Chairman’s Report
The Oregon Commission on
Indian Services (CIS), now the
Legislative Commission on Indian
Services (LCIS)
Our late Gov. Victor Atiyeh’s vision of
CIS was to bring Tribes and Indians in the
community to the table and to communi-
cate on all Tribal issues as they related to
the state regarding common issues.
Way back when, when CIS was first
formed, there weren’t a lot of Tribes – just
Umatilla, Warm Springs and Burns Paiute
were federally recognized.
We had members on board from the
Willamette Valley and the Portland Area
prior to the western Oregon Tribes being
recognized. As the years went by, the
western Oregon Tribes gained recogni-
tion and they were all allowed a seat on
the commission.
This is when I felt the commission
changed, becoming a commission of
nine federally recognized Tribes and one
community member from Portland. It
still serves the same purposes as a clear-
inghouse among the Tribes for the state.
Legislators actively serve on the com-
mission and in the early days, Gov. Atiyeh
would often be in attendance.
Art Bensell, Pauline Ricks, Bensell
Breon and Jessie Davis have served as
Tribal representatives appointed by the
Tribe and the Oregon Senate. Currently, I
am the Tribal representative and serve as
the chairman of LCIS.
In my discussions with Gov. Atiyeh,
he was very proud of having formed this
body and he always felt it was an “award”
to be part of the commission and take
part in events that went on at reservations.
He loved his relationship with Tribal
leaders. He visited Tribes often, even after
he left the governor’s office. He was very
proud to be part of forming the commis-
sion and cherished his relationship with
the Tribes.
The value of the commission is evi-
dent in the relations that have been estab-
lished with state agencies and particularly
with the governor.
The governor’s Tribal summit and
Information Days at the Capitol have
provided a great opportunity for Tribes to
share their issues, concerns and accom-
plishments. We have experienced new
contacts with many state agencies and
have agreements in place.
LCIS will stay on top of keeping state
agencies responsible for communication
and consultation with Tribes when con-
sultation is in order.
LCIS staff does a great job of getting
current information out to Tribes when
things happen quickly in the legislature.
Tribes appreciate being told about legis-
lation that is of interest to Tribes, which
may not be of interest to all the Tribes but
may be to others.
We were thankful that Sen. Ted
Ferrioli, Sen. Arnie Roblan, Sen. Peter
Courtney, Rep. Caddy McKeown and Rep.
Duane Stark all jumped in and assisted
Tribes in getting Senate Bill 1528 passed
and signed by the governor. The legisla-
tion recognizes Tribal sovereignty and
allows those serving on the LCIS to be
treated as such, not like any other com-
mittee or commission.
It’s been rewarding to serve on the LCIS.
Delores Pigsley
Elders Council Meeting
April 9 • 1-4 p.m. • Chinook Winds Golf Resort
Siletz Elder potlucks are held monthly at 6 p.m. on the Monday before the regularly
scheduled Elders meeting. Please bring a potluck dish you would like to share.
For more information, contact the Elders Program at 800-922-1399,
ext. 1261, or 541-444-8261.
Hazel Sticks
(k’vn)
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: _______________________________________________________
Tribal members interested in gathering hazel sticks for making Siletz bas-
kets should send their contact info to budl@ctsi.nsn.us or call 541-444-8320 or
800-922-1399, ext. 1320.
Hazel bark will begin slipping sometime in April or May. Because of the
changing weather, we will notify people who send their contact info in when the
time is right to pick and peel hazel.
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 May issue
is April 11.
Send information to:
Submission of articles and
photos is encouraged.
Siletz News
P.O. Box 549
Siletz, OR 97380-0549
Please see the Passages
Policy on page 20 when sub-
mitting items for Passages.
541-444-8291 or
800-922-1399, ext. 1291
Fax: 541-444-2307
Email: pias@ctsi.nsn.us
2
•
Siletz News
•
April 2016
Member of the Native American
Journalists Association
Nuu-wee-ya’ (our words)
Introduction to the Athabaskan language
Open to Tribal members of all ages
Siletz
Tribal Community Center
April 4 – 6-8 p.m.
May 9 – 6-8 p.m.
Eugene
Eugene Area Office
April 5 – 6-8 p.m.
May 10 – 6-8 p.m.
All language classes in
May will be dedicated
to the Feather Dance
and will include Feather
Dance practice as part
of the class.
Portland
Portland Area Office
April 11 – 6-8 p.m.
May 16 – 6-8 p.m.
Salem
Salem Area Office
April 12 – 6-8 p.m.
May 17 – 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.