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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2025)
Editor’s note: The Chairman’s Report will resume in a future issue of Siletz News . Update on President Trump’s FY 2026 “Skinny Budget” and the potential impacts to tribal programs proposes unprecedented increases to the Department of Defense ($1.01 trillion) and Department of Home- land Security ($175 billion). The cuts are primarily aligned with recent Executive Orders aimed at: • Reducing the size of the federal workforce • Empowering states and local dis- tricts to determine service needs • Eliminating federal programs deemed duplicative or inconsis- tent with new federal priorities, particularly those focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion President Trump’s FY 2026 “Skinny Budget” proposal, released on May 2, outlines significant changes to federal discretionary spending. The proposal includes a 22.6% decrease in overall discre- tionary funding, representing $163 billion in cuts across federal agen- cies. At the same time, the budget Potential Impacts to Tribal Programs Several key areas critical to tribal nations are likely to be affected, these include: Head Start & Education Pro- grams: Cuts to early childhood and K–12 funding, including potential impacts on Bureau of Indian Educa- tion (BIE) resources. Environmental Programs: Proposed reductions in environ- mental research, climate resiliency, and funding for agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may limit Tribal efforts to protect lands and adapt to climate change. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): Decreased funding may severely affect victim services and justice initiatives that protect Native women and families. BIA Self-Governance: Reduc- tions to Tribal self-governance funding threaten the exercise of sovereignty and could compromise critical services delivered under 638 contracts and compacts. Public Health and Safety Pro- grams: Cuts to DOJ and Health & Human Services programs may limit law enforcement, behavioral health, and substance abuse resources for Tribal communities. What Comes Next We continue to monitor devel- opments in the House and Senate Appropriations Committees submit- ting public comments and testimony on issues that affect Indian Country. We engage with federal partners to protect funding tied to trust and treaty obligations. Our Tribal Council and staff coordinate with intertribal organizations such as Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indi- ans, National Congress of American Indians and Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board to amplify unified positions. We will continue to monitor developments and share as more details become available. Protecting Tribal interests during the budget process remains a top priority. Elders Council Meeting The Elders Council will host an in-person/Zoom hybrid meeting on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Ace’s in Lincoln City, Ore. If you have any questions, please contact the Elders Program at 541-444-8212. Send Siletz News information to: Email: PIAS@ctsi.nsn.us Siletz News P.O. Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380-0549 For questions, call 541-444-8293 2 • Siletz News • June 2025 Deadline for the July issue is June 10. Submission of articles and photos is encouraged. Please see the Passages Policy on page 20 when submit- ting items for Passages.
