Chairman’s Report First Peoples Fund The First Peoples Fund is a nonprofit founded in 1995 to honor and support Tribal artists and culture bearers. Its office is located in Rapid City, S.D., and its board members are made up of several Tribes across the U.S. It provides trainings and promotes community-level and entrepre- neurial spirit. In July I was invited to participate on a panel with two other Tribal leaders to discuss Siletz history as well as Tribal sovereignty. The event occurred at the Kennedy Center for Performing Art in Washington, D.C. Several training sessions were held as well as a wonderful performance by Tribal people on the many issues that face Tribes. It was actually a sold out performance. The casino still operates on reduced hours because of the labor shortage. Most COVID restrictions have been reduced. An increase in COVID cases in the area, according to weekly and daily reports, has been a concern for casino and Tribal administration. The casino did have a great anniver- sary weekend! Siletz Valley Charter School Siletz Valley Charter School principal Sam Tupou recently left the school. The school board will work toward replacing him. Tribal member Kent Rilatos was recently hired by the board. Welcome, Kent! Negotiations with ODFW Chinook Winds The Tribal Council approved hiring a new general manager for Chinook Winds Resort Casino. His name is Harold Bau- gus; he comes to us from Tucson, Ariz., and started on July 25. We very much appreciate John Wheeler serving as our interim general manager for the past eight months. Negotiations with the Oregon Depart- ment of Fish and Wildlife have continued. We are close to a final agreement that will be presented at the General Council meet- ing this month (see agenda on page 4). We have great support from the gov- ernor as well as our congressional delega- tion to see this process through and be rid of the Consent Decree. Elders Council Meeting The Elders Council meeting scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 13, has been canceled. The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17, at 1 p.m. 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 September issue is Aug. 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 • August 2022 Member of the Native American Journalists Association Pow-Wow update We will have a one-day Siletz pow- wow on Government Hill on Aug. 13 (see page 1). It will not be a contest pow-wow; we will have vendors and a salmon dinner. Hope to see you all there. Salem casino The Tribe is addressing issues raised in the property’s environmental assess- ment for the Salem casino. The project has been supported by the community and I have made presentations to anyone who asks for information. Siletz Community Clinic Interviews are currently taking place for the director of the Siletz Clinic. Marci Muschamp left the clinic for another position outside of the Tribe. It is hoped we will have a new director in place very soon. Delores Pigsley See you all at the pow-wow! Siletz Tribal offices will close at noon on Friday, Aug. 12, prior to the Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow on Saturday, Aug. 13. Tribal offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5, for the Labor Day holiday.