CHAIRMAN S REPORT
pects of which, including the natural
beauty of their New Zealand homeland,
are similar to ours.
As I said in the beginning of this re
port, we often have visitors from other
American Indian tribes. Seldom, if ever,
do we have the opportunity to be in per
sonal, face-to-face contact with tribes
from another continent. Because of their
historical experiences and culture, we felt
a deep sense of kinship with the Maori,
who also are struggling to achieve eco
nomic self-sufficiency and to express their
tribal self-determination.
Maori Tribal Members Visit
In September, we were visited not by
another American Indian tribe, but by a
tribe from across the Pacific Ocean, thou
sands of miles away. They were represen
tatives of the Maori Tribe of New Zealand,
a tribe that in some respects is similar,
historically and culturally, to American
Indian tribes.
Our tribe and the Grand Ronde Tribe
hosted the Maori delegation. On Sept. 23,
we met with them, viewed the exhibit of
Maori artifacts at the Hallie Ford Mu
seum. and officially welcomed them with
a ceremony and dinner in their honor at
Willamette University in Salem.
We were happy they also were able
to attend the Welcome Pow-Wow at
Chemawa Indian School the next evening.
This visit to the school was appropriate
because we understand that one of the
priorities of the Maori tribe is education,
just as it is among our tribes.
On Sept. 25. we welcomed the Maori
to Siletz. We spent the day visiting with
them, sharing our culture, and demon
strating our arts. Siletz families brought
their baskets, drums, regalia, and other
cultural items to share with the Maori.
The Siletz Elders gave gifts of beau
tiful dentalium necklaces, Ed Ben gave a
couple of handmade drums, and Bud and
Cheryl Lane presented handmade gifts to
each individual guest.
Delores Pigsley
NNABA Conference
The Maori, in turn, sang their beautiful
native songs and presented gifts from their
land to the Siletz Tribe and to our elders.
The event included a wonderful din
ner prepared by Frank Aspria and many
others who helped. The day concluded
with a special feather dance for our guests
at the Dance House.
Recently, many of you may have seen
in theaters or on video the award-winning
movie. Whale Rider, a moving story about
the struggles of a young Maori girl who,
against all odds, becomes chief of her tribe
- a position traditionally held by males.
The movie gave, for some of us. a glimpse
into present-day Maori culture, some as
Another event of cultural significance
was the Northwest Native American Bas
ketweavers Association (NNABA) gath
ering, hosted by our tribe at Chinook
Winds. It was the largest NNABA orga
nizational meeting ever.
Beginning on Sept. 29, members ar
rived from all over the Northwest. Our
tribe hosted a reception and a salmon din
ner at the community center in Siletz, fol
lowed by a traditional dance at the dance
house. Our Culture Department did an
outstanding job of organizing and plan
ning the event and received many acco
lades for its efforts.
1 would like to add my special thanks
to Robert Kentta and Bud and Cheryl
Lane for coordinating these events and
taking such good care of our guests (in
cluding arranging for tribal members to
host our guests). Many of our members
assisted in the procession, welcoming,
food preparation, housing, and dancing
at the Dance House. 1 want to thank you
all - you made us proud.
Smithsonian Museum
Collection
Consistent with the central theme of
my chairman’s message this month,
which focuses on culture. 1 would like to
report that a Siletz delegation recently
visited the Smithsonian Museum (ware
house in Suitland. Md.) where there is a
fine collection of Siletz artifacts, baskets,
regalia, and other objects.
We took time to review the entire inven
tory of artifacts being held in our tribe's
name. We were able to photograph the
collection as well as carefully handle it.
It’s planned that the photos will be
put on a CD so they can be made avail
able to our tribal members to view at some
point, hopefully in the near future.
In closing. I'd like to add that we can
take pride in the enormous accomplistf-
ments we have made since Restoration,
our 28th year this month. Our accomplish
ments are visible all around us - but it's
our continuing efforts to maintain our tra
ditional arts, language, ceremonies, and
values that help preserve our identity as
the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.
r-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ï
!
!
Some Siletz Tribal Children
Need You!
The Indian Child Welfare Program
needs good homes for temporary and
long-term placement for some of our
Siletz Tribal children. Foster homes and
homes for relative placements are
needed, both locally and within the 11-
county service area.
!
!
If you are thinking of becoming a
foster parent or relative placement, or
just have questions, contact Sandra
Simmons at 1-800-922-1399, ext.
1275, or 541 -444-8275. Packets on the j
certification process and information
sessions are available upon request.
Most Often Requested Numbers
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
I -800-922-1399
Salem Area Office
503-390-9494
Salem Finance Office
I -888-870-9051
Portland Area Office
503-238-1512
Eugene Area Office
541-484-4234
Springfield Siletz Tribal Head Start
541-747-0161
Contract Health Services (CHS)
1-800-628-5720
Siletz Community Health Clinic
I -800-648-0449
Siletz Alcohol and Drug
1-800-600-5599
Chinook Winds Casino Resort
1-888-244-6665
Chemawa Health Clinic
1 -800-452-7823
Bureau of Indian Affairs
1-800-323-8517
Web Site
www.ctsi.nsn.us
CTSI Jobs
CTSI Employment Job Line
541-444-8296 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1296
Visit our Web site at www.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 organization.
Nuu-wee-ya’
(our words)
Introduction to the Athabaskan Language
Open to tribal members of all ages
Siletz
Siletz Tribal Community Center
Nov. 8-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Dec.-TBD
Salem
Salem Area Office
Nov. 14-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Dec.-TBD
Portland
Portland Area Office
Nov. 15-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Dec.-TBD
Eugene
Eugene Area Office
Nov. 7-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Dec.-TBD
Tribal members who need help on cultural projects should contact the Siletz
Culture Department. We can assist you prior to the language classes.
For more information, contact Bud Lane at the Siletz Culture Department at
541-444-8320 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1320; or e-mail budl@ctsi.nsn.us.
November 2005
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Siletz News
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