Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2025)
SILETZ NEWS Siletz News Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians P.O. Box 549 Siletz, OR 97380-0549 Delores Pigsley, Tribal Chairman Kurtis Barker Chief Executive Officer and Editor-in-Chief Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians Vol. 53, No. 12 Presorted First-Class Mail U.S. Postage Paid - Permit No. 178 Salem, OR December 2025 All tribal offices will be closed Dec. 12, and Dec. 25-26, 2025; as well as Jan. 1, 2026, for the Winter All-Staff and in observance of federal holidays Ecotrust honors Indigenous leadership and community resilience By Andy Taylor Special thanks to Robert Kentta for his contributions to this article. Photo by Andy Taylor Robert Kentta on stage at The Redd after receiving his award Coos Art Museum showcases Siletz artists through January 2026 Ecotrust, a Portland-based non- profit, is working to reshape the way communities approach economic development, environmental stew- ardship, and social equity. Founded on the belief that “radi- cal, practical change is both possible and necessary,” the organization pro- motes systemic solutions to address intertwined challenges of climate, economy, and justice. The group’s mission is to inspire fresh thinking that creates economic opportunity, social equity, and envi- ronmental well-being. Ecotrust aims to foster resilient communities and ecosystems through collaborative partnerships. “We know that our work rests on the relationships we build and the communities we work within,” the organization states on its website. Listening and humility are central to its approach, ensuring that solu- tions reflect the needs and visions of those most affected. Ecotrust has placed racial equity at the core of its programs. The non- profit acknowledges that dismantling systemic racism, classism, and gen- der inequity is essential to advancing climate resilience and intergenera- tional wealth. Its equity framework guides efforts to embed justice across organizational practices and ecological initiatives. “The keys to transformative change lie within the communities most affected by intertwined economic, climate, and racial injustices,” Ecotrust notes. The organization’s work spans land and water stewardship, climate adaptation, and Indigenous leader- ship in supporting Indian Country. Award, on page 9 Native Indian Council of Aging Courtesy photos Items on display, created by Siletz Tribal Member and artist Chantel Rilatos Photo courtsey of the Elders By Peter Hatch On October 24, 2025, in Coos Bay, Ore., artists, leaders, community, and staff from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, the Coquille Indian Tribe, and the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Sius- law Indians gathered to celebrate the opening of Roots & Visions: Celebrat- ing Tribal Art. An entrance curtain modeled after the Siletz Dance house will greet visi- tors to the Coos Art Museum through January 25, 2026. The show features 34 artists from across the three participating tribes. From Siletz artists, the show features beadwork and regalia by Amber Art, on page 4 Siletz Tribal elders that attended the 2025 NICOA conference By Marlene Stuart I would like to thank the Siletz tribal council for sponsoring 40 elders to attend the Native Indian Council of Aging (NICOA) conference. I love to meet other people from many tribes. Over a thousand people in attendance. Restoration Pow-Wow, page 10-12 We talk about the same health issues and solutions to help one another. We talked about how gov- ernment funding is affecting us. The NICOA national represen- tatives go and lobby for funding to NICOA, on page 5
