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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2016)
Louis Keith Taylor – 1945-2016 Louis Keith Taylor was born Oct. 12, 1945, at home in Rogers, Ark. He passed away Sept. 23, 2016, at age 70 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Eureka, Calif. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Louis Taylor, and his broth- ers, Robert Lloyd Taylor and Tony Martin Jr. He leaves behind his wife, Joanne Tay- lor, and her sons, Catlyn and Tyson Storm. Additional surviving family members include his mother, Agnes Baker Pilgrim; brother, Darelle “Dino” Butler; sisters, Sonja Taylor, Nadine Martin and Ramona Hudson; children, John Harrington, Katrina Sims, Creed Taylor, Dawn Taylor, “Stormy” Taylor Widmark and Georgina Taylor Douangdao. He also helped raised Jaimoe Kibby, Jasmine Kaye and Brandy Kibby. In addition, he helped raise a few of his grandchildren, Kimberly Edwards, Keyontae Taylor and Kody Kibby. His other grandchildren are Charlotte, Diana and Grace Harrington; Robert and Zhon- tae Sims; Hanna and Andrea Taylor; Kaleb, Kanaan, Kyla and Kwest Perez; Thavone Douangdao; Kayla Sydthong; Faith, Hope and Jaimoe Jr. Kibby; Jessie Widmark; and Harmony Taylor, as well as three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He lived in California for more than 30 years. In his early professional career, he worked for the State of California as a parole officer in counties like Los Angles and Humboldt, from which he later retired. He also served as a certified Tribal judge for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. He was instrumental in bringing the sweat ceremony to American Indian inmates. During these years, he also worked as a lawyer and helped many people in Indian Country. He established The Center for Indian Law and Justice to ensure indigenous people were treated with dignity and fair- ness. He helped many Tribes establish their rights as American Indian people. He spoke for and was chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Humboldt County. He taught at police academies throughout the nation. Further, he also was elected chief of police for the Hoopa Tribe. He was a master regalia maker – tan- ning hides, stitching leather, creating horsehair roaches and bustles, doing beadwork, preparing and preserving eagle feathers, and many more things. He was a skilled horse trainer and rider. He was proud to be a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. 13 th Annual NAYA Gala & Auction Paddling into the Next Journey Courtesy photo Louis Keith Taylor Throughout his life, he was a traditional Native man and never wavered from this way of life. He held a black belt in the mar- tial arts and had sparred with Bruce Lee. A memorial was held in Eureka on Oct. 2, followed by a traditional wake and funeral in Siletz, Ore., on Oct. 3. He was interred at the Paul Washington Cemetery of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indi- ans in Siletz and was laid to rest by the graves of his brothers Robert Taylor and Tony Martin Jr. The family is very much appreciative to Dino Butler and his family for conduct- ing the wake and to the Siletz elders for hosting the meal after the funeral. Donations can be made to the Go Fund Me account for Keith Taylor to assist with costs associated with the funeral. Join us for an evening of ornate surprises and come together to sup- port Portland’s Native community on Nov. 11 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at the Portland Art Museum. Our services impact more than 10,000 American Indian youth and families annually. Event proceeds allow us to deliver culturally relevant services for youth, families and elders. Without your support and investment, we would not be able to provide our community with opportunities to reach their goals, access educational resources, buy their first home, learn and teach culture, or find stability for their loved ones and families. Together we will share an indigenous-inspired dinner, enjoy special performances and support NAYA’s work through a silent and live auction featuring American Indian art and experience packages. For more information and to register, visit nayagala.org/ or contact JR Lilly at jrlilly@nayapdx.org or 503-288-8177 ext. 277. Siletz Valley Fire District Open House Photos by Diane Rodriquez Above: April Middaugh, RC Mock and Nick Rivera Below: Jenny Demaris, Max Hoover, Rick Olson and Leah Suitter Bottom right: Tori Johnson Top right: Candace Ford and Kathy Kentta 10 • Siletz News • November 2016 Oct. 20, 2016 • Siletz, Oregon
