Chairman’s Report
Wildfires
COVID-19
Services
Just when we thought nothing could
be worse for us this year than the pan-
demic, the fires took precedence. There
are many Tribal members who suffered,
either losing their homes, damage to their
property, evacuations from their property
and other damages that include health
issues such as breathing hazardous air
along many other health concerns related
to the fire.
While there are many organizations
that offer assistance, it takes time to pro-
cess requests for assistance. Our heart
goes out to all those affected families.
As of this date, fires are still burning
across Oregon and the fire season remains
in effect. A big thank you goes out to all
the people who assisted in the evacuations
and providing services to the people who
lost their homes and all those who were
evacuated.
A big thank you also goes to our staff
who assisted evacuees at the Recreation
Center in Siletz. Many folks worked long
days to help others in activities associated
with the windstorm and wildfires – thank
you so much!
The Tribe continues to provide ser-
vices with CARES Act funding. The
services have assisted many members.
We were fortunate to provide a cash
payment to every adult member earlier this
year. The Tribal Council intends to make
another payment before the end of the year
to adult members. The difference this time
is that Tribal members must apply for the
payment and give the reason it is needed.
The member survey that many of you com-
pleted gave very compelling information
and needs that must be addressed.
The CARES Act funds are guided by
regulations that have changed over time.
The Tribe must comply with those regula-
tions as all expenditures will be audited
and all funds must be spent appropriately,
related to the pandemic. Any funds not
expended by Dec. 31, 2020, must be
returned to the U.S. Treasury.
An application will be mailed to all
adult Tribal members. It must be com-
pleted in its entirety; an instruction sheet
will be provided. Tribal members must
complete the application to receive any
CARES Act fund payments.
Services for Tribal members have
changed somewhat. Our Tribal clinic has
imposed several restrictions for members
needing health care. Appointments are
necessary, but no one should be turned
away from receiving care. The staff is
there to assure that everyone receives the
care they need.
All other Tribal offices provide ser-
vices by appointment only. Upgrades are
still being made to keep walk-in folks safe.
The Tribal Council intends to keep offices
in the same mode until January 2021. This
date could change depending on circum-
stances and the outcome of the virus or
if a vaccine is in place before that date.
Our staff is either working from home
or in the office on different shifts in some
cases. No one should be without necessary
services during this time.
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.
Tribal Council meetings
All of our Tribal Council meetings
are held by phone as the Tribal Council
chambers is currently undergoing safety
precautions and upgrades. The General
Council meeting in November will be
Delores Pigsley
held in the same way as the May and
August meetings. They can be viewed on
the website.
Hopefully, the fires are behind us. The
pandemic will be with us for the immedi-
ate future, but I look forward to being able
to see and visit with everyone as soon as
it is possible.
Stay safe and stay healthy.
Smith, continued from page 1
I will catch up to them in a short period of time and emphasize a teamwork endeavor,”
said Smith. “From the department personnel I have worked with and observed, we have
some quality personnel and operating systems. I love a good challenge, especially when
the positive results are for the Tribal government and Tribal members.”
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: _____________________________________________________
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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.
Courtesy photos
Siletz Tribal General Manager Gerald Smith with the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team
(both photos) in 1996
Deadline for the November
issue is Oct. 9.
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
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Siletz News
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Member of the Native American
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October 2020