Courtesy photos by Teresa Simmons
Above: Shawna Gray (left), Angela Ramirez and Glendora Osborn represent STAHS
at the Angels Ball.
Right: Wreath created by Glendora Osborn
STAHS reaches out to spread word about Tribal cultural center/museum
By Teresa Simmons
Members of the Siletz Tribal Arts and
Heritage Society seize the opportunity to
become involved in local activities and
share the word about the proposed cul-
tural center with a museum component
whenever possible. Sharing the dream is
an uplifting experience and networking at
many of these events is helping the board
discover the resources that may be avail-
able to reach our ultimate goal.
STAHS members attended the Angels
Ball at Chinook Winds Casino Resort
on Dec. 1, one of the largest charitable
fundraisers of the year in Lincoln City.
As in past years the STAHS wreath, this
year designed by Glendora Osborn, was
a stunning addition to the silent auction.
For more information about the Siletz Tribal language program, please visit siletzlanguage.org.
NIGC, continued from page 1
involved at all in the events because of my health. I made efforts to attend shows, but
I was always a little foggy from all of the chemo.”
Not being involved every day made him feel that he couldn’t give it 100 percent.
He is working toward a cancer-free diagnosis and the future traveling with his wife
after retirement.
Jenkins has two adopted children and two stepchildren. His adopted children were
brought into his life when he worked with youth in the community centers. They have
been by his side the entire journey.
He has a stepdaughter, Jerry Johnson, who is a Navy vet and she has a daughter
in the Air Force. Jenkins also has nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild to now
spend time with in his retirement years.
Jenkins may be retiring from this part of his life, but his new adventures are about
to begin.
A note from fellow Commissioner Barry Kessinger
I still can’t believe my good friend, Mr. Lee Jenkins, is retiring from the athletic
commission that he helped found in 1999 along with Mr. Reggie Butler. Lee and his
wonderful wife, Mollie, have been like family to me since first meeting them over 16
years ago when I was selected to join the Siletz Tribal Athletic Commission.
Lee has the innate ability to make you feel like family after working with him for
a short period of time. I could easily see through his words and actions – he’s all about
family and being a positive influence for the upcoming generations.
Others can touch on the amount of volunteer time Lee spent traveling as a boxing
coach driving the youth all over the West Coast for tournaments, but it must have been
like having a second full-time job where the only payment you receive were the smiles
of the kids and seeing hard work pay off. To Lee, it’s all about the kids!
I witnessed the impact he had on others many times. Lee would be so gracious
and introduce me to many of his former boxers he had trained over the years and have
now grown to become family men like himself.
Like me, when his former boxers would see him, they’d come running up to give
him a big hug and ask how he’s been. I could see how many people sincerely cared
about Lee, not just at Chinook Winds during our shows, but also across the United
States when traveling with him for conferences.
If we as commissioners were to wear numbered jerseys, his number would be
retired and raised to the rafters with the greats! I will miss my friend in our meetings
and events, but our friendship is beyond just our commission ties.
Fun Lee fact: Lee picked up painting a few years back and his progression has been
incredible. Among his varied talents, who would’ve thought portrait painting would
be toward the top of his talents.
From your friend and co-commissioner – Barry Kessinger
8
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Siletz News
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January 2019
***SAVE THE DATE***
Hosted by the Oregon Indian Tribe
The Coquille Indian Tribe
Other Oregon partnering Tribes include:
Burns Paiute Tribe ~ The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation ~
The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians ~
Confederated Tribe of Siletz Indians ~ Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs ~
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians ~ Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde ~ Klamath Tribes
April 23-24, 2019
The Mill Casino and Hotel
North Bend, Oregon
Please come and join other caregivers of Native elders and relative caregivers of children from
Northwest Indian communities in this two-day event. You will have the opportunity to attend
valuable workshops that will enhance your caregiving skills and provide you with a break from
your daily responsibilities.
Look for registrations coming out early February 2019
The Mill Hotel has a limited number of rooms blocked for this event at $95 or $105 + tax per night
800-953-4800
For more information, call 541-888-9494
Lori Austin, ext. 2214
Savannah Gilkey, ext. 2206
***Vendors, please contact Suzy Deeds at 503-304-3429 or suzy.deeds@nwsds.org***