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SILETZ NEWS

Delores Pigsley,

Tribal Chairman

Kurtis Barker

Chief Executive Officer

and Editor-in-Chief

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

Vol. 51, No. 5

Presorted

First-Class

Mail

U.S. Postage

Paid - Permit

No. 178

Salem, OR

Siletz News

Confederated Tribes of

Siletz Indians

P.O. Box 549

Siletz, OR 97380-0549

May 2023

When food is much more than a commodity

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz

Indians leverages government-issued

commodities to build a resilient

food system that nourishes tribal

members. It’s paying off.

By Jackleen de La Harpe for Underscore

News; originally posted April 12, 2023

The Food Sovereignty Project tells

stories about traditional Indigenous

knowledge and practices that honor and

strengthen the relationship to the plants and

animals that sustain all of us. The sevenstory project was co-managed by Nicole

Charley and Jackleen de La Harpe for

Underscore News with generous support

from The Roundhouse Foundation. Read

the entire series at https://www.underscore.

news/work/food-sovereignty-project.

The hulking 20,000-square-foot

building, sandwiched between a rough

road and dark evergreen trees, is unremarkable save for a heap of cedar, pine

and fir logs stacked in the muddy parking lot – half for all tribal members, half

reserved for elders.

The functional exterior of the food

warehouse for the Confederated Tribes

Photo by Alex Milan Tracy, Underscore News

Marci Rilatos oversees commodity food distribution for the Confederated Tribes of

Siletz Indians, building partnerships to bring more traditional foods to tribal people.

of Siletz Indians belies what’s inside: an

orderly and warm storage facility housing frozen, refrigerated and shelf-stable

food such as applesauce, boxed milk and

cereals. Two forklifts are parked against

one wall. The neat-as-a-pin commercial

kitchen is as much a place to gather and

visit as it is to learn to cook.

This is the domain of Marci Rilatos,

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

administrative services clerk for commodities distribution. A tribal member

who grew up on the reservation, she knows

her community and what they need: who

doesn’t have a car, who is having trouble

at home, who is hungry.

She points out the commodity foods

she offers to income-eligible tribal members, including blocks of Maine blueberries, frozen carrots, rolls of bison meat.

She picks up a box of cornflakes and

shakes it — the sound of possibility.

“Cornflakes are not just for breakfast,”

Rilatos said. “You can smash them up and

whip them with egg and dip your pork or

chicken in it, roll in corn flakes to fry or

air fry or bake. Melted chocolate chips and

cornflakes with peanuts. Yum.”

This closet, she says, has extra food for

kids who are struggling. Over there is the

natural resources cooler with game meat

that elders appreciate. Along another wall

is the “share box,” food that people bring

back to the warehouse if they can’t use it.

Because it’s toward the end of the month,

there is little to no fresh produce.

Food for health, sustenance

Nearly all of the food in this warehouse are “commods,” short for commodity food, provided through the USDA

Food Distribution Program on Indian

Reservations (FDPIR). Commodities are

a necessary part of the food puzzle for

See Food on page 12

Gov. Kotek’s first 100 days bring hope to community providers in Lincoln County

From the Phoenix Wellness Center

What started with four people in January 2020, the Phoenix Wellness Center in

Newport, Ore., stands today at 15, with the wisdom of serving our community through

a pandemic behind us and the hope to continue and expand our work in front of us.

In March of this year, we shared our hopes with Gov. Tina Kotek, who visited our

center during her One Oregon Listening Tour. Likewise, she shared her hopes that

Oregonians in every part of the state will someday have access to the care they need,

when they need it.

This was not just a conversation about hope, however. It was a conversation about

so much more – what outcomes do we want to see for our community, what are the

barriers to achieving those outcomes and how can the state help? This was a first for

us, but from what we know about Gov. Kotek’s first 100 days in office, she is having

conversations like this every day.

At Phoenix Wellness Center, we know better than most that progress does not

happen in isolation. Our founders are members of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz

Indians and everyone on our staff brings both lived experience and resilience to the

work. We walk our talk through deep partnerships with local law enforcement, local

behavioral health providers, Oregon Health Authority, the CARE Program and most

importantly, the community we serve.

The Measure 110 dollars that we at Phoenix were awarded directly flow into our

community, supporting our organization’s ability to offer much-needed culturally

specific, trauma-informed one-on-one counseling, parenting classes, youth-specific

treatments, group therapy and more. Many of the individuals we serve are low- to noincome and/or experience housing insecurities, and have suffered significant trauma,

including historical trauma that has impacted generations.

We did not grow from four to 15 by luck, eight of whom are Siletz Tribal members. We grew from four to 15 through policy, support of our families, hard work and

dedication to our community.

That policy should work for all of Oregon the way it has worked for us. We hope

Gov. Kotek can take lessons learned from our center, our sheriff, the Newport and

Toledo Police Departments, C.H.A.N.C.E Recovery and other community partners

committed to leverage Measure 110 dollars to deliver direct benefit to the people who

need it most in every part of the state.

As Siletz Tribal members, we look forward to a bright future and continued successful collaboration with our Tribe.

Courtesy photo from Phoenix Wellness Center

First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson and Gov. Tina Kotek are wrapped in a Siletz Pendleton blanket by Phoenix Wellness Center staff, incluing (l to r) Ashliegh Ramirez,

Danielle Payne, Zeb Payne and Wylie Stokes.

Chairman’s Report

Salem Casino

I received a call from Gov. Tina Kotek

in mid-April letting me know that she

was issuing a letter to all Oregon Tribes

to notify them that she was not going to

approve the Siletz application to take land

into trust in Salem for the proposed casino.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

has not yet made a decision on our application. The Tribe is close to getting a

decision.

I let her know how disappointed I was

in her judgement. The governor believes

there is a “one casino policy,” while we and

the state legislature know there is no such

policy. I reminded her that we negotiated a

compact more than 20 years ago and the

Tribe as well as the state need to live up

to that negotiation.

Once we get a BIA decision, the Tribe

will determine how best to move forward.

Consent Decree

The negotiation on the consent decree

has not yet moved forward. We had hoped

to be on the Oregon Department Fish &

Wildlife agenda in June. Siletz and Grand

Ronde were to come up with a plan to

move forward.

With regard to the federal legislation

about the consent decree, it was to move

forward very soon in Congress. Rep. Val

Hoyle will introduce the legislation in the

House of Representatives; not sure who

will be co-sponsors yet. Sen. Jeff Merkley

will re-introduce it in the Senate.

This action is still a high priority for

the Tribe and we hope to have a hearing

in the House soon.

Chinook Nation

A motion was passed at our last

regular council meeting to support the

Chinook Indian Restoration.

Chemawa Station

The Keizer City Council on April

17, 2023, approved an amendment to the

Chemawa Station plan. It will allow us to

alter somewhat the kinds of businesses

that will go on the property.

The City of Keizer has been very supportive of our efforts and we are excited to

see the development take place.

Memorial Day

Please join us for our Memorial Day

Ceremony in Siletz as we give our thanks

and our appreciation to all veterans who have

given their lives during peace and war times.

Delores Pigsley

For information about the Siletz Tribe, visit our website at www.ctsi.nsn.us.

Elders Council Meeting

The Elders Council will host an in-person/Zoom hybrid meeting on

Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 1 p.m. in the banquet room at Aces Sports

Bar & Grill in Lincoln City, Ore.

If you have any questions, please contact the Elders Program at

541-444-8212.

Siletz News is free to enrolled Siletz Tribal members. For all others, a $12

annual subscription fee applies. Please make checks payable to CTSI and mail

to Siletz News.

Name: _______________________________________________________

Address: ____________ _________________________________________

Phone:_ _______________________________________________________

Change of address: Tribal members – contact the Enrollment Department

at 541-444-8258; 800-922-1399, ext. 1258; or enrollment@ctsi.nsn.us. All others – call the newspaper office.

Deadline for the June issue

is May 10.

Send information to:

Submission of articles and

photos is encouraged.

Siletz News

P.O. Box 549

Siletz, OR 97380-0549

Please see the Passages

Policy on page 20 when submitting items for Passages.

541-444-8291 or

800-922-1399, ext. 1291

Fax: 541-444-2307

Email: pias@ctsi.nsn.us

•

Siletz News

•

May 2023

Member of the Native American

Journalists Association

First Cut Wood for the Elders Day

The Tribal Natural Resources Committee and Natural Resources Department will

sponsor the first Cut Wood for the Elders Day of the year on Saturday, May 20. The

woodcut will be held on the Tribe’s Logsden Road property to the right of the Tribal

food distribution warehouse in Siletz.

We need lots of volunteers to help cut, split and deliver firewood for Tribal elders.

Bring your chainsaws, hydraulic wood splitters, splitting mauls, axes and lots of energy.

Even if you don’t have any of those, we can use the moral support!

Lunch, drinks and snacks will be provided. We will start at 8 a.m. and go until

around 2 p.m.

The goal of this event will be to deliver firewood to as many elders as possible.

The Elders Program maintains a list of elders who burn wood for their winter heat.

People willing to haul firewood to elders outside of the Siletz area can contact

A.J Warren in the Elders Program at 800-922-1399, ext. 1212, or 541-444-8212 to be

paired up with an elder in need. We especially need folks who can haul wood to the

Eugene, Salem and Portland areas.

Elders in need of firewood should also contact A.J. to get their name on the delivery list.

If you have parents or grandparents who burn wood in the winter to stay warm,

you need to help out at this event.

Apply now for Siletz Tribal Head Start

The Siletz Tribal Head Start program is accepting applications for the 2022-2023

school year. We have classrooms in Siletz, Lincoln City, Salem and Portland and offer

services to promote children’s school readiness skills and assist families with supporting their child’s lifelong learning.

Classrooms are in session Monday-Thursday. We provide roundtrip transportation

and developmentally appropriate activities to promote each child’s success.

To qualify, children must be age 3 or 4 by the local school district’s age cut-off

date, and income limits may apply. Head Start applications can be found on the Tribal

website or can be requested by calling 541-444-2450 or 800-922-1399 and asking for

Head Start.

CTSIVirtual

Virtual

CTSI Virtual

CTSI

Virtual

Nights

CTSI Nights

Virtual

Culture

Nights

Culture Nights

Tipi Drawing

Name: ____________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________ Roll #: ___________________

All tribal members and families welcome

Upcoming Dates:

May 3 at 6 pm: Spring Foods

June 7 at 6 pm: Nee-dash

Sponsored by the Education and Culture Departments

Contact Nick Viles at nickv@ctsi.nsn.us or 541-484-4234 x1757 to sign up

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

11-13, 2023. One entry per household. Must be a Siletz Tribal member to enter.

Deadline for entries is June 9, 2023. Names will be drawn soon after the deadline. Return the form to Siletz Pow-Wow, Attn: Tipi Drawing, P.O. Box 549, Siletz,

OR 97380-0549. Applications are located on the Tribal website under the Pow-Wow

tab – https://www.ctsi.nsn.us/heritage/pow-wow/.

Note: You do not win the tipi. The drawing is only for a stay in the tipi over powwow weekend.

2023-2024 Siletz Royalty Applications

Applications are being accepted for 2023-2024 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 June 1, 2023. Applications can be sent to Siletz Pow-Wow Committee, P.O.

Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380-0549.

Applications can be downloaded from the Tribal website located under the pow

wow tab – https://www.ctsi.nsn.us/heritage/pow-wow/.

If you have any questions, contact Buddy Lane at 800-922-1399, ext. 1230;

541-444-8230; or buddyl@ctsi.nsn.us.

May 2023

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Siletz News

•

Changes coming to Childcare Assistance Program

Seeking associate judges for Siletz Tribal Court

Beginning May 1, 2023, changes to the CTSI Childcare Assistance Program

will be in effect. These changes include the return of co-payments for families

with incomes above the federal poverty level and new payment rates for providers.

The Siletz Tribal Court consists of a chief judge and such associate judges as

the Tribal Council shall determine are necessary for the efficient operation of the

Tribal Court. Associate judges shall include judges for the Siletz Community Law

Court, Siletz District Court, Siletz Court of Appeals and Siletz Gaming Court.

Co-payments are based upon household income and household size, and range

from 1-4%. Payment rates for providers are based on the geographic area or ZIP

code of the provider and their qualifications and training.

The CTSI Childcare Assistance Program helps Siletz Tribal families living

in the Tribal 11-county service area pay for their childcare expenses while they

participate in a work activity. Work activities include working, looking for work,

students or participating in a job training program.

To be eligible, children must be 12 years of age or younger, and either an enrolled

member of the Siletz Tribe or eligible to enroll in the Tribe, or be the descendant

or dependent of an enrolled member of the Tribe.

For more information about the CTSI Childcare Assistance Program, please call

DeAnn Brown, Head Start director, at 541-444-2450 or email at deannb@ctsi.nsn.us.

The Siletz Tribal Council is considering the reappointment of the associate

judges, but desires to seek additional individuals who are qualified and interested

in an appointment for the courts listed above.

For detailed information on qualifications, responsibilities and duties of the

Siletz Tribal Court judges, please refer to the Tribe’s website – www.ctsi.nsn.us;

under the Government Listings Tab, select Court & Justice, then select Tribal

Ordinances, then select Tribal Court Rules of Procedures. Information for Judicial Officers, Qualifications, Terms and Scope of Duties is located beginning at

§ 3.010.

If interested in possible appointment as an associate judge, please submit

your résumé to Siletz Tribal Council, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, Oregon 97380-0549.

Résumés will be accepted through June 7, 2023.

CTSI Jobs – Tribal employment information is available at ctsi.nsn.us.

Supporting detoxification for our children safely through a variety of options

By Nancy Ludwig, MS, RDN, LD, Head

Start Consulting Nutritionist

As follow up to last month addressing how environment toxins impact our

health and create a tendency toward weight

gain, we now focus on detoxification for

our children with holistic approaches

including nutrition and lifestyle. I offer

this information for families in my role

as consultant nutritionist to Siletz Tribal

Head Start. Children are our future.

Dr. Elisia Song, MD, holistic pediatrician, is a voice of hope for children even

when she speaks about environmental

toxicity. Much of the information below

was shared by Dr. Song as part of a Toxicity and Detoxification Masterclass by

Michael of Rebel Health Tribe.

Dr. Song speaks about making healthy

choices to help children thrive. She shares

concerns that children are uniquely vulnerable to toxins at increased exposure

relative to adults. They are exposed during

critical times of development, setting the

stage for lifelong impacts.

Children’s intestinal and blood-brain

barriers are more permeable and their

detoxification pathways are immature

with decreased abilities. Dr. Song also

recommended a resource by a Canadian

pediatrician found in the resources below.

In today’s world, children are sicker

than ever before. Dr. Song reminds us not

to fret about our past or carry guilt, but

to move forward with informed choices

to support our children. When we know

better, we can do better without living in

a bubble of fear.

First, a note regarding prenatal exposures. While exposure is a serious concern

for an unborn child, detoxification should

be avoided during pregnancy and lactation

as this would be more dangerous to the

developing child. Detoxification, however,

reducing stress and optimizing the gut

microbiome is recommended 3-6 months

prior to pregnancy.

Before doing any kind of detoxification, it is essential to always keep

elimination pathways open. The most

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Siletz News

•

May 2023

active pathways are pee, poop and sweat.

If bowels are not moving, stop and focus

there or this will not work at all.

1. To support urination (pee): Stay

hydrated, drink fluids with mineral

support for detoxification such as

coconut water, bone broth or “clean”

electrolyte drinks.

2. The goal for poop is stool that is soft

and well-formed, every day to every

other day. Water, fiber, magnesium and

movement support bowel movements.

Constipation is a serious concern and it

is becoming more frequent in children.

3. Sweat is another pathway for elimination. Exercise is a good way to sweat,

which has additional benefits as well.

Next, focus on optimizing gut health

– highlights below:

1. Take in fiber, fermented foods, phytonutrients, fish oil and probiotic supplements (L. rhamnosus, L. casei, B. breve

may be especially helpful for detox).

2. Let your child choose foods from the

rainbow of color for fiber sources.

Remember, tan/brown packs the biggest fiber punch, with seeds, nuts,

legumes and whole grains.

3. Serve fermented foods such as yogurt,

kefir, kombucha, kvass, sauerkraut,

pickled vegetables, raw unfiltered

apple cider vinegar, miso, natto, tempeh and kimchi.

4. Nutrients to support detoxification

include:

a. Colorful phytonutrients – Choose

fruits and vegetables from the

rainbow.

b. Sulfur-rich foods – These are

the stinky ones because sulfur is

what smells stinky to most of us.

Examples include kale, broccoli,

cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels

sprouts, bok choy, arugula, collard greens, watercress, Swiss

chard, mushrooms, garlic, onions,

asparagus, spinach and radish.

Vitamin C-rich foods, such as

papaya, citrus fruit, berries,

bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels

sprouts, spinach, watercress,

asparagus, tomatoes, pineapple,

cantaloupe, mangos and guava.

Note that some of these foods are

on both lists.

d. Omega 3-rich foods, including

fish such as mackerel, salmon,

herring, sardines, anchovies, plus

oysters and caviar. Plant sources

include seaweed, chia seeds,

hemp seeds, flax seeds, walnuts

and soybeans.

e. Supplements, as needed, like

glutathione, methylation support

and mitochondrial support.

f. Epsom salt baths (magnesium

sulfate) absorbed through the skin.

Helpful lifestyle strategies that are

important to achieve detox success include

sleep and mindfulness. Many of the brain’s

healing and detox functions occur during

sleep. To succeed with detox, sleep is

important and many kids are chronically

sleep deprived. It may be important to

reduce nighttime blue light exposure, such

as electronic screens.

Supports for sleep may include phosphatidyl serine to reduce cortisol excess,

melatonin to fall asleep, and inositol to stay

asleep. Homeopathic remedies may also

help, such as coffea cruda for “wired” mind

and body or Ignatia for worries and grief.

Mindfulness is surprisingly helpful

for detox success. It can improve heart

rate variability (HRV), which is a physical measurement independent of dietary

change. It has been seen that happiness,

positive emotions and high HRV are

associated with higher gut microbiome

diversity in children.

Conversely, high stress and low HRV

are associated with lower gut microbiome diversity in children. When you

optimize HRV, you also optimize vagal

tone and health.

It can be useful to practice mindfulness meditation anywhere and anytime

with your children. Below are three different approaches:

1. Stop. Look. Listen. These are common

words to ask when crossing the street.

Stop – and pay attention to what

is around you.

Look – with five senses. First

close your eyes and listen, ask

yourself: What do I hear? What

do I smell? What do I taste? What

do I feel on my skin? Then open

your eyes and ask, What do I see?

Often it is something new that

was not noticed before.

Listen and ask – How I feel in this

moment?

2. Practice the loving kindness meditation: Start with yourself, then think

about others, even if you don’t know

them, with the following words:

May I feel safe • May I feel happy

May I feel healthy • May I live with ease

May you feel safe • May you feel happy

May you feel healthy

May you live with ease

3. Teach your child to belly breathe (also

known as diaphragmatic breathing).

This can bring calm and reduce anxiety. Face it, a calm body is better able

to detox and be healthy

Siletz Tribal Head Start offers nutritional support at no cost to Head Start

families. If you have nutrition concerns

about your Head Start child or want to

discuss family nutrition concerns, please

contact your teacher or the director and

ask for a phone call with the nutritionist.

Resources

Dr. Elisa Song, MD: www.healthykidshappykids.com; Facebook: www.fb.com/

DrElisaSongMD

Website: Little Things Matter, Protecting Children from Toxic Chemicals

https://littlethingsmatter.ca

Courtesy photo above by Jordan Taylor

Photo below by Andy Taylor

Egg hunters are on the prowl for goodies and fun at the annual Tribal Easter Egg

Hunt on April 8. This event is planned and carried out by the Cultural, Youth

Services and Higher Education programs.

USDA distribution dates for May

Siletz

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

May 1

May 2

May 3

May 4

May 5

Salem

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Sammy Hall, USDA Program Director

541-444-8279; sammyh@ctsi.nsn.us

Fax: 541-444-8306 or 503-391-4296

May 15 1:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Monday

Tuesday

May 16 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday May 17

By appt only

LIKE us on Facebook at Siletz

Tribal FDPIR. We would like

to see more people sharing

their recipes on our FB page.

May 2023

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Siletz News

•

EVENTS - May 2023

MMIP Awareness Event

05/05/23 @5:30pm

Every Thursday Virtual 5:30pm

Every Wednesday In-Person

Trauma Group

Ribbon Skirt Making TBD (limited spots)

Missing & Murdered

Indigenous

Persons &

Contact rachellee@ctsi.nsn.us for more information.

We are excited to announce the new LGBTQIA2S+ group

forming in the Siletz community. After tallying the votes, we

have confirmed “Nuu-da’-ya” (Our Family) for the name. We

will begin to have meetings and facilitate events. We want

to program around the community’s interests as well as

hosting upcoming Pride events in June and will look for volunteers and community members to participate. If you are interested in joining us, please

reach out to SiletzHarmReduction@ctsi.nsn.us. We would love to hear from

you!

The Portraits In RED Painting Project. Nayana LaFond, the artist of this

project, paints Missing and/or Murdered Indigenous People throughout Canada and the United States.

“…….This project is a labor of love. It has found me and inspired a mission of raising awareness and honoring the memory of those lost. I

hope it helps those still here heal, even if only a very small amount.

Perhaps it will help someone still suffering gain the courage to get

help. You are not alone, you are not without hope, we are your sisters

and we are here beside you.” —Nayana LaFond

On Feb. 2, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians partnered with the

Pacific Maritime Heritage Museum in Newport, Ore., to bring in ceremony for the Portraits In RED exhibit. The artist featured 4 Siletz Tribal

members, 3 of whom have been reported to the authorities as Missing

and Murdered Indigenous People and the 4th one is an activist for this

epidemic. CTSI’s CARE Program opened the exhibit with ceremony and

Tribal Council member Selene Rilatos opened with prayer, with families of the missing and many relatives from the Siletz Tribe.

The CARE Program, Tribal Council members Selene Rilatos and Angela

Ramirez, and Nayona LaFond sat on a panel discussion on MMIP with

the community on March 23, 2023, at the Pacific Maritime Heritage

Museum, where the paintings are on display. Community members

had a lot of questions on human trafficking and how they can help

Tribal communities and surrounding areas fight this epidemic.

SCHC Executive Director Miranda Williams and CARE hosted a lunch

with our current MMIP families and Nayana to meet and talk about

their stories together. It was an honor to host Nayana and get to know

her and why she started this project. The lunch also gave space for

families to get to know each other and know they are not alone and

have support.

If you are interested in becoming a voice for our relatives, please contact the CARE Program. While meeting with families, we received a

suggestion to start a group that solely focuses on MMIP issues and our

Tribal relatives coming alongside one another during this time; also

making posters, billboards, a phone tree or safe space to grieve.

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Siletz News

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May 2023

THE CARE PROGRAM & DIABETES DEPARTMENT INVITE YOU TO JOIN US ON

MAY 5, 2023, AT THE SILETZ REC CENTER

FROM 5:30PM to 8:30PM

Traditional dinners from both Native and Mexican-American

Indigenous cultures will be provided

Friendship dances

Activities for the family

Information on the history of the MMIP epidemic with our

Native and Mexican Indigenous peoples

RAFFLE TICKET FOR EACH PERSON AT THE DOOR

EVENT IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC

Please contact Rachelle Endres at rachellee@ctsi.nsn.us or at

541-444-9638 for further information.

April is Sexual Assault awareness month.

Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

Asthma affects more than 25 million Americans and between February and early summer is when seasonal allergies can really give

asthma-suffering people the most trouble. Asthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways to become inflamed, making it hard

to breath. There is no cure for asthma, however, it can be managed by avoiding triggers such as pollen, smoke, dust and whatever you could be allergic to. It’s best to carry your asthma medication when you’re out and about just in case and be mindful of

symptoms like coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath. With

allergies being a big trigger for asthma, it’s important to understand how allergies can affect us. Allergies occur when our body’s

immune system overreacts to a substance it sees as harmful. The

immune system makes antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE),

which respond to allergens. The resulting symptoms are an allergic

reaction. People can be allergic to almost anything, including pollen, food, pets, mold and latex. Symptoms can include sneezing,

hives or rash, swelling in the throat and mouth, and even anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening reaction. The best way to prevent

allergies is to avoid allergens and be sure to carry medications you

may need with you. Talk to your primary care provider if you have

asthma or allergy concerns.

Jamie Boe, Community Health Advocate

https://www.aafa.org/

MAY IS NATIONAL WILDFIRE AWARENESS MONTH

Prepare for Wildfires Have several ways to receive

alerts. Download the FEMA app and receive real-time alerts

from the National Weather Service for up to five locations

nationwide. Sign up for community alerts in your area and be

aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless

Emergency Alert (WEA), which requires no sign-up.

Pay attention to air quality alerts.

Make an Emergency Plan

 Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands what to do if you need to quickly evacuate.

 Don’t forget a plan for the office, kids’ daycare and anywhere you frequent.



Review Important Documents

Make sure your insurance policies and personal documents, like ID, are up to date. Make copies and keep them in a

secure password-protected digital space.

Strengthen your Home

 Use fire-resistant materials to build, renovate or make

repairs.

 Find an outdoor water source with a hose that can

reach any area of your property.

Create a fire-resistant zone that is free of leaves, debris or

flammable materials for at least 30 feet from your home.

Designate a room that can be closed off from outside air.

Close all doors and windows. Set up a portable air cleaner

to keep indoor pollution levels low when smoky conditions

exist.

Know your Evacuation Zone

May 2023

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Siletz News

•

Healthy Traditions

For more information regarding activities contact

Healthy Traditions

541.444.9627 or kathyk@ctsi.nsn.us

Community Garden Opens May 5th

Garden spots are available!

Contact: Kathy 541.444.9627 email: kathyk@ctsi.nsn.us

Container Gardening and Plant giveaway!

May 19-20th 3-6pm

Open to Siletz Tribal members and their families!

Hazel Stick Season!

If you are interested in

learning traditional Siletz

basket weaving, it all starts

with gathering your

materials and processing

them.

Hazel sticks are only

available one time during

the year. We have a

co-managed area that we

have been preparing for

stick harvesting for several

years.

Contact Kathy if you

would like to be notified

when we are going to the

area.

*This activity is open to

Tribal members and their

families

•

Siletz News

•

May 2023

Health Promotion Activities sponsored by:

Diabetes Prevention Team

For more information

about registering, please

contact:

JacobR@ctsi.nsn.us

For more information:

Richard Bayya

Richardb@ctsi.nsn.us

May 2023

•

Siletz News

•

Siletz Community Health Clinic

200 Gwee-Shut Rd

Important

Mary Lou Grove

Born March 1, 1932

Passed on March 1, 2023

PRC

Update!

Starting

Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund

Recruitment for Advisory Board

Applications are being accepted for one Siletz Tribal member position and

one Lincoln County non-Tribal member position interested in serving on the

Advisory Board of the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund (STCCF) for

a three-year appointment from July 2023 through June 2026. The deadline for

receipt of applications is 4:30 p.m. on May 31, 2023.

The STCCF Advisory Board has seven members, including one Siletz Tribal

Council representative, three at-large Siletz Tribal members and three non-Tribal

positions. Board members serve in a volunteer capacity but are reimbursed for

travel mileage and per diem for attendance at advisory board meetings and charitable award distribution receptions.

The Advisory Board meets quarterly in January, April, July and October to

review applications from charitable nonprofits, community service organizations

and other local education and government programs.

Board members send award fund recommendations to Tribal Council for

final review and approval. Board members also attend quarterly receptions held

at Chinook Winds Casino Resort to assist with the distribution of award checks.

To learn more about the Tribal charitable fund, contact Rosie Williams at

stccf@live.com; 800-922-1399, ext. 1227; 541-444-8227; or visit www.ctsi.nsn.

us/Charitable-Contribution-Fund.

Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund

2023 Application for Advisory Board

Name:

Tribal Member [ ] Non-Tribal [ ]

May 1st, 2023

Save Our

New Number

5414449677

SIletz, OR

The Purchased/Referred Care

Phone Number is Changing!

Starting May 1st, you can call PRC directly at

541-444-9677

All other PRC phone numbers will be deactivated within the coming months. Until then,

an automated voice message will direct callers to contact PRC using our new number.

This update allows you to contact PRC directlyno more transferred calls or phone trees!

Did you know?

You can also contact PRC by email at

SiletzPRC@ctsi.nsn.us

Legal Aid Services of Oregon and the Oregon Law Center, civil legal service

providers for low-income Oregonians, operate a public benefits hotline where

low-income Oregonians can talk to lawyers and paralegals to get advice on public

benefits, including unemployment benefits:

Oregon public benefits hotline: 800-520-5292

or Oregonlawhelp.org

Address: ____

City/State/ZIP: ____

Telephone: (Day) ____ (Evening) ____

Email: ____

RETURN TO: Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund

P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380-0549

Attention: Rosie Williams

Fax: 541-444-2307 / Email: stccf@live.com

Temporary Tribal Student Assistance Program

The Siletz Tribal Housing Department’s Temporary Tribal Student Assistance

Program (TTSAP) will start accepting applications for the 2023-2024 academic

year on May 1, 2023.

Program Information

TTSAP assists Tribal students who will attend a college, university, vocational

or trade school.

TTSAP is a time-limited program. Funding is for one academic year.

TTSAP assists students with rent or room and board in a dormitory.

The student’s share of the rent is 30% of their adjusted annual income. Important note: The student might be required to remit a portion of the rent. For

example, if a student is working, the wages will affect the student’s share of

the rent.

Assistance is not transferable.

STHD will accept applications May 1-31, 2023. If applications are received after

May 31, 2023, they will not be accepted by the Siletz Tribal Housing Department.

To obtain an application, please stop by the STHD’s office at 555 Tolowa Court,

Siletz OR, 97380 or call 800-922-1399, ext.1315, or 541-444-8315.

Applications can also be downloaded from the Siletz Tribe’s website at http://

www.ctsi.nsn.us/.

Cecelia De Anda

ceceliad@ctsi.nsn.us

Rental Assistance Program Coordinator/ Resident Services Advocate

10 •

Siletz News

•

May 2023

Graduates!

Disaster can strike without warning. Complete your free Emergency Financial

First Aid Kit (EFFAK) today to organize all your crucial documents for peace of mind

tomorrow. Get started today at https://community.fema.gov/EFFAK.

#BeInformed

Ginger Keller

Valdez High School

Ginger, granddaughter of Ron and

Pam (Fisher) Keller, will graduate from

Valdez High School (Valdez, Alaska).

She will attend the University of Alaska

Fairbanks in the fall to pursue a certificate

in the health care field.

CTSI Jobs – ctsi.nsn.us

Note: “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.

Tama St. Onge

Willamette University

Tama will graduate from Willamette

University (Salem, Ore.) as an exercise

and health science major with a minor

in Spanish. While not sure of her future

plans, Tana is considering grad school

for either public health or occupational

therapy. For now, she wants to be a barista

before possibly working as a personal

trainer at PUSH Fitness in Salem.

While at Willamette, Tama was a resident advisor, one of two Bearcat Pantry

coordinators and an executive member of

the Native and Indigenous Student Union.

For more information about the Siletz Tribe,

visit ctsi.nsn.us.

Siletz Tribe Revolving Credit Program Lowers Interest Rates

Siletz Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Program

(STVRP)

STVRP is here to help members of ANY federally recognized Tribe (living within the

Siletz Tribe's service area) with barriers to employment. We work with individuals

who have disabilities.

Siletz Tribal Behavioral Health Programs

Prevention, Outpatient Treatment, and Women’s and Men’s

Transitional Living Center

Siletz: 800-600-5599 or

541-444-8286

Eugene: 541-484-4234

Salem: 503-390-9494

Portland: 503-238-1512

“Hi, I can help

with OHP.”

Narcotics Anonymous Toll-Free

Help Line – 877-233-4287

For information on Alcoholics

Anonymous: aa-oregon.org

Do you need help with OHP?

You don’t have to leave your home

to apply!

Applications can now be done

online or over the phone.

The Health Care Marketplace is

open now through May 15, 2021.

541-444-9611

Examples of Services

• Guidance and counseling

• Culturally relevant and

• Referral to employment services

individualized services

• Résumé writing

• Evaluations, assessments and training

• Interviewing techniques

placement opportunities

• Job coaching

• Adaptive equipment

Shop for health plans at

https://or.checkbookhealth.org/

or call direct at 855-268-9767.

For more information about STVRP, please inquire at 800-922-1399. We also

maintain resource and employment boards, so please make an appointment if

you're interested. You can speak to VR staff in the following locations:

Makayla Jackson

Job Development Specialist

Eugene Area Office

2468 W 11th Ave.

Eugene, OR 97402

541-484-4234, ext. 1752

Toni Leija

Job Development Specialist

Salem Area Office

3160 Blossom Drive NE, STE 105

Salem, OR 97305

503-390-9494, ext. 1861

Tamra Russell

Self-Sufficiency Counselor 1

Portland Area Office

12790 SE Stark St., STE 102

Portland, OR 97233

503-238-1512, ext. 1411

Jamie Bokuro

Job Development Specialist

Siletz Area Office

201 SE Swan Ave.

Siletz, OR 97380

541-444-8266

May 2023

•

Siletz News

•

Shu’ - ‘aa-xu

Round Dance

March 25, 2023

Siletz Valley School

Photos by Andy Taylor

Family and friends dance together at the Shu’ - ‘aa-xu Round Dance on March 25. This round dance was

organized by members of the community for cultural celebration.

Above (l to r): Katya Rilatos, Skeeter Lancaster, Crystal Hinds, Tasha Rilatos, Tiffany Stuart, Johannah

Wolf, Allivea Hernandez, Naiya Mason and Tehya Seltenreich.

Right (l to r): Shawna Gray and Alicia Keene

Food, continued from page 1

many tribal members both on and off the

reservation, helping to take the pressure

off low-income households. Those who

apply and qualify – in 2021, a net annual

income of no more than $28,380 for a

family of four – are eligible for a monthly

box of food.

Shelley UpChurch, 72, an enrolled

Siletz member and treasurer for the tribal

Elders Council, has lived on the reservation since 1998, when she moved back to

Oregon to care for her aging parents. She

lives in a cozy two-bedroom apartment in

housing the tribe provides for elders. From

her kitchen window, she can see the sacred

tribal Dance House adjacent to a grove of

fir trees, trunks straight as flag poles. Over

the bank, the Siletz River rushes west to

the Pacific Ocean.

UpChurch initially used SNAP benefits to buy food, but the closest store in

Siletz is small and expensive, she said,

while larger, more affordable grocery

stores in Toledo and Newport are too

far away. FDPIR is simple: she shops by

checklist and, a few weeks later, picks

up her choices at the warehouse. She

mentions that she has diabetes and while

she appreciates “commods,” she says she

wishes they were more friendly for those,

like her, who manage this disease.

Commodities on reservations

Historically, the U.S. government

restricted tribes’ ability to hunt and gather

the traditional foods — game, fish, roots

and berries — that had sustained Native

people for millennia. Hunting and gathering were replaced by commodities,

government-issued rations like lard and

flour, surplus foods that, at times, arrived

12 •

Siletz News

•

May 2023

on the reservation rancid or rotten. Many

people starved.

“There is a history of rations, then

the military diet in boarding schools, then

families in need program, then FDPIR.

They are technically separate programs

with separate authorizations, but the models are the same. Renamed, same model,”

wrote A-dae Romero-Briones in an email.

Romero-Briones is Director of Programs

for Native Agriculture and Food Systems

at the First Nations Development Institute.

This is a familiar story for many

tribes, a throughline from the past to

reservations today. Nearly half of the 574

federally recognized Native American

tribes in the U.S. participate in the commodity system.

In 1857, the U.S. government forcibly

removed the 27 bands that comprise the

Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians

from their homelands – west of the Cascade Mountains, from the Rogue River

to north of the Columbia River – and

confined them to the Siletz reservation.

They were required to relinquish the guns,

arrows and arrowheads they used for hunting and couldn’t access off-reservation

hunting grounds.

“It was illegal to leave the reservation.

You could be shot,” said Sherry Addis, a

tribal elder, adding that the Siletz tyee, or

chief, “begged” the government for food.

“I don’t know how you get out of bed when

you lose 90 percent of your relatives,” she

said, referring to a tribal mortality rate

from starvation described in a book about

the history of the Siletz peoples, The

People Are Dancing Again.

Despite the risks, some continued to

hunt and fish for their relatives and neighbors. Kevin Goodell, 59, a foreman for the

Siletz Natural Resources Department, said

his dad and his dad’s closest friend would

sometimes slip off the reservation to fish

for lamprey and harvest deer. Later, they

would drive around in an old pickup truck

and distribute fish and meat.

“It was an ugly scene,” Goodell said.

“Our people have survived with probably

less money than any other culture. It’s

shocking we are still here.”

Selene Rilatos, 61, who also grew

up on the reservation and is a member

of the Siletz Tribal Council, learned as

a girl how to fish and hunt, skills she is

grateful to know. She echoed Goodell’s

memories of poverty and food insecurity

on the reservation.

“As my father used to say, ‘Our people

were never rich – our richness is in our

culture and the love of the land,’” she said.

Building sovereignty with land,

partnerships

Today, the Siletz Tribe is strengthening

food sovereignty on several fronts. Last

year, the tribe purchased a 38-acre farm

five miles east of Siletz and is beginning to

grow food that tribal members can harvest

at the farm, both wild and cultivated.

The Siletz forged an agreement with

the Oregon Department of Fish and

Wildlife so that the tribe gets more than

4,000 pounds of hatchery salmon each

year, along with game meat that the state

confiscates from poachers, hunters who

shot the wrong animal or people hunting without a license. And Siletz is on

a USDA registry that delivers additional

food from farmers and producers, which

is distributed from its warehouse.

The FDPIR program is also changing, slowly, due in large part to work by

Native people to change the USDA Farm

Bill. For many years, Indigenous farmers and ranchers petitioned to have their

products – fish, meat, produce – included

in FDPIR. In the 2018 Farm Bill, which

comes up for renewal every five years,

Congress provided $3.5 million to eight

tribal nations for a demonstration project

to buy food that better reflects traditional

diets, including Native-harvested and

grown foods. The Native Farm Bill coalition is advocating for additional changes

to the 2023 Farm Bill.

Lummi Nation was awarded funding

for the Self-Determination Demonstration

Project. Tribal fishermen catch salmon

and vacuum seal the fish into serving

packages, which is then provided to tribal

members.

“One year,” said Dewey Solomon Jr.,

a 50-year-old Lummi tribal member and

FDPIR certification supervisor, “our tribal

elders received frozen catfish from Mississippi in their food boxes. The elders

laughed – especially because right out our

front door are salmon, crab and shrimp.

That’s how we make our living, so being

able to sell our catch to USDA allows us

to feed our tribe in the ways we know.”

Food sovereignty is key to the larger

goal of self-determination, said Buck

Jones, the salmon marketing specialist

for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish

Commission. A tribe’s ability to provide

its own food “defines who we are as a

people,” he said.

“We can’t be sovereign if we’re not

controlling our own foods,” Jones said.

“Getting traditional food back into our

people, that’s wealth right there. The things

our ancestors taught us continue to guide

us today.”

Lincoln County Jail seeks volunteers

The Lincoln County Jail in Newport, Ore., is seeking additional cultural

practitioners to provide services to American Indians who are incarcerated. They

are seeking both female and male practitioners to provide online, one-on-one

and group guidance (once it is safe to hold in-person meetings).

If you have questions, please contact Lisa Norton at lisan@ctsi.nsn.us. If

you want to volunteer, contact Dennis Buckmaster (dbuckmaster@co.lincoln.

or.us) to start the process. This process does include a background check, but

all situations will be considered individually.

May 2023

•

Siletz News

•

Website is one-stop shop for college grants

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) encourages

students and families preparing for college to go to OregonStudent-Aid.gov to

check out the more than 500 grant and scholarship opportunities.

It’s a one-stop shop for information, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Oregon Promise and the Oregon Opportunity Grant.

For information about the Siletz Tribal language program, visit siletzlanguage.org.

Siletz Tribal Members

Online Academic Support

Free Virtual Tutoring!

* 24/7 On-Demand Access to Online

Professional Tutors

* GED Support

* All Subjects and Grade Levels- From

Kindergarten through College/University

* Individualized Help in All Subjects

* SAT & ACT Prep; College Course Level

Help and More

* All Tribal Students Eligible to Apply,

Regardless of Residence.

Contact your local Education Specialist to sign up:

Siletz & Out-of-Area

Jeﬀ- JeﬀS@ctsi.nsn.us

Portland

Katy- KatyH@ctsi.nsn.us

Salem

Sonya- SonyaMJ@ctsi.nsn.us

Eugene

Candace- CandaceH@ctsi.nsn.us

Please Note:

Students MUST complete a Tutoring Application to register. Tutoring hours are

available on a first come first serve basis as resources are available.

14 •

Siletz News

•

May 2023

Scholarships

•

Fastweb (scholarship search engine)

•

Be Bold $25,000 Scholarship

Deadline: Monthly

•

Big Future (scholarship search engine)

•

CollegExpress Monthly Scholarship

Deadline: Monthly

•

Pacific Northwest Scholarship

Guide (scholarship search engine)

•

OregonStudentAid.gov

•

Christian Connector $2,500 Scholarship

Deadline: Quarterly

•

OTR Diversity in Business Scholarship

Deadline: May 25, 2023

•

Scholarship for Social Impact

Deadline: Rolling

•

Too Cool to Pay for School Scholarship

Deadline: June 30, 2023

•

AIS Scholarship

Deadline: Varies

•

OppU Achievers Scholarship

Deadline: June 30, Sept. 30 & Dec.

31, 2023

•

Open Education Database Graduate

and Ph.D. Scholarships

Deadline: Varies

Touchmark Foundation Nursing

Scholarship

Deadline: June 30 & Dec. 30, 2023

•

Tribal College/University Scholarships

Deadline: Ongoing

•

Be the Boss Scholarship

Deadline: Sept. 15, 2023

American Indian Service Scholarships

Deadline: Ongoing

•

Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway

Deadline: Oct. 13, 2023

American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Scholarships

Deadline: Ongoing

•

LasikPlus “My Vision” Essay Scholarship

Deadline: Nov. 30, 2023

•

LA Tutors Innovation in Education

Scholarships

Deadline: 20th of each month

•

Scholarship Points $2,500 Scholarship

Deadline: Monthly

•

Nitro College Scholarship

Deadline: Monthly

•

Smart Owl Scholarship

Deadline: Monthly

•

Army Emergency Relief Scholarships

Deadline: Ongoing

•

Catching the Dream Scholarships

Deadline: Ongoing

•

College Board Scholarship

Deadline: Ongoing

DropBox – Remote Customer Experience Program and Project Management Intern – Summer 2023

Deadline: Open

Coca-Cola Company Marketing Summer Intern

Deadline: Open

Amazon Undergraduate Program

Internships

Deadline: Multiple

•

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering

Deadline: Varies

Roku

Deadline: Multiple/Open

Habitat Restoration Internship

Deadline: Various

•

Nike N7 Undergraduate Internship

Deadline: Multiple

•

Nike Internships

Deadline: Multiple

Meta (Facebook) Data Center Engineering Internships

Deadline: Various

•

Tesla Internships (spring 2023)

Deadline: Multiple

Public Lands Internship Program

Deadline: Various

•

The Home Depot Remote Human

Resources Internships (summer 2023)

Deadline: Multiple

NOAA Internships

Deadline: Ongoing

•

Code Switch Internship

Deadline: Various

•

HP 3D Printing Engineering Intern

Deadline: Open until filled

•

WOTE Agricultural Incubator Intern

Deadline: Various

•

Saturday Academy Internships

Deadline: Multiple

•

EPA Environ. Research/Bus. Support

Deadline: Multiple

•

NAYA Ninth Grade Counts

Deadline: Rolling

•

NPAIHB Youth Delegate Program

Deadline: May 30, 2023

Thrive Youth Conference

June 26-30, 2023 (Portland, Ore.)

•

Dept. of Energy Scholars Program

Deadline: Ongoing

•

National Park Service Tribal Stewards

Inclusion Program

Deadline: Ongoing

•

Center for Native American Youth at

the Aspen Institute – Generation Indigenous Network Youth Ambassador

•

National Youth Leadership Forum

STEM Program Nomination Form

Deadline: Various

NPAIHB Youth Intern Host Sites

Deadline: Rolling

Fund for Indigenous Journalists:

Reporting on MMIWG2T

Deadline: Rolling

Internships

Liberty Mutual Insurance TechStart

Summer Internship

Deadline: Open

Portland Community College Career

Pathways Program

•

UC Native American Opportunity Plan

•

Tribal higher education and adult

vocational training applications are

due June 30!

Attend graduation – congratulations!

Make arrangements for your final

grades to be sent to colleges and

universities.

Good luck!

American Meteorological Society

Minority Scholarships

Deadline: Ongoing

•

Amber Grants

Deadline: Rolling

•

Apple Business, Marketing and G&A

Internships

Deadline: Multiple

•

Oregon Tribal Student Grant

•

This is the deadline for final decisions

for universities.

Send letter of intent to registrar.

Line up a summer job.

Attend your Senior Awards Night.

Review any award letters and be sure

you understand the terms and conditions that accompany each type of aid.

If necessary, arrange for housing and

a meal plan (at school).

Send thank you notes to any person/

committee from which you received

a scholarship.

•

Oregon Promise Grant

•

Cronin and Company

Deadline: Open

•

UO Home Flight Scholars Program

June

May

•

Other Opportunities

•

Important information for college-bound

Tribal seniors

•

Starbucks Public Affairs and Communications Internship (summer 2023)

Deadline: Open

•

Paramount Pictures Internships (summer 2023)

Deadline: Multiple

•

Brighthouse Financial 2023 Remote

Marketing Summer Intern

Deadline: Multiple

•

WSJ.Magazine Internship/Summer

2023

Deadline: Open

•

National Science Foundation Research

Experiences for Undergraduates

Deadline: Multiple

•

DMS Internships

Deadline: Ongoing

•

Indian Land Tenure Foundation

Deadline: Multiple

Fellowships

•

MBA Special Advisor Fellowship

Deadline: Ongoing

•

Master of Forest Resources Fellowships

Deadline: Open until filled

•

Franklin Talent Exchange Program

Deadline: Ongoing

•

NYT Local Investigations Fellowship

Deadline: Rolling

NW NA Research Centers for Health

Research Support Fellowship

Deadline: Rolling

•

Institute for Citizens and Scholars

Fellowships

Deadline: Various

Northwestern University’s Center

for Native American and Indigenous

Research Undergraduate Fellowships

Deadline: Rolling

•

American Indian Graduate Center

Deadline: Ongoing

•

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research

Center Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

Deadline: Multiple

•

NOAA Fellowships

Deadline: Ongoing

•

Claremont NA Fellowship

Deadlines: Multiple

May 2023

•

Siletz News

•

Tribal Council Timesheets for March 2023

Delores Pigsley – 3/1/23-3/31/23

Frank Aspria – 3/1/23-3/31/23

3.5

3.25

Ind

3.5

3.25

.75

2.5

.75

2.5

8.5

5.25

4.5

3.75

1.25

4.75

8.5

5.25

4.25

3.75

1.5

4.75

Gmg

1.75

STBC ED Tvl

3/1-4

3/6-7

.75

3/8

3/9-10

2.5

3/11-12

3/13-15

3/16

3/17-22

3/23

3/24-31

1.25

1.5

Housing Cmte, email

Interviews, Natural Resources

Cmte, email

Court ruling, attorney mtg

Portland community mtg, toll

mtg, email

Interior budget, DC update, email

Packets, email, econ dev

Regular TC, email,

Email, packets

Out-of-area comm mtg, packets

Special TC – gaming; toll mtg,

Loraine Y. Butler – 3/1/23-3/31/23

3.5

2.75

2.25

1.25

Ind

3.5

2.75

2.25

1.25

Gmg

STBC ED Tvl

4.5

3/1-6

3/8-9

3/10-13

3/14

3/16

3/20-22

3/24

3/27-29

CEDARR, packets

Attorney, CPT, packets

NASRAC mtg, packets

Culture Cmte, packets

Regular TC

Chemawa Station, packets

Special TC – gaming

IGA

Alfred Lane III – 3/1/23-3/31/23

3.25

Ind

3.25

Gmg

STBC ED Tvl

3/2

Meet w/ Rep. Blumenauer’s

office, meet w/ Gov. Kotek, meet

w/ Chinook, Salem project

3/3

Audit/Investment Comm

23 3/5-7

Capitol Hill mtgs

3/14

Packets

10.5 3/16-17 Regular TC, meet w asst sec

Ind

.25

1.25

1.75

2.75

1.5

Gmg

Packets

Meetings in DC

Portland community mtg

STAHS, packets

Regular TC

Packets

Bonnie Petersen – 3/1/23-3/31/23

2.25

2.75

Ind

.2.25

2.75

2.5

.75

3.5

2.75

1.5

1.25

3.25

.75

3.5

2.75

1.5

1.25

3.25

1.5

3/13

3/15

3/16

3/17-18

3/20

3/21-22

1.25

4.5

3/23-30

16 •

Gmg

STBC ED Tvl

1.5

3/1-2

3/3-8

3/9

Siletz News

•

May 2023

3/10-11

Gmg

2.5

6.25

3.5

6.25

3.5

2.5

4.75

2.5

4.75

2.5

1.75

1.25

1.75

1.25

STBC ED Tvl

2.5

3/1

3/2

2.5

3/3-4

3/5-7

3/8-12

3/13-14

1.25

1.25 3/15

10 3/16-17

1.5

2.5

4.75

2.5

12.5

CEDARR, OIN mtg, email

Email, reading, interview

prep, CPT prep, atty mtg

Interviews, USDA mtg, CPT,

review minutes, email

NASRAC mtg, email, admin,

reading, STAHS activities

Pow-Wow Cmte, econ dev, email

LCIS mtg, email, reading

Regular TC, email

Email, calls, research, admin

Chemawa LLC, email, research

SOU mtg, meet w/ Dee,

email, research, packets,

meeting prep, reading

Special TC – gaming, email

3/18-19

3/20-22

3/23

3/24

3/25-26

3/27

3/28-31

Mail, agenda items

Meet w/ Chinook & governor’s

office, mail

Investment/Audit Cmte, evals,

mail, meeting prep

Meetings w/ Inter ior and

congressional, mail

Mail, agenda items

Meet w/ Keizer Heritage, mail,

prep for council

LCIS, gaming commission, mail

Regular TC, meet w/ secretary

of interior, mail

Mail, agenda items

Chemawa Station, mail, agenda

items, prep for council

Meet w/ SOU

Special TC – gaming

Mail, agenda items

Meet w/ governor’s office

IGA, mail, agenda items

Angela Ramirez – 3/1/23-3/31/23

4.5

2.75

8.5

4.5

7.5

2.5

1.5

3.25

.75

STBC ED Tvl

3/2

3/5-7

3/9

3/11-14

3/16

3/20-22

Ind

2.5

Ind

4.75

2.75

8.5

4.75

7.5

2.5

1.5

Gmg

STBC ED Tvl

3/1-8

3/1-5

3/6

3/8

3/9-23

3/9-10

3/11-13

3/16

3/19-20

3/21

3/23

3/24

3/24-31

3/31

1.5

Alfred Lane IV – 3/1/23-3/31/23

.25

1.25

1.75

2.75

1.5

2.5

3.5

Email, packets

STAHS

Education Cmte

Legal, STAHS

Email, packets

STAHS, legal

STAHS

Regular TC

Gaming mtg, design, STAHS

SVS board

DV/CARE panel

Special TC – gaming

Email, packets

STAHS

Selene Rilatos – 3/1/23-3/31/23

3.5

3.25

1.25

.75

3.5

2.75

Ind

3.5

3.25

1.25

.75

3.5

2.75

2.5

1.5

4.5

2.5

1.5

4.5

1.75

.75

1.5

1.75

.75

1.5

Gmg

STBC ED Tvl

3/1-5

3/6

3/7

3/8

3/9

3/10-12

3/13

3/14

3/15

3/16

3/18-20

3/21-23

4.5

3/24

3/26-27

3/28

3/29-31

QBM, email, packets, calls

Health Cmte, calls, email

COVID mtg, NPAIHB mtg

Email, calls, packets

USDA reg dir visit

Email, packets, calls

Tribal caucus, SCP, email,

packets

NPAIHB COVID, email

COVID ECHO, email

Regular TC, packets

Email, packets, calls

NPAIHB COVID, email,

packets, calls

Special TC – gaming, email,

packets

Email, packets, phone calls

COVID mtg, email

Email, packets, calls

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May 2023

•

Siletz News

•

The Elder Experience – An Interview with Tribal Elder Ed Ben

By Teresa Simmons, courtesy of STAHS

It would be impossible to adequately

convey the full story of Edmond Ben’s

life in the space available. To say he’s an

institution would be an understatement.

What I can do is give you a brief outline

and a small glimpse of Ed Ben’s journey

over his 95 years. I listened intently as I

visited with him to gather the material for

this article filled with dates and accomplishments. A twinkle in his eye, however,

and a bit of a grin were dead giveaways

for the occasional humorous memories he

shared. It was hard to stay on track from

time to time. So here goes:

A long life of sharing, participation,

encouragement and observation and the

oldest member of the Siletz Tribe, Ed has

worn many hats: WWII Navy veteran,

member of the Air Force Reserve, logger,

Oregon State corrections officer, fine

craftsman, orator, husband, brother, friend

and a very proud father.

The eldest child of Archie Ben and

Victoria Butler Ben, Edmond Ben was

born in his grandmother Ella Ben’s house

on Christmas Day 1927. He was one of

seven children: Vicki, Maxine, Virginia

(stillborn), Richard (who was killed in a

car accident at age 21), Shirley and Ray.

Ed joined the Navy in 1945 at age 17

and was stationed in the Philippines just

as WWII was coming to an end. Upon his

discharge in 1946, he came back to Siletz

and went to work in the logging industry,

which was the main source of income in

the area at the time.

There were numerous gypo logging

outfits in the county and Ed worked for

several. Between 1946 and 1950, he was

employed by Johnny Essex, Mulkey and

Downey, Balderee, the Ring Brothers and

Whitey Willis among others. He drove

bulldozer for Wilbur Martin and finally

between 1950 and 1952 he worked for

C.D. Johnson.

During that time he met his forever

love, his wife Dolores. Ed told me they

met through one of Dolores’ friends,

possibly while he was cruising the main

drag in Toledo following a teen dance at

the Eagles Lodge. They married in 1948

and lived with his parents for a time before

moving to the housing project in Siletz.

With the natural progression of newly

wedded bliss, their son Gerald (Butch) was

born in 1949 in Toledo followed by son

Rod in 1952, the same year that Ed and

Dolores moved to Salem. Their youngest

son, Ed Jr., joined the family in 1957.

Ed took some business classes after

the move and applied for two jobs that

were presented to him. Although it was not

his first choice of the two, he was hired at

the Oregon State Prison as a corrections

officer, where he worked until his retirement nearly 30 years later in 1982.

Ed had some harrowing experiences

while he was there, two prison riots and

fires among them. He was well-liked by

the inmates and working together, he and

the prisoners who were trapped with him

in the riot and fire of 1968 were able to

escape the inferno.

Ed’s son, Ed Jr., wrote: “He and several convicts were trapped in a burning

building on an upper floor. They were

18 •

Siletz News

•

May 2023

Courtesy photo from Ed Ben Jr.

Above: Ed and Dolores are shown in this five generations photo with their sons

and some of their nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and three great-greatgrandchildren.

Courtesy photo from Teresa Simmons

Right: Ed Ben in full regalia

able to break a window that reportedly

had shatterproof glass and then cut out

metal bars with a saw made to cut wood,

not metal. They escaped by going through

a small hole in the bars. Convicts below

helped by catching the men as they fell

to the lower roof. They then helped dad

get out of the prison instead of attacking

him or taking him hostage, as they had

done with other guards. Speaks volumes

about the kind of person my father is. In

2019 a book was written called Crime

and Corrections that had the inmates’

testimonies in it.”

Ed has been active in the events of

the Siletz Tribe his entire life. His first

memory of dancing with his family was

at the home of Johnny Williams when he

was perhaps 7 years old. His father, Archie

Ben, formed an American Indian dance

group that performed all over the state,

sometimes representing the Eagles Lodge

of which Archie was a member. The lodge

provided a truck or a trailer that could be

used as a float.

The Ben family and other members of

the Tribe often participated in the Loyalty

Days Parade in Newport and many others,

including the Albany Veteran’s Day parade

in which one year they were awarded the

Grand Marshal’s Award for their float,

This Land is Our Land.

Ed served on the Tribal Council prior

to Tribal Restoration. Always willing to

speak for the people, Ed was one of a

group that traveled to Washington, D.C.,

in 1976 at the invitation of the U.S. government to the Siletz Tribe. Other Tribes

from the Northwest participated, including Warm Springs.

They were housed at Georgetown

University and bused to the reflecting

pool every day where they danced. His

mom and dad, sister Shirley, brother Ray,

Delores Pigsley, Pauline Ricks, Katherine

Harrison and members of the Bell and

Easter families were all there.

Years later, Ed and Alfred “Junior”

Lane and four other WWII survivors were

invited to return to Washington, D.C., to be

part of the dedication of the WWII Memo-

rial. They were accompanied by Siletz

Veterans Representative Tony Molina.

Over the last several years, Ed could

be found many, many times dressed in

full regalia, carrying the Eagle Staff and

leading the Tribal Honor Guard at the

opening of events, both Tribal and nonTribal. His devoted wife Dolores, who

passed away last year, accompanied him

and was always nearby cheering him on.

All three sons followed in the tradition to

promote their Tribal heritage. Sadly, son

Rod passed away in 2003.

Together, Ed and Dolores handcrafted literally hundreds of beautiful dentalium necklaces that have been presented

to performers at Chinook Winds Casino

and dignitaries at various functions and

awards. Fine full dress regalia is among

his many other creations.

Ed has always been a strong voice for

the Siletz Tribe, recounting the history in

great detail. His amazing memory and

ability to put voice to the struggles of the

Siletz people have served as catalysts in

not only enlightening the greater community, but also in reminding the younger

generations of the history and the sacrifices of the previous generations. We can

and have learned a great deal from him

over the years, not just from his words, but

also from his deeds.

I asked Ed what he would want to

share with the younger generation and he

replied, “If you have the opportunity to go

on to school, do it and do it to the best of

your ability.”

Thanks, Ed, for all that you do.

Siletz Tribal Student Incentives Program

If you have completed any of these

milestones, please send a copy of your

certificate or diploma to your area

education specialist. The Siletz Tribal

Student Incentive Program rewards student achievements as follows:

High School or GED

$100

Adult Vocational Training

One-year program

Two-year program

$100

$200

Higher Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Pendleton

blanket plus $75

Head Start/Preschool

$10

Kindergarten

$10

Master’s Degree

Elementary School

$20

Middle School

$50

Doctorate Degree

Pendleton

blanket plus $300

$300

Tribal Education Specialists

Portland Area Office: Katy Holland, 503-238-1512, 12790 SE Stark St.,

Suite 102, Portland, OR 97233

Salem Area Office: Sonya Moody-Jurado, 503-390-9494, 3160 Blossom Drive

NE, Suite 105, Salem, OR 97305

Eugene Area Office: Candace Hill, 541-484-4234, 2468 W 11th Ave., Eugene,

OR 97402

Siletz Area Office: Jeff Sweet, 541-444-8207, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380-0549

To my men mentors:

I, Socetna A. Butler, would like to thank you – Sally and Charlie Butler, Dan Smith

and John Monroe – for taking the time and showing me how to cut, split and stick

firewood to complete 20 hours of community service. I would also like to thank Ralph

and Calvin Easter for letting me serve and help my disabled elders.

It was an honor to work with each and every one of you, and Mike Kennedy.

Thank you for helping with my community service.

Socetna

To the editor:

Some FAQs concerning an urgent issue follow:

What’s the beef that Siletz Tribal Council (TC) is having with the Chinook Indian

Nation (CIN)? Before 2018, warm and friendly relations existed between Siletz and

Chinook. Then, Siletz TC attempted to horn in on CIN’s Indian Claims Commissions

settlement award both in federal court (where Siletz lost) and at the BIA hearings

level (where Siletz lost again). Controversial statements concerning CIN have more

recently been included in letters sent by Siletz officials to regional organizations. And

in April 2023, Siletz TC refused to offer full support to Chinook’s restoration efforts

and instead made CIN’s dismemberment a precondition for Siletz support.

Why has the present Siletz TC not yet given full support to CIN? Someone on/near

Siletz TC appears to have been successfully offering this advice: We’d better extract

some sort of concession from CIN in exchange for our support – something along the

lines of the Consent Decree giving up Siletz hunting/fishing rights in exchange for

State of Oregon’s support for Siletz Reservation legislation.

Siletz TC’s demand is that CIN abandon two-fifths of its constituent Tribes whose

ancestral lands lay along the south bank of the Columbia River (Clatsop and Kathlamet

Tribes) in exchange for Siletz support.

Won’t Siletz lose out by fully supporting CIN? No. While hope for control over CIN

wealth prompted a past Siletz TC to pursue expensive legal claims against CIN, these

claims failed (see above). Siletz TC chose not to appeal either legal defeat. Siletz chances

of winning future claims for CIN wealth/territory would remain non-existent because

Grand Ronde and other Tribes that haven’t fought CIN claims – which they consider

legitimate – would likely contest any future Siletz claims to Clatsop and Kathlamet

territory/wealth – which other Tribes (along with historians and anthropologists) view

as illegitimate. No loss will come from Siletz dropping dubious claims. Rather, Siletz

will save money by foregoing costs of further expensive legal services.

What will result if Siletz TC continues its present approach? Coercing or harming

another Tribe in a time of need can be expected to “come round” to Siletz after Siletz

helps it “go round” to Chinook. (Ancestral Dee-ni’ proverb: “Ch’ee-nvk nay-ghe,

k’wee-nvk nay-ghe.”1) If Siletz TC continues to follow the worst examples of when U.S.

and state governments have harmed Indigenous peoples rather than the best example

of Grand Ronde, Cowlitz, Shoalwater Bay and other Tribes who have fully supported

restoration of CIN federal recognition, Siletz TC will further damage a valuable and

long-standing friendship between Siletz and CIN, oppose the values of truth and justice,

and receive a drastically lower level of respect from its neighbors.

Drew Viles

Dear friends and relatives:

Hope all are aware of the Tribal Court case that two Tribal Council members were

forced to bring against five of our sitting Tribal Council members in October 2022.

The case directly involves five of our Tribal Council illegally intervening in an

HR (human resources) matter that was not under the authority of the Tribal Council.

All HR matters for Tribal employees who are not under the direct supervision of the

Tribal Council were delegated to CTSI admin decades ago because HR matters need

to be handled per policy, not become political decisions.

These five council members ignored their responsibility to uphold those laws and

directly violated them. The Tribal Court completely agreed with our complaint. The

court ruled that the two resolutions were illegal and overturned them.

Ethics concerns were mentioned in the court case, but they were the not the direct

subject matter of the case. Now multiple ethics complaints have been filed with the

Siletz Tribal Council about not only the violation of Tribal laws by these five, but also

the unethical ways they achieved the five votes they needed to pass those two illegal

resolutions. One voted in a matter that was a direct conflict and the other four didn’t

support the raising of the vote as a conflict and used that illegal vote to get their illegal

resolutions passed.

We are at a crisis point. Now those five have missed their deadline to file an appeal

on the judge’s order – but have asked the court to allow them to bring their appeal

anyway – proving once again that they believe the rules that apply to everyone else do

not apply to them.

The court documents from the case are posted on the members’ portion of the

Tribal website. Please read them all and inform yourself as to the ways that the majority of our Tribal Council are acting outside of the law and continuing to break the law.

Once you have informed yourself, please express your views to the Tribal Council on

five of our elected members acting in violation of the laws that are there to protect us.

Too much time, energy, productivity and huge amounts of Tribal resources have

been spent on them defending these ridiculous and illegal actions. They have violated

the Siletz Tribal Constitution, Personnel Manual, TC Ethics Ordinance, TC Rules and

Procedures, and their Oath of Office.

Update: April 12, 2023 – Tribal Appellate Court has issued an order denying

the attempt of appeal of the chief judge’s decision by these five sitting Tribal Council

members. Now that the illegality issue is settled, will they resign and repay attorney,

TC timesheet and other costs?

Robert Kentta

General Council Meeting

Saturday, May 6, 2023 • 1 p.m. • Siletz, Oregon

Call to Order

Invocation

Flag Salute

Roll Call

Approval of Agenda

Approval of Minutes

Program Reports

Indian Child Welfare Program

Elders Program

Special Presentation

Announcements

Tribal Member Concerns

Chairman’s Report

Adjourn

Please note the General Council Meeting will be livestreamed

through the Tribal website.

Siletz News Letters Policy

Siletz News, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, is

published once a month. Our editorial policy encourages input from readers about

stories printed in Siletz News and other Tribal issues.

All letters must include the author’s signature, address, and phone number in

order to be considered for publication. Siletz News reserves the right to edit any

letter for clarity and length, and to refuse publication of any letter or any part of

a letter that may contain profane language, libelous statements, personal attacks

or unsubstantiated statements.

Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Published letters do

not necessarily reflect the opinions of Siletz News, Tribal employees, or Tribal Council.

Please type or write legibly. Letters longer than 450 words may be edited for

length as approved by Tribal Council Resolution #96-142.

Please note: The chief executive

officer of the Siletz Tribe is the editorin-chief of Siletz News.

Editor-in-Chief: Kurtis Barker

Editor: Diane Rodriquez

Assistant: Andy Taylor

Bommelyn, Loren Me’-lash-ne. Taa-laa-wa Dee-ni’ Wee-ya’. 2nd edition. 2006, p. 93

May 2023

•

Siletz News

•

Hotel rates for Siletz

Tribal members

Siletz Tribe hotel rates all year

round! No longer do you have to guess at

what your rate is and worry about higher

rates in the summer. One rate for each

hotel type is now $79 plus tax for standard deluxe oceanfront rooms and $125

plus tax for oceanfront junior suites.

Need Rental Housing?

The Siletz Tribal Housing Department

encourages you to apply for the

Low-Income Rental Program waiting

list in Siletz (1-4 bedrooms) and

Lincoln City (2-3 bedrooms –

Neachesna Village).

Applications can be obtained at any

Tribal area office (Eugene, Salem,

Portland, Siletz) or online from the

Tribal website – ctsi.nsn.us; follow

links – Tribal Services-Housing-Low

Rent Apartments & Home Ownership.

Questions? Call 800-922-1399,

ext. 1322, or 541-444-8322;

fax: 541-444- 8313

Happy Birthday, Lakota! Hope you

have a great day, son!

Love and prayers always, Mamma

Bear and family

Happy 19th Birthday to Hayden! Hope

you enjoy your mini-vacation to Las

Vegas. We love you very much.

Mom and family

Happy 11 th Birthday on May 17,

Deenie! We all love you lots and hope you

have an amazing day.

Love, Mom, Sis, Sissy, Bubba and Bubs

For more information about the

Siletz Tribe, please visit ctsi.nsn.us.

Happy Birthday to Kent Rilatos and

Gloria Ingle on May 17! That was a great

day for birthdays.

Love, Selina and family

Free child ID kits from the Oregon State Police

503-934-0188 or 800-282-7155; child.idkits@state.or.us

Courtesy photo

Chemawa Indian School students at the February 2023 Birthday Pow-Wow.

Chemawa Indian School would like to thank the Siletz Tribe for its donation to

the pow-wow club cooking heaters. Also, thank you to Chinook Winds for the

raffle donation.

Passages Policy

Submissions to Passages are limited to two 25-word items per person,

plus one photo if desired.

All birthday, anniversary and

holiday wishes will appear in the Passages section.

Siletz News reserves the right

to edit any submission for clarity

and length.

Not all submissions are guaranteed publication upon submission.

Please type or write legibly and

submit via e-mail when possible.

20 •

Siletz News

•

May 2023

Courtesy photo by Teresa Simmons

Tribal elders attend the monthly Elders Council meeting on April 8 at Aces Sports Bar & Grill in Lincoln City, Ore.

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.