Gladys Bolton: ‘I’ve never been anything but a Siletz Tribal member’
Gladys Bolton, 93, is the daughter of
Alfred and Maude Lane and currently is
the second oldest member of the Confed-
erated Tribes of Siletz Indians.
“I served as a Tribal Court judge and
an elders transporter for about 10 years. I
was on the Housing and Health commit-
tees and was the Tribal whipwoman for
several years,” she said. “When I was a
transporter, I enjoyed this job and wish I
could still do it. I was able to visit Tribal
elders in their home and hospital, and
help them in many ways. Many times, my
mother was with me and we would take
elders to lunch with us when we could.”
She also said she is grateful for the
health care she receives from the Tribe.
The Tribe’s pow-wows provided her
with great times with her grandchildren
because “I was able to dance and take my
grandchildren and teach them to dance
along with other kids.”
When asked about something people
may not know about her, Gladys rattled
off several things.
“I like to Indian dance. I enjoy watch-
ing the Trail Blazers and I like most kinds
of music. My favorites are country and
gospel,” she said. “In my younger days, I
worked in the fields. I am a Catholic and
I enjoy my religion. I was Miss Siletz for
the rodeo back in the ’30s.”
Gladys says that the most significant
things the Tribe has done since 1977
(Restoration) is that it “gave me the oppor-
tunity to work with the elders and serve
on committees. It provided opportunities
for my children and grandchildren to work
and go to school.
“I’ve never been anything but a Siletz
Tribal member. I’ve represented the Tribe
when I was young on many occasions
and continued to represent the Tribe as
Editor’s note: This is the first in
a monthly series of articles about
our Tribal elders, who hold a unique
importance to our Tribe, their families
She grew up with three sisters and
four brothers, all of whom got their Chetco
heritage from their dad’s side of the family.
She has three sons – William and
twins Donald (deceased) and Ronald, 10
grandchildren (one of whom is deceased)
and 15 great-grandchildren.
Gladys graduated from Siletz High
School in 1941 and worked at Bensell’s
store. Then life took her several different
places before she landed back in Oregon.
“I got married and moved to Chemawa
(Indian School in Salem, Ore.). I worked
in the little girls’ dorm and the hospital
at Chemawa,” she said. “In 1957, I went
to Guam with my husband, Lester Bolton,
where I worked in the kindergarten.”
The family eventually moved to
Mountain Home, Idaho, where Gladys
worked as a janitor until she moved to
Seal Rock. She moved to Salem from Seal
Rock and now resides in Grand Ronde,
Ore., with Herman Hudson.
Gladys has been involved with the Tribe
in many different ways for many years.
CTSI Jobs
File photo
Gladys Bolton at a Siletz Tribal Restoration Pow-Wow
the whipwoman. I proudly served as the
whipwoman and I would still serve if I
was able. I still dance at the pow-wows and
when I can’t dance, I still attend.”
and to the nation(s) for which they
served. Please enjoy this article and
look for more in upcoming issues of
Siletz News.
STRCP amends policy on number of loans
Tribal employment information is available at 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 selec-
tion because of race, creed, age, sex, color, national origin, physical handicap, marital
status, politics, membership or non-membership in an employee organization.
The Siletz Tribe Revolving Credit Program (STRCP) is pleased to announce
the Tribal Council has amended its Program Declaration of Policies with the
goal to further enhance Tribal member access to consumer, home improvement
and small business loans.
CTSI constantly is looking for temporary employees to cover vacancy,
vacations, 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.
STRCP, in addition to reporting loans to TransUnion Credit Bureau on a
monthly basis with the goal of improving the loan recipient’s credit score, will
now allow applicants who met all the conditions of their previous loans per
policy to get additional loans.
Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow
If you are interested in applying for a loan or would like more information,
please don’t hesitate to contact Shani Gilila, STRCP credit administrator, at
541-994-2142 or 877-564-7298; or visit the STBC website at stbcorp.net.
Attention Siletz Tribal
Artists
Royalty Crown
Proposals
The 2017 Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow
Committee is once again having a logo con-
test for the upcoming pow-wow in August
2017. All Siletz Tribal artists are encour-
aged to submit a pow-wow-themed logo.
The Pow-Wow Committee is now
accepting proposals for 2017-2018 royalty
crowns. Proposals are being accepted for
Miss Siletz, Junior Miss Siletz and Little
Miss Siletz.
Proposals for a crown must include
art design, size of the crown and a bid
for the crown or crowns of your interest.
Proposals can be submitted for individual
crowns, two crowns or you can submit a
bid for all three crowns.
Crown proposals must be turned in to
the committee no later than Feb. 28, 2017.
Proposals should be sent to Siletz Pow-
Wow Committee, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR
97380-0549.
If you have any questions, contact
Buddy Lane at 800-922-1399, ext 1230,
or 541-444-8230.
The winning logo artist will receive a
cash prize of $250 and a professional ban-
ner with your logo. The winning artist will
have his or her logo highlighted on Nesika
Illahee Pow-Wow flyers and merchandise.
Please submit your artwork to the
cultural education director’s office at the
Tribal Community Center or mail it to
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians,
Attn: Pow-Wow Logo Contest, P.O. Box
549, Siletz, OR 97380-0549.
All entries must be received no later
than Feb. 28, 2017.
10
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Siletz News
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January 2017
Siletz Indian Child Welfare is in need of foster
homes for our Tribal children.
Being a foster parent is an opportunity to help
improve your community in a unique way.
To find out more or to get an application
Contact:
Marne’ Grusing, Foster Family Certifier
phone: 541-444-8338
e-mail: marneg@ctsi.nsn.us
