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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2025)
Becoming a Spokesperson Spokespeople can provide representation in the Tribal Court system, and the Tribal Court maintains a list of both tribal and non-tribal Spokes- people on the CTSI website under the Tribal Spokesper- son section of the Court & Justice tab. The court encourages indi- viduals from diverse back- grounds to apply for this role. Eligibility requirements along with the responsibili- ties involved in becoming a Spokesperson are outlined in § 3.022 TRIBAL BAR portion of the Siletz Tribal Court Rules and Procedures in the Siletz Tribal Code § 3.001, which is accessible on the website. For further inquiries, contact the Tribal Court staff at 541-444-8228 Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians BROADBAND OPPORTUNITIES Potential Training Opportunities Our Engineering firm is willing to host college students and/or early career engineers to help on this and other projects. As you may be aware, the Tribe is developing a broadband network. Tribal Broadband Boot Camp - a week-long experiential learning opportunity that is available at no or low cost to Tribal Broadband Providers. For more information, you can listen to the Naa-ch’it-‘a Podcast here: www.ctsi.nsn.us/podcast/episode-fifteen-lisa-norton-chief-administrative-officer/ This means that we will be needing some expertise in areas related to broadband, and with that, we will be providing some unique opportunities for Tribal members. Additionally, we will be in need of folks who have expertise in, or are excited to learn about, all aspects of being an Internet Service Provider. If this is of interest to you, we would like to hear from you. We will be building out this network over the next four years, but there will be opportunities to learn more along the way. Free training and certification programs for interested folks. If you are interested in receiving training to operate and maintain this new network, please reach out to Lisa Norton to begin that discussion. Lisa Norton Chief Administrative Officer LisaN@ctsi.nsn.us 541-444-8210 Siletz Tribe launches bold initiative to bridge digital divide with broadband internet access for Siletz, and community. By Andy Taylor The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians are taking a major step towards digital access to their residents with an aspiring broad- band project, aimed at providing high-speed internet access to under- served areas in the Siletz area. This initiative was recently presented to Tribal Council and tribal members, at the May 2025 General Council Meeting. The project is a response to the critical need for reliable internet, which became glaringly evident dur- ing the COVID-19 pandemic. The project is being spearheaded by Lisa Norton. She was compelled to launch the broadband project not only as the Chief Administra- tive Officer for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians – but also as a Tribal Member with a passion to serve our membership to her full- est. Norton began with a feasibility study in 2022, which highlighted the necessity of building a tribal-owned network. Many tribal members lacked adequate internet access, impacting their ability to work, study, and stay connected. “Watch- ing kiddos or family members sit outside the closed library because they didn’t have access to broadband was heartbreaking,” recalls Norton. The broadband network is struc- tured into three main components: The backhaul: Acts like roads connecting cities. The backhaul con- nects our community to the broader internet, similar to how I-5 connects rural towns to major urban centers. Middle mile: serves as the regional roads that branch off from the interstate and take you closer to your town or neighborhood, like Highway 229. The middle mile con- nects Tribal hubs, schools, clinics, or neighborhoods to the back haul. They are the essential step between long-distance and local delivery. Last mile: The final leg of broadband connection is direct connection to individual homes and businesses, ensuring that service reaches the end-users. Think about streets and driveways that bring you directly to homes and businesses. Two major projects are cur- rently funded under this initiative to bring reliable internet access to the community. The first infrastructure grant is the Oregon Broadband Deploy- ment Grant, with a budget of $3.36 million, aims to lay 16 miles of fiber along Highway 229 (between Siletz and Toledo) and Moonshine Park Road, serving 81 pre-identified homes and businesses. The second is the Tribal Broad- band Connectivity Program, with a more substantial budget of $12.53 million, plans to install 45 miles of fiber along Highway 229 and Logsden Road, connecting 31 tribal homes and 9 community anchor institutions (also pre-identified), along with 268 non-tribal homes. It should be recognized, that we must offer connection services to the 268 (non-tribal) homes that are both in the path of the connec- tion line and currently underserved. The last mile connection (from the junctions to the buildings) will be at a cost to the homeowner, if they want to connect. Norton emphasizes the impor- tance of this project for the com- munity saying, “Broadband is a basic utility. You need it like you need electricity, water, sewer services. Everybody should have access to affordable broadband.” The project not only aims to provide internet access but also opens opportunities for tribal members to learn and work in broadband, fostering economic development and digital literacy. The timeline for these projects is ambitious. The Oregon Broad- band Deployment Grant is expected to be completed by July 2026, while the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program has a four-year timeline. Both projects are currently in the final design phase, with engineer- ing and environmental reviews to follow. Once these steps are com- pleted, requests for proposals will be issued, and construction will begin promptly. Community engagement and partnerships are crucial for the success of these projects. Norton highlights the importance of trans- parency and collaboration. Lisa noted, “We want to start early and get the word out.” A goal of the tribal broadband program is being trans- parent about our business model and the benefits of connecting to the network. Engaging with our community and keeping them in the loop on the project means updating our tribal newspaper, our tribal website, social media outlets and hosting com- munity discussions. These modes serve as a great resource to gain that transparency and collaboration. The tribe is working closely with local internet service providers and other stakeholders to ensure the project meets the community’s needs. Despite the challenges, Norton remains optimistic about the proj- ect’s impact. “This is one way there was a gap. I wanted to serve it. And so, I want it built fast. But it’s not going to happen fast enough for me,” she says. The project promises to enhance communication, pro- vide economic opportunities, and improve the quality of life for tribal members and the broader commu- nity of Siletz. As the Siletz Tribe moves for- ward with their broadband initia- tive, they are setting a path for other tribes and rural communities to fol- low. The project represents a signifi- cant step towards digital equity and sovereignty, ensuring that everyone has access to the essential services that broadband internet provides. June 2025 • Siletz News • 13
