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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2015)
Chinook Winds Casino Resort celebrates 20 years in June Chinook Winds Casino Resort cel- ebrates 20 years in business in 2015. Dur- ing June, Chinook Winds wills give away more than $100,000 in cash and prizes as part of the celebration. The fun-filled anniversary weekend on June 19-21 includes fireworks, roam- ing floor entertainment, free live music at Chinook’s Seafood Grill, anniversary cake, anniversary bears and a special float drop by the Lincoln City Visitor Center’s float fairies. Country music legend Dwight Yoakam will perform on June 19-20 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $48 to $63 and are on sale now. Finally, enjoy a free comedy show by Williams and Ree on June 21 at 5 p.m. This comedy duo was part of the enter- tainment when Chinook Winds opened 20 years ago. “Our employees are the best in the business and our commitment is to our customers and making their experience Better at the Beach!” said General Man- ager Mike Fisher. On June 20, the Siletz Tribal Arts & Heritage Society will present The Past is Present, an artistry through baskets event in the convention center. This free, family- friendly, educational event is open from 1-5 p.m., with a silent auction that closes at 4 p.m. Proceeds from the auction will be dedicated to the building of the Siletz Tribal Cultural Center. Keynote speaker for the event is Tribal Elder Edmond Ben, who will share firsthand experiences and knowledge of the Siletz Tribe’s history and culture. And last but not least, one-of-a-kind pur- chases will be available from the tables of hand-crafted items created by Siletz Tribal members. Basket design and basket weaving is a lively surviving art that represents the culture of the Tribes and bands of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. Baskets created by the weavers of the Siletz Tribe often are identified by the distinctive double-handle design. The basket’s origin or artist is some- times recognized by the signature design incorporated into the basket by the weaver. This utilitarian art is taught every summer during the Siletz Culture Camp. Three accomplished Siletz Tribal members have agreed to display and dem- onstrate their craft at The Past is Present. Among the featured weavers will be Lori Brown, Nora Williams-Wood and Mitzi Brown. Traditional basketry materials will be used to demonstrate the intricate art of basket weaving. History of Chinook Winds In May 1995, after intense planning and three years of negotiation at the local, state and federal level, the Siletz Tribe opened a 10,000-square-foot temporary facility affectionately known as “The Tent.” With only 250 slots, 12 card tables and a small deli, “The Tent” opened under the name Chinook Winds Gaming Center. Chinook Winds faced anti-Indian and anti-casino protests that suggested the casino would attract drugs, prostitutes and organized crime. Opposition soon dissipated when the casino proved not only to be a major economic asset to the local community without the predicted evils, but a valued partner that enhanced Lincoln City’s quality of life. Just over one year later, the grand opening of Chinook Winds Casino Resort took place on June 28, 1996. In 2004, the Siletz Tribe purchased the ocean-front hotel adjacent to the casino. The resort offers 243 rooms, including 160 ocean-front rooms, 61 of them fireplace suites. Guests at Chinook Winds hotel are just steps away from the beach and stunning sunsets. The hotel houses a Jacuzzi, indoor heated swimming pool and workout facil- ity, 7,500 square feet of meeting space, Wi-Fi and a complimentary shuttle to the casino. For guests traveling with families, the Play Palace provides a supervised activ- ity center complete with a café for meals and snacks. For teens, the Games Galore Arcade is located right next door. Chinook’s Seafood Grill, located at the hotel, has stunning views of the ocean, a lounge with live entertainment on week- ends and the perfect spot to enjoy drinks and conversation with friends around the fire pit. The casino offers five dining options whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or fine dining. The Rogue River Steakhouse offers a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean from every table. It serves lunch and dinner featuring Pacific Northwest selections and local wines. When the steakhouse closes for din- ing, the Rogue River Lounge heats up on weekends with a DJ and dancing. For guests who prefer a wide selec- tion of items to choose from, the Siletz Bay Buffet is the place to go. A different featured item, such as Pacific Rim, south of the border and Texas barbeque, is available daily as is an omelet station with made-to-order omelets during break- fast hours. If you have a craving for ice cream or just a quick snack, the Euchre Creek Deli offers sandwiches, salads, burgers, pizza, soup and ice cream snacks. The aesthetics at the casino reflect the Siletz Tribe’s ownership with the decor incorporating the beauty of nature with the symbols and traditions of the Tribe. Huge boulders harvested from Tribal land are the foundation for an indoor waterfall flowing into a pond that was designed to resemble Euchre Creek, an important cultural site for the Siletz Tribe. Coins thrown into the pond for luck con- tribute to the Tribe’s education fund. Painted on the exterior of the build- ing is a weave design that pays tribute to the Tribe’s traditional basket weaving techniques. Salmon decorate both interior and exterior areas as a salute to a fish that has an important role in the history of the Tribe. The casino offers more than 1,100 slot machines, including a non-smoking section and a high stakes lounge. Table games include Blackjack, Craps, Rou- lette, Three-Card Poker, Fortune Pai Gow Poker, Bonus Let-It-Ride, Poker, Keno and a 1,000-seat Bingo hall. Chinook Winds is proud to offer headline entertainment monthly, comedy acts and signature outdoor events. The convention center, located on the second floor of the casino, accom- modates major indoor events like MMA competitions, national pool tournaments, art shows, large charity fundraisers, con- ventions and gatherings, from weddings to reunions. In 2005, the resort expanded further with the addition of a nearby 79-acre golf course, Chinook Winds Golf Resort. The 18-hole course includes a pro shop, the only indoor driving range on the Oregon Coast, fitness center, Aces Sports Bar & Grill and meeting rooms. For those who bring their lodging with them, Logan Road RV Park was constructed and is owned by the Siletz Tribe. Offering 51 spaces and all modern amenities, the RV park is within walking distance of the casino and the beach, or guests can ride the complimentary shuttle to the casino. The combination of amenities has made Chinook Winds Casino Resort a premier coastal destination in Oregon. The friendliness of our team members keeps guests returning time after time. Chinook Winds hosts many charitable events, sponsors numerous community activities and makes not only monetary contributions to various non-profit orga- nizations, but provides assistance through in-kind services, technical support and team member volunteers throughout the community. The Siletz Tribe is proud of its con- tributions through employment, monetary donations and cooperative measures to the Siletz community, Lincoln County and the state of Oregon. The Tribe has honored its tradition of sharing within the community by dis- tributing more than $11.5 million through the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund and other Tribal resources. Chinook Winds has donated more than $3 million in cash and fundraising items since it opened in 1995. The revenue generated by Chinook Winds goes directly to the Siletz Tribe after all operating expenses are paid. Today, the Siletz Tribe and Chinook Winds form the largest employer in Lin- coln County, contributing significantly to the health, well-being and economic stability of its residents. Dear Tribal members: I want to thank each and every one of you who voted for me to keep my seat on the Tribal Council. I can only make one promise and that is to work as diligently as I possibly can and to assist moving the Tribe to the next level of better service to the Tribal membership. I will be an advocate for economic development. There is trust land around the casino and Devils Lake that is ripe for development. If we are still at status quo at the end of 2015, question the council candidates on remaining at the same level. It takes five council members to make whatever you are voting on to become reality. You Tribal members who did not vote or won’t vote, please reconsider and vote. Your votes can make changes within the Tribe. I thank you good people again for your vote. Reggie Butler Sr. Siletz Tribal items available for purchase Rogue River Treaty Blanket – Tribal Members, $156 General Public, $205 CTSI Blue Glass Coffee Mug – $6 Siletz Tribe Beanie Cap – $8 CTSI Tribal Flag 3’x 5’ – $68.70 Please contact Darlene Carkhuff at 541-444-8201 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1201, with questions or to pur- chase items. Siletz News Letters Policy Siletz News, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, is published once a month. Our editorial policy encourages input from readers about stories printed in Siletz News and other tribal issues. All letters must include the author’s signature, address, and phone number in order to be considered for publication. Siletz News reserves the right to edit any letter for clarity and length, and to refuse publication of any letter or any part of a letter that may contain profane language, libelous statements, personal attacks, or unsubstantiated statements. Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Published let- ters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Siletz News, Tribal employees, or Tribal Council. Please type or write legibly. Letters longer than 450 words may be edited for length as approved by Tribal Council Resolution #96-142. Please note: The general manager of the Siletz Tribe is the editor-in-chief of Siletz News. Editor-in-Chief: Brenda Bremner May 2015 Editor: Diane Rodriquez • SiletzNews • 19
