Chinook Winds opens with safety
protocols during phase 1
LINCOLN CITY, Ore. – On March 17, 2020, the Siletz Tribal Council made
the unprecedented decision to shut down Chinook Winds Casino Resort due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. The closure was for the safety of our community, students,
staff and guests.
As the state began to reopen in mid-May, the Siletz Tribal Council made the
decision to reopen Chinook Winds, in phases, to ensure the safety of team mem-
bers, guests and Tribal members. Chinook Winds opened to the public May 21.
“We want to thank everyone in the community, our team members and Tribal
members for their patience in waiting to hear about our plans for reopening. We
are ready to welcome all those who feel safe to visit,” said Michael S. Fisher,
general manager.
We continue to stay informed by local and state health authorities and have
implemented necessary protocols for safety throughout the resort. During the
closure, we have taken advantage of this time to fully disinfect all guest and team
member areas.
The casino has modified hours in phase one to allow for daily cleaning and
disinfecting of the property. The Executive Management Team regularly reviews
local coronavirus data and trends to provide recommendations to the Tribal Council
as the situation changes.
As part of a 13-page phased process, below are protocols that have been
implemented in phase one of our reopening:
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Non-smoking across the property
Modified hours: 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily
Limited to 1,000 guests occupancy, with procedures for excess guest populations
Facemasks or face shields are required of team members and guests.
Non-invasive temperature checks utilizing no-contact infrared thermometers
for team members and guests
Guests and team members who demonstrate signs of illness will be immedi-
ately removed from the building to seek health care.
Markers will be visible to guests to ensure physical distancing.
Use of mobile queuing to avoid lines
Increased health and hygiene reminders throughout the property, including
the proper way to wear, handle and dispose of masks
Hand sanitizer dispensers located at key guest and team member contact areas
To the editor:
April 16, 2020, was not a happy day for me. I was informed of the passing of a
respected friend and relative, Chuck Ricks. He was the loving husband of Pauline Ricks
and father of Randy Ricks.
Many of us who know him can remember his many contributions to the success
of the Siletz Tribe. His support of the Tribe can be traced clear back to the termination
years. The value of his participation in our Restoration cannot be measured.
I am comforted in knowing that when he reached the other side, he was welcomed
by the drum songs of our departed relatives.
Edmond A. Ben
To the editor:
So correct me if I’m wrong here, but isn’t the reason our people fought for restoration
and the driving force that caused the Supreme Court of the United States of America
to rule in our favor the fact that we were losing generations of our people and no one
was helping them? Isn’t that why we have a Tribe? To take care of own, to help those
who struggle with people who understand that struggle?
My mother and all her siblings were orphaned when she was a little girl. There was
no Tribe, no ICW, no one to step in or help. She had a hard life and as a direct result of
that I too fell through the cracks.
All my life I was on the outside looking in, I never quite fit in. I was always apolo-
gizing for being myself because I was just too much for people.
I never knew any of you, I never so much as met my own mother until I was 10
years old. Not one thing was ever done to help me. I’m not here to blame anyone or cry
for it, the simple fact is that my life, my mother’s life, the children and grandchildren
being left to the state today are the direct progression and result of the things done to
us. And most specifically of the legislation that took our recognition from us altogether.
So when I read in the Nesika Illahee that it is happening again to my cousin Levi’s
grandchildren, when I read the words of my two aunties who sit on Tribal Council that
there is nothing they can do, I am sick inside and beyond furious.
Our greatest resource is our children, we are caretakers only – unto seven genera-
tions – am I lying?! Why do we have a Tribe? Why are we paying $300,000 in wages
and reimbursement to Tribal Council this year if we cannot even nurture and raise our
own families?
Do you have any idea what it feels like to be one of those kids? Because I am one.
The first time in my life I ever felt connected or accepted was in the penitentiary when
my Native brothers pulled me in. I don’t care whose fault it is – it is every one of our
responsibility to see that it doesn’t happen again.
Randall Hartwell
Phase one will reopen with limited capacity throughout the property:
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Slots – 50% of machines available
Bingo – 200-seat sessions
Keno – kiosks only
Sports Wagering – based on available sporting events
Deli, Rogue River Steakhouse and Chinook’s Seafood Grill – modified menus
Lodging – open with no in-room daily stayover service and limited hotel
lobby occupancy
Chinook Winds is fully committed to following recommended health and safety
protocols to protect its team members and guests. We will continue to re-evaluate
and make adjustments in the coming weeks and months to slowly open the remain-
ing venues and amenities when it is safe to do so.
Siletz News Letters Policy
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.
Editor-in-Chief: Tina Retasket
Editor: Diane Rodriquez
Assistant: Andy Taylor
June 2020
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