Chairman’s Report
Editor’s note: The Chairman’s Report will resume in a future issue of Siletz News.
USFWS announces landmark revision to eagle retention policy
In a decision that underscores the
agency’s commitment to honoring the
wishes of federally recognized Tribes, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has revised
its policy regarding the retention of eagle
remains on lands within Indian Country.
Federally recognized Tribes now can
retain bald and golden eagle remains
found on these lands under certain condi-
tions and with the proper permits.
In 2017, the service hosted numerous
in-person and telephone consultations
with federally recognized Tribes in the
United States. During these consultation
sessions, Tribal members requested the
ability to retain bald and golden eagle
remains found on their lands.
The service has revised its policy to
accommodate this request.
The updated policy has three goals:
authorize the retention of eagles found
by a Tribe’s members in Indian Country,
enhance eagle conservation on these lands
and avoid unnecessary human health or
safety challenges that some deceased
eagles pose.
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
is honored to have the ability to support
Tribes’ spiritual, religious and cultural
pursuits by authorizing the retention of
eagle remains found by federally recog-
nized Tribal members on their lands,”
said Principal Deputy Director Margaret
Everson. “By working together, we hope
to conserve bald and golden eagle popula-
tions for future generations.”
“The Trump administration is proud
to acknowledge the significance of the
eagle in many Tribal cultures,” said Joe
Grogan, director, White House Domestic
Policy Council. “This new policy honors
that significance as well as the commit-
ment Tribal governments have displayed
leveraging their sovereignty, in concert
with the United States, to safeguard the
bald eagle and other eagle species of reli-
gious importance in Tribal communities.
It also cuts back needless bureaucratic red
tape. The White House thanks the Depart-
ment of the Interior for leading the way to
this sensible new policy.”
“Because of its intrinsic beauty, skill
and courage, the eagle is a valued symbol
of America and has long been venerated
in many Tribal cultures throughout Indian
Country,” said John Tahsuda, Interior prin-
cipal deputy assistant secretary – Indian
Affairs. “Indian Affairs staff have worked
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
and Tribal nations on a common-sense
approach to the handling of bald and
golden eagle remains found on Tribal
lands. This updated eagle remains reten-
tion policy respects Tribal cultural and
religious practices while protecting eagle
populations now and in the future.”
Siletz News is free to enrolled Siletz Tribal members. For all others, a $12
annual subscription fee applies. Please make checks payable to CTSI and mail
to Siletz News.
Name: _______________________________________________________
Under the updated policy, a federally
recognized Tribe must receive a permit
prior to possessing eagle remains found
within Indian Country. When a Tribal
member or an employee of a federally rec-
ognized Tribe discovers eagle remains, he
or she must report it immediately to Tribal
or service law enforcement officials.
Eagle remains found and reported
may be eligible for return to the federally
recognized Tribe for religious purposes
after the service completes any activities
it deems necessary for law enforcement or
for scientific management reasons.
If the service or a Tribal law enforce-
ment officer designated by the service
determines that the eagle was not taken
intentionally and human health risks aren’t
suspected or known, it may be transferred
directly to the respective federally recog-
nized Tribe as long as the proper permits
are in place.
Bald and golden eagles are protected
under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protec-
tion Act, the Lacey Act and the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act. Certain activities like
harassing, killing or selling these species
are strictly prohibited. Eagles that are
unlawfully taken, diseased, poisoned or
part of an ongoing investigation will not
be eligible for distribution.
More information regarding the
service’s eagle retention policy update
can be found at fws.gov/nativeamerican/
eagle-retention-policy.html.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
works with others to conserve, protect
and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their
habitats for the continuing benefit of the
American people.
For more information, visit fws.gov
or connect with us through Facebook,
Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.
Tenas Illahee Childcare Center
Board of Directors Vacancies
Résumés are being accepted for the Tenas Illahee Childcare Center Board of
Directors. Currently, there are two vacant board positions.
If interested, please submit your résumé to Siletz Tribal Council, c/o Execu-
tive Secretary, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR 97380-0549.
Vacancies are open until filled.
Elders Council Meeting
Oct. 12 • 1-4 p.m. • Chinook Winds Golf Resort
For more information, contact the Elders Program at 800-922-1399,
ext. 1261, or 541-444-8261.
Address: _____________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________________________________________
Change of address: Tribal members – contact the Enrollment Department
at 541-444-8258; 800-922-1399, ext. 1258; or enrollment@ctsi.nsn.us. All oth-
ers – call the newspaper office.
Deadline for the November
issue is Oct. 10.
Send information to:
Submission of articles and
photos is encouraged.
Siletz News
P.O. Box 549
Siletz, OR 97380-0549
Please see the Passages
Policy on page 24 when submit-
ting items for Passages.
541-444-8291 or
800-922-1399, ext. 1291
Fax: 541-444-2307
Email: pias@ctsi.nsn.us
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October 2019
Nuu-wee-ya’ (our words)
Introduction to the Athabaskan language
Open to Tribal members of all ages
Siletz
Siletz Tribal Community Center
Oct. 7 – 6-8 p.m.
Nov. 4 – 6-8 p.m.
Portland
Portland Area Office
Oct. 14 – 6-8 p.m.
Nov. 12 – 6-8 p.m.
Eugene
Eugene Area Office
Oct. 8 – 6-8 p.m.
Nov. 5 – 6-8 p.m.
Salem
Salem Area Office
Oct. 15 – 6-8 p.m.
Nov. 13 – 6-8 p.m.
Classes begin with basic instruction and progress over the year. They also
are a refresher course for more-advanced students. Come and join other members
of your community and Tribe in learning to speak one of our ancient languages.
We also have equipment in the Cultural Department available for use in
grinding and drilling shell or pine nuts or other applications. If you need to use
the equipment, call the number below to set up an appointment.
For more information, contact Bud Lane at the Siletz Cultural Department
at 541-444-8320 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1320; or e-mail budl@ctsi.nsn.us.