Confederated Tribes of (2026)

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SILETZ NEWS

Siletz News

Confederated Tribes of

Siletz Indians

P.O. Box 549

Siletz, OR 97380-0549

Delores Pigsley,

Tribal Chairman

Kurtis Barker

Chief Executive Officer

and Editor-in-Chief

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

Vol. 54, No. 03

Presorted

First-Class

Mail

U.S. Postage

Paid - Permit

No. 178

Salem, OR

March 2026

Siletz Tribal Council elects officers, following elections

Loraine Butler, Alfred “Buddy”

Lane, IV, and Selene Rilatos were

elected to the Tribal Council of the

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

in an election held Saturday, Feb. 7.

Butler, from Siletz, Ore., was

elected with 375 votes; Lane, from

Siletz, Ore., was elected with 464

votes; and Rilatos, from Toledo Ore.,

was elected with 469 votes. Seven

candidates ran for the three open

positions and the three who received

the most votes were elected.

These elected individuals will

serve alongside council members

Delores Pigsley, Alfred “Bud” Lane

III, Judy Muschamp, Robert Kentta,

Photo by Andy Taylor

Left-to-right: Selene Rilatos, Buddy Lane, and Loraine Butler being sworn in

Reggie Butler, Jr., and Gerald Ben.

Term of office is three years for each

position on the nine-member council.

Enrolled members of the Siletz

Tribe who are age 18 and older are

eligible to vote in tribal elections.

The swearing-in ceremony for the

newly elected council members took

place Feb. 8. Officers are elected on

an annual basis and those selected for

2026 include:

• Delores Pigsley, chairman

• Bud Lane III, vice chairman

• Robert Kentta, treasurer

• Judy Muschamp, secretary

Elections, on page 12

Metro gives grants to Siletz Regalia Sharing Closet and Portland Area Office

By Andy Taylor

Metro’s 2026 Community Placemaking grant cycle marked a historic milestone, awarding more than

$450,000 to 32 community‑led

projects across the Portland region.

Among this year’s recipients are two

efforts rooted deeply in Siletz community values and cultural stewardship: the Siletz Regalia Sharing Closet,

Siletz Tribal Member, Jack Strong

nominated for prestigous award

Siletz Tribal Member Jack Strong

has been named a semifinalist in the

2026 James Beard Awards for Best

Chef: Northwest & Pacific, a region

that includes Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon

and Washington.

Presented by the James Beard

Foundation, the annual restaurant

and chef awards recognize excellence in the culinary arts, food and

beverage, and hospitality industries.

For chefs in the United States, being

nominated for a James Beard Award

is like being nominated for an Oscar

and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz

Indians Portland Area Office.

Metro is the regional government

serving the greater Portland area. It

oversees planning, land use, transportation, parks, and community

development across multiple cities

and counties in the region. Metro also

operates many grant programs to support community driven initiatives that

build a connection to cultural identity

and build vibrant public spaces.

The Community Placemaking

grant supports equity centered, arts

and cultural efforts that strengthen

connections to each other and places

they care about. Since 2017, the Community Placemaking Grant program

Metro, on page 13

Amber Ball’s fellowship win lifts native

voices in Oregon arts

– it is one of the highest honors in

the industry, and even recognition as

a semifinalist is a significant achievement.

With his 2026 semifinalist nod

for Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific,

Strong became the first Native chef in

Oregon to be nominated for a Beard

Award and one of only six Native chefs

nationally recognized this year.

This marks Strong’s second Beard

nomination and his first in his home

Strong, on page 8

Courtesy photo of Amber Ball

Photo courtesy of Jack Strong

Chef Jack Strong plating a dish at the The Allison

By Andy Taylor

Siletz tribal member and Portland-based theatre maker Amber

Kay Ball has been named one of the

Oregon Community Foundation and

Oregon Humanities 2026-28 Fields

Artist Fellows. An honor that comes

with $150,000 over two years, plus

coaching, networking, and community‑building support.

This award is not just a pat on the

back. It’s real resources to ignite, create, to hire, to tour, and to bring more

native stories to Oregon stages.

Awards sometimes don’t feel real

until you translate them into time,

people, and places. The Fields Artist

Fellowship is specifically designed

to help artists at pivotal moments

push their work and their community

impact forward. The program emphasizes professional development and

statewide connections over a two‑year

term (until 2028). That matters

because it gives fellows the space to

focus on making great work and the

Ball, on page 13

Metro Grant

The CTSI Portland Area Office

received a $15,000 grant from Metro

in the first quarter of 2026 that will

focus on “Connecting to our Culture.”

The grant will support community

events at the office throughout the

year. The event for February was

salmon canning that was held on

February 18, 2026.

Watch for other events being

hosted in Portland and all of our area

offices by viewing the digital office

newsletter on the CTSI website.

CTSI has a number of large projects in the works and some near

completion.

Planning Community Meetings

Clinic Basement

The Planning Department would

like to thank all the Tribal Members

that participated in the community

meetings hosted at each area office

and in Siletz during the first quarter.

The planning meetings will help guide

the development of the next comprehensive plan.

We need your input on tribal

programs, transportation, long term

development, etc.

The final meeting is focused on the

out of area membership, living outside

the 11 county service zone. That out

of area community meeting will be

hosted on Zoom on March 11, 2026.

A link is available on the website and

contact the Planning Department for

a link to the survey.

The Siletz Community Health

Clinic basement expansion is complete. Watch for ribbon cutting and

an open house announcement.

Elders Council Meeting

The Elders Council will host an in-person/Zoom hybrid meeting on Saturday, March 14, at 1 p.m. at Ace’s Bar & Grill.

Elders Health Fair is on Wednesday, March 18, starting at

11 a.m. at Chinook Winds Casino Resort, in the Takelma Room.

If you have any questions, please contact the Elders Program

at 541-444-8212.

Project Updates

Eugene Area Office

The new Eugene Area Office is

scheduled for completion at the end

of April. Watch for a ribbon cutting

event date and open house.

Recreation Center

The Siletz Recreation Center is

advancing quickly and scheduled to

open in the third quarter. Watch for

announcements and more updates

in the coming months. The new rec

center will be a great opportunity for

the community to gain access to a

healthier lifestyle.

Broadband

Our work to provide broadband

access to unserved households in the

Siletz valley is underway and we hope

to provide a more comprehensive

update in the April issue.

Museum

The Request for Proposals for

architecture and engineering, along

with exhibit design have been issued.

Tribal staff will evaluate and rank

the responses and present to Tribal

Council for consideration in the coming months.

For information on Siletz Tribe,

including employment

opportunities, visit our website

at ctsi.nsn.us.

Dear Tribal Elders

Stay connected with us!

Your safety matters to us. To make sure we can reach you quickly

during an emergency or natural disaster, the Elders Department

kindly asks you to update your contact details and communication

preferences with us.

If your phone number, address, emergency contact, or preferred

way of being contacted has changed, please let us know. Keeping

your info current helps us check in and support our elders when it

matters most.

Call us at 541-444-8225, or email siletzelders@ctsi.nsn.us.

Thank you for helping us stay connected and prepared.

Contact methods

for the Public

Information team:

Email: PIAS@ctsi.nsn.us

Siletz News

P.O. Box 549

Siletz, OR 97380-0549

For questions, call

541-444-8293

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Siletz News

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March 2026

Deadline for the April issue

is March 10, 2026. Submission

of articles and photos is encouraged.

Please check the Passages

Policy on page 16 when submitting items for Passages.

USDA is distributing food boxes to help relieve community food insecurities

By Andy Taylor

In November 2025, the Siletz

Tribal Council approved an emergency declaration to help address

rising food insecurity caused by the

federal government shutdown. With

funds allocated to the tribe, the CTSI

team quickly got to work on a plan

that would make a real difference for

the community.

Area Offices received funding to

support their regions by creating food

pantries in offices, designed to fill gaps

where members need extra support.

This effort has also opened opportunities for offices to host community

gatherings in culturally respectful

ways, providing meals and connection

for the membership at a time when it’s

needed most.

Additional departments, including Education & Youth, ICW, and

477-SSP, were also given funding to

help ensure fewer empty stomachs in

the community. Together, these programs are strengthening the tribe’s

ability to care for its members and

provide reliable food access during

uncertain times.

USDA staff Nutritionalist & clerk

Marci Taylor, along with a volunteer

warehouseman Damian Barber,

worked tirelessly to organize these

emergency food boxes.

Thanks to their dedication and

some generous help from the Newport

Fred Meyer store, the USDA program

was able to create abundant food

boxes filled with shelf stable staples.

Fred Meyer contributed donated

goods after learning the USDA team

was shopping to stock the boxes, helping stretch resources even further.

In total, the USDA program

received $10,000 in emergency funds,

and the team made every dollar count.

By using a mix of digital and paper

coupons, they were able to stretch

those funds even further, adding an

impressive $3,497 in additional value

to the food box effort. Their smart

shopping and resourcefulness meant

more food, more variety, and more

support for community members.

Each box includes a wide range

of items to cook a meal with such as

canned fruit, noodles, spaghetti sauce,

soups, tinned fish, canned meats,

cereal, coffee, cereal bars, mashed

potatoes, and much more.

These boxes are free to the community and will be available until

gone. Households can pick up one

box per person, but everyone must be

present to pick up a box, no notes will

be accepted. Staff are excited to assist

you however possible.

To learn more or request assistance, you can reach out to Marci

Taylor at the USDA office by calling

541-444-8393, or by emailing her at

marcit@ctsi.nsn.us.

Photos courtesy of Marci Taylor

Above: Some food items displayed on a cart

Right: Damian Barber, volunteer warehouseman, packing food boxes to

distribute to the community

Tipi Drawing

Name: ____________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________

Phone: ________________________________ Roll: ________

For Siletz Tribal members to use during the Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow

on Aug 1-9, 2026. One entry per household. Must be a Siletz Tribal

member to enter.

Deadline for entries is June 5, 2026 by end of work day (4:30 p.m.)

Names will be drawn soon after the deadline. Return the form to Siletz

Pow-Wow at Attn: Tipi Drawing, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380. Applications are located on the CTSI website, under the Pow-Wow tab.

Note: You do not win the Tipi. The drawing is only for a stay in the

Tipi over Pow-Wow weekend.

2026-2027 Siletz Royalty

Applications

Applications are being accepted for 2026-2027 Miss Siletz, Junior

Miss Siletz, and Little Miss Siletz. Applications must be turned in by

the end of the workday (4:30 p.m.) no later than May 29, 2026. Applications may be sent to: Siletz Pow-Wow Committee at P.O. Box 549,

Siletz, OR 97380.

Applications can be downloaded from the CTSI website located

under the Pow-Wow tab. https://www.ctsi.nsn.us/heritage/pow-wow/

If you have any questions, contact A.J. Warren at

541-444-8244, or email ajw@ctsi.nsn.us

March 2026

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Siletz News

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USDA distribution dates for March

Siletz

Salem

Monday - Friday

9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

March 3

March 4

March 5

March 17

March 18

March 19

Closed for all federal

and tribal holidays

Saturday, March 7, by appt. only

For those who work during these

hours, we will open the warehouse

on the first or third Saturday of each

month for better efforts to meet your

schedule at the Siletz warehouse.

There are no walk-in times, all

appointments will need to be scheduled in advance.

LIKE us on Facebook at Siletz

Tribal FDPIR. We would like to

see more people sharing their recipes

on our FB page.

9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Our Salem area warehouse is open

for three days, twice a month. This

helps our staff serve our membership

more efficiently.

For questions contact:

Sammy Hall • Program Supervisor

541-444-8393 or sammyh@ctsi.nsn.us

Marci Taylor • Nutritionalist & clerk

541-444-8393 or Marcit@ctsi.nsn.us

Lori Brown • Salem area clerk & aide

541-390-0763 or Lorib@ctsi.nsn.us

Easy cheesy cornbread

Ingredients

3 Tbls butter, melted

1 C yellow cornmeal

3/4 C all-purpose flour

1/3 C sugar

1 Tbls baking powder

1 Can condensed cheddar cheese soup

1/2 C milk

1 Egg

1 Can corn, drained

1/2 C shredded cheese

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees

In a bowl sift together the dry

ingredients; cornmeal, flour, sugar

and baking powder. Set this aside.

In another bowl mix the all wet

ingredients; soup, milk, egg and the

melted butter.

Add the wet mixture into the dry

mix, and only stir until moistened.

Gently fold in the drained corn.

Pour the cornbread batter into a

well-greased 9 inch round, or 8x8 inch

square baking dish.

Bake for 25 minutes or until a

toothpick inserted in the center comes

out clean.

Sprinkle with cheese, and then let

cool. Cut into 8 servings and enjoy.

Spring is time to harvest, process and enjoy wild chickweed

Nancy Ludwig, MS, RDN, LD, Siletz

Tribal Head Start Nutritionist

In my role as consultant nutritionist to Siletz Tribal Head Start, I offer

information for families and the community. I’m so excited each year as

spring arrives and new green sprouts

emerge. In Oregon, our spring often

comes very early, and sometimes I

don’t remember to look for chickweed

early enough in the spring to consume

it when it is most tender. I share information below about how to enjoy, and

safely use chickweed.

An edible plant: Although common chickweed is often considered as

an unwelcome weed, it is a delicious

wild vegetable. Its tender leaves can

be readily used as a salad green or

boiled as a potherb. The leaves, stems,

and buds or flowers can be used in

salads, soups, fritters, and almost anywhere else you want something green.

Apparently, chickweed is well loved

by chickens, thus the common name.

Flavor: Some compare the flavor

to lettuce or corn silk, or even similar

to snap pea.

Nutrition: Chickweed is a good

source of beta-carotene, ascorbicacid, magnesium, niacin, calcium,

riboflavin, selenium, thiamin, copper,

and Gamma-linolenic-acid. It also has

more iron, zinc, and potassium than

many garden greens.

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Siletz News

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Medicinal herb: Common chickweed is used for its cooling and antiinflammatory properties, and salves

made from the stem or leaves are used

to treat common skin ailments (more

below). Tinctures made from the plant

were used to treat bladder, kidney and

urinary tract ailments.

Many other ailments are said to

be cured by common chickweed due

to the secondary metabolites, such

as flavonoids, saponins, vitamin C

and linolenic acids, present in it.

Chickweed is used as a demulcent (to

sooth irritated membranes), diuretic

(to increase fluid output via urine), or

topically for skin eruptions, hemorrhoids, cuts, wounds, burns and internally as a rejuvenating spring tonic.

Identification & harvest: Common chickweed (Stellaria media) is

a member of the Caryophyllaceae

(pink) family. It usually grows low and

tends to spread making them appear

like mats or patches, while helping to

cover soil and reduce erosion.

The stem and leaves are slender,

smooth and shiny. Stems should not

have milky sap (which would mean,

you don’t have chickweed). The leaves

are small (¼” to ½”), and oval in

shape with a point at the tip.

Leaves grow opposite on the stem.

The flowers are white and tiny starshaped with five petals. The flower

March 2026

petals of common chickweed are

deeply lobed, giving them the appearance of 10 petals.

Additional identification about

the stem includes a single line of tiny

hairs that changes sides after every

pair of leaves, and the stem contains

a core that can resemble elastic when

the stem is bent to break through the

outer portion to expose the core for

examination.

I prefer to use chickweed fresh,

so it is best to harvest only as much

as you will be using. It is the leaves,

stems, and buds or flowers that are

harvested when tender.

These aerial parts (above ground),

are best harvested in the spring,

before or during flowering. I find that

the flavor of the plant changes a bit

at the flowering stage (less sweet and

slightly more bitter). Harvest is an

interactive process, including tasting

and gratitude.

It is generally advised to harvest

in the morning after the dew has dried

and before the full sun is upon them.

As chickweed matures, the stems

become less tender. My preference,

is to give the portions that seem too

tough back to the earth (to compost

and return in the soil food web).

Suggestions on how to eat and

enjoy chickweed include:

• Eat chickweed raw as a salad, on

a sandwich, or anywhere you’d

use sprouts.

• Chop chickweed and lightly sauté

it as a vegetable, or add it to egg

dishes (like a frittata) or savory

pancakes.

• Use in fritters, by mixing freshly

rinsed chickweed with flour (regular or gluten free), salt, and pepper. Form it into patties and fry

it in coconut oil (or whatever oil

you prefer, including tallow).

Then dip the resulting crunchy

goodness in honey-mustard or

barbecue sauce. Fritters are great

for other wild greens too, even the

bitter ones.

• Use chickweed as one of the herbs

to make pesto, or other coarsely

chopped, green herb sauces, such

as gremolata, which is a mixture

of chopped flat leaf parsley, lemon

zest and minced garlic – served as

an accompaniment to meat or fish

• Add chickweed to soups or stews -hold off until a few minutes before

serving so it doesn’t overcook. As

a fun tip, chickweed is also one of

the ingredients in the seven-herb

rice porridge eaten during the

Japanese Festival of Seven Herbs

(Nanakusa no sekku). Although

-- rice and herbs, such as chickweed, are good together anytime

the herb is available.

General harvesting/wild crafting tips: Harvesting from your garden

is simpler than wild crafting. Wild

crafting has a few additional requirements to consider, including legal or

social responsibilities. In all cases,

respect for the environment is important. Make sure you do not damage

the environment or the surrounding

area. Be aware not to overharvest in

order to allow future growth. Make

sure the plants look healthy. Some

surrounding influences to plants

that might affect their health include:

power lines, soil and nearby water

quality. You will want to avoid nearby

ground contamination, or areas that

use pesticides or herbicides or grow

genetically modified seed. It is a good

sign to see and abundance of pollinators (if not, there may be pressure

from insecticide use on the land or

areas nearby).

Please know that Siletz Tribal

Head Start offers support for nutritional consultation at no cost to Head

Start families. If you have concerns

about your Head Start child’s nutrition or family nutrition concerns,

please contact your teacher or the

director and ask to speak to the

nutritionist. We want to support your

children and families.

Upcoming community-based tourism conversations and planning

A new project is being kicked off

in 2026 in partnership with the Siletz

Tribe, 106 Group, and the Oregon

Coast Visitors Association to explore

a community-based tourism plan

that aligns with the Tribe’s cultural

values, community needs and future

priorities. This will be the first tourism

plan developed by a Tribe in the state

of Oregon.

The project will begin with an

evaluation of community tourism

assets. This process will involve close

collaboration with the community to

determine which assets are appropriate for sharing with the broader world,

and which ones are not.

Information will be gathered in

several ways including reviewing

previous planning and community

engagement data to identify information gaps, interviewing CTSI staff,

and organizing on-the-ground visits

for the 106 Group. During these

visits the team will do a driving tour

of locations like the casino, Tel-tvm’

farm, and ropes course. Additionally,

they’ll host some version of a coffee

hour meet and greet as well as hosting community engagement sessions

to hear directly from the community.

Once the 106 Group has mapped

and evaluated appropriate community

assets, they will use that information

for the development of a draft tourism

plan, which will be shared with CTSI

staff, community members, and Tribal

Council for additional feedback and

modifications.

It’s important to note that effective tourism planning enhances and

sustains a community’s culture and

well-being, while creating opportunities for community-focused economic

growth. Through effective, placebased planning and the celebration

of cultural heritage, the final tourism

plan will be a co-created vision of visitor experiences that honor the Siletz

culture and community.

People often mistake tourism

plans and strategies as something

developed solely for the benefit of

visitors, those coming from 50 miles

or more away. When communitybased tourism is done right, the final

plan and strategies actually focus on

benefitting community members by

bolstering and diversifying the local

economy, providing jobs for Tribal

members and economic opportunities for entrepreneurs and artists,

providing resources and amenities

that improve the quality of life for

local residents, and supporting the

protection and preservation of natural

and cultural resources.

Community members can look

forward to a process where they

can help determine what messages

and narratives should be communicated to visitors, which aspects of

their identity, heritage and history

should be shared or protected, and

how tourism investments can also

strengthen their own connection to

cultural heritage. The ultimate goal

is to develop a tourism industry and

program that builds respectful, reciprocal relationships between visitors

and local community members.

So why tourism and why now?

Tourism is one of the major economic sectors and employers in Lincoln County, it’s hard to live in this

area without noticing the impact of

tourism. Additionally, as interest in

cultural tourism grows, there is an

opportunity to shape how visitors

respectfully engage with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians’ stories—on Tribal members’ terms and

with the community’s benefit at the

center. Having the professional experience and technical support from the

106 Group will ensure that the process

and tourism plan are carried out in a

respectful and high quality manner.

The 106 Group was chosen due to

their deep expertise in cultural heritage planning, creative place making,

and visitor experience development.

For more than three decades, they

have built strong working relationships with Tribes across North Amer-

ica, developing tourism plans and

feasibility studies for the Leech Lake

Band of Ojibwe, St. Regis Mohawk

Tribe, Nez Perce Tribe, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Their continued engagement with

Indigenous tourism professionals

through the American Indigenous

Tourism Association, further informs

their understanding of the unique

opportunities and considerations

involved in cultural heritage tourism

development in Tribal communities.

When asked about their approach to

working with Tribal entities they said

“We believe meaningful and lasting

outcomes emerge when Indigenous

voices lead the way. In every phase of

our work, we strive to ensure Tribal

perspectives, knowledge systems,

and priorities are not only included—

but shape and guide the direction of

the project.”

Stay tuned for when the 106

Group comes to Siletz and begins

this important work with CTSI. If you

have any questions or would like to be

notified of any meetings related to this

project, please contact Andrea Taylor,

CTSI Public Information Officer, at

andreas@ctsi.nsn.us.

March 2026

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Siletz News

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Siletz News

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March 2026

Lets talk diabetes, good and bad fruits!

Below is a list of 20 popular fruits, can you guess which ones are diabetic friendly?

Apples, avocado, bananas, black berries, blueberries, cantaloupe, grapes, grapefruit, kiwi, mandarins, oranges, peaches, pears, pineapple, plums, raspberries, sour cherries, strawberries, sweet cherries, and watermelon.

Although most fruit are healthy and have vitamins and minerals that our bodies need, not all fruit are friendly when it comes to our blood sugar levels.

There are a few things that can play a factor here such as: the number of carbs it has (what our body breaks down into sugar), how much fiber it contains

(can offset the carbs by subtracting the fiber from the carbs to get your net carbs), what the glycemic index is (how fast our body breaks these down into

sugar which can cause rapid sugar spikes).

What if my favorite fruit isn’t diabetic friendly?

The information provided here is to let you know that even though fruit is healthy, it may not all be diabetic friendly. Any fruit in the green bowl is

diabetic friendly and you don’t have to worry too much about having significate blood sugar spikes.

Any fruit in the yellow bowl are ok to eat but do cause moderate blood sugar spikes. Any fruit in the red bowl can cause steep blood sugar spikes so

keep that in mind if you are taking any medications or worried about your blood

sugar levels. You can still enjoy the fruit in the red bowl, but you would want to

watch the amount that you consume as it can escalate your blood sugar levels

higher then what you would want them to be or higher than is safe.

Here are a couple great ways to help you regulate

your blood sugar levels

Go out for a walk after you eat, this will help any blood sugar spike

lower more rapidly. Add more healthy fiber to your diet. When you increase your

intake, the fiber helps offset your carbs by subtracting giving you net carbs (Note:

carbs - fiber = net carbs) and also slows down the sugar spikes making them more

gradual.

Some of these fruits have fiber in them making them a great option to have.

Almonds, chia seeds, and flaxseed are a great source of fiber that pair well with

fruit. This means you could add that to your meals to help offset your carbs and

reduce their impact on your levels. Remember, berry season starts soon so make

sure you have your walking shoes, plenty of water, and don’t forget your basket!

For diabetes related info, please reach out to Kimberly Lane, Diabetes Program

Manager by emailing KimberlyL@ctsi.nsn.us or call 541-444-9679.

March 2026

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Siletz News

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Strong, continued from page 1

region of the Northwest, where he

serves as executive chef of The Allison

Inn & Spa in Newberg, Oregon. His

first nomination came in 2008 in the

Southwest region when he was chef de

cuisine at Kai restaurant at Sheraton

Wild Horse Pass Resort, owned by

the Gila River Indian Community in

Chandler, Arizona.

Strong is passionate about supporting and highlighting tribal foods,

focusing on seasonal cooking and

telling the story behind each dish’s

heritage. Guests of The Allison can

see these influences reflected on the

menus, including a Native foods

five-course tasting dinner and a ninecourse Chef’s Table experience.

In recent years, Strong has also

hosted events in partnership with

tribal communities. During Native

American Heritage Month, he has led

a Celebration of First Foods dinner

and marketplace at The Allison Inn

& Spa, featuring an all-Indigenous

team of chefs serving ingredients and

preparations rooted in their tribal

heritage, paired with wines from

Indigenous winemakers.

The event also includes local

Indigenous vendors, cultural performances, and information booths

representing various programs and

services.

Chef Jack Strong enjoys working

with the Siletz Valley School’s Culinary Program and partnered with

students during last year’s celebration. Through his work with youth,

he supports the next generation of

tribal hospitality leaders and shares

his passion for taking care of others.

Reference:

Burns Bright, Jennifer. (2023,

February 21). Indigenous Flavors

Meet Fine Dining. Travel Oregon.

https://traveloregon.com/thingsto-do/eat-drink/restaurants/indigenous-flavors-meet-fine-dining/

James Beard 2026: https://

www.jamesbeard.org/stories/jamesbeard-award-semifinalists-2026

Courtesy photo of Jack Strong

CTSI Jobs –Employment information available at ctsi.nsn.us

Please note: the “Open Until Filled” vacancies may close at any

time. The Tribe’s Indian Preference policy will apply. Tribal government will not discriminate in selection because of race, creed, age,

sex, color, national origin, physical handicap, marital status, politics,

membership or non-membership in an employee orgnization.

•

Siletz News

•

March 2026

Siletz Tribe distributes $248,109.02 in

charitable giving to Oregon non-profits

Photo by Andy Taylor

A group photo of the first quarter STCCF award recipients

The Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund (STCCF) distributed

$231,298.09 to organizations in the

state on Friday, Feb. 6, at the first

quarter award ceremony.

The Siletz Tribe has made contributions through employment,

monetary donations and cooperative

measures to the Siletz community,

Lincoln County and the state of Oregon. The seven-member charitable

fund advisory board has distributed

more than $19.5 million since its

inception in 2001. Chinook Winds

has donated more than $7.5 million

in cash and fund-raising items since it

opened in 1995. The casino also provides in-kind donations of convention

space for various fund-raisers as well

as technical support, manpower for

many events.

The 2nd quarter deadline to apply

is March 2, 2026. Applications are

due by 4:30 p.m. The deadline is final,

postmarks are not accepted.

Early application submission is

recommended. When possible, apply

1-2 weeks prior to the deadline to

allow time for basic screening and to

correct applications where required.

Assistance is provided as appropriate.

The eligibility for money from

the charitable fund is limited to two

categories:

• Entities and activities located

in the Siletz Tribe’s 11-county

service area (Lincoln, Tillamook,

Linn, Lane, Benton, Polk, Yamhill, Marion, Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties)

• Native American entities and

activities located anywhere in

the U.S.

Applications are encouraged to

be submitted via e-mail at stccf@ctsi.

nsn.us. The application and requirements can be obtained at ctsi.nsn.us/

charitable-contribution-fund or by

calling 541-444-8372.

March 2026

•

Siletz News

•

Portland Area Office hosts a fun filled Indian Taco Night

By Andy Taylor

On January 21, the Confederated

Tribes of Siletz Indians’ Portland

Area Office (PAO) welcomed community members for a warm and

lively Indian Taco Night. This lighthearted cultural gathering focused

on conversation, sharing a meal, and

community engagement. The evening

brought plenty of smiles and good

times for all who came.

Community events like the Indian

Taco Night help strengthen family

and community connections by providing opportunities for members

to gather, share cultural traditions,

and build relationships together.

The Portland Area Office serves as a

vital hub for community engagement,

and helping keep Tribal Members

connected. PAO hosts a variety of

events including culture night with

Nick Viles, crafting/beading nights,

as well as elder’s lunches.

The Portland Area Office regularly promotes activities, resources,

and events for Tribal Members, and

their Facebook page serves as a primary information hub for upcoming

opportunities and announcements.

Tribal Members are encouraged

to follow the Siletz Portland Area

Office on Facebook to stay updated

on community happenings, cultural

gatherings, and important or urgent

service updates.

This event, and others are a direct

reflection of the area office staffs continued efforts and work to support

Siletz Tribal Members or other indigenous families, living throughout its

service area.

The Portland Area Office is conveniently is located upstairs, at 3220

SW 1st Ave #200, in Portland. Ser-

vices for members includes behavioral health, 477-SSP, community

health, education and youth. You

can reach out to any department by

calling 503-238-1512.

Photos by Andy Taylor

Top left: Birdie McClintock enjoyed some taco toppings

Bottom left: Sophie Kaady and Lacy Van Kirk share quality time and good

conversation together

Top right: Fran Severson and her daughter Lori Severson enjoyed an

evening of community and culture

Bottom right: Aayhna Hudson lent a helping hand prepping where she was

needed in the kitchen

10 •

Siletz News

•

March 2026

Enrich your body and mind with a garden of confidence this summer

By Andy Taylor

Gardening has always been a

grounded, hopeful act that connects

us to the seasons, to our food, and to

moments of peace throughout the day.

As spring arrives and the days grow

longer, gardeners of every experience

level feel the familiar pull back to the

soil. You may not have ever gardened

before, and have the itch to grow

something new.

Whether your growing space is a

single pot on a sunny windowsill or a

large backyard plot, no garden is too

small, and every effort matters. Even

the tiniest patch of green can make a

meaningful difference for your health,

your diet, and your well-being.

Spring is the season of renewal,

and the garden is no exception. Preparation begins with clearing away the

bad foliage and destruction of winter

storms. The first step is removing old

leaves, dead annuals, and leftover

debris that may harbor pests or disease. This simple act freshens your

space and opens it up for new growth,

but it should be done gently to protect

overwintering pollinators who may

still be sheltering in plant material

until temperatures warm consistently.

Once the space is cleared, the

focus shifts to the soil. Gardeners are

encouraged to add a layer of compost

one to two inches deep to enrich

nutrients and create strong soil structure, and avoid tilling when possible.

Modern practice emphasizes that

unnecessary tilling can damage beneficial organisms and disrupt natural

soil formation. Good gardening soil

should warm early in the spring, drain

well, and hold water without becoming waterlogged. If your soil tends to

stay cold and wet late into the season,

raised beds may be helpful, as they

promote better drainage.

Planning is just as essential as

preparing. Your garden will thrive

when placed where it receives at least

six hours of sunlight each day, ideally

in an open, south‑facing spot with

good air movement. Poor ventilation

creates humid pockets that encourage

diseases like tomato blight or mildew.

Convenience is also key, to prevent

you or your garden from burning out.

Experts recommend choosing a site

close to your home and a water source

to make care and harvesting easier

through the summer months.

As the weather warms, the garden moves from preparation into

active care. Water becomes one of the

gardener’s most valuable resources,

especially in Oregon’s dry summers.

Mulching helps balance moisture, cool

soil, and keep weeds down. Watering

early in the morning allows plants to

absorb moisture before the heat of the

day and reduces evaporation.

Maintaining soil health continues

into summer by monitoring nutrient

needs, adding compost as needed, and

keeping foot traffic off garden beds

to avoid compressing the soil. Raised

beds or well‑prepared ground soil will

allow roots to grow more freely and

improve drainage. Throughout the

season, pests and diseases may arise,

but gardeners are encouraged to identify issues carefully before acting and

choose the least toxic solution possible. Herbicides are generally never

recommended. Toxic chemicals are

harmful to pollinators and gradually

eliminating their populations, as well

as harmful to eat should the pesticide

be exposed to your produce.

Whether you are planting your

very first seed or have cultivated gardens for decades, the act of gardening

is meant for everyone. Some talented and innovative gardeners find

opportunities to grow in unexpected

places. These can be along fences,

sunny entryways, patios, or even

small apartment balconies. Many

guides and blogs online, highlight

that beginner gardeners should start

small to prevent being overwhelmed.

While experienced gardeners should

experiment more with strategies like

successive planting and expanding

their layout. This helps them to determine what does, and doesn’t work for

their landscape and personal capacity.

But what really matters most is

not the size of the garden, but the

intention behind it. Every effort from

an herb pot to a full vegetable bed,

brings value, joy, and nourishment.

Additionally, spending time in

the garden is as good for the mind as

it is for the body. Gardening is also

known to reduce stress by lowering

cortisol, providing a rhythm of gentle,

repetitive tasks that calm the nervous

system. Exposure to sunlight boosts

vitamin D and serotonin, improving

mood and supporting emotional balance. Many gardeners describe the

sense of purpose they feel when nurturing plants from seed to harvest, a

process that can build confidence and

ease anxiety.

The physical benefits are equally

impressive. Light gardening just a few

times a week is a great, low impact

exercise for most. Gardening engages

major muscle groups through squatting, bending, lifting, and digging. It

strengthens balance, flexibility, and

coordination. For those with mobility

concerns, adaptations such as raised

beds, stools, and smaller tools make

gardening accessible and enjoyable.

There are also several resources available online as well as tutorials to make

your garden accessible.

Beyond individual benefits, gardening fosters community. Shared

gardens, neighborhood harvest

swaps, or simple conversations over

the fence strengthen social bonds,

reduce loneliness, and create supportive networks. These programs

are especially positive to the elderly

as well as adults in care.

There is unmatched flavor in food

harvested straight from the garden.

Homegrown produce often contains

more nutrients because it can be

picked at peak ripeness rather than

early for transport. Gardeners naturally consume more fruits and vegetables and are more likely to explore

a wider variety of foods.

Growing your own herbs and

vegetables also gives you control over

what goes into your food. You choose

whether to garden organically, which

pesticides to avoid, and how to care

for your soil. From tomatoes rich

in vitamin C, to leafy greens filled

with antioxidants, homegrown foods

nourish the body while supporting

healthier eating habits.

Responsible gardening supports

both plant health and environmental well‑being. Water conservation

remains essential in Oregon’s climate.

Mulching, selecting drought‑tolerant

plants, and watering deeply and efficiently help minimize water waste.

Raised beds improve drainage and

soil warmth, while reducing problems

with soil borne disease.

Composting is another cornerstone of sustainable gardening as a

way to build rich soil, recycle kitchen

and yard waste, and support microbial

activity. Whether using a backyard

pile or a small container system,

composting transforms everyday

scraps into valuable nutrients that

feed future plants.

Responsible tilling is a topic not

discussed enough. Outdated practices

like excessive tilling disrupts soil

organisms, dries out organic material,

and weakens structure. Many gardeners now embrace low‑till or no‑till

approaches to preserve the natural

layers and life within their soil, creating a foundation that becomes

healthier with each season.

As spring unfolds into summer,

gardening becomes a celebration

of patience, care, and connection.

Regardless of your experience or the

size of your space, your garden is a

place where growth, both literal and

personal, happens every day. From

the mental clarity that comes with

tending plants to the nourishment

harvested from homegrown foods,

gardening offers rewards that extend

far beyond the garden bed.

If you want to start-up a garden

and are unsure of how, you can contact Tel-tvm’ farm staff by callig 541270-2449.

March 2026

•

Siletz News

•

Elections, continued from page 1

Pigsley currently has served 40.5

years as tribal chairman out of 47

years on the council, while Bud Lane

has 28; Loraine Butler, 21; Robert

Kentta, 20 years; Selene Rilatos, 6

years; Gerald Ben, 5 years; Buddy

Lane, 3 years; and Judy Muschamp,

3 years; Reggie Butler, 1 year.

The Siletz Tribe has spent the last

48 years rebuilding its government

and economic structure. The signing

of Public Law 95-195 in 1977, which

restored government-to-government

relations between the Siletz Tribe

and the federal government, started

this process. The Siletz Tribe was the

second in the nation, and the first in

Oregon, to achieve restoration.

The Siletz Tribe was among the

first to become a self-governance

tribe, giving tribal government more

control over services provided to

enrolled members. Under self-governance, the U.S. government provides

general funding to the tribe (rather

than to specific programs), then tribal

employees and the Tribal Council

decide how funds will be spent.

For more information on the

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians,

the tribal government, our services,

events or for more information on the

history of the tribe, you can visit the

website at ctsi.nsn.us.

Photo by Andy Taylor

L-to-R: Reggie Butler Jr., Loraine Butler, Dee Pigsley, Selene Rilatos, Judy

Muschamp, Robert Kentta, Buddy Lane IV, Bud Lane III

Dear Tribal Members:

I want to congratulate all tribal members who voted in this year’s election—according to the election board 102 more people voted in 2026 than in

2025. While I’ve already done so personally, I want to publicly congratulate

the three incumbents on their re-election. I also want to thank those who voted

for me and assure you I will continue to advocate for tribal member concerns.

See you at General Council!

Respectfully,

Bonnie Petersen

Ch’ee-la Xwii-t’i

I want to say thank you to everyone who participated in last month’s election. Thank you for the confidence and trust you placed in me. I will continue

to do the very best I can in representing you all and our Tribal government.

Congratulations to Selene Rilatos and Loraine Butler on their re-elections.

Shu’ ‘aa-shi nin-la (thank you)

Alfred “Buddy” Lane IV

John Johnson elected as a board member for hearing advocacy

Siletz member John Matthew Johnson was elected on February 7, 2026,

to serve a two-year term on the National Hearing Conservation Association

(NHCA) Executive Council/Board of Directors. John is hoping to optimize this

unique opportunity to create hearing conservation programs and activities

specifically designed for Native American communities.

NHCA Vision Statement:

To prevent hearing loss and other auditory disorders due to noise and

secondary environmental factors in all sectors of society.

Mission Statement:

NHCA provides leadership, expertise, and education on hearing loss prevention strategies and services to the broader professional community and

empowers and supports members through networking and advocacy.

12 •

Siletz News

•

March 2026

Ball, continued from page 1

support network to make sure that

work reaches people.

The fellowship announcement

spells this out clearly: the funding

is meant to advance artistic practice

and sustain social impact, with community members from across Oregon

helping select the cohort. In practice,

this will carve out time to be creative

and grow.

Amber resides in Portland, Ore.,

and is a multidisciplinary artist

focused on blending theatre, multimedia, and beadwork to share stories

with humor, heart, and honesty.

Representation is more than visibility, its leadership. Amber’s practice

keeps a strong tether to community: creating paid opportunities for

native talent, building workshops that

encourage playwriting, and creating

spaces where native stories aren’t

squeezed into someone else’s template.

This work has ripple effects: more

native actors with credits and paychecks, more playwrights with drafts

and guidance, and more audiences

who recognize themselves on stage.

The fellowship emphasizes investing in artists who spark connection,

uplift underrepresented voices, and

create social change through culture.

It’s no accident that OCF’s announcement calls the 2026–28 cohort “amazing changemakers.” Amber’s story fits

this narrative.

At a time when arts funding can

feel uncertain, this fellowship is a

bright spot. Four fellows for two years,

that’s a serious, sustained investment.

It’s also part of a growing model that

doesn’t just celebrate finished products but funds process, community,

and time, basically the ingredients that

actually make enduring work possible.

When asked how she first heard

about the fellowship, Amber shared

Metro, continued from page 1

has distributed $1.9 million to 101

projects around the region.

From plays that tell a neighborhood’s story to oral histories that

connect generations to place, community led placemaking is essential

to community development, stabilization and leadership. The Community

Placemaking grant program invites

community members to use arts and

culture as a tool to address regionally

complex and significant challenges

and opportunities.

The awards that directly affect the

Siletz Tribal membership support:

• Regalia‑making workshops

• Pow-wow etiquette and cultural

knowledge classes

• Accessible gathering spaces

• Breaking culture barriers

• Teaching and mentorship

• Strengthened access for tribal

members seeking regalia for ceremonies, and other events

The Siletz Regalia Sharing Closet,

a native‑led nonprofit founded by

two Siletz tribal members, Jeidah

Curtesy photo of Amber Ball

that she’s known about it for years

but had never applied until now.

“I admired many of the artists who

had been a part of this fellowship…

so when they reached out to me via

phone I was speechless - it took me a

couple minutes to answer,” she said.

The application process was rigorous,

with multiple review rounds and a

finalist interview, making the final

acceptance even more meaningful.

The fellowship officially begins

later this summer, and Amber is

already looking forward to what this

support will unlock for her work,

particularly the expansion of Native

Playwrights PDX, the communitycentered initiative she co-founded.

For years she has been building

workshops and staged readings out

of pocket, providing opportunities

for native writers and theater makers

even when resources were limited.

She said, “It’s exciting that now I can

continue growing and adding quality

of experience and opportunity for

early‑career native playwrights and

theatre makers.” Amber hopes that

this growth includes bringing offerings to Siletz-area offices as well.

“It would be amazing to see

pop‑up workshops in all our area

offices,” she said, emphasizing her

desire to extend access to her passion

beyond Portland.

Amber’s passion for theatre began

in high school, later growing into a

dual focus in Theatre Arts and Native

American Studies at the University of

Oregon. But even with her education,

she found a lack of training pathways

for Indigenous makers in the field.

That changed in 2018 when she

encountered Spiderwoman Theatre

Company during a touring performance in Corvallis.

That moment introduced her to

her mentor Murielle Borst‑Tarrant

(Kuna/Rappahannock), who brought

Amber into Safe Harbors NYC’s

Reflections of Native Voices Festival

and guided her through directing

institutes all the way in New York and

Minneapolis. Amber later co‑directed

with Rhianna Yazzie (Navajo) at New

Native Theatre, another key creative

influence and inspiration.

These relationships deepened her

understanding of native performance

frameworks, community‑rooted aes-

DeZurney and Savanna Rilatos. Their

project has grown over the years into

a powerful hub of cultural support.

What began as a grassroots effort created by Siletz people for Siletz people,

to ensure that no tribal member would

be unable to participate in ceremony

or pow-wow.

The Regalia Sharing Closet

address barriers experienced by all

Tribal Members in the region, who

don’t have access to ceremonial regalia, or haven’t had instruction to make

their own. In short, their mission is

simple: build a shared closet where

items could be borrowed, learned

about, and eventually created by tribal

members themselves.

To achieve that mission, DeZurney and Rilatos have hosted several

instructional classes for Tribal Members to learn how to create crafts as

well as traveled around the Pacific

Northwest to pow-wow’s offering the

closet to dancers.

The project’s founders envisioned

a space where cultural knowledge

could be passed forward, especially

for urban tribal members who may

be far from extended family or tradi-

tional teachers. This grant allows the

Regalia Sharing Closet to continue

expanding its mission by ensuring that Siletz tribal members can

participate fully and confidently in

traditional practices.

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz

Indians Portland Area Office received

their Community Placemaking grant

for its project titled “Connecting

to Our Culture.” This initiative will

host cultural programming rooted in

an Indigenous approach and foster

opportunities for Tribal Members to

reconnect with:

• First Foods traditions

• Traditional arts

• Intergenerational sharing and

cultural teaching

• Broader Indigenous community

connections

This award supports programming across SW Portland and

Gresham, expanding access to culturally meaningful activities for Siletz

families living in the urban area.

By centering culture and community connection, the Portland Area

Office continues to serve as a vital

thetics, and the role of storytelling as

cultural continuity. Amber explained

that she had always been curious

about “what it is to develop a practice

as a native performance artist,” and

mentorship opened those doors.

Among everything she does, Amber

is most passionate about theatre as a

tool for healing. “Theatre is such a

powerful tool for community wellness,” she said. Her first play, Finding

BigFoot, reflects that belief. It’s a story

of three cousins moving through grief,

humor, and self‑discovery. A piece

she describes as a multi-generational

wellness tool. Last summer, she workshopped the play with the youth at

Konaway Nika Tillicum’s pre‑academy

performance camp, where participants

also experimented with introductory

directing skills.

This is where Amber’s artistry

intersects most directly with community wellbeing, identity affirmation,

and intergenerational learning.

Amber is going to continue to

work full‑time at Native Arts + Culture Foundation, whose home is also

in Portland, while juggling directing and artistic contracts. With the

fellowship’s support, she hopes to

slow down just enough to focus on

developing new plays, deepening her

creative practice, and expanding her

community based offerings.

When asked if she had a message

for Siletz readers, Amber shared “I’m

extremely honored to be a contemporary Siletz artist and be a part of

this Fields Artist Fellowship. I hope

that many more Siletz folks will be a

part of this opportunity and see their

works supported and realized!”

For the Siletz community, this is

a proud moment. For Oregon’s arts

landscape, it’s a sign of what happens

when we back artists who are building

bridges between generations, disciplines, and communities.

support system for members who live

far from the Siletz homelands.

Both awarded projects reflect the

values at the heart of Siletz people, the

stong community resilience, connection, identity, and the passing on of

knowledge. These efforts are not only

about gathering together for events,

they are about ensuring that culture

remains living, continues being practiced, passed on, and remains accessible to future generations.

For Metro, these grants represent

more than funding. They demonstrate a commitment to uplifting the

local Indigenous organizations that

strengthen community bonds through

art, food, teachings, and shared experience. The under represented and often

unseen communities that are really the

foundation of the metro area.

As the Siletz Regalia Sharing

Closet and the Portland Area Office

embark on new programming this

year, their work will continue to create

spaces where Siletz people feel seen,

supported, and culturally connected,

honoring the past while shaping a

vibrant future.

Congratulations on these awards!

March 2026

•

Siletz News

•

Tribal Council Timesheets for January 2026

Delores Pigsley: 1/1/2026 - 1/31/2026

Gerald Ben: 1/1/2026 - 1/31/2026

Ind

Gmg

STBC Tvl

2.25

1/5-8

1.75

1/12-14

3.25

1.5

3.5

Ind

Gmg

Charitable, 9 Tribes

2.25

Chemawa, PR, Pkts,

EAO mtg

1.25

Reg. TC, pkts

Date

1/15-16

1/20

STBC Tvl

Ind

2.5

1/10-13

Pkts, Chemawa

4.75

4.5

1/14-16

Reg. TC, pkts

Date

1/18-21

STBC, pkts,

gaming

3.25

3.75

1/23-29

STBC, OYA, pkts

3.25

Ind

2.5

1/8

6.5

6.25

1/16-20

.25

Gmg

STBC Tvl

3.75

Date

Mail, agenda

1/5-8

Mail, agenda, 9 Tribes

1/9-11

Mail, Chemawa, STBC

1/12-14

Mail, Chemawa, prep,

agenda

4.25

1/15-16

Reg. TC, prep, mail

2.25

.25

1/17-19

Merkley, agenda, mail

.25

1/20-22

Sp. TC, mail,

agenda

1.75

3.75

1.5

2.25

1/23-26

STBC, Sp. TC,

mail

1/27-29

Agenda, mail

1/30-31

Mtg W/Comm.,

C. Hall Service

1/23-26

STBC Tvl

Selene Rilatos: 1/1/2026 - 1/31/2026

Ind

9 Tribes, pkts, email

4.75

1/1-5

Reg. TC, STAHS,

pkts,

Pkts, email,

Health Cmte

2.75

1/6-7

NPAIHR, Health, pkts

Gaming, PR call

3.75

1/8

Pkts, email, 9 Tribes

2.5

1/9-12

QB planning, pkts,

Ed. Mtg

10.25 10.25

2.5

1/13-15

QBM, email, pkts

10.5

1/16-19

Reg. TC, pkts, emails

1/20

Sp. TC, STAHS, congress, Hill mtg

1/21-22

Echo, NPAIHB, pkts

Robert Kentta: 1/1/2026 - 1/31/2026

Gmg

1.25

STBC Tvl

Ind

2.25

1/6-8

Culture Cmte., task

force

2.5

1/12-15

Sea Otter, WF Trust,

pkts

1/16

1/20-21

STAHS, P. property, leadership

1/22-23

OSU interview,

Sp. TC

2.5

1/27-28

Culture mtg.,

WF mtg.

2.75

1/29-30

Emails, pkts,

Cape Perpetua

2.5

Date

Gmg

3.75

Reg. TC

Alfred Lane III: 1/1/2026 - 1/31/2026

Ind

Gmg

STBC Tvl

2.25

1/14-15

3.25

1/16

1.75

1/17-20

Date

Marine board, pkts

Reg. TC

Merkley,

STAHS, Hill mtg

Alfred Lane IV: 1/1/2026 - 1/31/2026

Judy Muschamp: 1/1/2026 - 1/31/2026

Ind

4.5

4.25

1/5-8

11.75

1/12-15

3.25

1/16

1.75

1/17-20

STAHS, Forest

Mgt.

1/23

Sp. TC, STBC

3.5

14 •

Gmg

3.75

STBC Tvl

1.5

3.5

Siletz News

•

March 2026

Date

1/27-29

Date

1/1-4

Reginald Butler Jr.: 1/1/2026 - 1/31/2026

STBC Tvl

Sp. TC

Loraine Y. Butler: 1/1/2026 - 1/31/2026

Gmg

Health Cmte., NPAIHB,

9 Tribes, CPPT

NPAIHB, pkts

Reg. TC

NPAIHB, COHO,

pkts, emails

Date

2026 College Students Summer

Internship Program

Students attending college can apply for the Tribe’s 2026 College

Students Summer Internship Program. To be eligible, you must be at

least a half-time student attending a two-year or four-year college and

in good academic standing.

Applications will be emailed to known students, but if you do not

receive an application, please contact 477 Job Development Specialist,

Jamie Bokuro, or the 477 staff at any CTSI area office to request an

application. You can also get one through the link online.

The purpose of the program is to provide funding for a paid

internship to Tribal students to gain work experience in their field

of study that will help them be competitive in the job market after

graduation. There are 10 slots available paid at Tribal minimum wage

and for up to 350 hours. Students will be responsible for securing

their own placement. We are available to assist, but ultimately it is the

student’s responsibility to locate and develop a placement. There are a

limited number of placements available with the Tribe.

Students selected for the program must complete an orientation,

criminal history background check and drug screening (Note: The

Tribe does not recognize Oregon laws allowing the use of medical or

recreational marijuana).

Placements begin in June and must be completed by Sept. 30, 2026.

Students should send a completed application and an unofficial

copy of transcripts to:

Mail: CTSI

Attn: Summer Internship Program

P.O. Box 549

Siletz, OR 97380

Online: https://www.ctsi.nsn.us/summer-interns/

Email: JamieB@ctsi.nsn.us

Fax: 541-444-8334

The deadline to apply for the program is 4:30 p.m. on April 30,

2026. If you have questions about the program, please contact Jamie

Bokuro at 541-444-8266.

You Could Win Up To $5000 Cash

You could win a share of $12,000

in CASH and PRIZES

WHEN YOU PLAY

It’s said that one clover in six thousand has four leaves,

so if you find one, you’re lucky!

If you find one while playing “Four Leaf Frenzy”

at Chinook Winds, your luck wins you a share of over

Drawings

Wednesdays

in March at 6pm

Collect free entries weekly starting February 23

with your Winners Circle Card.

Collect Even more with your tracked play.

COMPLETE RULES AVAILABLE AT WINNERS CIRCLE. MANAGEMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ALTER OR WITHDRAW THIS PROMOTION AT ANY TIME.

MARCH 20 & 21 • 8:00PM • $15

HEADLINER

JOSH

SNEED

FEATURING

CARL

LEE

STA

ECT

COLL

HOST

Tickets available at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort Box Office.

Buy by phone at 1-888-CHINOOK or online.

21 and over event, doors open at 7pm with a no-host bar.

ROMAN

GUZMAN

FREEIES

ENT KLY

WEE

FEBING

WITH YOUR

WINNERS CIRCLE CARD!

1 ENTRY

2 ENTRIES

3 ENTRIES

4 ENTRIES

Collect another entry for every 100 points you gather while

you play slots, table games, keno, bingo or sports wagering

with your Winners Circle Card

DRAWINGS SUNDAYS

IN MARCH AT 5PM

TERRY FATOR

PURE IMAGINATION

SHOW STARTS 8 pm • TICKETS $50 - $62

21 AND OVER

MAR

Finalists face the “Four Leaf Frenzy” board, and select

pouches to reveal game pieces. Be the first to complete the

clover puzzle, and collect the GRAND PRIZE of $6000!

All finalists walk away with CASH and PRIZES!

COMPLETE RULES AVAILABLE AT WINNERS CIRCLE Management reserves the right to alter or rescind promotion at any time.

Complete rules for all promotions at Winners Circle. Management reserves the right to alter or withdraw any of these promotions at any time.

chinookwinds.com • 1-888-CHINOOK • Lincoln City

Collect even more entries with your tracked play in the casino; one bonus entry for

every 100 points earned on Slots, Tables, Keno, Bingo and Sports Wagering.

COMPLETE RULES AVAILABLE AT WINNERS CIRCLE. MANAGEMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ALTER OR WITHDRAW THIS PROMOTION AT ANY TIME.

March 2026

•

Siletz News

•

Happy 12th birthday to my favorite twinies Elijah and Noah! We love

you so much!! Love mom, Zay & sissy.

Happy birthday Creed! Never stop

letting your independent spirit shine.

Keep laughing, joking, and being you.

With love, Mom, Dad, Jordan

and Pike.

Happy 7th Birthday Lillard! Seven

years of laughter, love and adventure.

Looking forward to many more years

with you.

Love Mom, Gabe, Sissy and Elijah.

Siletz News Letters Policy

When submitting to Siletz News, ensure all information is accurate,

clear and relevant. Cite sources, respect privacy and follow the guidelines,

including format and length. Submit text and high-quality, unedited

photos as attachments, do not embed them in emails or documents.

Passages: All submissions must be under 25 words and submitted as

a .doc or .docx attachment. Photos must follow policy guidelines and be

attached separately. Submissions are reviewed by Public Information.

For best print quality, images must be edited and high resolution.

Only direct family submissions (partner, children, siblings, parents)

are accepted. For minors not in your care, written guardian consent

is required.

The submission deadline for Siletz News is the 10th of each month or

nearest business day. Visit ctsi.nsn.us (News & Events tab) for details.

Email submissions to pias@ctsi.nsn.us. For help, contact the Public

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Please note: The Chief Executive Officer of the Siletz Tribe is the

Editor-In-Chief of Siletz News.

16 •

Siletz News

•

March 2026

Editor-In-Chief: Kurtis Barker

Editor: Andy Taylor

Happy 7th birthday to our Finn

“Finnbug” DeAnda. You bring so

much joy and love to all of us. We love

you-your big family.

Happy 9th Birthday Emery Barker!

Love, your family.

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.