TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS
Nee-dash - “The Dance”
Siletz Fish Distribution
The annual fish distribution for the
Siletz area tentatively is scheduled for
June 26 from noon to 4 p.m. at the
USDA building in Siletz.
The fish will be distributed on a first-
come, first-served basis until all of it is
gone - one package of frozen fish per
tribal member.
You must present your tribal ID
card to pick up your fish. If you are
picking up for someone else, you will
need to present a note from that per
son authorizing you to pick up their
fish. The note must include their tribal
ID number.
If you cannot pick up your fish on
June 26, contact Frank Simmons at
541-444-8288 after June 26 to make
arrangements for pickup.
Each area office will schedule its
own fish distribution time. Watch the
local newsletters for the day and time.
Nee-dash in English means the
dance. Nee-dash was performed to
mark a celebration or event.
All tribes have a form of Nee-dash
and the one used by the Siletz people
today is from the Chetco, Tututni, and
Tolowa cultures.
The songs come from people's ex
periences and inspirations. Some are
old and some are new. Between the dance
songs, the singers recite prayers that
have more to do with the creation story.
In the early part of the ceremony,
the prayers tell about the actual creation
of the body of the earth. As the dance
progresses, the prayers are about the
first solid land and a white redwood
tree. It continues for hours and perhaps
days with stories about the creation of
flowers, ocean birds, geese, and bobcat.
Dee-ni Language
Lesson
Applications are due no later than June 20, 2007.
Pre-registration is required to participate in this year’s Culture Camp
This is a day camp only, unless you are traveling from the Eugene, Sa
lem, or Portland areas. Parents/Guardians are welcome to attend and are re
sponsible for dropping off and picking up children at appropriate times.
Children age 10 or younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Name:_____________________________________________________________
Age:___________________________
Roll #:_________________________
(If pre-registering your family, submit all names, birthdates, and roll numbers.)
Mailing Address:___________________________________________________
Telephone #: ______________—————————————
Parent/Guardian’s Name:-------- ---- ------------------------------------- ------ ----------
Parent/Home #:__________________ Work #: --------------------------------------
Emergency Contact Person: _____ _________________________ __________
Emergency Phone #:_____________________________ —--------------------------
Does participant have any allergies? If so list below: —----------------------------
Colors
Black Ihshvn
Blue
Ihvt-lhshvn
Brown ‘ee-k'ay-’vn-te or dvlh-’ee-ye‘
Gray
dvlh-k’ee-ye' or dvl-ki
Green Ihvt-lhts’u
Pink
Ihsrik-lhki
Red
Ihsrik
During the ceremony, we use a
medicinal herb called Angelica root,
which grows in one form or another
all over the world. It is used to make
good medicine for the people.
The prayers and songs come from
the belief that when the Creator was
ready to leave the earth and go back
into the sky, he told the people if they
needed anything, they were to ask him
for it. It is to remind people to be thank
ful for what he put here and to restore
harmony to the environment and the
people he created (his children).
If you have never had the oppor
tunity to see Nee-dash, you must take
the time to go because it is one of the
most touching ceremonies. Just remem
ber ceremonial etiquette.
Tribal Children
Need You
Do you value Siletz. Native cul
ture and want to help preserve it?
If so, please consider fostering
for the tribe. The Siletz Tribe needs
loving, stable, nurturing homes in
all areas.
If you are interested, please
contact:
Shawna Nagunst
Foster Care Certifier
1-800-922-1399, ext. 1275,
or 541-444-8275
or visit www.ctsi.nsn.us/icw.html
Yellow Ihts’u
White Ihki
If participant is from outside the Siletz area, please call 1 -800-922-1399,
ext. 1246, to reserve a tipi or camping space (limited number available).
Chaperone’s Name:_________________________________________________
Chaperone’s Phone #:__________ _______ (Chaperones must be 18 or older)
Classes will be pre-scheduled based on your selection. Please select
the five classes you are interested in from the following. Prioritize your se
lections by using 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
_____ Siletz basket weaving
_____ Earrings and necklaces
_____ Moccasins
_____ Shell necklaces
_____ Storytelling
_____ Flint knapping
_____ Brain tanning demonstration
Parent/Guardian’s Signature
_____ Cedar bark weaving
_____ Soapstone carving
_____ Drum sticks
_____ Bear grass braiding
Beadwork
_____ Bow-making demonstration
Udie
Please return registration form to your nearest tribal office or send it to
Cultural Program, CTSI, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380-0549.
Nuu-wee-ya’
(our words)
Introduction to the Athabaskan Language
Open to tribal members of all ages
Siletz
Siletz Tribal Community Center
June 5-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
July 16-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Salem
Salem Area Office
June 11-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
July 10 - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Portland
Portland Area Office
June 12-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
July 9-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Eugene
Eugene Area Office
June 4-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
July 5-6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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 C ulture Department
at 541-444-8320 or 1-800-922-1399, ext. 1320; or e-mail budl@ctsi.nsn.us.
June 2007
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Siletz News
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