SILETZ NEWS (2026)

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SILETZ NEWS

Presorted

First-Class

Mail

U.S. Postage

Paid - Permit

No. 178

Salem, OR

Delores Pigsley,

Tribal Chairman

Kurtis Barker

Chief Executive Officer

and Editor-in-Chief

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

Vol. 54, No. 04

Siletz News

Confederated Tribes of

Siletz Indians

P.O. Box 549

Siletz, OR 97380-0549

April 2026

Clear vision, comprehensive care, how PRC services support tribal health

The Siletz Tribal Purchased

Referred Care (PRC) program provides a pathway and continues to

expand access to specialty healthcare

services for eligible tribal members.

Ranging from specialty medical

visits to vision correction procedures

like LASIK, PRC plays an important

role in ensuring tribal members

receive the care they need when it

cannot be provided directly through

the tribe’s clinic.

What Is Purchased Referred

Care (PRC)?

Purchased Referred Care is a program that covers approved medical,

dental, vision, and specialty services

that are not available or offered within

the Siletz Tribal Health Clinic.

When a provider determines that

outside care is necessary, PRC works

behind the scenes to coordinate and

authorize services with contracted

specialists and facilities.

PRC helps bridge gaps in care so

patients can access:

• Specialty medical consultations

and procedures

• Diagnostic imaging (such as MRIs,

CT scans, and ultrasounds)

• Hospital services and surgeries

• Specialty dental services

• Behavioral health referrals

• Vision services beyond routine

eye exams

All services must be pre-authorized (except in emergencies), and

eligibility requirements apply.

Service Spotlight

Vision Correction Surgery Referrals

We’re excited to share that LASIK

vision correction and alternative elective vision correction surgeries are

LASIK, on page 12

Clinic services strengthen wellness and resilience in the community

The Siletz Community Health

Clinic Medication Assisted Treatment

(MAT) Program provides more than

just medication support for individuals experiencing opioid use disorder.

Our program offers compassionate, comprehensive care for those

affected by all substance use disorders, including alcohol, while honoring the health and wellness of the

tribal membership and community.

We offer mental health counseling,

family counseling, support groups,

equine therapy, co-disorder management and support clients’ needs for

social determinants of health. Each

treatment plan is patient specific to

their unique needs.

As a tribal health program, our

work is guided by the responsibility to

protect and support Tribal Members

and community. While services are

available to the broader community,

Tribal Members remain our highest priority, and our programs are

designed to strengthen the wellness,

safety, and resilience of tribal people.

Our program provides holistic

and culturally responsive care that

includes medical services, and men-

tal health support, trauma-informed

care, peer-delivered recovery services,

and harm reduction programming.

We recognize that substance use

and mental health challenges impact

not only individuals, but families and

communities, and we are committed

MAT, on page 9

Become a dance category sponsor of the 2026 Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow

This summer, the Confederated

Tribes of Siletz Indians has partnered

with the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County (EDALC).

This will provide an opportunity for individuals and businesses

to sponsor dance categories for the

upcoming Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow,

taking place on Aug. 7-10, 2026, at the

Pauline Ricks Memorial Pow-Wow

Grounds in Siletz, Ore.

All sponsorships will be highlighted in the Siletz News and

announced during the Pow-Wow.

This is the third year that sponsorships are available to be processed on

an online platform.

If you sponsor a dance category,

or a place within a category, your

name and/or business name will be

announced by the emcee over the P.A.

system when the prize is awarded to

the winning dancer.

You can also choose to be an

anonymous donor, or provide a

general donaiton with no preference

to category. If you prefer in person

sponsorship, you can still sponsor a

category by contacting our Cultural

Education Manager, AJ Warren, at

AJW@ctsi.nsn.us.

The tribe would like to thank

EDALC for stepping up and providing

this platform. The Tribe itself does

not currently have an online donation

platform for this purpose, so EDALC

has generously stepped forward to

donate their staff time and Community Connector Grant Funds to this

website development, hosting, online

store, credit card fees, and other costs

related to this year’s project. This

platform also allows people to submit

general donations to the pow-wow, if

you so choose.

You can learn more about the

great work EDALC has done on the

tribe’s behalf by visiting their website

at takeactionlincolncounty.com.

If you have any questions about

this, you can reach out to Lisa Norton

at LisaN@ctsi.nsn.us.

Scan the QR code to find the

EDALC sponsorship page.

Upcoming community-based tourism, information, 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

Tourism, on page 15

General Welfare Exclusion

August General Council Meeting

Museum Update

In some exciting news, the Tribe

is working on updating all of our

programming to maximize the tax

benefits available under the General

Welfare Exclusion Act (GWE).

Final regulations were recently

issued and we have since put together

a team, to include in-house attorneys

and GWE expert tax attorney Ken

Parsons, to help us implement all the

positive changes. Mr. Parsons will join

us virtually at our May General Council meeting for an informational Q&A.

The August General Council Meeting will be at Chinook Winds Casino

Resort rather than at the Siletz Tribal

Community Center.

Our program will be more informational updates on GWE and how

programs are being created or changing to maximize the tax benefits for

all tribal members. Join us for a meal

and informational session on GWE.

More information will be posted

soon on the member area of the tribal

website, so keep an eye out for that.

The Tribe is commissioning the

services of a geotechnical report for

the new site location, for the museum

and the report will be available to staff

in early April.

The request for proposals for

architecture and engineering services

has closed and staff will be making

recommendations to Tribal Council

in April. A team is being developed to

ensure design moves forward and to

ensure the building meets our needs

today and into the future.

Elders Council Meeting

The Elders Council will host an in-person/Zoom hybrid meeting on Saturday, April 11, at 1 p.m. at Chinook Winds Casino

Resort in the Takelma Room, in Lincoln City, Ore.

If you have any questions, please contact the Elders Program

at 541-444-8212.

New real ID’s are available through

the Enrollment Department

For your new Real ID, tribal identification card, come see us in person

at 107 SE Swan Avenue in Siletz. Tribal Enrollment Department is open

Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 p.m. We are closed all recognized

Tribal and Federal holidays.

Tribal Member information on the

upcoming 2026 Per Capita

Tribal Court would like to remind Tribal Members to keep their

address current with Enrollment. Per Capita notices will be mailed May

1, 2026 to the address on file with Enrollment.

The 2026 Per Capita hearing dates are July 14 -15, 2026.

The Division of Child Support has their liaison available to assist

individuals with child support issues.

Contact Tribal Court for an appointment or the contact information

of the Child Support Liaison.

Any request to update addresses must be sent to Enrollment.

Purchased Referred Care update

Tribal Members are required to return to the nearest IHS facility.

Please finish all current dental work at the facility you are going to and

do not start any new treatment plans.

The nearest IHS facilities are:

Chemawa Indian Health Center - 503-304-7600

Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center - 503-879-2002

Siletz Community Health Clinic - 541-444-1030

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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April 2026

Deadline for the May issue is

of Siletz News is April 10, 2026.

Submission of articles and photos are encouraged.

Please check the Passages

Policy on page 20 when submitting items for Passages.

Siletz Valley Fire District thanks tribe

for their continued support

The Board of Directors of the Siletz Valley Fire District want to extend our

gratitude for the generous donation from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz

Indians, Tribal Council.

These funds will help recruit new volunteers, purchase much needed equipment and assure we maintain our operations to meet the needs of the Siletz

community and the citizens of the fire district.

On behalf of our board and staff, thank you!

Rick Olson, board president

Tipi Drawing

Name: _________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________

Phone: _________________________________ Roll: ____________

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

on Aug 7-9, 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

Photo by April Middaugh

Left-to-right: Rick Olson; SVFD board president, Dave Lapof; SVFD fire

chief, Dee Pigsley; Siletz tribal chariman

Can Legal Aid help?

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.

Visit Oregonlawhelp.org. to find out more.

April 2026

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Siletz News

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USDA distribution dates for April

Siletz

Salem

Monday - Friday

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

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

Closed for all federal

and tribal holidays

Saturday, April 18, 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.

April 8

April 9

April 10

April 21

April 22

April 23

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:

USDA Distribution warehouse • Siletz

541-444-8279 or USDA@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

Creamy kielbasa broccoli skillet

Ingredients

8 oz penne pasta

2 cups broccoli

2 tbls unsalted butter

1 kielbasa, sliced

1 small yellow onion, diced

1 tsp garlic, minced

1.5 cups whole milk

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1.5 cups shredded cheese

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil,

add the pasta and cook about 8-10

minutes.

• In a large skillet over medium heat,

melt the butter with the garlic. Add

the kielbasa, onion, and broccoli.

Cook until the sausage is browned

and the veggies are softened.

• In a medium bowl, whisk the milk

and cornstarch. Add the mixture

into the skillet, stirring constantly

to prevent lumps.

• Bring the mixture to a simmer and

continue cooking until thickened.

• Add the cheese, mixing until melted

and the sauce is smooth and creamy.

• Add the cooked pasta and broccoli

to the skillet.

• Toss everything together until the

pasta is evenly coated with the

sauce. If the sauce becomes too

thick, add a little bit of milk to thin

it out. Salt and pepper to taste!

Helping children learn through sensory exploration and connection

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. As Spring emerges, and new

life appears, I’m reminded about how

important our senses are. We receive

information through our sensory

experiences. Our senses can help us

to identify our needs, to refocus, and

even to play with curiosity. When we

are sensing, we are paying attention

in the now, in our present location.

Sensing can be seen as a gateway

to information. Below is a simple

sensory practice that is suggested

for people to use when they want to

bring themselves into the present. I

believe it can also lay the groundwork

for greater connection and awareness.

Some sensory exercises, focused

on 5-senses:

• Stop what you are doing.

• Bring your attention to your

immediate surroundings.

Then, with one sense at a time,

identify and name:

5-things you see,

4-sounds you hear,

3-sensations you feel,

2-scents you smell, and

1-taste you notice

This exercise can be done alone,

or with another person. You can take

turns sharing what you sense with

another person. Sometimes this can

heighten internal awareness. Sharing

can also engage your curiosity and

strengthen your connection with the

other person. This can be fun. Usually, it is centering or grounding. It

could be expansive as you experience

your surroundings, especially, if they

were outside of your awareness. This

exercise can also be used as an interim

transition to bring your focus into the

now, before your next task.

This exploration can be soothing

or nourishing for one’s nervous sys4

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Siletz News

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April 2026

tem. When spending time with young

children, this exercise can serve as a

healthy way to connect and communicate. We don’t all have the same

needs, and we don’t all have the same

experiences. In the case of developing

children, they are learning about their

needs, while having experiences. They

are not always able to communicate

in ways that adults can fully understand and interpret. This exercise

allows adults to become more aware

of the child’s experience through the

descriptions the child uses.

Our experiences with food as

nourishment also include our sensory

perceptions. The experience of noticing and identifying what we see, hear,

feel, smell and taste is powerful. We

can change the order or emphasis on

the senses we share. Imagine, if we

were dogs, smell would likely be the

most important sense. Because we

generally don’t have the same sensory experiences, taking the time to

describe them, creates a doorway in

which adults and children can better

understand what might be happening

behind the scenes. Ideally, this can be

enjoyable, fun and playful. Whatever

is shared, is honored as our experience. With that in mind, our experience cannot be wrong.

One of the most important roles,

for parents/caregivers, is to help children learn from their experiences, to

grow into adults who communicate

and make informed decisions. One

part in this process is to help children

identify and communicate their own

experiences. It is also essential to

for adults to pay attention and take

this communication with children

seriously. Without this engagement,

it can be difficult to connect their

sensory experiences with their own

unique internal needs. When the

parent/caregiver is attuned to the

delicate and tricky balance within

the exploration, children can notice

and become informed by the wisdom of their body(s). Curiosity and

communication are essential to this

developmental learning.

In the bigger picture, the power of

allowing and encouraging exploration

through sharing, allows children to

have more opportunities to learn in

relative safety. The sensory experience

can become the gateway to deeper

explorations of feelings. i.e. How do

they feel inside, physically and emotionally? How do they relate to others?

How do others treat them? These big

topics need support to achieve success

as children grow and become healthy

adults.

Please know that Siletz Tribal

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

Start families. This usually occurs

over the telephone. 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.

Hill, awarded the Proudly Recognizing Lhuuke Illahee tribal hatchery annual

Indigenous Devotion to Education

steelhead release

Siletz Tribal Member, Candace

Hill has been unwavering in her

commitment to Indigenous students

and Indigenous education across our

campus and community.

In her roles as Education Specialist for the Eugean Area office of the

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and as Vice Chair of the Sapsik’

Ata’ Tribal Advisory Council, she

strengthens pathways for Siletz and

other Indigenous students to attend

the University of Oregon.

Her presence and positivity are

felt at countless campus and community gatherings, including the

Intertribal Beading Group at our

Longhouse and culture nights for

the Native Youth Wellness Program,

among others.

While dedicating herself to this

vital work, Candace also earned her

master’s degree in leadership with

a focus on Higher Education from

Bushnell University, an achievement

that reflects her deep and ongoing

commitment to education.

Quanaasina Candace for all you

have contributed to our campus and

community, and for modeling PRIDE

in education.

The award was originally conceptualized by Leilani Sabzalian in her

role as the Native American Retention

Specialist at CMAE in 2014.

At that time, they were called the

STAR award which stands for Service,

Tradition and Academic Recognition

award.

In 2015 when Stephanie Tabibian was hired in the role, the name

changed to Proudly Recognizing

Indigenous Devotion to Education

Awards.

This award celebrates the outstanding work being done by our students, faculty, staff, and community

members both on and off campus. It

also allows us to honor the work of

our allies, as we work collectively to

empower our students on their educational journeys.

To date, there have been over 100

individuals celebrated.

Natural Resource Department staff conducted their annual hatchery steelhead release into Little Rock Creek in late February.

With good growing conditions and cold water inputs from recent storms,

the young steelhead housed in the rearing pond had been showing signs that

they were ready for release. Fish were weighed and inspected during their

release and look fat and healthy. Although big challenges awaited them in the

wild, we’re hoping for good ocean conditions and subsequent returns.

Photos courtsey of Tim Lawes

Top: A dip net full of Lhuuke Illahee Tribal Fish Hatchery raised steelhead

during the February release into Little Rock Creek

Bottom: Max Tice-Lewis, CTSI Fisheries Biologist, lifts a full net of juvenile

steelhead raised at the Lhuuke Illahee Tribal Fish Hatchery

Courtsey photo

Candace Hill stands proudly with her award

April 2026

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Siletz News

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Fitness Challenge winner

The 2025 Fall Fitness Challenge has ended, and it was

awesome to take part in. The Portland Area Office would like

to give a shout out to Portland’s biggest loser, Nicholas P.

Nicholas attributes his success to Corey Strong’s

“onboarding box” of books and items for measuring food

intake, and of course for the positive health changes that

he made.

Some of the most notable healthy choices Nicholas made

were to eliminate fast-food, reduce his sugar drink intake,

and add more movement at his job, rather than being sedentary. One way he added more movement in his work day was

to take walk breaks!

In addition to healthy lifestyle choices, he took pictures

throughout the challenge to document his progress. Because

his team feels the scale is good, yet it does not recognize that

muscle in place of fat, weighs more.

Way to go Nicholas! We salute your courage to change

the things you can and the wisdom you incorporated to

make those healthy choices.

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Siletz News

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April 2026

NATIVE CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT AWARENESS

PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN • STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITIES

OUR CHILDREN ARE SACRED

IN NATIVE COMMUNITIES, CHILDREN ARE CONSIDERED SACRED GIFTS.

THEY ARE OUR FUTURE, OUR CULTURE, AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS. NATIVE CHILD ABUSE

AND NEGLECT AWARENESS REMINDS US THAT IT IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP KEEP

CHILDREN SAFE, SUPPORTED, AND LOVED.

WHY AWARENESS MATTERS

CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CAN HAPPEN IN ANY COMMUNITY.

RAISING AWARENESS HELPS US RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS

EARLY AND CONNECT FAMILIES WITH SUPPORT AND RESOURCES.

WHEN COMMUNITIES WORK TOGETHER, WE CREATE SAFER AND

STRONGER ENVIRONMENTS FOR OUR CHILDREN TO GROW.

SOME WARNING SIGNS A CHILD NEEDS HELP MAY INCLUDE:

UNEXPLAINED BRUISES OR INJURIES

SUDDEN CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR OR MOOD

FEAR OF GOING HOME OR BEING AROUND CERTAIN PEOPLE

LACK OF BASIC NEEDS LIKE FOOD, CLEAN CLOTHING, OR MEDICAL CARE

WITHDRAWING FROM FRIENDS, FAMILY, OR ACTIVITIES

IF SOMETHING DOESN’T SEEM RIGHT, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS.

If You Suspect Abuse or

Neglect

Reporting concerns can

help connect children and

families with the support

they need.

Child Abuse Hotline

1-800-4-A-CHILD

(1-800-422-4453)

Text or Chat:

www.childhelphotline.org

��

HOW OUR COMMUNITY CAN HELP

WE CAN ALL PLAY A ROLE IN PROTECTING CHILDREN BY:

SUPPORTING PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS

CHECKING IN ON FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS

TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT SAFETY AND RESPECT

ENCOURAGING POSITIVE PARENTING AND CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

SPEAKING UP WHEN A CHILD MAY NEED HELP

��

TOGETHER WE CAN PROTECT OUR CHILDREN

STRONG FAMILIES, STRONG TRADITIONS, AND STRONG COMMUNITIES HELP KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE.

WHEN WE CARE FOR OUR CHILDREN, WE PROTECT THE FUTURE OF OUR PEOPLE.

PROTECT OUR CHILDREN. SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES. STRENGTHEN OUR FUTURE.

April 2026

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Siletz News

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PREVENTING

CHILD ABUSE

AND NEGLECT

Set aside time each day

to talk or play with your

child.

VALIDATE YOUR

CHILD'S FEELINGS

AND OFFER PHYSICAL

AND EMOTIONAL

SUPPORT.

Let’s reframe our words:

Support starts with language

Survivors don’t need judgement - they need compassion, belief, and

care. Here are some ways to reframe our everyday language to create

safer, more supportive conversations.

Say this instead...

Instead of this...

“Why didn’t you leave?”

“I am sorry that happened to you”

“Well.... what were you wearing?”

“Nothing you wore caused this. It wasn’t your

fault”

“Why didn’t you say anything”

“I’m here for you, whenever you’re ready to

share“

“Are you sure that’s what happened?”

“I believe you.”

“That happens to a lot of people.”

“What happened to you matters.”

“At least it wasn’t worse.”

“I’m so sorry this happoened to you. No one

should ever go through this no matter what.”

“But you were drinking...”

“I’m so sorry this happened to you. No one should

ever go through this no matter what.”

“You should be over it by now.”

“Healing looks different for everyone. Healing

takes time - you’re allowed to take yours.”

“It’s in the past, let it go.”

“I’m proud of you for continuing to heal.”

“You shouldn’t tell anyone.”

“You get to decide who you share your story with

and speak your truth loudly. I support you.”

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Siletz News

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April 2026

TEACH YOUR CHILD HOW TO

STAY SAFE WHEN THEY'RE

ONLINE OR ON DIGITAL

DEVICES.

HTTPS://WWW.CDC.GOV/CHILD-ABUSE-NEGLECT/PREVENTION/INDEX.HTML

OFFERING CHILDREN SAFE,

STABLE, NURTURING

RELATIONSHIPS AND

ENVIRONMENTS PREVENTS

CHILD ABUSE AND

NEGLECT.

ESTABLISH ROUTINES.

CHILDREN FEEL SECURE

WHEN THE ENVIRONMENT IS

STRUCTURED FOR THEM.

KNOW WHO IS SUPERVISING

YOUR CHILD WHEN THEY'RE

OUTSIDE YOUR HOME.

To report suspected child

abuse in Oregon, call the 24/7

Oregon Child Abuse Hotline at

1-855-503-SAFE (7233).

MAT, continued from page 1

to supporting healing in ways that

respect the overall culture and community connection.

Over the past four years, our team

has distributed more than 100,000

doses of NARCAN throughout the

community, including at SAO, PAO,

EAO, and the casino. This effort

reflects our commitment to protecting life and ensuring that Tribal

Members, families, and community

partners have access to life-saving

overdose prevention resources.

Our harm reduction program

focuses on outreach that meets people

where they are, reducing the risks

associated with substance use while

building trust, connection, and pathways to care. This approach reflects

our belief that every life in our community has value, and that compassion and support create the strongest

path toward recovery.

The MAT program works closely

with local and tribal community

partners to ensure continuity of care

and strong support systems. Through

these partnerships we provide NARCAN training, overdose prevention education, information about

medication-assisted treatment, and

connections to services so individuals

and families can access the resources

they need.

Our staff regularly participate

in training and professional development to stay informed about

emerging trends and best practices

in addiction medicine, behavioral

health, and harm reduction. This

ensures that our community receives

high-quality, evidence-based care

delivered with cultural humility and

respect for tribal values.

Above all, our team believes in

treating the whole person. We support each individual’s autonomy and

empower patients to make informed

decisions about their care. We listen

to the needs, and help them take the

next steps. When a need falls outside

of our program, we work to connect

individuals with resources to ensure

they receive the support they need.

By supporting individuals and

families, our staff strengthens the

health, resilience, and future of the

Siletz community.

If you or someone you know is

struggling with mental health challenges or substance use, please reach

out to our team. We are here to help.

You can contact a member of our

team at the Siletz Community Health

Clinic’s MAT Program, by calling us at

541-444-9617

Tee-Saa-Ghitlh-Xat —

We walk together.

Rachel Diane Williams

1977-2026

Rachel Diane Williams succumbed to cervical cancer on February 28, 2026,

after a hard fought, 7-month battle. Rachel was born November 29, 1977, in

Corvallis, Oregon. She shared her birthday with her father, Jeffrey Williams.

Rachel grew up in Philomath and graduated from Philomath High School.

In high school, Rachel was active in sports. She played volleyball, softball

and was a manager for the wrestling team, including the State Championship

Team which was inducted into the Philomath Sports Hall of Fame. Rachel was

involved in 4-H and had a love for animals, especially horses and dogs. She

also volunteered at the Heartland Humane Society.

Rachel was proud of her Native roots and attended Haskell Indian Nations

University in Lawrence Kansas. After Haskell, Rachel joined the U.S. Army

and became a medic until she was honorably discharged.

Rachel is survived by her beloved son, Garrett Williams; her parents, Jeffrey

Williams, Deborah Williams and Velma Johnston; her sisters, Cheri Williams

and Christi Loveall (Richard); her nephew, Chase Loveall; her cousin and lifelong brother in heart, Bradlee France; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins,

and countless friends who were like family.

She is the great, great granddaughter of Johnny and Colusa (Washington)

Williams and Joshley and Margret (Ben) Brown, and the great, great, great

granddaughter of Molalla Kate. Her spirit touched all who knew her.

A celebration of her life and the culture she loved will be held April 18,

2026, at the Scout Lodge in Philomath. The service starts at 12:00 pm with

a luncheon to follow. Guests are encouraged to wear Philomath High School

or Oregon State University colors, or Native regalia (not full), to honor her

memory.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to Philomath

High School Athletics or Heartland Humane Society.

Free child ID kits from the Oregon State Police

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

April 2026

•

Siletz News

•

Elders Health Fair

10 •

Siletz News

•

April 2026

Elders Health Fair

Elders Health Fair photos by Andy Taylor

April 2026

•

Siletz News

•

LASIK, continued from page 1

now an approved PRC-covered service

for eligible patients.

Here are some quick reasons why

our patients may be interested in this

service offered:

• Improved vision

• Reduced dependence on glasses

or contacts

• Long-term cost savings on corrective lenses

• Enhanced quality of life for work,

sports, and daily activities

As with all PRC services offered

by the clinic, patients must receive a

referral and prior authorization before

scheduling the procedure.

What is LASIK?

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ

Keratomileusis)

An elective eye surgery that corrects vision by reshaping the cornea.

During LASIK, a thin flap is created

in the cornea, the underlying tissue

is reshaped with a laser, and the flap

is then repositioned to heal naturally.

LASIK typically offers rapid visual

recovery and minimal discomfort. The

goal of LASIK is to reduce or eliminate

the need for glasses or contact lenses.

For some patients, PRK or ICL

may be a better alternative to LASIK

based on eye anatomy, prescription

strength, or other medical factors:

of the patient. Final procedure type

will be determined through medical

evaluation.

General Eligibility Requirements

To be considered, patients must meet

the following general criteria:

• Age 20 or older

• In good general health

• In good ocular (eye) health

• Patients with diabetes must have

an A1C of 7.0 or below

• Not pregnant or nursing within

the last 2–3 months

• Stable/unchanged vision for the

past 12 months

• Patients over age 40 must understand presbyopia and the possible

need for reading glasses

• Certain conditions (such as retinal detachment, autoimmune

disorders, etc.) or those high

prescriptions will be reviewed on

a case-by-case basis

Funding & Selection

LASIK funding is limited to

$50,000 in 2026. With limited funds,

eligible applicants will be selected

through a random lottery system:

• First lottery: Held at the end of

Quarter 1

• Patients must be seen by Siletz

Optometry by 3/31

• Selected patients must complete their LASIK procedure

by the end of June/Quarter 2

• Patients who are not selected

will be rolled into the second

lottery drawing

• Second lottery: Held at the end of

Quarter 3

• Patients must be seen by Siletz

Optometry by 9/30

• Selected patients must complete their LASIK procedure

by the end of December/

Quarter 4

A waiting list will be maintained

for selected patients in case of cancellations. Any individuals remaining on

the waiting list will receive priority

consideration in the following lottery.

Please note that meeting the general eligibility requirements does not

guarantee selection or approval, as

detailed, a medical review and lottery selection are required prior to

scheduling.

How to Start?

To begin the referral process,

you will need to schedule a dilated

eye exam with special testing. When

scheduling your appointment, please

let us know that you are interested in

LASIK, so we have everything prepared for you.

Please contact the SCHC Optometry Department with any questions, or

to make an appointment at (541)4441030, Option 3.

Thank you for your interest, and

we look forward to serving you!

PRC Supports the Health of Siletz

Tribal Members

PRC exists to ensure Tribal members receive the full spectrum of care

— from essential specialty services to

advanced procedures like LASIK. By

expanding coverage options, the Tribe

continues its commitment to comprehensive, high-quality healthcare for

the community.

If you have questions about PRC

eligibility, referrals, or the new LASIK

benefit, contact the Siletz Tribal

Purchased Referred Care office for

assistance.

Your health, your vision, your

future — clearly supported.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)

A laser vision correction procedure similar to LASIK, but without

creating a corneal flap. PRK may be

recommended for patients with thinner corneas or certain lifestyle considerations. Vision recovery is slower

than LASIK but long-term outcomes

are comparable.

ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens)

A procedure in which a prescription lens is implanted inside the eye,

without removing corneal tissue. ICL

is often recommended for patients

with higher prescriptions or who are

not good candidates for laser-based

procedures. The lens can be removed

or replaced if needed.

Coverage Details

PRC will cover the LASIK (or

alternative) refractive surgical procedure and associated pre- and postoperative fees up to $4,500. Any

elective costs or fees exceeding this

amount will be the responsibility

Need Rental Housing?

The Siletz Tribal Housing Department encourages you to apply for

the Low-Income Rental Program

waiting list at all locations. You

can apply for 1-4 bedroom units.

Applications can be obtained at

any Tribal area office (Eugene,

12 •

Siletz News

•

April 2026

Salem, Portland, Siletz) or online

from the tribal website at,

ctsi.nsn.us; follow dropdown

links - Tribal Services-HousingLow Rent Apartments &

Home Ownership.

Questions? Call 541-444-8322.

Legal Aid Services of Oregon, Oregon Law

Center can help with public benefits

Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) and the Oregon Law Center,

civil legal service providers for low-income Oregonians. LASO also

offers a public benefits hotline where low-income Oregonians can talk

to lawyers and paralegals to get advice on public benefits, including

unemployment benefits.

You can access more info by calling 800-520-5292 or visiting their

website at Oregonlawhelp.org.

Tribal Members learned to can salmon

The Portland Area Office held a Salmon Canning class for the membership

on February 18, 2026. Our instructor for this class was Danita Mady from

Oregon State University Extension Program. She is a master cannery who was

very knowledgeable in canning techniques.

We had a good turn out of Siletz Tribal Members from the Portland Area

to learn how to can Salmon. There was various techniques and quite a bit of

knowledge that Ms. Mady had shared with the class. We also enjoyed a movie

regarding the preservation of Native foods called the “Gathering” featuring

natives from other areas on how they planted and cooked their traditional foods.

We look forward to inviting Ms. Mady back to the Portland Area Office to

present more classes on canning as well as dehydrating and preserving foods.

2026 College Students Summer

Internship Program now open

Applications open until April 30, 2026

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 by asking the 477 staff at any tribal area office.

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 can begin in June and must be completed by Sept.

30, 2026.

Students should send a completed application and an unofficial

copy of transcripts to:

By mail:

CTSI

Attn: Summer Internship Program

P.O. Box 549

Siletz, OR 97380

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

By email: JamieB@ctsi.nsn.us

Fax: 541-444-8334

Photos courtsey of Priscilla Gomez

Top, front-to-back: Blanchette Morrison; Portland Area CHA, Kaylee Caba,

Danita Mady (Instructor) and Irene Holland

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.

Bottom, left-to-right: Irene Holland, Katy Holland and Sophie Kaady

April 2026

•

Siletz News

•

Temporary Tribal Student

Assistance Program (TTSAP)

The Siletz Tribal Housing Department’s Temporary Tribal

Student Assistance Program (TTSAP) will be accepting applications

for the 2026-2027 academic year beginning May 1, 2026.

Program Information:

• The TTSAP assists Tribal Students who will be attending a college,

university, vocational or trade school.

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

• The TTSAP assists students with rent or room fees in a dormitory.

The student’s share of the rent is thirty percent of their adjusted

annual income. Important note: The student will be required to remit a

portion of the rent. For example, if a student is working, their wages will

affect the student’s share of the rent. If the student is receiving grants

and/or scholarships, that will affect rent portions as well.

STHD will be accepting applications starting May 1, 2026,

through May 31st, 2026. If applications are received after

May 31, 2026, 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 541-444-8315. Applications can

also be downloaded from the Siletz Tribe’s website at www.ctsi.nsn.us.

If you have any questions, need help accessing or to submit your

applicaiton, please reach out to:

Cecelia De Anda

ceceliad@ctsi.nsn.us

Rental Assistance Program Coordinator/ Resident Services Advocate

Honor Our Heroes

Veterans Memorial Wall Application

We are seeking active or retired veterans who would like to be honored on the Veterans Memorial Wall. If you or a loved one would like to

be included, applications can be obtained and submitted, by contacting

the Veterans Coordinator.

Please note, that a DD214 or separation papers verifying military

service are required.

For more information or to submit your application, contact Buster

Lane, Veterans Coordinator at 541-272-9054 or by emailing him at

veteranscoordinator@ctsi.nsn.us.

Your service deserves to be remembered.

Lincoln County Jail seeks volunteers

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

cultural individuals to provide services to American Indians who are

incarcerated. They are seeking both female and male Tribal Members

to provide online, one-on-one and group guidance to those seeking

cultural activities.

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

nsn.us. If you want to volunteer, contact Marie Gainer at mgainer@

co.lincoln.or.us - or call 541-265-0710, to start the process. This

process does include a background check, but all situations will be

considered individually.

14 •

Siletz News

•

April 2026

Tourism, continued from page 1

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.

Most Requested

Numbers

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

541-444-2532

StrongHearts Native Helpline Marks 9

Years of Serving Survivors

Receiving More than 85,000+Calls, Chats and Texts

For more than three decades, they

have built strong working relationships with Tribes across North America, 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.

Throughout the past nine years,

the organization has achieved significant milestones, including:

• Received over 85,000+ contacts

via calls, chats and texts.

• Upon survivor request, provided

over 26,000+ referrals to direct

service providers.

• Developed stronger partnerships

with Tribal, State, and National

organizations

• Improved response to the violence

impacting Native individuals,

families and communities.

This past year, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

(HHS), through the Administration

for Children and Families (ACF),

announced a projected $15 million,

five-year grant to fund StrongHearts

Native Helpline as the First-Ever

Standalone National Indigenous

Domestic Violence Hotline for American Indians and Alaska Natives. With

the five-year funding commitment,

StrongHearts will continue to serve

as the trusted resource for survivors

seeking anonymous and confidential

crisis support.

“This anniversary is not just a

reflection of where we’ve been—it’s

a testament to our team, to our commitment to ensure that the thousands

of survivors who have reached out

receive culturally honoring support,”

said Lori Jump, Chief Executive Officer of StrongHearts Native Helpline.

“We are honored to have served our

communities for nine years and look

forward to expanding our impact”.

StrongHearts plans to expand its

impact include:

• Finalizing the Alaska Specific

Initiative, focusing on expanding and strengthening outreach

and access to services for Alaska

Natives.

• Developing and strengthening

existing partnerships with Tribes,

States and Local service providers

to ensure continuity of care.

• Enhancing StrongHearts’ website to improve user experience,

including expanded search capabilities and a dedicated resource

center for general information,

reports, articles and more.

About StrongHearts Native Helpline

StrongHearts Native Helpline is

a 24/7/365 culturally-appropriate

domestic, dating and sexual violence

helpline for Native Americans, available by calling or texting 1-844-7628483 or clicking on the chat icon at

strongheartshelpline.org.

Website – www.ctsi.nsn.us

Salem Area Office – 503-390-9494

Purchased Referred Care (PRC) –

541-444-9677

Siletz Community Health Clinic –

541-444-1030

Portland Area Office – 503-238-1512

Tribal Veterans Rep – 541-444-8330

or 541-272-9054

Siletz Behavioral Health program –

541-444-8286

Eugene Area Office – 541-484-4234

North Doctor Place in Lincoln City is accepting new patients, open to all

The CTSI clinic, in Lincoln City,

Ore., Dan’Chaa‑May‑Yvlh‑Srii‑Dvn,

which translates to the North Doctor

Place, the clinic opened by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians in

September 2025, is accepting new

local patients.

The North Doctor Place clinic

accepts Medicade, Medicare, and

most private insurances, as a way for

it to be inclusive to all residents.

Anyone in the area can make an

appointment for primary care, dental

and behavioral health services at the

Lincoln City site. The satellite clinic

was built to bring care closer to where

many families live and work on the

coast, and it welcomes community

members alongside tribal citizens.

With top-tier care being provided,

its note worthy that the North Doctor

Place operates as an extension of the

Siletz Community Health Clinic. As

a result, it offers a broad healthcare

access policy with plans to expand

with time.

This clinic is located at 1831 SW

Highway 101, Lincoln City, Ore. The

clinic keeps extended hours for accessibility, so it’s open from 7 a.m. to 6

p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays

and Fridays (closed 12:30–1 p.m.),

and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Appointments can be made directly by

calling 541‑444‑8341. Existing SCHC

patients do not need to register to be

seen but new patients will need to

complete a brief registration packet to

establish care. The clinic provides primary care and behavioral health services, including Medication‑Assisted

Treatment (MAT) and alcohol and

drug treatment up to ASAM Level 2.1.

Dental services are being added as

staffing is finalized, part of a phased

rollout designed to match community

demand with available providers. The

model for care at North Place Doc-

tor mirrors SCHC’s person‑centered

approach, integrating preventive

care, chronic disease management

and recovery supports under one roof.

The clinic’s opening followed

years of feedback from coastal residents who faced long drives for routine care in Siletz as well as unmet care

by the north Lincoln County residents.

Tribal leaders framed the site as a

practical answer to a basic question,

“how to bring care closer to patients’

homes and workplaces.” That emphasis on accessibility, combined with an

open‑door policy for county residents,

positions the Lincoln City location as a

regional access point for primary and

behavioral care.

Who can be seen? The brief

answer, anybody can! This includes

Siletz Tribal members; members of

other federally recognized tribes;

current SCHC patients; Siletz Tribal

employees and their families; and

community members. Access to high

quality healthcare is for everyone and

the core of the SCHC mission.

North Doctor Place advances the

Siletz Community Health Clinic’s

strategy to deliver culturally centered,

person‑focused care and to expand

access beyond Siletz to coastal communities. SCHC’s systemwide standards and strategic goals emphasize

premium services, workforce expansion and data‑driven improvements,

all intended to sustain an accessible

network of care for tribal citizens and

the broader community.

Whether you’re a Siletz Tribal

member, a member of another tribe,

or a county resident seeking a new primary care home, North Doctor Place

is taking new patients now and scheduling appointments for medical and

behavioral health services in Lincoln

City. Our provider care is a reflection

of pride, and outstanding care.

April 2026

•

Siletz News

•

Tribal Council Timesheets for February 2026

Gerald Ben: 2/1/2026 - 2/28/2026

Ind

Gmg

STBC Tvl

2.75 6

2.25

2.25 2/11-13

.5 2/17

Judy Muschamp: 2/1/2026 - 2/28/2026

Date

2/6-7

STBC Tvl

Date

STCCF, H&H, GC

14.25 14.25 5.5

2/1-5

ATNI

PAO Mtg., STAHS,

Umpqua

4 2.5

2/6-7

G2G, GC, H&H,

1.75

1.75 2/8-10

Sp. TC, NPAIHB

3.5

3.5 2/12-13

Siuslaw, Sp. TC,

Umpqua

4 2/17-18

OWEB,

NPAIHB, Pkts, CPT

4.75

4.75 2/20-25

Reg. TC, NPAIH,

COHO

OWEB

Loraine Y. Butler: 2/1/2026 - 2/28/2026

Gmg

Ind

Gmg

Ind

STBC Tvl

Date

8.75

8.75 3.5

2/1-4

ATNI

2 2

2/5-6

Pkts, CTCLUSI

2.25

2.25 2/7-8

H&H, Swearing-In

4 2/12-15

Siuslaw. STAHS,

Umpqua, pkts

4.5

4.5 2/16-19

CPT, SIHA, Pkts,

phone

12.75 12.75 2

2/1-4

5 2/20-24

Reg. TC, pkts

1.75

4.75

3.75

Gaming, Community Mtg., pkts

2/5-6 CTCLUSI, prep, STCCF,

mail

3.75

2/7-8

Sp. TC, GC, mail

4 2/9-12

Mail, agenda, Siuslaw

2.25

2.25 4

2/13-15

Mail, Umpqua,

Sp. TC

4.25

4.25 2

2/16-19

Agenda, mail,

prep,

6.5

6.5 2

2/20-24

Reg. TC, agenda,

mail

2.75

2/25-28

Prep, mail,

agenda, Sp. TC

2/25-27

Reginald Butler Jr.: 2/1/2026 - 2/28/2026

Ind

Gmg

STBC Tvl

Date

12 6

2/1-4

ATNI

2 3

2/5-6

Pkts, CTCLUSI, email

3 2/7-9

GC, Swearing-In, PR

call

3 2/11-13

STAHS, Siuslaw,

Umpqua

2.75

2/17-18

OWEB, Housing

mtg, Pkts

3 2/20-23

PR, Reg. TC

Robert Kentta: 2/1/2026 - 2/28/2026

Alfred Lane III: 2/1/2026 - 2/28/2026

Ind

Gmg

STBC Tvl

.75

2.75

2.75 2/7-8

GC, H&H, Sp. TC

2 2/12-13

Umpqua, Sp. TC,

Siuslaw

1.5

1.5 2-17-19

OWEB, pkts

3.75 2/20-26

Reg. TC, pkts

3 2

Date

2/6

CTCLUSI, STCCF

2/27

Ind

3.25 2/1-5

.5 3

2.75

2.75 2/7-8

Swearing-In, Sp. TC,

H&H

1.75

1.75 2/9-12

NR cmte., Siusalw

3.25

16 •

Siletz News

•

STBC Tvl

April 2026

Date

2/6

2/13-18

Emails, NR, pkts

CTCLUSI

Pkts, OWEB, Sp. TC

2/26-27

Gaming, Pkts

Delores Pigsley: 2/1/2026 - 2/28/2026

Ind

Gmg

STBC Tvl

3.75

2.5

Date

ATNI

Selene Rilatos: 2/1/2026 - 2/28/2026

Ind

3.75

3.75 2/1-3

5.75

6 4

2.25

2.25 2/8-10 Pkts, Ed mtg., NPAIHB

2.25

2.25 1

2/11-12

PAO Mtg., Echo,

Siuslaw

5.5

5.5 2/16-19

Pkts, NPAIHB,

Echo

5.75

5.75 1

2/20-22

Reg. TC, email,

pkts

2.25

2.25 2/23-24

ODHS, NPAIHB,

pkts

4.25

2/25-26

Siletz Mtg., email.

Echo, AdHoc

2.25

2/27-28

Gaming, email, pkts

Gmg

STBC Tvl

Date

2/4-7

Pkts, H&H info,

NPAIHB

H&H, CTCLUSI, GC

Tribal Council Email Addresses

Sp. TC

Alfred Lane IV: 2/1/2026 - 2/28/2026

Gmg

5 2.5

Tribal Chairman: Delores Pigsley

dpigsley@msn.com

Vice Chairman: Alfred “Bud” Lane III

budl@ctsi.nsn.us

Treasurer: Robert Kentta

tcrobertk@ctsi.nsn.us

Secretary: Judy Muschamp

tcjudym@ctsi.nsn.us

Gerald Ben

tcgeraldb@ctsi.nsn.us

Loraine Butler

loraineb@ctsi.nsn.us

Reginald Butler Jr.

tcreggieb@ctsi.nsn.us

Alfred “Buddy” Lane IV

tcbuddyl@ctsi.nsn.us

Selene Rilatos

maritar@ctsi.nsn.us

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April 2026

•

Siletz News

•

Willamette Falls Trust welcomes Lily Abood as Senior Vice President of Philanthropy

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Willamette Falls Trust announced today

that Lily Abood joins the organization as Senior Vice President of Philanthropy. Abood will become part

of a leadership team and growing

effort focused on restoring public

access to one of Oregon’s most iconic

and historically significant natural

landscapes.

Abood, a Portland-based nonprofit leader with more than 20 years

of experience in transformational fundraising, most recently served as Vice

President of Development and Communications at Ecotrust, where she

secured multiple seven-figure gifts.

She is known for leading successful

development campaigns and building

high-performance fundraising teams.

“Lily brings deep experience

building philanthropic partnerships

and leading complex fundraising

efforts,” said Kate Brown, President

of Willamette Falls Trust. “As interest

and investment in restoring access to

Willamette Falls continues to grow,

Lily will focus on securing the partnerships and long-term support needed

to realize our vision: an iconic Oregon

landscape open, inclusive, and accessible to all.”

Abood’s arrival coincides with

growing momentum for Willamette

Falls Trust. To date, the State of

Oregon has committed $45 million to

the project. Combined with increasing

private philanthropic support, the

Trust sees 2026 as a pivotal time for

this once in a lifetime opportunity.

“Renewing public access to Willamette Falls is an extraordinary

undertaking,” said Lily Abood. “The

Trust’s unique focus on collaborative

tribal leadership, place-making and

ambitious resource mobilization is

inspiring, and I am honored to join

this team.”

About the Willamette Falls Trust:

Willamette Falls Trust, a Tribal-led

non-profit, advocates for the restoration of the Falls, which hold great

historical, cultural and environmental significance. The Trust’s Board of

Directors includes representatives of

four Tribes with extensive ties to the

Falls: Confederated Tribes and Bands

of the Yakama Nation, Confederated

Tribes of Siletz Indians, Confederated

Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Confederated Tribes of

Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon.

Where fires used to be frequent, old forests now face a higher risk of devistation

By Steve Lundeberg | OSU

A new study analysis shows that

the Pacific Northwest’s mature and

old-growth forests are most at risk of

severe wildfire in areas that have historically burned frequently at much

lower severity.

The study by scientists at Oregon

State University and USDA Forest

Service Research & Development is

important because those forests are

culturally, economically and ecologically significant, supporting biodiversity while storing vast amounts of

carbon, and they are under increasing

threat of stand-replacing wildfire.

Researchers used state-of-theart modeling techniques to gain

knowledge that can help guide risk

mitigation efforts and return forests

to healthier fire regimes.

Led by Bruno Aparicio and Meg

Krawchuk of the OSU College of

Forestry, the research highlights the

impact of fire exclusion by showing

that 75% of the forest areas with the

biggest risk of severe wildfire are

places that used to see widespread

low- and mixed-severity fires.

The exclusion of fire from Northwest landscapes began with the

disruption of Indigenous fire stewardship, the researchers say. Indigenous

peoples were forcibly removed from

their lands in the 1850s, and putting

out wildfires became federal policy

following the Great Fire of 1910, which

destroyed several towns and burned

an area roughly the size of Connecticut across forests in Idaho, Montana,

Washington and British Columbia.

Prior to fire exclusion, frequent

low- and mixed-severity fires had

played a key role in maintaining

the forest ecosystems of the western United States. Since then, older

forests and trees have seen major

structural shifts as shade-tolerant and

fire-intolerant species have moved in.

“Now, as wildfire activity intensifies under climate change, understanding where and why mature and

old-growth forests are most vulnerable is essential,” said Aparicio, a

postdoctoral researcher in Krawchuk’s group within the college’s

Department of Forest Ecosystems and

18 •

Siletz News

•

April 2026

Society. “This work provides a spatial

framework to help land managers

prioritize where protection may be

sufficient, where active restoration

is needed, and how fire refugia can

be integrated into conservation and

wildfire risk planning.”

Fire refugia are pockets of landscape less prone to crown fire than

adjacent areas and may hold the key

for scientists, conservationists and

land managers seeking to preserve

vulnerable species in a changing climate.

Informally described as the “lifeboats” or “slow lanes” of biodiversity,

refugia have spawned the new field

of refugia science, which has learned

that some locations have inherent

characteristics – such as terrain, vegetation, proximity to bodies of water,

and slope-face direction – that can

buffer them from stand-replacing fire

with a degree of predictability.

In the context of this study, which

looked at federal forests in the 24

million acres of western Oregon,

Washington and California covered by

the Northwest Forest Plan, estimates

indicate fire refugia could reduce the

overall risk of severe fire by up to 20%.

Roughly 7 million acres of the study

area are mature or old-growth forest,

1.8 million acres of which is in fire

refugia area.

The analysis suggests the study

area’s subalpine mature and oldgrowth forests – those at the timberline – are both relatively rare and

have high vulnerability, and that the

Klamath Mountains are a hotspot for

both wildfire exposure and potential

carbon emissions.

“Protecting mature and oldgrowth forests isn’t just about preserving the past — it’s a key strategy

for climate mitigation, ecosystem

resilience and long-term forest stewardship,” Krawchuk said.

Through the 20th century, the

authors note, mature and old-growth

forests on national forests saw major

declines because of logging. In recent

years, wildfire has replaced logging

as the largest threat, and since 2000,

federal lands have seen a net loss of

2.6 million acres of mature forest and

700,000 acres of old-growth forest.

Those acres were designated for multiple uses including recreation, timber

production and wildlife habitat, providing important ecosystem services.

“Current trends show a continuous increase in area burned and

wildfire severity in the western U.S.

over the last decade,” Aparicio said.

“The increase is driven by a growth

in the number of human-caused fires;

warmer and drier fire seasons and

worse droughts, all exacerbated by

climate change; and the presence of

landscape fuels created through management and fire-exclusion policies.”

Developing land management

strategies to address the loss of

mature and old-growth forests to

stand-replacing wildfire is crucial

for maintaining these vital socioecological resources, the researchers

say. That starts with quantifying the

spatial footprint of fire exposure by

combining geographic data with fire

ecology analytics.

“Our work can help prioritize

stewardship actions,” Krawchuk said.

“Overall, fire exclusion has left historically fire-resistant forests disproportionately exposed to severe fire now.

Our analysis can underpin the stewardship of mature and old-growth

forests to promote their resistance

and resilience.”

Also collaborating on the study,

published in Natural Hazards, were

Michelle Day, Raymond Davis and

Rachel Houtman of the Forest Service, which provided funding for the

research.

About the OSU College of Forestry: For a century, the College of

Forestry has been a world class center

of teaching, learning and research. It

offers graduate and undergraduate

degree programs in sustaining ecosystems, managing forests and manufacturing wood products; conducts basic

and applied research on the nature

and use of forests; and operates more

than 18,000 acres of college forests.

Free child ID kits

from the Oregon

State Police. Call

503-934-0188 or

visit child.idkits@

state.or.us

Siletz Tribal Housing Department advances for affordable, sustainable homes

The Siletz Tribal Housing Department is expanding access to affordable, safe and healthy homes for

members of the Confederated Tribes

of Siletz Indians (CTSI), backed by

access to federal policy under the

Native American Housing Assistance and Self‑Determination Act

(NAHASDA) and a growing portfolio

of tribally designed programs to meet

needs across income levels.

With funds provided through

NAHASDA and other resources,

CTSI’s Housing Department continues to run programs that ensure

low‑income members can obtain

housing that meets their needs and

remains affordable. A mission statement that guides development from

the Oregon Coast all the way out to

the Willamette Valley.

Enacted in 1996, NAHASDA reorganized federal housing assistance to

Indian Country by replacing multiple

HUD programs with a single Indian

Housing Block Grant, giving tribes

flexibility to shape local solutions

through annually submitted Indian

Housing Plans. The statute also

authorizes the Title VI Loan Guarantee program to leverage private

financing for affordable housing.

Congressional findings embedded

in NAHASDA underscore the federal

trust responsibility and the acute need

for safe, healthy and affordable homes

in tribal communities, linking housing

directly to self‑determination, socioeconomic progress and the development of private finance mechanisms

on tribal lands.

Although the most recent set of

authorization of appropriations for

NAHASDA programs expired after

fiscal 2013, Congress has continued

to fund IHBG through annual appropriations, maintaining the program’s

role as the primary method for tribal

housing investment.

CTSI’s housing portfolio stretches

from rental options to ownership pathways and modernization support for

existing homes, reflecting the broad

eligibility of NAHASDA‑funded activities and the tribe’s strategic emphasis

on affordability and stability.

Rental programs opporated under

housing include open‑market rentals,

low‑rent apartments, a workforce

housing rental program that is tied

to full‑time employment at Chinook

Winds Casino Resort, and elder rental

cottages for members who can no longer live entirely independently. The

department also administers rental

assistance including temporary, temporary student and elder/disabled

assistance to stabilize households in

these transition phases.

Beyond rentals, CTSI manages

nearly 200 residential units and has

partnered on two urban complexes

in Northeast Portland that provide

housing for 40 tribal households. Part

of an approach that serves members

living both in and beyond the tribe’s

historic homelands.

In Salem, the newly opened Kloshe

Illahee Haws project is added new

affordable options for members living in the valley. The project is structured to serve families across income

ranges: 51% of units are reserved for

households below 80% of the national

median income, while the remaining

units offer flat‑rate rents for families

above that threshold.

CTSI’s Home of Your Own (HOYO)

program provides a lease‑to‑own path

for low‑income members who are not

yet “lendable” or lack a down payment. Participants lease single‑family

homes on tribal land and can exercise

a purchase option between six months

and three years after move‑in while

completing financial education on

budgeting, credit, banking and avoiding predatory lending.

Under HOYO policy, the tribe

offers accessible financing including

no required down payment and a 3%

interest rate, with the land retained

by CTSI under a long‑term land lease

once the home conveys. Participants

can also build a Home Maintenance

Matched Savings Account during

the lease period, with contributions

matched dollar‑for‑dollar up to

$1,000 per year to prepare for ongoing ownership costs.

Additional homeownership supports include a Down Payment Assistance program for first‑time buyers

below median income, and Mutual

Help Homes for members earning at

least $20,000 annually. The housing

office offers these already listed programs, and other programs aimed to

help tribal families transition from

renting to owning and protect homeowners from economic shocks.

To help reduce burden from rising

costs of housing, and improve housing quality, CTSI connects eligible

households to LIHEAP for energy

assistance, and offers rehabilitation,

construction and sanitation upgrades

that preserve housing stock and

improve safety and health outcomes.

These activities mirror NAHASDA’s

emphasis on safe, healthy environments as a foundation for family and

community well‑being.

For the Siletz tribe, sustainable

housing is inseparable from cultural

continuity, economic mobility and the

exercise of self‑governance. NAHASDA’s guiding principles explicitly link

affordable housing to improved socioeconomic status and the development

of private financing paths on tribal

lands. A policy stance that supports

long‑term community stability.

CTSI’s growth underscores this

connection. With more than 5,000

enrolled members and a land base of

16,655 acres dedicated to timber, cultural preservation, housing, economic

development and habitat, the tribe

continues to invest in homes as critical infrastructure for the present and

future. The Housing Department’s

management of many residential

units are complemented by urban

partnerships, and reflects a strategy to

keep families securely housed wherever they live.

Projects like Kloshe Illahee Haws

aim to reduce barriers to housing

such as rent burdens, expand access

for low‑income families and support household budgeting. While

ownership programs such as HOYO

facilitate credit building and asset

accumulation that can be passed to

the next generation. All are examples

of core outcomes in a sustainable

tribal housing ecosystem.

Guided by NAHASDA, backed

by tribal council, and strengthened

by tribally crafted programs, the

Siletz Tribal Housing Department

is building a spectrum of solutions

like rentals, lease‑to‑own pathways,

down‑payment help, modernization and energy assistance to meet

members’ needs today and lay the

foundation for long‑term stability

tomorrow. In policy and in practice,

the throughline is clear: affordable,

safe, sustainable homes are indispensable to the tribe’s health, culture and

self‑determination.

If you need information about

homeownership, assistance, or general housing needs, you can stop by

the housing office or call the housing

department at 541-444-8322.

Attention 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

Email us at siletzelders@ctsi.nsn.us

Thank you for helping us stay connected and prepared.

Become a Spokesperson

Spokespeople can provide representation in the Tribal Court system, and the Tribal Court maintains a list of both tribal and non-tribal

Spokespeople on the CTSI website under the Tribal Spokesperson

section of the Court & Justice tab.

The court encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to

apply for this role.

Eligibility requirements along with the responsibilities involved

in becoming a Spokesperson are outlined in § 3.022 TRIBAL BAR

portion of the Siletz Tribal Court Rules and Procedures in the Siletz

Tribal Code § 3.001, which is accessible on the website.

For further inquiries, contact the Tribal Court staff at 541-444-8228

April 2026

•

Siletz News

•

Happy Birthday to Matthew Williams on April 18th!

Love your Dad, Deb and rest of

Williams family.

Happy birthday on March 7th to

Mad Hatter Poppa, and Mad Hatter

Nora on March 21st! Hope you both

have a great birthday!

Love the Williams family.

Happy late birthday to our beautiful granddaughter Rylee on March

1! We hope you had a great birthday.

Love and miss you!

Grandma & Grandpa.

Thank you to everyone that came to celebrate our 50th Anniversary.

From, Thomas and Marlene Stuart

Spring Equinox dance ceremony and celebration

Malachi Lou,

You are the bravest, fiercest, and

most lovable warrior I know! Good job

on your recovery from surgery.

Love Mom, Tori and Hondo.

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

Proudly celebrating Siena Mackravitz’s 500 hours in Esthetics at

Phagans’ School of Beauty!

Sending warm wishes and all the

best from your family!

For information on Siletz Tribe,

including employment

opportunities, visit our website

at ctsi.nsn.us.

20 •

Siletz News

•

April 2026

Salem: 503-390-9494

Portland: 503-238-1512

Narcotics Anonymous Toll-Free

Help Line – 877-233-4287

For information on Alcoholics

Anonymous: aa-oregon.org

Photo courtsey of Rusty Butler

Spring Equinox dancers gathered together

A time to honor life and our connection to earth and water. We utilize this

time to give back. We make an offering of salmon back to the ocean, so our

salmon will return to our rivers. We acknowledge the animals and medicines

that we take and utilize throughout the year. We provide this space, so our children will remember the importance of giving back through dance and prayer.

The elders share stories and knowledge around these fireplaces and remind

us, that it is not an option, it is our responsibility as caretakers of this land.

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

Information Department at 541-444-8293.

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

Editor-In-Chief of Siletz News.

Editor-In-Chief: Kurtis Barker

Editor: Andy Taylor

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.