Chairman’s Report
Graduation
not able to return for graduation, like all
schools in Oregon.
Congratulations to our many students
who graduated this year without ceremony.
We are proud of all the students, from Head
Start to college, for graduating and we wish
you the best in your future endeavors.
Currently, the staff is working on a
plan for the students to return, but like
all schools it isn’t clear when classes
will resume.
Elders’ gifts
CARES Act payment
Many elders have expressed their
appreciation for receiving phone calls, gift
packages and the cash payments. The staff
has been very attentive during this time
of uncertainty.
The Tribe was fortunate to get assis-
tance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs
to help cover costs and to assist Tribal
members who are having a difficult time
dealing with the COVID-19 virus. The
Tribe has been able to provide rent relief,
food for families and many other services.
Memorial Day
Thank you to the Education Depart-
ment for the veterans’ tribute on Memorial
Day. All our veterans’ pictures were posted
on the website, very nicely done.
Chemawa
Chemawa students were sent home
early in March as the school shut down
because of COVID-19. Students were
Governor’s updates
Oregon Tribes have participated in
conference calls with Gov. Kate Brown on a
regular basis. The state of Oregon has kept
Tribes involved in sharing information,
consultation and decision making with
regards to assisting and funding Tribes to
help deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
Lincoln County had very low numbers
since March (eight cases), but as of June
22 the county was up to 292 people who
had tested positive. It’s extremely impor-
tant that you wear a mask and keep a safe
distance from others.
Our staff is actively providing ser-
vices by phone but the offices are still
closed to the public for the protection of
all the staff and Tribal members.
Congressman Schrader
Congressman Kurt Schrader has
been in touch with the Tribe to inquire
about the status of the Trribe and Chi-
nook Winds Casino.
Chinook Winds reopening
The casino successfully reopened in
May with many safeguards in place. Atten-
dance is limited to 1,000 people, tempera-
ture checks are done at the entrance for all
guests and staff, and everyone must wear
a mask inside the casino.
It’s also been declared non-smoking.
The buffet is not open. Guests seem to be
Delores Pigsley
enjoying themselves, and we look forward
to getting past the virus.
Other Tribal casinos
Currently, all eight of the Tribal casi-
nos are open in Oregon; most have limited
hours of operation.
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.
Children and the Census: Participate now for their 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: _______________________________________________________
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 August issue
is July 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 20 when submit-
ting items for Passages.
541-444-8291 or
800-922-1399, ext. 1291
Fax: 541-444-2307
Email: pias@ctsi.nsn.us
2
•
Siletz News
•
July 2020
Member of the Native American
Journalists Association
For many years, American Indians
have been undercounted and ignored by
the Census Bureau. Yet there is one group
that has been even more neglected and
under-represented, that is children, our
next generations.
Children need the Census to fund
Head Start, schools, school lunch pro-
grams, The Emergency Food Assistance
Program (TEFAP), the Child and Adult
Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Sup-
plemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP). If they don’t get included,
there won’t be sufficient funds
for them to thrive and grow.
If our children are
going to overcome
the barriers to equal-
ity in the larger society,
they need all of the
resources they deserve.
It’s well worth the 10
minutes it takes to com-
plete the Census survey.
The Census response
is safe, simple and confiden-
tial – just nine questions that are
used to count the number of people in this
country and where they live. There are no
questions about income or citizenship.
Your information can’t be given to any
other federal or private agency.
There is one question about race.
Be sure to mark your response as an
American Indian and indicate your
Tribe as “Siletz.” If possible, list the first
person, the head of the household, as an
American Indian. Some housing funds
are based on the number of American
Indians who respond.
Tribal area offices and Census Assis-
tance Centers will open soon to help
members respond to the Census. If you’ve
had questions about what you need to do,
they are staffed to provide assistance.
The Census Assistance Center phone
line is open now for immediate help –
541-444-8285. Or call your area offices
or main administration.
You can respond online at my2020cen-
sus.gov or phone 844-330-2020. Finally,
the Census Bureau will do a non-response
follow-up in person at your home for
those who haven’t previously
completed their survey.
Your response is vital
to receive funding that
will keep our tran-
sit shuttle programs
and medical facilities
operating. What we are
receiving now in the way
of funding is based on
the 2010 Census. Any
undercount in the 2020
Census won’t be corrected
until the next census in 10 years.
Because of the lengthy “stay at home”
time, the Census Bureau is still looking for
Census takers. Application can be made at
2020Census.gov/jobs. Help yourself and
your community.
The most important result of the
Census response is not the amount of
funding the Tribe can get. Rather, it is
that members can be recognized by others
and by themselves as proud members of
the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.
So make your voices heard – I am
Siletz and I count.