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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2017)
Norton, Kentta to speak at Yachats Pride event about Two-Spirit tradition Yachats will host its first Yachats Pride event on June 3-4, which celebrates the free expression of gender, culture and sexual orientation of LGBT people and their allies by hosting fun and educational events that celebrate diversity and help eradicate discrimination and violence based on gender, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation. This year’s event will start off at 2 p.m. on June 3, with a concert by Chris Williamson, a well-known pioneer in music, artistry and activism. Following the concert will be a discussion of the Two-Spirit tradition of American Indian cultures. Two-Spirit is a contemporary umbrella English-language term that refers to the historical and cur- rent First Nations people whose individual spirits were essentially a blend of female and male spirits, or whose gender identity did not match their biological sex. Lisa Norton (above) and Robert Kentta (right) We will view a short video followed by a discussion led by Lisa Norton, execu- tive director of My Sister’s Place in New- port, and Robert Kentta, Tribal cultural resources director and elected member of the Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. The presentation is at 4 p.m. at the 501 Building (immediately north of the Yachats Commons that used to be Bank of the West). It’s free but has limited seating. Reservations are advised and can be made at yachatspride.org The evening events will begin with a Mixed-Up Mixer at 5:30 in the Commons Multi-Purpose Room. Eat, drink and be merry to honor and celebrate the LGBT and allied community. At 7 p.m., the Bingo Extravaganza and Revue begins. Our host, Bunny FuFu from Las Vegas, will provide a hilarious and highly energetic night of bingo (unlike any you have seen before) and skits. On June 4 at noon, the celebration concludes with a free family picnic in the pavilion behind the Commons. Barbara Turrill from Newport will provide music. There will be free food for all and an open mic session. For more information and reserva- tions, visit yachatspride.org. Many events are free, but seating is limited so online reservations are recommended. Billy Clarence Shadwick – 1936-2017 Billy Clarence Shadwick (Modoc Bill) walked on to be with his Creator, “Kumush,” and into the arms of his Savior Jesus at 1:30 a.m. on April 9, 2017, one day short of his 81st birthday. In his leav- ing, he was surrounded by his wife and family who loved him. In 1989, Billy moved to Alsea, Ore., with his new wife, Naomi, to start a dif- ferent, more relaxed life away from the fast pace of Sacramento. They built their new life together as they fixed up an old house, built barns and tried their hand at raising livestock and growing a garden. the board from 2006 until 2014, when he became challenged with advancing Alzheimer’s. He traveled with Worldwide Outreach in 2009 to help support the mission’s work in Uganda, East Africa. He said his life was forever changed on that trip. In his early years, he and his family lived in Baxter Springs, Kan. He served in the Air Force from 1956 to 1962, raised a family, ran a clothing business and worked in sales. Shortly after their move, Naomi began working for the Siletz Tribe as the accountant. After nine years and after a brief leave of absence, she returned to the Planning Department as the grant writer. She worked another seven years in that position. Billy was one of the original Tribal members on the Tribal roles when the Modoc Tribe was restored in 1978 and was a proud, strong-willed Modoc warrior who never forgot his Tribal culture. With a twinkle in his eyes and a big smile, he loved to joke around the “Indian way,” even to the last as his light faded. All through the years, Billy supported her work and could be seen at Tribal functions. He went with her to all of her conferences and patiently sat through the workshops with HUD, DOL, etc. He vol- unteered at Tribal events whenever needed. It has been said that “Old Indians don’t die. They just fade away.” That is exactly what Modoc Bill did. In the ’60s, he moved his family to California. In the ’80s while living in Northern California, he began a new career working with the American Indian population as employment coordinator with California Indian Manpower Con- sortium. His excellent skills in sales afforded him the ability to successfully work with businesses to develop training sites for Native clients. Billy attended the Alsea Christian Fellowship Church in Alsea and was on Billy leaves behind: his loving wife, Naomi, of 27 years; two brothers, Jack Shadwick in Oklahoma and Jerry Shad- wick in California; two sons; three Courtesy photo Billy Clarence Shadwick daughters; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Billy’s wish was to be returned to his ancestors’ resting place in the Modoc Tribal Cemetery in Miami, Okla. A tradi- tional Modoc ceremony will be held there June 21, 2017. 2017 Standing Committee Vacancies Open Until Filled Tribal children in need of foster parents for: Permanent care, Temporary foster care, Or Short-term emergency care Any Tribal member interested in serving on a committee for a two-year term must fill out the following form and return it to the address below. Please mail or fax your application to Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Attn: Executive Secretary to Tribal Council, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380-0549; fax: 541-444-8325. Name: ________________________________________ Roll No: _____________ Address: __________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________ State: ___________ ZIP: ____________ Telephone: Day ( ) ____________________ Evening ( ) _____________________ Contact Marne’ Grusing Foster Family Coordinator 541-444-8338 If you only want to be considered for one committee, please indicate by inserting the number 1 next to the committee of interest. If you have interest in more than one committee, please indicate by numbering your preference, 1 (first choice), 2 (second choice) and 3 (third choice). ____ Health Committee (1) ____ Cultural Heritage Committee (1) If you have any questions, please call Tami Miner, executive secretary to Tribal Council, at 800-922-1399, ext. 1203, or 541-444-8203. 14 • Siletz News • June 2017
