Trahant named editor of Indian Country Today digital news organization
WASHINGTON – Independent jour-
nalist Mark Trahant (Shoshone-Bannock)
has accepted the role of editor to lead
Indian Country Today, which is under the
ownership of the National Congress of
American Indians (NCAI).
“We are excited to have Mark Trah-
ant on board to help us lead this next
chapter of Indian Country Today,” stated
NCAI President Jefferson Keel. “Mark is
respected in and beyond Indian Country
for his professionalism, journalistic skills
and keen insight into issues and develop-
ments impacting Tribal nations.”
Trahant has a demonstrated history
of commitment to the American Indian
voice through journalism. As a dedicated
journalist, Trahant does a weekly audio
commentary for Native Voice One while
also reporting and commenting on events
and trends through his blog at Trahant-
Reports.com. He also is on the faculty
at the University of North Dakota as the
Charles R. Johnson Endowed Professor
of Journalism.
“I am excited and can’t wait to get
going,” Trahant said. “Indian Country
needs a national digital platform for this
generation that builds on the good work
done by so many who created and pub-
lished Indian Country Today in its previ-
ous lives. I look forward to recruiting and
working with talented journalists who will
create an innovative news organization.”
As the former editor of the editorial
page for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer,
Trahant chaired the daily editorial board
and directed a staff of writers, editors and
a cartoonist. He has also worked at The
Seattle Times, Arizona Republic, Salt
Lake Tribune, Moscow-Pullman Daily
News, Navajo Times, Navajo Nation Today
and Sho-Ban News.
Trahant is also former president of the
Native American Journalists Association.
Bulls Bag Restoration Project Meeting
Tribal Member Input Wanted
The Natural Resources Department is in the process of developing a fish habitat
restoration project at the Tribe’s Bulls Bag property using logs from the property.
Tribal members are invited to provide input on the project at a meeting on Saturday,
April 7, at 9 a.m. in the Tribal Council Chambers in the admin building in Siletz.
Natural Resources staff will provide an overview of the project, followed by a
field visit to the site. Come and make your voices heard.
Siletz Tribal Vocational
Rehabilitation Program (STVRP)
STVRP is here to assist members of
ANY
federally recognized Tribe in overcoming barriers to
employment. We work with individuals who have disabilities and are living within the Confederated
Tribes of Siletz Indians’ 11-county service area.
Guidance and Counseling
Referral to Services
Employment Services
Résumé Writing
Interviewing Techniques
Job Coaching
Culturally Relevant Individualized Services
Evaluations and Assessments
Training Placement Opportunities
Adaptive Equipment
able and useful while maintaining the
primary goal of dedicated service others
have forged before us,” said NCAI Execu-
tive Director Jacqueline Pata.
Visit Indian Country Today at indian-
countrymedianetwork.com.
About the National Congress of
American Indians
Founded in 1944, the National Con-
gress of American Indians is the oldest,
largest and most representative American
Indian and Alaska Native organization in
the country. NCAI advocates on behalf
of Tribal governments and communi-
ties, promoting strong Tribal-federal
government-to-government policies and
promoting a better understanding among
the general public regarding American
Indian and Alaska Native governments,
people and rights.
For more information visit ncai.org
Time to gather basket-making materials is here
Spring is here and very soon hazel
sticks will be ready to pick and peel.
Hazel stick gathering is a must for
anyone interested in making traditional
Siletz baskets. Spruce root can be dug
all year round and is used for the weavers
or weft of Siletz baskets.
Bear grass and maidenhair fern are
used for overlay to make our traditional
designs or marks in our baskets and both
are picked in late summer.
Any Tribal members interested in
gathering can ontact Bud Lane at 800-
922-1399, ext. 1320; 541-444-8320;
or budl@ctsi.nsn.us. Just a reminder –
basket materials must be gathered in a
timely fashion.
Here is a general breakdown of
gathering times for different materials:
Examples of Services:
“The first Tribal editor, Elias Boudi-
not, described his paper as a ‘vehicle of
Indian intelligence.’ Even though ink has
been replaced by pixels, the task remains
the same – to publish an informative daily
account that’s comprehensive and adds con-
text to the stories missing from the main-
stream media,” Trahant said. “We have so
many stories to tell. Our mission is simple
but important: Solid, factual reporting.
Great writing. Photography that inspires
and records. Provide a real service to readers
across Indian Country’s digital landscape.”
On Feb. 1, 2018, NCAI officially took
over ownership of Indian Country Today
and moving forward plans to share con-
tent to Tribal newspapers, radio stations
and websites at no cost with proper credit
attributions.
“We are eager to add to this impor-
tant platform for Indian Country. We will
work to make sure that this next chapter
of Indian Country Today is both sustain-
May
Hazel, willow, and fir sticks, spruce
roots
June
Hazel, willow and fir sticks (until mid-
June), spruce roots
July
Fir sticks, spruce roots, bear grass,
maidenhair fern
August
Fir sticks, spruce roots, bear grass,
maidenhair fern, hazel sticks (lim-
ited), willow sticks
September
Bear grass, maidenhair fern, wood-
wardia fern, spruce roots
For more information about the Siletz Tribal language program,
please visit siletzlanguage.org.
For more information about STVRP, please inquire at 800-922-1399. We maintain resource and
employment boards, so please stop by if you’re interested. Services are provided in all area offices,
however, to inquire about services, please ask to be transferred to your closest office listed below.
SALEM AREA OFFICE
SILETZ ADMIN OFFICE
3160 Blossom Drive NE, Suite 105
Salem, OR 97305
201 SE Swan Ave.
Siletz, OR 97380
SALEM OFFICE – DANA RODRIGUEZ, Program Aide; TONI LEIJA, Counselor/Job Developer
SILETZ – RACHELLE ENDRES, Counselor/Job Developer; JERAMIE MARTIN, Program Director
• Spiritual
• Intellectual /
Mind
Siletz
Tribal
Courtesy photo by Mary Jo Kerlin, SNLH
Voc.
Rehab.
• Emotional
8
•
Siletz News
• Physical
•
April 2018
Dr. McKaila Allcorn (center) from Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital visits
with students in the Siletz Tribal Head Start class in Lincoln City, Ore. Students
were joined by (l to r) Melissa Pistoresi, assistant teacher/bus driver (left); Sarah
Beuving, teacher (seated); and Shannon Reboh, classroom aide (right).