Chairman’s Report
Delores Pigsley
Courtesy photo
Several Siletz Tribal members stand in
front of the Washington Monument in
2004 during opening ceremonies for the
National Museum of the American Indian,
including Kenny Ralston, Selene Rilatos,
Bud Lane, Leroy Wilder, Leslie Ralston,
Dona James, Robert Kentta, Delores
Pigsley, Ed Ben and Buddy Lane.
National Museum of the
American Indian
When this museum became a reality
in 2004 in Washington, D.C., our Tribe
participated in the grand march - in full
regalia - on the Mall to celebrate the open
ing. The museum itself attracts millions of
visitors each year who want to know more
about the history of American Indians.
About nine months ago, Kevin Gover,
museum director, invited the council to
join him for dinner, which we did. We
discussed some current events as Kevin
was once the assistant secretary for the
Bureau of Indian Affairs, as well as the
museum in general.
The Tribal Council has visited the
museum often for many different occa
sions and events, mostly receptions. The
museum entry/foyer is the perfect place
for receptions, exhibits and performances.
In our discussion with Kevin, we asked
him if they invite exhibitors/performers
and how the scheduled events are filled.
At that time, he told us Tribes are more
than welcome to exhibit and perform and
we would be invited to do just that.
Upon his return to Washington, D.C.,
the plans for our Tribe to visit started to
take shape. The highest visitation dates for
this area are of course during the summer
months. We picked July to do our exhibit
and Feather Dance demonstration.
Everyone who is going will have
something specific to do. All council
members will participate in the book
presentation of The People Are Dancing
Again. Normally, author Charles Wilkin
son reads a passage from the book or talks
about his research and the Tribe.
Siletz basketry will be on display
along with basketry materials and basket
weaving. Necklace-making, beading and
weaving also will be displayed.
Several people have volunteered to go
along at their own expense to participate
in this great event (mostly children and
grandchildren). This is a great opportu
nity for our Tribe and we look forward to
participating.
Siletz Festival at NMAI features regalia, songs, dance, basketry and books
Members of the Confederated Tribes
of Siletz Indians will celebrate and share
their traditions during the Siletz Festival
that runs from July 8-10 at the National
Museum of the American Indian in Wash
ington, D.C.
During the three-day event, Siletz
Tribal members will display and interpret
Siletz ceremonial regalia, basketry, singing
and traditional dance. Additionally, a main
component of the Siletz Festival will be a
presentation on the Tribe’s recently released
book on its history, The People Are Dancing
Again, written by Charles Wilkinson.
From 10 a.m. to noon each day,
traditional Siletz regalia will be on dis
N u u-wee-ya’ (0Ur words»
Introduction to the Athabaskan language
play, including women’s shell and pine
nut dresses and aprons, basket caps and
shell money necklaces, along with men’s
wraps, shell money necklaces and otter
quivers. A demonstration of traditional
Siletz dances (Nee-Dash or Feather
Dance) will take place from 1-2 p.m.
each day.
From 2-3 p.m., Wilkinson will lead a
panel discussion on the book, The People
Are Dancing Again, which will include
members of the Siletz Tribal Council. The
focus of the discussion will be the history
of the Siletz Tribe.
Copies of the book will be available
for purchase. Wilkinson will sign books
after the panel discussions on July 8-9.
From 3-5:30 p.m., the Siletz Tribe
will display and demonstrate Siletz bas
ketry. Many different Siletz baskets and
materials will be on display, from the
tightly woven women’s caps and eating
bowls to utilitarian pack baskets and
baby baskets.
Open to Tribal members of all ages
Send letters to:
Eugene
Portland
Eugene Area Office
July - no class
Aug. 1 - 6-8 p.m.
Portland Area Office
July - no class
Aug. 8 - 6-8 p.m.
Siletz
Salem
Siletz Tribal Community Center
July - no class
Aug. 2 - 6-8 p.m.
Salem Area Office
July - no class
Aug. 9 - 6-8 p.m.
Classes begin with basic instruction and progress over the year. They also
are a refresher course for more-advanced students. Come and join other members
of your community and Tribe in learning to speak one of our ancient languages.
We also have equipment in the Cultural Department available for use in
grinding and drilling shell or pine nuts or other applications. If you need to use
the equipment, call the number below to set up an appointment.
For more information, contact Bud Lane at the Siletz Cultural Department at
541-444-8320 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1320; ore-mail budl@ctsi.nsn.us.
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Siletz News
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July 2011
Siletz News
P.O. Box 549
Siletz, OR 97380-0549
541-444-8291 or
800-922-1399, ext. 1291
Fax: 541-444-2307
E-mail: pias@ctsi.nsn.us
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:
Deadline for the August issue is
July 11. Submission of articles and
photos is encouraged. Please see the
Passages Policy on page 32 when
submitting items for Passages.
Member of the Native American
Journalists Association
Phone:
Change of address: Tribal mem
bers - contact the Enrollment Depart
ment at 541-444-8258; 800-922-1399,
ext. 1258; or angelam@ctsi.nsn.us. All
others - call the newspaper office.