Chairman’s Report
Forrest Gerard, former assistant sec-
retary of Indian Affairs and Tribal lobby-
ist, passed away in Albuquerque, N.M.,
on Dec. 28, 2013 (see page 11).
Forrest first became known to the
Siletz Tribe when he brought several
officials from Washington, D.C., to Siletz,
Ore., in October 1975 to meet with the
Tribal Council about Siletz Restoration.
At the time, he was the professional staff
member for Sen. Henry Jackson from
the state of Washington. Accompanying
him was J.D. Folsom, a staffer in the
House of Representatives, and several
BIA officials.
His visit to Siletz came during the
NCAI annual meeting that was taking
place in Portland, Ore. The entourage
received a warm welcome in Siletz as we
were seeking to have our Tribe restored
to federal recognition, after termination
in the 1950s, and needed legislation to
be introduced.
As a result, Forrest was instrumental
in getting our Tribe a hearing before
the Senate Select Committee on Indian
Affairs. When the Tribal Council visited
Washington, D.C., the following March,
he met with us and assisted in preparation
for our hearing. We developed a strong
relationship as he made himself available
for assistance and guidance on our legisla-
tion and to our Tribe in general.
When he became the assistant sec-
retary of Indian Affairs, he made sure
our legislation to establish a reserva-
tion was ready to go forward. He had to
push our Oregon representative to move
the legislation.
After he left the BIA, our Tribe
hired Forrest as our lobbyist and we
enjoyed many years of working with him.
He always met us when we arrived in
Washington, D.C., and spent time going
over our itinerary and preparing us for
our meetings with officials. We will
remember him always as kind, helpful
and knowledgeable.
Forrest visited Siletz many times over
the years, working with our good friend
Hiroto Zakoji on gaming issues. We were
pleased when he visited with his family.
Over the years after retirement, we com-
municated on various Tribal issues. He
was always willing to give good advice.
We will always remember Forrest as
a champion for all Tribes’ rights and for
all that he did for our Tribe. He had many
accomplishments in his life of which his
family can be proud. We will miss his
friendship as he touched all of our lives.
Our Tribe offers our deepest condo-
lences to the Gerard family.
Delores Pigsley
For more information about the Siletz Tribe, please visit ctsi.nsn.us.
Siletz Tribal Arts and Heritage Society
Board of Directors
Current Vacancy – Term Ending February 2016
Application deadline for consideration to fill the vacant
position is March 31, 2014
If you are interested in volunteering to serve as a board member for the Siletz
Tribal Arts and Heritage Society, please phone the Tribal Council’s executive
secretary at 541-444-8203 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1203, to request an application.
Deadline to submit an application is prior to the close of business on
March 31, 2014. Appointment to the board will be made at the regular Tribal
Council meeting in April 2014.
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: _______________________________________________________
CTSI Jobs
Tribal employment information – 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.
CTSI constantly is looking for temporary employees to cover vacancy, vaca-
tions, maternity leave and extended sick leave. If you are looking for temporary
work that can last from 2-12 weeks, please submit an application for the temp pool.
elders Council Meeting
Feb.8•1-4p.m.
Chinook winds Casino Resort
For more information, contact Dee Navarro at 800-922-1399,
ext. 1261; 541-444-8261; or deen@ctsi.nsn.us.
Address: _____________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________________________________________
Change of address: Tribal members – contact the Enrollment Depart-
ment at 541-444-8258; 800-922-1399, ext. 1258; or covas@ctsi.nsn.us. All
others – call the newspaper office.
Deadline for the March
issue is Feb. 10
Send information to:
Submission of articles and
photos is encouraged.
Siletz News
Please see the Passages
Policy on page 20 when sub-
mitting items for Passages.
P.O. Box 549
Siletz, OR 97380-0549
541-444-8291 or
800-922-1399, ext. 1291
Fax: 541-444-2307
email: pias@ctsi.nsn.us
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February 2014
Nuu-wee-ya’ (our words)
Introduction to the Athabaskan language
Open to Tribal members of all ages
eugene
Eugene Area Office
Feb. 3 – 6-8 p.m.
March 3 – 6-8 p.m.
Portland
Portland Area Office
Feb. 10 – 6-8 p.m.
March 10 – 6-8 p.m.
Siletz
Siletz Tribal Community Center
Feb. 4 – 6-8 p.m.
March 4 – 6-8 p.m.
Salem
Salem Area Office
Feb. 11 – 6-8 p.m.
March 11 – 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; or email budl@ctsi.nsn.us.