture later as a reminder!

How is diabetic eye disease treated?

People who have diabetic eye disease are

seen more often by an eye doctor. They

may also need the following:

• Eye medicines

• Laser treatment

• Surgery

Diabetes increases the risk for

common eye problems, such as

cataracts and glaucoma.

• Cataracts are cloudy areas in the lens

of the eye.

• Glaucoma happens when there is

increased pressure in the eye.

Your eye doctor can check for these

eye problems during an eye exam.

If you notice sudden changes in your vision, such as dark spots or

vision loss, get checked by a health care provider right away.

Women with diabetes need to get an eye exam if they are

planning to become pregnant and while they are pregnant.

Produced by the IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention

in collaboration with the IHS National Diabetes Eye Care Committee.

For more diabetes information and materials, visit www.ihs.gov/diabetes

05/2020

Take a picture with your cell phone.

Look at the picture later as a reminder!

www.ctclusi.org

January 2026

Elders Corner

Save the Date

The Confederated Tribes of the Coos,

Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians

Welcome New Tribal Elders

Wendi Smith

Dana Sallinger

wish to invite you to the

27th Annual Oregon Tribal

Elders Honor Day

To be held March 13 & 14, 2026

at the Three Rivers Casino & Resort

Florence, Oregon

We are looking for Veterans to volunteer to

carry the flags for the upcoming Elders Honor

Day in March 2026.

If you are

interested,

please contact

Barbara Black at

541-888-7520

Registration forms and Agenda will be coming soon

All GUEST MUST BE OVER 55 YEARS OLD WITH THE

EXCEPTION OF LEGAL SPOUSES, CAREGIVERS AND STAFF

Free!

‘Trust & Will’

Workshop

Informational

Series

CTCLUSI in partnership with Cow Creek Band Of

Umpqua Tribe Of Indians and the Native American

Program of Legal Aid Services of Oregon (NAPOLS),

present an informational free ‘Workshop Series on

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

and will include an expert and an attorney as

presenters. A free binder for storing documents will be

given to all participants and this event is intended to

promote general information.

3 WEEK WORKSHOP :

For All (Adult) Ages in the

Tribal Community

Collaborative Event

Trust & Will Attorney and

Expert as Presenters

Hybrid (Zoom) and In Person

Connect with Attorneys and

learn more

REGISTRATION INFORMATION :

RSVP: 541-435-7190 (leave message)

or email: kgillooly@ctclusi.org

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

Eugene Outreach Office | Coos Bay

Tribal Community Center | Online Event

We are looking for donations for gifts to be given

out at the upcoming Elders Honor Day in March

2026.

Your handmade items are special and greatly

appreciated by the Elders who receive them.

If you would like to donate items for

Elders Honor Day

please call Barbara Black at 541-888-7520

Save the Date:

February Elders Luncheon

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Three Rivers Casino Resort Event Center

Doors Open at 11:30 a.m.

Lunch will be served at 12:00 p.m.

Please RSVP by Friday, February 6th

to Doug Morrison (541)-997-6685

or toll free 1-(866) 313-9913

Limited transportation is available from the

Coos Bay and Eugene Offices

(Elders Committee Meeting to Follow Lunch)

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

January 2026

CALLING ALL TEENS!

JOIN OUR COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING TEAM

Are you 14 or turning 14 before March 20th? Do you love working with kids, enjoy being a role model, and want to build real

leadership and job-training skills? This is your chance to shine!

Become part of CTCLUSI’s growing Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program!

Explore culture, gain hands-on experience, develop confidence, and have fun while making a difference in your Tribal

community.

Why Join the CIT Program?

Build valuable job and leadership skills

Work directly with youth and mentors

Learn more about culture and

community

Become a positive role model

Start your path toward future youthprogram jobs!

Ready to take the next step?

Fill out the Special Events Employee

Application and start your CIT journey today!

Need help with your application?

Contact Lexi Sterling at

recruitment@ctclusihr.org or call 541-435-7193

Questions? About camp programing:

Email Angela Henry at ahenry@ctclusi.org

Scan QR Code:

Fill out the Special

Events Employee

Application Today!

Why Should YOU Join Our Team?

Contributed by Sailee Baldwin, Youth Mentor, DCNR/Education Intern

Becoming a camp counselor is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you don’t want to miss. It’s

more than a job—it’s becoming part of a community in a way you never have before. Nothing

compares to the warmth of early mornings in the plank house, sitting around the fire with

fellow CITs and campers. In those moments, you feel a sense of belonging that’s impossible to

replace. It’s a place where everyone is welcome and where strangers quickly become family.

As a counselor, your role is to help campers learn, grow, and try new things—but what people

don’t realize is that the campers teach you just as much. Every day they show you something

new, whether it’s patience, a new game, or a different perspective. They’re not just faces you

see daily; they become your little family.

And even when campers aren’t with you, the fun doesn’t stop. Between activities and the

4 o’clock meeting, the real memories are made—archery tag, inside jokes, late-night snack

runs, and friendships you never expected. You might not show up looking for friends, but you’ll

definitely leave with more than one.

Sure, the job can be tiring, but by the end of the week the

feeling of community makes it all worth it. The connections I’ve

built with other CITs are some of my favorite friendships, and

I know I’ll still think about these moments decades from now.

Even doing dishes becomes fun when you’re with people who

make you laugh—and honestly, there’s no group I’d rather do

them with.

Scan QR Code to fill out special events

employee application today!

Make Frienships

That Last A Lifetime!

each

Lear

kills

Tradit

www.ctclusi.org

January 2026

SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES — JOIN OUR TEAM!

Camp season is right around the corner, and we’re looking for enthusiastic adults 18 and older to

help create meaningful memories with our Tribal youth. Come share culture, connection, and

community this summer!

NOW

HIRING!

UPCOMING

EVENTS

CULTURAL-DCNR

Winter 2025 - Summer 2026

· Camp Counselors (18+)

January 17th

· Camp Cook (25+) – Must be able to drive a CTCLUSI vehicle

Cedar Cape Workshop Series

(Eugene, LCC Longhouse)

· Drivers (25+) – Must be able to drive a CTCLUSI vehicle

· Elders & Artisans – Half-day opportunities (4 hours)

March 7th

If you’re passionate about supporting

youth and celebrating culture, we’d love

to have you join us!

all-gender sweat

April 18th & 19th

invasives removal + planting dahai,

daha, chiiyuusan

Need help with your application?

Contact Lexi Sterling at recruitment@ctclusihr.org

or call 541-435-7193

Scan QR Code:

Fill out the Special

Events Employee

Application Today!

Questions? About camp programing:

Email Angela Henry at ahenry@ctclusi.org

Culture & Natural Resources and Education Departments

Excited to Have Tribal Intern Aid with Youth Outreach

Contributed by Sailee Baldwin, Youth Mentor, DCNR/Education Intern

Dai sla!

My name is Sailee, and I’m your new youth mentor! In this role, I will be working with both the

Cultural & Natural Resources Department as well as the Education Department.

As a youth mentor, I will support youth outreach and help strengthen connections with our tribal

youth aged 12–24. One of my main goals is to encourage more youth involvement in cultural,

educational, and community-based events. I’m

excited to create meaningful opportunities for our

young people and help them feel supported, heard,

and engaged.

A little more about me personally: I’m currently still in

school and graduating this coming June. Alongside

this new position, I also work a part-time job as a

barista for Mad Boba and Espresso in Springfield,

OR. Growing up, I was very involved in youth events

within our tribe. I’ve also spent time working at tribal

camps for our community and for other tribes, which

allowed me to build strong relationships and deepen

my commitment to supporting the next generation.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me with my

dog Duke, at the movies, and taking spontaneous

adventures. I’m excited for this opportunity and

can’t wait to build connections with our youth and

be someone they can come to.

If you’d like to reach me, you can contact me at:

sbaldwin@ctclusi.org

luuwii—I’m excited for the journey ahead!

May 22nd

medicines, basketry, and Cedar

gathering (location TBD)

June 5th & 6th

Maple Bark Gathering/processing

June 20th

During Summer Solstice, Cedar Bark

Cape Workshop

More to Come...

Look for more events and

event information in the

coming months newsletter.

email Alycia Cosseyacossey@ctclusi.org

if you would like to sign up to

have direct communication

about upcoming cultural

events.

Please Note: Dates and

locations are subject to change

as we work with community

schedules, weather, and the

natural seasons. These

gatherings are guided by

availability of materials,

teachers, and the flow of

community life — thank you for

your understanding and

willingness to adapt as we move

together in a good way.

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

January 2026

Resolution Summaries

Number

25-130

25-131

25-132

25-133

25-134

25-135

25-136

25-137

25-138

25-139

25-140

25-141

25-142

25-143

25-144

25-145

25-146

25-147

25-148

25-149

25-150

25-151

25-152

25-153

25-154

25-155

25-156

25-157

25-158

25-159

25-160

25-161

25-162

25-163A

25-163

25-164

25-165

25-166

25-167

25-168

25-169

Date

Subject/Title

07/13/2025 Approval and Submittal Authorization of FY

26 O’Link 78 Memorandum of Agreement

07/13/2025 Amendment to Chapter 1-1 Tribal Court for

First Reading

07/13/2025 Enrollment of New Members

07/13/2025 Enrollment Name Change and Corrections to

the Roll

07/13/2025 Enrollment - Active to Historic

07/13/2025 Contract

07/13/2025 PacificSource Health Plans Non-Disclosure

and Confidentiality Agreement and Tribal

Council Approval Thereof

07/13/2025 Education Committee Appointment

07/13/2025 Recruital LLC Master Service Agreement and

Tribal Council Approval Thereof

07/30/2025 Tribal Participation in Nationwide Elder Needs

Assessment

07/30/2025 Approval to Submit ODOT Mobility Management Grant

07/30/2025 Oregon Tribal Early Learning Alliance Appointments

07/30/2025 Florence Outreach Center Trust Acquisition &

Reservation Proclamation

07/30/2025 Approval of Amazon Voucher Program Funding Support

07/30/2025 Gaming Machine Order

07/30/2025 Master Agreement

08/01/2025 Organization and Operations of CTCLUSI Forest Management LLC

08/10/2025 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish

Passage Funds for haich ikt’at’uu (Formerly

Waite Ranch) Implementation

08/10/2025 FY23 Oregon Watershed Enhancement

Board Grant Monetary Amendment for haich

ikt’at’uu (formerly Waite Ranch)

08/10/2025 Approval of Administration Facility Elevator

Modernization Project

08/10/2025 Approval of Heluu Timber Sale

08/10/2025 Approval of Hawatsit Timber Sale

08/10/2025 Approval of Taqnis Salvage Timber Sale

08/10/2025 Enrollment Committee Appointment

08/10/2025 Budget Committee Appointment

08/10/2025 Law Enforcement RMS Purchase/Agreement

for Tribal Police Department

08/27/2025 Change Order #2 for Final Phase of Construction at haich ikt’at’uu (formerly Waite Ranch)

08/27/2025 Canoe Cultural Center Trust Acquisition &

Reservation Proclamation

08/27/2025 Florence Outreach Center Trust Acquisition &

Reservation Proclamation

08/27/2025 Hatch Tract Acquisition & Reservation Proclamation

08/27/2025 Hatch Tract II Trust Acquisition & Reservation

Proclamation

08/27/2025 Hatch Tract III Acquisition & Reservation

Proclamation

08/27/2025 LNW Gaming Inc Master Agreement

09/04/2025 Gaming Machine Order

09/14/2025 Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Membership

Delegate Appointment and Membership Dues

09/14/2025 Walmart Purchase Program Accountholder

Agreement

09/14/2025 Amend Chapter 3-3 (Violations) on an Emergency Basis

09/14/2025 Approval to Submit ODOE C-REP Grant Application

09/14/2025 Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board

(NPAIHB) Delegate and Alternate Delegate

09/14/2025 ALSCO Agreements

09/14/2025 Amendment of CLUSITC Chapter 1-1 Tribal

Court for Second Reading and Final Approval

Vote

7-0-0

Number

25-170

Vote

7-0-0

25-176

25-177

Date

Subject/Title

09/14/2025 Establishment of Culture Coalition Committee

Code for First Reading

09/24/2025 Request for Waiver of Requirement to Collect

Forest Management Deductions

09/24/2025 Approval of CTCLUSI Representative to Board

of Tenmile Lakes Basin Partnership Watershed Council

09/24/2025 Interlocal Memorandum of Agreement with

United States Coast Guard

09/24/2025 OVC FY25 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside

Formula Program

09/24/2025 FY 2026 Health Center Program Service Area

Competition Grant

09/24/2025 Three Rivers RV Park Project

09/24/2025 Three Rivers Coos Bay Cafe Expansion Project

7-0-0

25-171

7-0-0

25-172

25-178

25-179

25-180

25-181

09/24/2025

10/12/2025

7-0-0

6-1-0

7-0-0

25-182

25-183

10/12/2025

25-184

25-185

25-185A

10/12/2025

10/29/2025

25-186

10/29/2025

25-187

10/29/2025

25-188

10/29/2025

25-189

10/29/2025

25-190

10/29/2025

25-191

25-192

25-193

25-194

10/29/2025

25-195

10/31/2025

25-196

11/09/2025

25-197

25-198

11/09/2025

25-199

11/09/2025

25-200

11/09/2025

7-0-0

25-201

11/09/2025

7-0-0

25-202

25-203

11/09/2025

11/14/2025

25-204

11/14/2025

25-205

11/24/2025

7-0-0

5-2-0

6-0-1

25-173

25-174

25-175

7-0-0

6-0-1

7-0-0

6-0-1

7-0-0

6-0-1

6-0-0

5-0-1

6-0-0

7-0-0

6-0-1

7-0-0

6-0-1

7-0-0

Elders Committee Appointment

Designation of TRC Distribution

Approval of Forest Products Use Policy

Resolution to Certify Language Teachers for

miluk, hanis and sha’yuushtl’a ul quuich

Enrollment of New Members

Enrollment Name Change and Corrections to

the Roll

Enrollment - Active to Historic

Gaming Machine Order

Misery Creek Brainard Tract Floodplain Restoration Project - Funds from the National

Oceanic and Atmospheric Association

Misery Creek Brainard Tract Floodplain

Restoration Project - Funds from the Oregon

Watershed Enhancement Board Focus Investment Partnership

Application to the Oregon Department of

Education’s Tribal Early Literacy FY26 Grant

CY2026 Indian Health Service Special Diabetes Program for Indians Community-Directed

Grant Program Continuation Application

(SDPI)

Approval to Award Environmental Services

Contracts

Approval to Award 105(I) Lease Appraisal

Services Contract

Gaming Machine Order

Approval of Property Purchase

Emergency Amendment of Tribal Code Section 7-121 Disenrollment and Section 7-1-122

Suspension of Tribal Benefits

Emergency Tribal Member General Welfare

Assistance for FY2025

Memorandum of Understanding with Adapt

Integrated Health Care

Title VI Grant Application

Establishment of CLUSITC Chapter 7-15 Cultural Coalition Committee for Second Reading

and Final Approval

Establishment of Chapter 7-16 Visions Committee Code for First Reading and 28 day

Comment Period

Amendment to Chapter 7-8 GFORB (Gaming

Facility Operational Review Board) for First

Reading

Three Rivers Health Center Trust Acquisition

& Reservation Proclamation

Food Security Assistance Grant

Amendments to Chapter 7-3 Elections for

First Reading

Approval of CTCLUSI Representative to the

West Coast Ocean Alliance

Child Care Infrastructure Funding Application

7-0-0

6-0-1

7-0-0

5-1-1

6-0-1

7-0-0

6-0-1

7-0-0

6-0-1

7-0-0

6-0-0

5-0-1

6-0-0

4-0-2

5-0-1

6-0-0

5-0-0

6-0-1

6-1-0

www.ctclusi.org

Three Rivers Health Center Launches

Behavioral Health Deflection Program

January 2026

Resolution Summaries

Number

25-206

25-207

25-208

25-209

25-210

25-211

25-212

Date

Subject/Title

11/24/2025 Misery Creek Restoration - Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Tribal Project

Development Grant

11/24/2025 2025 Forest Lands Road Budget Resolution

11/24/2025 Human Resources Staffing Agreement

11/24/2025 Rescission of Resolution No. 25-185 regarding

Arbon Equipment Quote

11/24/2025 Approval of Three Rivers Health Center - Hull

Center Project Budget

11/24/2025 BEFC Contract

11/24/2025 Gaming Machine Order

Vote

6-0-1

6-1-0

6-0-1

5-1-1

7-0-0

6-0-1

In this public paper, some Resolution titles and explanations will not be

displayed or minimal details due to confidentiality.

Oregon Tribal Student Grant

Funding is now available for undergraduate and graduate student college

costs for enrolled members of:

• Burns Paiute Tribe

• Confederated Tribes of Siletz

• Confederated Tribes of Coos,

Indians

Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw

• Confederated Tribes of the

Indians

Umatilla Indian Reservation

• Confederated Tribes of Grand • Confederated Tribes of Warm

Ronde

Springs

• Coquille Indian Tribe

• Cow Creek Band of

Umpqua Tribe of Indians

• Klamath Tribes

Eligibility

Awards

The Oregon Tribal Student Grant is available to new

and existing students. Eligibility requirements are:

The Oregon Tribal Student Grant is expected to pay for

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

Associate, Bachelor’s, or Graduate degree. Award

amounts will vary depending on where the student

attends school and the degree pursuing.

•

Must be an enrolled member of an Oregon federally

recognized tribe

Enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an Oregon

college or university

Working towards earning first

associate, bachelor’s or graduate

degree

Application

•

Complete a grant

application

Submit a Free Ap-plication

for Federal Student Aid

(FAFSA) or the Oregon

Student Aid Application

(ORSAA)

See website for additional

information

Funding is available for the 2022-2023 academic year for

undergraduate and graduate students. Grant renewal is

dependent on funding being allocated for the 2023-2024

academic year by the Oregon State Legislature.

Undergraduate Public Colleges or

Universities:

Award will be calculated based on the

Average Cost of Attendance (COA)

reduced by the amount of state/

federal grants and scholarships

Undergraduate Private

Universities:

Award will be calculated

based on the average COA

at the highest cost public

university reduced by the

amount of state/federal

grants and scholarships

Undergraduate Other

Private Institutions:

Award will be calculated based on

the average COA at the highest cost

public community college reduced by

the amount of state/federal grants and

scholarships

Graduate Student Awards:

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

amount of state/federal grants and scholarships

Award amounts cannot exceed the student’s actual cost of

attendance.

Additional information

can be found on our website:

OregonStudentAid.gov/Oregon-Tribal-Student.aspx

Contributed by Kelli Bosak, Behavioral Health Director, LCSW

In April of 2025 the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua,

and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) received a grant from the State of

Oregon’s Criminal Justice Commission to start a Behavioral Health

Deflection program.

This funding would allow CTCLUSI to increase its capacity to serve

tribal members needing treatment for mental health and substance

use issues. In September of 2025, a team was assembled under

the umbrella of Three Rivers Health Center’s Behavioral Health

Department and led by Behavioral Health Director Kelli Bosak,

LCSW. The team comes equipped with many years of lived and

professional experience in behavioral health as well as an in-depth

understanding of substance abuse and its treatment. CTCLUSI

has a long history of providing transformational support to tribal

members and families impacted by substance use disorders,

including programs through Social Services, Wellness Court,

Culture and Prevention, Community Health and more. We aspire

to learn from the work and continue the tradition of collaboration

through prevention, intervention, treatment, and supporting longterm recovery.

So, what is deflection?

Behavioral Health (BH) Deflection is a voluntary program to help

individuals with unmet behavioral health needs, such as mental

health or substance abuse problems, to get screening for treatment

and access recommended services. BH Deflection is often designed

as a collaborative program between law enforcement agencies and

behavioral health entities to prevent worsening health outcomes or

involvement in the criminal justice system. Within CTLCUSI, BH

Deflection continues this key pillar of deflection through collaboration

with Tribal Police and expands its partnership to all departments

in the government, tribal members and families, and community

partners. Here are a few ways the BH Deflection team provides

help:

• Wrap-Around Support. Participants will be assigned to our

Deflection team who will provide wrap-around peer support,

navigation, and case management.

• Connection to Care. Referrals will be coordinated and

provided to programs (mental health and/or substance use)

within CTCLUSI/TRHC and community programs to help

promote recovery and restore wellbeing.

• Resources. Resource and/or treatment assistance will be

available to some eligible participants.

• Rapid Low Barrier Access. Individuals can be referred to BH

Deflection and connected the same-day with a Peer Navigator

and/or Case Manager for services. The BH Deflection team

can travel to meet participants in the community, at other

government offices, or when interacting with Tribal Police or

other criminal justice entities within the 5-county service area.

Eligibility:

• Native Americans and Alaska Natives over the age of 18

who are experiencing a behavioral health need and at risk of

criminal justice system involvement.

o Order of priority: CTLCUSI tribal members, enrolled

members of other federally recognized tribes, and others

identifying as Native American or Alaska Native.

o Family members of Native Americans and Alaska Natives

are eligible based on program capacity.

o Exclusionary criteria will apply depending on ongoing

legal involvement and/or behavioral health needs.

Referrals:

• Referrals to Deflection can be made for people who are

accused of or charged with some crimes related to addiction.

• Referrals to Deflection can be made for people who are not

accused of a crime and may benefit from peer navigation and

intensive case management services for mental health and

substance use issues.

• All referrals will receive outreach and screening. Eligibility and

admission decisions will be made by the BH Deflection team.

• If you think treatment or wrap-around case management

services might help someone, please consider BH

Deflection.

Hours of Operation and Contact Information:

• Deflection operates 5 days a week, Monday-Friday, from 8am5pm.

• Call the BH Deflection line at 541-435-7222 to arrange for

outreach to an individual in the community, email deflection@

ctclusi.org, or stop by TRHC 250 Hull St in Coos Bay (MondayFriday, 8am-5pm).

We’re here to help - refer today!

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

January 2026

CTCLUSI Human Resources

recruitment@ctclusihr.org

COOS BAY JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Department

Human Resources

Health Services

Three Rivers Health

Center

Education

Special Events

Natural Resources &

Culture

Job Title

Human Resources Coordinator

Community Health Nurse*

Patient Services Representative

Status

Age

25+

18+

Starting Wage

$55,300/yr - DOE

$83,430 /yr - DOE

$22.00/hr - DOE

Education Outreach Advocate

Depends on Assignment

Tribal Archaeologist**

FT**

25+

14+

25+

$22.66/hr - DOE

Depends on Assignment

$68,000/yr - DOE

FLORENCE JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Department

Gaming Commission

Special Events

Natural Resources &

Culture

Job Title

Licensing Associate

Depends on Assignment

Tribal Archaeologist**

Status

FT**

Age

21+

14+

25+

Starting Wage

$22.30/hr - DOE

Depends on Assignment

$68,000/yr - DOE

EUGENE JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Department

Health Services

Special Events

Natural Resources &

Culture

Job Title

Public Health Nurse*

Depends on Assignment

Tribal Archaeologist**

Status

FT**

Age

25+

14+

25+

Starting Wage

$83,200/yr - DOE

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: 12/02/2025

PEACEGIVING

Peacegiving is a traditional Restorative Justice

option available to you for the resolution of conflict.

All Peacegiving issues are confidential.

Photo by Jesse Beers

For more information about Peacegiving, please visit the Peacegiving

Website or contact the Peacegiving Coordinator at the

address listed below.

Peacegiving Coordinator

1245 Fulton Avenue

Coos Bay, OR 97420

PHONE: (541) 888-1306 or (541) 888-1316

EMAIL: Peacegiving@ctclusi.org

Website: http://ctclusi.org/peacegiving

www.ctclusi.org

January 2026

Upcoming Events

RSVP for events by calling

1-541-435-7155

January 2026

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Day

1 Tribal Offices Closed 2

Peace Hike

Yachats, Oregon

miluk class 4pm

hanis class 4pm

Culture Committee

Meeting 4pm

wa’as class 4pm

15Council candidate

miluk class 4pm

2025 Fitness Program

Reimbursement Deadline

hanis class 4pm

miluk class 4pm

hanis class 4pm

Cedar Cape Workshop

Series,Eugene

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

All Tribal Offices Closed miluk class 4pm

SATURDAY

Littles Program

Language Classes

Orientation

Regular Council

Meeting 10:00 am

FRIDAY

Scholarship

6 Tribal

Applications OPEN

THURSDAY

Deadline for Tribal

to run Position

Statement in

February paper

hanis class 4pm

wa’as class 4pm

Littles Program

Language Class 9am

Littles Program

17Language Class 9am

Cedar Cape Workshop

Series, Eugene

LCC Longhouse

24Language Class 9am

wa’as class 4pm

Cedar Cape Workshop

Series,Eugene

Program

16 Fitness

Reimbursement

Deadline for 2025

Littles Program

PRC Application

30 Deadline

wa’as class 4pm

Littles Program

Language Class 9am

February 2026

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Regular Council

Meeting 10:00 am

for Tribal

15 Deadline

Council candidate

to run Position

Statement in March

paper

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Program

7 Littles

Language Class 9am

baldija Naming

Ceremony 10 a.m.

miluk class 4pm

hanis class 4pm

miluk class 4pm

hanis class 4pm

Save the Date

Elders Luncheon

wa’as class 4pm

Littles Program

Language Class 9am

miluk class 4pm

hanis class 4pm

miluk class 4pm

hanis class 4pm

miluk class 4pm

hanis class 4pm

wa’as class 4pm

Littles Program

Language Class 9am

wa’as class 4pm

Littles Program

Language Class 9am

wa’as class 4pm

Littles Program

Language Class 9am

hiisəch hai - with a good heart

THE VOICE OF CLUSI

January 2026

Social Services Shares Important SNAP Update for Oregon Residents

Contributed by Nichole Benner, ICWA Case Manager

The Social Services Department would like to share important

updates regarding recent state changes to eligibility requirements

for the SNAP assistance program. If you have any questions or

need further clarification, please contact SNAP at 833-947-1694

📢 Important SNAP Update for

Oregon Residents

New Work Rules for Able-Bodied Adults Without

Dependents (ABAWD)

Effective December 1, 2025

Starting December 1, 2025, new federal rules mean that AbleBodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) in all Oregon

counties must meet updated SNAP work requirements. If these

requirements are not met, SNAP benefits may end after three

months.

🔍 Who Must Meet ABAWD Work Rules?

You may be required to follow the ABAWD Work Rules if:

• You are 18–64 years old, and

• You do not have a child under age 14 on your SNAP case.

If you believe you qualify for an exemption, you must notify

SNAP, and you must report exemptions each time you renew

your SNAP benefits.

🛠 What Are the Work Requirements?

If the ABAWD rules apply to you, you must complete 80 hours of

work activities each month through one or more of the following:

• Paid work (including self-employment)

• Unpaid work, such as volunteering

or bartering (working in exchange for

housing, goods, or services)

• Participation in a SNAP Employment

& Training Program

• A combination of the above activities

⏳ SNAP Time Limits

If you must follow the ABAWD rules but do

not meet the monthly work requirement,

you can receive SNAP benefits for only

3 months during the current three-year

period:

January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2027

✔️ You May Already Be

Meeting the Work Rules

You may already satisfy the ABAWD

requirements if you can provide proof of:

• Working 30+ hours per week, or

earning $935.25 per month before

taxes

• Self-employment income of at least

$935.25/month (no business costs)

or $1,870.50/month (with business

costs)

• Working 20 hours/week (80 hours/

month) in exchange for money,

goods, or services

• Volunteering or community service

• Receiving or applying for

unemployment benefits

🧩 Exemptions from

ABAWD Work Rules

You may be exempt if one or more of the

following apply:

• A child under 14 receives food

benefits with you

• You are pregnant

• You are enrolled in school at least

half-time

• You are the caregiver for someone

unable to care for themselves, even

if they don’t live with you

• You are in an alcohol or drug treatment program (not

including AA or NA support groups)

• You are receiving (or have applied for) unemployment

benefits

• You work 30+ hours/week

• You earn $935.25+ per month in paid work

• You earn sufficient self-employment income

• You receive disability income

• You cannot work due to physical, behavioral, or mental

health reasons

• You are participating in a refugee resettlement training

plan (such as IRCO)

• You are working, volunteering, or bartering (proof

required)

• You or an immediate family member are enrolled in a

federally recognized tribe

• You are eligible for services through Indian Health Service,

Tribal Health Clinics, or Urban Indian Clinics

If you think you qualify for an exemption, contact SNAP right

away.

Exemptions must be verified and reported at every application or

recertification.

📞 Need Help? Contact SNAP

To report an exemption, ask questions, or submit proof of work

hours:

📱 Phone: 833-947-1694

📧 Email: snap.abawdteam@odhsoha.oregon.gov

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Pacific Time

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.