Elders enjoy an Elder Honor Day on SW Oregon Coast
By Shirley Walker
The Coquille Tribe and the Confed-
erated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua
and Siuslaw held an Elder Honor Day on
March 18-19 in Coos Bay, Ore. Forty-six
Siletz Tribal elders attended.
CTCLUSI Chairman Mark Ingersoll
gave the welcome, with invocation by
Chief Warren Brainard. Lunch was hosted
by the CTCLUSI Tribe.
The event honored the oldest Native
elders and Ed Ben was the oldest warrior.
He was gifted with a Pendleton blanket.
All visiting elders received gift bags
that contained beautiful glass balls, a
T-shirt and smoked salmon.
The Nasomah Singers accompanied
CIT Head Start students as the day’s
entertainment. Their traditional dance
represents many hours of teaching from
their elders and instructors. It is heart-
warming to see young children who are
proud of their heritage.
The elders played Bingo in the
afternoon. We were invited to greet the
Tribal chiefs at the Salmon Pit outside
the Mill Casino.
The evening dinner was hosted by the
Coquille Tribe
Tribal Chairperson Brenda Meade
was the emcee. She welcomed all visiting
elders and introduced the Tribal Councils
of both the Coquille and CTCLUSI Tribes.
Top photo: Ed Ben
Above: Shirley Walker, Kay Steele, Elena Cordts and Cookee Fernandez
Flutist Don Slyter played many
songs for the elders. He makes flutes and
explained how each is different.
As is our custom, we took gifts to both
Tribes. It is our way to express our appre-
ciation for their hospitality. The gifts were
presented by the gift committee – Kay
Steele, Cookee Fernandez, Elena Cordts
and myself.
A big thank you to Tasha Rilatos
and Andrew Eddings for taking care of
the elders.
Courtesy photos by Tasha Rilatos
Vern and Donna Kessinger
477-Self Sufficiency Program Offers
Summer Youth Employment Program
The 477-Self Sufficiency Program (SSP) has openings for our Summer Youth
Employment Program (SYEP). This Program is separate from the Tribal Employment Program
offered through the Education Department.
The Program mission is to give youth ages 14-24 the opportunity to gain employment or
education skills in a field that interests them. Our current placements are 240 hours and pays
minimum wage. The Program is only available to those youth that reside within the 11-county
service area.
Basic eligibility criteria includes:
Siletz Tribal Youth Council Meeting
Saturday, May 7, 2016
11amYouth Council Meeting
1pm Attend the General Council Meeting
3pm Depart Siletz
6pm Area Offices arrive home
Location: Siletz
Date:
Time:
Lunch will be provided
Parents/Guardians are welcome to attend with youth
Transportation:
Youth carpool from the area offices. Contact us as soon as possible if you would like to join.
Area Office Contact Numbers:
Portland: Katy Holland, 503-238-1512
Salem: Sonya Moody-Jurado, 503-390-9494
Eugene: Nora Williams, 541-484-4234
Siletz: Sharla Robinson, 541-270-3212
2016 Siletz Tribal Youth Council Calendar
Meeting Date
Location
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Siletz
Wednesday, July, 13, 2016
Siletz
TBA August
TBA
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 14-15
TBA
Saturday, Dec. 3
TBA
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Siletz News
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Slots are limited and are on a first come, first serve basis. I f you are interested in applying for
the Summer Youth Employment Program, please contact one of our I ntake Specialists/ Josb
Coaches located in each of the Tribal offices.
Program will start accepting applications on
May 1, 2016 until July 15, 2016.
Siletz Tribal Behavioral Health Programs
Activity Description
Meeting and attending General Council
Meeting after Culture Camp
Possible Service Learning Project
Siletz Tribal Youth Conference
Meeting and fun activity TBD
Youth Council Objective:
The objectives of this group shall be to provide a collective voice and represent the Tribal youth in all matters that
concern them; to serve as a means of mobilizing and coordinating the actions of youth, other community members
and organizations toward positive goals; to promote the development of future Tribal leaders; to help solve problems
facing Tribal youth; to coordinate school and community service projects and provide opportunities for the youth to
interact for fun and fellowship.
8
Youth must be between 14-24 at the time of application
Native American verification (includes Native American, Native Alaskan and Native
Hawaiian) and those enrolled in a federally recognized I ndian Tribe. Participants can
also be eligible with verification of descendancy from a family member who is enrolled
with a federally recognized Tribe.
Latest school grade report (for youth who have not yet graduated). Participants will
need to have cumulative Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) of 2.0. Participants below a 2.0
can participate in a classroom training program and receive a stipend while they attend
summer school.
Family income must fall below the approved income guidelines used by 477/ SSP.
May 2016
Prevention, Outpatient Treatment, and
Women’s and Men’s Transitional
Siletz: 800-600-5599 or
541-444-8286
Eugene: 541-484-4234
Salem: 503-390-9494
Portland: 503-238-1512
Narcotics Anonymous Toll-Free
Help Line – 877-233-4287
For information on Alcoholics
Anonymous: aa-oregon.org
