To the editor:
Walk the Walk
There was a little Siletz girl who lived, played, danced, loved to sing. Anxious to
learn Tribal ways. Always encouraged to walk softly upon the land. Be respectful. Proud
of her ancestors who walked the walk to lands unknown, enduring great sacrifices along
this dreadful trek. Their fevered prayers, survival. That their children and children’s
children forever would live on. Carry Tribal stories, history around warm family fires.
Strength came from camaraderie. Both mental, physical in the darkness of the
perilous night. Where a child’s cry was comforted from hunger, fright. “Hush my
child.” Ancestors endured this treachery, cruelty where the blackness of despair was
unbreathable pain, sickness. Strong cared for the weaker, vulnerable.
The Great Spirit became lost in a gray wet dawn. Shallow, silent whispers in
darkened corners arose, to be herded along the rugged trail. A spark, strength riveted
through this ragged little group. It was an echo passed along. As a whole, forget not
one family, one child, whose footprints will be etched forever into enlightenment and
an awakening of the people.
These are our stories, our dances, down through the ages of time. This is what this
little girl believed upon. It is our way, a community raises a child. Unfortunately, her
community left her behind, leaving a painful sob of rejection.
By putting this little Siletz girl out of sight, out of mind, by shoving her back into
a silent corner, I believe we are disrespecting what our ancestor fought so hard to stay
alive for, their precious child.
This I know, there are others who walk this jagged path. We as Tribal family need
to bring them into their right of Tribal recognition.
We are charitable in many ways, this is good. But I believe charity begins at home.
What is the price tag or value of integrity?
Our non-Tribal direct descendants should not become a throw-away piece of bag-
gage or a commodity, or when we need a number count. Let’s bring these valuable
family members into our warm fires of hope and enlightenment and investment toward
our future.
One of this little Siletz girl’s grandmothers, Lucy Dick, an ancestor who truly walked
the walk, talked the talk. Suffering great loss of friends, family. Who persevered, with
undying commitment, that our children’s children forever would live on into our future.
Respectfully submitted,
Eva E. Clayton
Happy 20 th Birthday to my baby boy,
Cameron!
Happy 19 th Birthday, Andrew! We
hope that this year your birthday is just
the beginning of an unforgettable journey
that will lead you to an even more amaz-
ing future.
Love, Mama, Floyd and Tehya
Free child ID kits from
the Oregon State Police
503-934-0188 or
800-282-7155
child.idkits@state.or.us
OPEN HEARTS & OPEN HOMES
We are looking to certify Tribal homes as foster home resource
placements. Please consider opening up your home for our Tribal children
who are in need of foster care.
Families, couples & single adults can become certified
foster home resources.
OUR CHILDREN NEED:
**Permanent Care**
**Temporary Care**
**Short-term Care**
**Emergency Care**
I missed putting your 50 th birthday
in April’s paper, so here it is now. Happy
50 th to my amazing sister Shannon in
Pendleton. I miss and love you lots, sister.
Please contact our ICW Department for a foster
home application today.
ICW: 541-444-8338
Be safe. Stay home. Stay well.
Siletz News, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, is
published once a month. Our editorial policy encourages input from readers about
stories printed in Siletz News and other Tribal issues.
All letters must include the author’s signature, address, and phone number in
order to be considered for publication. Siletz News reserves the right to edit any
letter for clarity and length, and to refuse publication of any letter or any part of
a letter that may contain profane language, libelous statements, personal attacks
or unsubstantiated statements.
Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Published letters do
not necessarily reflect the opinions of Siletz News, Tribal employees, or Tribal Council.
Please type or write legibly. Letters longer than 450 words may be edited for
length as approved by Tribal Council Resolution #96-142.
Please note: The general manager
of the Siletz Tribe is the editor-in-chief
of Siletz News.
Siletz News
•
May 2020
Passages Policy
Submissions to Passages are lim-
ited to two 25-word items per person,
plus one photo if desired.
All birthday, anniversary and
holiday wishes will appear in the Pas-
sages section.
Siletz News reserves the right
to edit any submission for clarity
and length.
Not all submissions are guaran-
teed publication upon submission.
Please type or write legibly and
submit via e-mail when possible.
2020 Out-of-Area Benefits
Siletz News Letters Policy
20 •
Happy 8 th Birthday on May 17, my
Sweet Pea Boogie Buns! Momma loves
you to the moon and back.
Happy Birthday to Aunt Gloria and
Kent Rilatos, also on May 17. Hope you
both have an amazing day.
Selina and kids
Please take the time to consider opening up your
loving and safe home & sharing your lives with our
precious Tribal children.
Happy 10 th Birthday to Ella Cree
Patrick on April 16! We’re so proud of
you. We hope all your wishes come true.
Love you and like you always, Mom
and Dad
Editor-in-Chief: Tina Retasket
Editor: Diane Rodriquez
Assistant: Andy Taylor
The Tribal Council has approved Out-of-Area Benefits for 2020. These benefits are for
Tribal members who live outside the 11-county service area. To qualify, Tribal members must be
registered for health care with the Siletz Community Health Clinic AND reside outside of the
Tribe’s 11-county service area. These funds are intended for Tribal members who are not eligible
for Purchased Referred Care.
All benefits are dependent on available funding.
Annually
$2,000 Total in Medical +
Mental Health + Dental + Hearing
Plus $500 Pharmacy Card Benefit
Biannually
$450 in total Vision Care for Adults*
*Available Annually for Elders,
Children, Students or Diabetics
Call PRC – 800-628-5720
Prior authorization by PRC is required and benefits must be used within 90 days. Any funds not
used within 90 days, or claims not received, will be returned to the pool for redistribution. An individual
can access benefits up to $2,000 annually by calling on the authorization date. For example, an individual
can call Jan. 2 for medical of $500 and then call again Oct. 7 for dental of $1,500 for a total of $2,000. All
benefits are subject to funding availability. When calling for pre-authorization, PRC will authorize for
household members only. Voice messages do not hold funds, the individual must speak to PRC staff and
obtain an out-of-area (OOA) number to secure funds.