SILETZ NEWS
Delores Pigsley,
Tribal Chairman
Kurtis Barker
General Manager
and Editor-in-Chief
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
Vol. 50, No. 2
Presorted
First-Class
Mail
U.S. Postage
Paid - Permit
No. 178
Salem, OR
Siletz News
Confederated Tribes of
Siletz Indians
P.O. Box 549
Siletz, OR 97380-0549
February 2022
Tribe names Barker to general manager position, ready to face challenges ahead
Kurtis Barker, a member of the Con-
federated Tribes of Siletz Indians, has
been named the new general manager of
the Siletz Tribe. His first day will be Feb. 1.
Barker will lead a workforce of
approximately 200 located at offices in
Siletz, Eugene, Salem and Portland. He
has worked for the Tribe for nearly 16
years, most recently as director of the 477
Self-Sufficiency Program for 10 of those
years. In this position, he led a team of
13 staff who assist Tribal members in
meeting their basic needs and preparing
them to (re)enter the workforce. Barker
also administered the Home Visiting and
Vocational Rehabilitation programs.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to
serve the Siletz Tribe and our member-
ship in this new capacity. We have many
challenges facing the Tribe, including the
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, recovery
efforts provided by the American Rescue
Plan Act (ARPA) and staffing shortages,
to name a few. I am familiar with Tribal
government operations and I will work
at the direction of Tribal Council to
establish, promote and achieve our goals
and objectives,” Barker said. “We have a
talented team that is dedicated to serving
the membership and I look forward to
leading them in this position. To gain a
better understanding of the Tribal mem-
bership’s needs, I plan to participate in
community meetings scheduled for late
January through March and encourage
everyone to join as well.”
Barker holds a bachelor’s degree in
business administration with a concentra-
tion in leadership, organization and man-
agement from Eastern Oregon University.
Barker was a co-founder of the Siletz
Change Team, which seeks to create a more
welcoming environment for two-spirit and
LGBTQIA employees. The Change Team
also advocates for policies, procedures and
services to be more inclusive and address
the needs of LGBTQIA Tribal members.
These efforts led to the development and
approval of the Siletz Tribal Marriage and
Dissolution ordinances.
Barker has been appointed by Gov.
Kate Brown to serve two consecutive
Photo by Andy Taylor
Kurtis Barker
terms on the Oregon Employment Depart-
ment Advisory Council and has served
on its Modernization Board for a number
of years. He has advocated for workforce
development and self-sufficiency pro-
grams at the state and national levels. As
the 477-SSP director, he has developed
working relationships with various state
and federal agencies. Barker has also
served on the Siletz Tribal Election Board
for many years.
“I have dedicated my adult career
to serving the Tribe and our community.
I was raised in Siletz, attended Siletz
School and currently live in Siletz Tribal
housing. For all of us, the pandemic has
limited our ability to enjoy many of our
favorite activities, and for me that includes
traveling and spending time with family
and friends. I look forward to the day we
can once again enjoy and experience our
cultural events like pow-wow, Run to the
Rogue and Restoration Celebrations,”
said Barker. “At 37, I may be younger
than many within our leadership team,
but I am motivated to lead and modern-
ize our approach to serving the entire
membership. I will spend my first few days
acquainting myself in the position, but I
am eager to engage with Tribal Council,
our team, Tribal members and the local
communities.”
Is it a cold, allergies, the flu or COVID? See a list of the different – but sometimes similar –
symptoms for each one on page 11.
New Comfort Station opens
Photos by Andy Taylor
The Tribe held an open house at the new Comfort Station in Siletz on Dec. 30,
2021, located at the corner of Gaither Street and Logsden Road. The showers are
now open by scheduled appointment (see details on page 6). Community Health
Director Ruby Moon (right) and Joella Strong, PRC technician II, review the set
up of a washing machine. Washers and dryers will be ready soon. Please call 541-
444-8348 for more information.