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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2026)
Greetings Tribal Members I want to thank you for the support and having faith in me to serve our great Siletz Nation as your Council Member. When I first was elected in 2020, Covid pandemic abruptly hit our tribe and our country. We came together as a people and we carried each other through that very difficult time. Tough decisions were made and we continue to make as council, your trusted leaders. Each time I make a decision, trust that I am well pre- pared, well read and I dig deep. But first I always pray and ask the Creator for guidance and thank daily our ancestors for their sacrifices. Want to encourage you to vote in the elections in February for Tribal Council. It’s been my honor serving our sovereign nation. Respectfully, Selene Rilatos Dear friends & relatives, It’s Siletz Tribal Council election season again. Hopefully we all understand that the Tribal Council is responsible to uphold our laws and promote the best interests of the Siletz Tribe & its members. 3 years ago, 5 Siletz elected members were taken to Tribal Court for violating Tribal law and their oath of office. They were told that their actions were unlawful, and still refused to change course. Because they refused, I was one of those who filed in Tribal Court Oct. 2022 to address their illegal actions. The Court decided entirely in favor of our motion in March 2023 (after the Feb. election). At General Council mtg that May, I asked the 4 of the 5 Council members present, on the record, to comment on the Tribal Court decision. All 4 present (Bonnie P., Loraine B., Sharon E., and Frank A.) said they “did nothing wrong, and would do it again”. One even disparaged our Chief Judge in their response. Tribal Court is a branch of our Siletz Tribal Government. They were held to be completely wrong in the court’s decision on their actions, yet refused to back down, said they would do it again. The havoc and chaos they caused for 1.5 years was awful. It was a violation of their Oath of Office and created a hostile environment within our government, & throughout Tribal administra- tion. This election, we have to ask ourselves: Do we want to return to another era of chaotic distractions from governance? Please do not vote for any candidate named as a defendant in the 2022 court case. We have a Constitution and other bodies of law that ALL are to follow. We cannot have a majority of elected leaders engaged in violations of our laws again. Sincerely, Robert Kentta As Tribal members, we all want the same thing, a strong, united future for our people. With the upcoming tribal council election, I want to recognize three women who consistently put the Tribe before themselves. Sharon Edenfield brings accountability and strong financial stewardship. Her background in accounting and budget helps protect our resources, and she believes in transparency and keeping the general membership informed so all voices are heard. Bonnie Petersen shows up for the people in cultural gatherings, youth pro- grams, and community work. She’s an advocate for enrollment fairness and inclusion, ensuring that decisions reflect the voice of the entire membership. Loraine Butler has a deep commitment to our culture and families. Through her support of the Indian Child Welfare program, she helps keep our children connected to who they are and where they come from. Together, these women represent leadership that serves the people, not personal agendas. Their actions reflect the values our ancestors lived by unity, fairness, and love for all Siletz people. Respectfully Stephanie Chamberlin Proud Sixes, Shasta Costa, Mikonotunne, Chemetunne With major financial, cultural, and enrollment decisions ahead, we need leaders who have shown the courage to stand up when it counts, even when surrounded by silence. I’m voting for Sharon Edenfield, Bonnie Peterson, and Loraine Butler in this year’s election. Sharon has unmatched financial experi- ence and understands the rules that protect the Tribe; she has spoken up to prevent costly mistakes, and that kind of leadership is especially important right now. Bonnie brings sharp insight, enrollment experience, and a willingness to ask hard questions. Loraine is approachable and offers a grounded, human perspective on decisions that affect our families and future. I hope you’ll join me in supporting these three strong candidates. Lynette Warren 12 • Siletz News • January 2026 Hello, my name is Kimberlee Thomas. I come from the Butler and Logan families—daughter of Elaine Thomas, granddaughter of Alton Butler and Edythe Logan. I encourage all tribal mem- bers to check that you’re registered to vote, and your signature card and address are current for the upcoming elections. I’ve had the honor of working with Sharon in Accounting, Bonnie as Assis- tant GM, and now Lorraine in ICW. Each of these women consistently supports our people, brings deep knowledge, and advocates for the well-being of tribal members. Please consider casting your vote for these leaders who serve our community with strength, wisdom, and integrity. Hello fellow Tribal Members. After much soul-searching and discussions with tribal members, I have decided to vote and support Sharon Edenfield, Loraine Butler and Bonnie Peterson for Tribal Council. I truly believe that in some instances, they can make a difference in the direction that our tribe is going. Our inherent rights, for instance. Our ancestors gave up an awful lot and I am sure that they believed that someday someone would reopen our inherent rights that were never lost. I believe in delegating some authority to our tribal staff to undertake a lot of research rather than hiring consultants and accounting firms. We are fortunate to have some educated and dedicated staff who have a lot to offer if we let them think out of the box. We are all blessed with common sense; mix educated opinions with common sense, and you will come up with good sound decisions. Tribal Council is elected by the tribal members; they should represent the tribal members. Our tribal members have hope in their hearts that someday things may be better for them, just the way our ancestors’ hopes were. We are all blessed with faith, love, hope, and courage - that is a very good foundation to start with. The majority of you know them and what they rep- resent. These three Tribal Council candidates have something to offer, please listen to them wisely and make a wise decision when you vote. I would sincerely appreciate your vote for Sharon, Loraine & Bonnie. Respectfully, Cynthia (Bellinger) Farlow
