Need Rental Housing?
Indian Country Conversations with
Elizabeth Woody, Oregon Poet Laureate
Elizabeth Woody (Navajo/Warm Springs/Wasco/Yakama) has published
poetry, short fiction and essays, and is a visual artist. Her first poetry book, Hand
Into Stone, received a 1990 American Book Award.
Her second and third collections, published in 1994, are Luminaries of the
Humble by the University of Arizona Press and Seven Hands, Seven Hearts, Prose
and Poetry by The Eighth Mountain Press.
Woody is an alumna of the Kellogg Foundation’s Fellowship through the AIO
Ambassadors program.
She is born for Tódích’íinii (Bitter Water clan) and her birthplace is
Ganado, Ariz.
March 9, 2017 • 7 p.m.
Willamette University Campus - Rogers Music Center
900 State St. • Salem, Oregon
ICC is hosted by Native American Programs
The Siletz Tribal Housing Department encourages you to apply for the Low-Income
Rental Program waiting list in Siletz (1,2,3,4 bedroom) and Lincoln City (2, 3 bedroom
at Neachesna Village). Applications can be obtained at any Tribal area office (Eugene,
Salem, Portland, Siletz) or access online from the Tribal website – ctsi.nsn.us – follow
links to Tribal Services-Housing-Low Rent Apartments & Home Ownership.
For any questions call
800-922-1399, ext. 1322, or 541-444-8322; Fax: 541-444-8313
Ellery Peter Mortenson, Sr
Born
I’ve finished life’s chores assigned to me,
So put me on a boat headed out to sea.
Please send along my fishing pole
For I’ve been invited to the fishin’ hole.
Where every day is a day to fish,
To fill your heart with every wish.
Don’t worry or feel sad for me,
I’m fishin’ with the Master of the sea.
June 27, 1948
Salem, Oregon
Gone Fishin’
Nov. 21, 2016
Portland, Oregon
To all of those that think of me,
Be happy as I go out to sea.
If others wonder why I’m missin’
Please just tell ’em I’ve gone fishin’
Ellery was born in Salem, Ore., to Verdun Mortenson (1919-1995) and Marjorie Menard Mortenson
(1923-1993). His extended family included four sons:
Ronald (1967-2012), wife Kanani, son Ryan
Ellery Jr.
Edward
Mortie, wife Edie, daughter Mariah
Help Tribal Children who are in need of a foster family.
Our kids need your help, your heart and your home. Call today to
make a difference. You can make a brighter, better world for our
future generations. Foster a young tribal child today.
Call. Today.
541-444-8338
Marne’ Grusing Foster Family Certifier
Marneg@ctsi.nsn.us
Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow
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.
8
•
Siletz News
•
February 2017
Brothers:
Ronald, wife Margaret, daughter Ronda
Arthur, sons Matthew, Joey and Aaron
Arnold, wife Virginia, son Christopher, daughter Michelle (1978-2007)
Paul, son Michael
Sisters:
Sharon (1946-2003), husband Jim, son Jimmy (1967-2003). Daughter Lisa, husband Barry, son
Nile. Daughter Sherry, husband Dennis, son DJ, granddaughter Ashley and grandson Brett;
daughter Faustina and grandson Dayton
Kathy, daughter Margo, sons Bradley and AJ. Son Mark, daughter Alexya, son Markez. Daughter
Cheyanne
Companion of 32 years Debra Harmon, her daughter Jennifer, grandfather to her granddaughters
Mariah and Megan and great-grandson Axel
Was the ‘dad’ to children of friend of 40 + years, Cora Merritt. Her son Nick (1963-2003), daughter
Jacqueline and daughter Kristenlee. The grandfather to Tanya and Ryan, and Papa Ellery to her great-
grandchildren Gage, Roselani (peanut) and Samantha
An avid fisherman and amazing craftsman, Ellery enjoyed years of fishing with the catch-and-release
philosophy. He caught his first steelhead in Johnson Creek in the 1980s and was ‘hooked’ on playing the
bigger fish.
The brothers used to walk from where they lived on Southeast Stark to the Willamette River and
Johnson Creek to fish. They fished for carp, catfish, crappie and trout.
When his kids were young, they fished the Molalla River and the Clackamas. They started with trout
and kids chasing fish and graduated to steelhead.
Some of the places Ellery fished were the Wilson River, Herman’s Creek, Farraday Lake, Tanner
Creek, Eagle Creek and along stretches of the Columbia River. His favorite place was Herman’s Creek. He
was definitely a fish whisperer.
Ellery was an integral part of building huge tradeshow exhibits for such commercial giants as
Microsoft and Sony, and also crafted some fun stuff for OMSI that is still on display. In addition, he
enjoyed building furniture for himself and others.
He started out working in a cannery, graduated to a chemical company then finally into the business
of wood and building boats with his dad. After that he worked for L&W Woodworking, Slusher Sales,
Chipman Chemical Company and finally back into working with and around wood – Ply-Mart, Built-rite
Cabinets, Color & Design and Pinnacle Exhibits.
Eventually he began his own company, Third Dimension Exhibits, where he retired in 2010 and
closed his company. After that he enjoyed visiting with his many friends in person and on the phone.
He has now Gone Fishin’ with those who have gone before him.
Here are a couple more things the family would like you to know about Ellery:
The majority of his photos throughout his life included pictures of him and his sons with their
salmon and steelhead they caught on their trips. Fishing in the Mernard/Mortenson family has always
been enjoyed, but Ellery Sr. was someone who could catch a fish with such elegance and skill. He
was the best and if you listened he would teach you. There’s a rock called the Casedero Rock that
was gifted to him by fellow fisherman because he was the only person who could fish from this rock
without slipping or falling.
Ellery started his own company “Third Dimension Exhibits” in 2005 and later retired in 2010.
During those years he employed friends and family who needed work during the recession and
or wanted to learn the trade he loved. If there were ever a rock in a family, it was him. He adored
children and it didn’t matter whether they were family or not, he made sure they had food on the
table. He was grumpy but sweet and his heart always prevailed.
Although his passing may be sad, he brought his extended and immediate family back together
during his last months and we were all grateful to show him the same love and compassion as he did
throughout his life. Know he is in a better place, don’t cry but smile and know he knew it was his time
and his heart was content with his life’s accomplishments.
He was known as Dad, Grandpa, Papa, friend and my personal favorite uncle.
