Chairman’s Report
Gov. Kate Brown was sworn in on
Jan. 9 as Oregon’s 38 th governor. The cer-
emony was attended by former governors
and many Tribal representatives.
She gave an uplifting address to leg-
islators and guests. She recognized the
Tribes that were present and the impor-
tance of Tribal sovereignty.
We look forward to continuing our
great relationship with her and with the
state of Oregon. She has devoted more
than 25 years to serving the state.
I attended the Northwest Portland
Area Indian Health Board in Grand
Mound, Wash., in mid-January. The Port-
land Area is the most active in the nation,
I believe.
It is a great concern to many just how
the new administration will recognize the
important of health care in Indian Country.
Tribes are actively lobbying to keep a por-
tion of Obamacare (Affordable Care Act)
that affects us all, the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act.
At the meeting, our good friend Pearl
Capoeman-Baller (above) announced her
retirement after serving on the Quinault
Tribal Council for 32 years, many of them
as president, and working with her Tribe
for 42 years. We wish Pearl well in her
retirement. She was an exceptional North-
west leader.
Siletz Tribal Prints & Gifts LLC (STPG) is seeking products from Tribal mem-
bers who wish to sell their products through its retail location at 1520 NE Highway
101 in Lincoln City, Ore., as well as its online store located at store.stpgifts.com.
Please contact Casey Cox, interim manager of STPG, at 541-996-5550 or man-
ager@stpgifts.com for more information. Come by the store or visit our website
at stpgifts.com to see the other products and services we offer.
The inauguration of President Don-
ald Trump has Tribes concerned about
how he will move forward working with
Tribes. His choice for secretary of interior,
however, is Congressman Ryan Zink from
Montana, who has wide support from
many Tribes.
I am including in this report a very
good summation (below) from John
Echohawk, executive director of the Native
American Rights Fund.
The new administration will be con-
firmed as Congress gets under way and we
look forward to working with our Oregon
congressional representatives to further
Tribal issues.
Tribal elections are well under way. It’s
important that you vote and if you have
the time to commit, to serve on Tribal
committees.
Delores Pigsley
NARF commits to stand firm for justice and for Native rights
during the Trump administration
The inauguration of President Trump has many people across the nation concerned
and the world wondering how the United States will move forward as a world leader from
this point forward. As Native people, we have been down this road before.
For over 500 years we have endured the invasion of our homelands; endured the
horrific and failed termination, assimilation and boarding school policies of the federal
government; and in more recent times we have fought past administrations’ attacks on
Indian country and the environment and won.
Since the Trump administration has not announced any Native policy positions, we
look forward to the opportunity to work in partnership and educate them about Native
rights. But make no mistake, we are firmly committed to continue our fight to protect
Native rights and Tribal sovereignty – and fight we will.
We stand by our commitment as “Modern Day Warriors.” We have fought hard for our
people, our lands and our Tribes for over 46 years and we reaffirm here our commitment
to continue to do so. We encourage our brothers and sisters and our allies to be brave, take
courage, remember our ancestors and continue to stand firm with us for justice.
From the Native American Rights Fund staff and Board of Directors
Elders Council Meeting
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: _______________________________________________________
Feb. 11 • 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.
Address: _____________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________________________________________
Change of address: Tribal members – contact the Enrollment Depart-
ment at 541-444-8258; 800-922-1399, ext. 1258; or enrollment@ctsi.nsn.us.
All others – call the newspaper office.
Deadline for the March
issue is Feb. 10.
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
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Siletz News
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Member of the Native American
Journalists Association
February 2017
Nuu-wee-ya’ (our words)
Introduction to the Athabaskan language
Open to Tribal members of all ages
Siletz
Siletz Tribal Community Center
Feb. 6 – 6-8 p.m.
March 6 – 6-8 p.m.
Portland
Portland Area Office
Feb. 13 – 6-8 p.m.
March 13 – 6-8 p.m.
Eugene
Eugene Area Office
Feb. 7 – 6-8 p.m.
March 7 – 6-8 p.m.
Salem
Salem Area Office
Feb. 14 – 6-8 p.m.
March 14 – 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 e-mail budl@ctsi.nsn.us.
