Submit your address changes to the Enrollment Department by Friday, July 13, to receive your per capita check in a timely manner.
LaVera Marie Simmons – 1931-2018
Aunty Babe helped raise three genera-
tions of children. She was loved by her
family, friends and those who knew her.
She worked her whole life, travelling to
and from Alaska while working in log-
gings camps with Pam and Ron Keller;
once to Cranbrook, Alberta, Canada to
work; at Chemawa Indian School; and in
local hospitals as a cook and food service
person for many years until her retirement.
Our Beloved Aunty Babe
LaVera Marie Simmons, “Babe,” was
born to Frederick and Augusta Simmons
in September 1931. She was the last of
six siblings: Harding, June, Mary “Dolly,”
Calvin and Franklin.
She was preceded in death by an infant
daughter, Marie; great-niece, Taylor Erin
Hatch; and a great-great-nephew, Camden
Taylor Flock.
She loved laughing, talking, working
outside with plants and shrubbery, trap-
ping moles and traveling in Montana and
Alaska with family.
She leaves many cousins, nieces and
nephews, greats, great-greats and great-
great-greats.
Courtesy photo
LaVera Marie Simmons
Lindsey Frank John Sr. – 1948-2018
Lindsey Frank John Sr. died June 2,
2018, at his home in Prineville, Ore. He
was born in Toledo, Ore., on Dec. 23, 1948,
to Clark and Eva John.
Lindsey worked as a welder in Van-
couver, Wash., until he retired to Prineville
in 2008. He was an avid golfer, hunter and
fisherman. He spent many days on the golf
course with his son, Lindsey Jr., and loved
to spend time with his family and friends.
Lindsey was preceded in death by his
parents; his brothers William “Junior,”
Johnny and LeRoy; and his sister Gylene.
He is survived by his brothers David
and Ronald; his sisters Josephine and Eliz-
abeth (Liz); his sons Lindsey Jr., Richard
and Tim; his daughters Christy Larwood
Tennant and Caitlin Latimer; seven grand-
children, one great-granddaughter and
many nieces and nephews. He also leaves
behind the love of his life, Sheryl Kelly.
Lindsey will be greatly missed by his
loved ones.
Viewing took place June 11 at the
Siletz Tribal Community Center, followed
by funeral services and burial at the Paul
Washington Cemetery in Siletz. A potluck
followed.
Services entr usted to Bateman
Funeral Home.
Courtesy photo
Alton Ivan Butler
Courtesy photo
Lindsey Frank John Sr.
NAIHC, continued from page 1
and our people. She has advocated for
Tribal housing issues by providing testi-
mony at congressional hearings, writing
letters and making phone calls to advance
our mutual issues brought forward by the
NAIHC membership. She has worked
diligently with board members to make
sure we are representing all members.
Her work with the Senate Committee on
Indian Affairs, House Financial Services
and HUD has established NAIHC as the
subject matter experts for Indian hous-
ing, often providing NAIHC with the
first opportunity to weigh in on important
funding and regulatory matters.
Sami Jo has held each of us account-
able to one another – holding NAIHC to
a very high standard. And best of all, she
greets everyone as a friend. We deeply
appreciate Sami Jo’s leadership, friendship
and considerable dedication to NAIHC
and its members.
Please help us recognize our friend,
Sami Jo Difuntorum, as we present her
with the 2018 Virginia Kizer award.
Garcia receives certification
Jessica Garcia, resident services advo-
cate/rental assistant for the Siletz Tribe,
received her Professional Indian Housing
Management certification at the NAIHC
convention.
Garcia is the first Siletz Housing
employee to receive this certification.
“I want to thank my supervisor, Sami
Jo, for always pushing me. It is because of
her that I see the same leadership quali-
ties in myself that she does also. I really
appreciate the opportunities she has given
4
•
Siletz News
•
Perfect father,
The first one who came to mind was
“my father, Alton Ivan Butler” made me
cry because of how much I miss him. I
felt like I was robbed because of how little
time I got to spend with him; 32 years was
not long enough for this child, it’s just a
blink of the eye in God’s time.
I felt like I was robbed twice in my
life, my mom at 3 years old and my dad
at 32 years old, but I know God’s time
is perfect. Who am I to complain? I just
miss my daddy at times in my life when
tough times (storms roll in) and the trials
I go through. I miss talking with him and
listening to his wisdom.
Forgive me, Lord, for my selfishness,
but there’s no one like your father. So if
you have a father (daddy), spend time with
him, listen and follow his word because
one day God might call him home. So love
and care for him, do things with him, be
his best friend, make memories you will
have forever and thank God for him.
Praise God!
Love you,
Sylvia Lorree Butler
Courtesy photo
Siletz Tribal Housing Department staff, including (l to r) Valerie Hibdon, Jessica
Garcia, Casey Godwin, Sami Jo Difuntorum, Isaac DeAnda and Brett Lane
each one of her employees at Housing to
further our knowledge and experience in
Indian Housing Leadership,” said Garcia. “I
would like to thank Tracy Viar for being the
proxy for my testing. She adjusted her own
schedule to help me finish each track and
most importantly, she made me feel deserv-
ing of this great accomplishment, which
gave me the confidence to be successful.
“Thank you Valerie, Jeanette and
all my coworkers for your support. This
accomplishment has given me my self-
worth back and the confidence to take the
next step toward being an advocate and
leader for my people, proving to me and
my four children that no matter what life
throws at you or at what age, it is never
too late to accomplish your goals as long
as you believe in yourself.”
Garcia took the initiative to study and
take the test locally rather than travel to
July 2018
multiple trainings to complete the eight
courses offered by the NAIHC Leadership
Institute, which include Indian Hous-
ing Management, Financing Affordable
Housing Development, Financial Manage-
ment, Project Management, Supervisory
Management, Admissions & Occupancy,
Property Maintenance Management and
Environmental Compliance.
Each course ended with a two-hour
exam. Participants must score 80 percent or
better to receive credit toward certification.
“This is an enormous accomplishment
that required a significant time investment.
I was very honored to be the chairwoman
when she met this milestone goal,” said
Difuntorum about Garcia. “It often takes
an entire career to complete the multiple
training tracks. The NAIHC PIHM certi-
fication is the highest level of professional
achievement in the Leadership Institute.”
General Council
Meeting
Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018 • 1 p.m.
Siletz Tribal Community Center
Siletz, Oregon
Call to Order
Invocation
Flag Salute
Roll Call
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Minutes
Programs – Dental
Tribal Members’ Concerns
Chairman’s Report
Announcements
Adjourn