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.
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Siletz News
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June 2017