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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2026)
Native Forward Scholars Fund Receives $50 Million from MacKenzie Scott, Marking Largest Award to Date in Indian Country Investment scales Native Forward’s 55-Year impact, as scholarship demands surge 35% Release by Nativeforward.org Native Forward Scholars Fund, the largest direct provider of scholar- ships to Native students, announced today a transformative $50 million gift from MacKenzie Scott, marking her second major gift to the organi- zation. The investment underscores Native Forward’s long-term impact, empowering over 22,000 scholars from more than 500 Tribes across all 50 states. This gift strengthens Native Forward’s ability to support Native scholars and advance eco- nomic mobility, self-determination, and Tribal sovereignty. With Scott’s initial investment, Native Forward transformed its reach and impact: launching six new scholarships and matching another to establish a $2 million endowment fund that will sustain opportuni- ties for generations to come. Every scholar now receives comprehensive wraparound services, and the organi- zation rebranded to reflect its mission of funding and empowering the next generation of Native leaders while honoring the histories and cultures of Native communities. The organiza- tion also purchased its own building, generating significant cost savings that are redirected to student support. These bold steps have fueled record growth and expanded Native For- ward’s ability to serve more students than ever before. Yet, with scholarship requests surging 35% this year, the need has never been greater. This new investment will allow Native Forward to meet more of that urgent demand while continuing to strengthen the systems that help scholars thrive. “We are incredibly grateful for MacKenzie Scott’s commitment to trust-based philanthropy,” said Angelique Albert (Confederated Sal- ish & Kootenai Tribes), CEO of Native Forward Scholars Fund. “This unre- stricted gift allows us to meet Native students where they are, respond to their most pressing needs, and ensure they not only enroll, but thrive and graduate.” Lillian Sparks Robinson, Board Chair of Native Forward Scholars Fund and a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, added, “This gift reflects not only the growing recognition of Native Forward’s impact, but also the trust that national leaders like MacKenzie Scott place in our ability to deliver long-term change. For more than five decades, Native Forward has ensured that Native students have the resources and support to succeed in higher education and beyond. As Board Chair, I am confident this investment will strengthen our capac- ity to reach more scholars and the next generation of Native leaders.” Since its founding in 1969, Native Forward has provided scholarships, culturally congruent programming, emergency relief funding, and men- torship opportunities to Native under- graduate, graduate, and professional students. These supports have led to graduation rates of 69% among undergraduates—compared to the national average of 41% for Native students—and 95% among graduate students. The $50 million investment rep- resents MacKenzie Scott’s longstand- ing commitment to Native Forward Scholars Fund, further demonstrating the critical role of philanthropy in ensuring Native students can access and complete higher education. Native Forward Scholars Fund is the largest direct provider of scholar- ships to Native students, advancing economic mobility, self-determina- tion, and Tribal sovereignty across Native communities. The organiza- tion is committed to ensuring that every Native student who wants to pursue higher education has the resources to do so. Over 55 years, it has empowered over 22,000 scholars from more than 500 Tribes in all 50 states and contributed to over 1,700 law degrees and more than 2,200 PhD degrees. By pairing scholarships with meaningful, culturally congruent student support and programming, Native Forward has succeeded in increasing the graduation rates of undergraduate students to 69%, com- pared to the national average of 41% for Native students, and has boosted the rate for graduate students to 95%. PUBLIC NOTICE 5. Revision FORM #ENROLL-002 Address and Contact Information Update Natural Resources Hunting tag reporting Enrollment Committee Recom- mendation for approval to Tribal Council: Resolution 2025-378 New for the season is mandatory reporting on hunting tags. Tribal Council Actions Affecting the Tribal Membership Roll Posting #331 The Enrollment Staff has pub- licly posted the Enrollment Commit- tee’s recommendation for 20-days before the Tribal Council’s regular scheduled meeting. In the absence of a protest, Tribal Council will act on Applications and Requests. ~ Refer- ence Enrollment Ordinance §2.316(i), Public Posting. Time for filing civil actions to review Tribal Council action or other Tribal action, refer to the Siletz Tribal Court Rules and Procedures Ordi- nance §3.009(a) 1. Removal from Roll – Deceased 0423 2096 2759 3953 4222 4259 4306 5620 2. Name Change Enrollment Committee Recom- mendation for approval to Tribal Council: Resolution 2025-375 Nora Nadine Williams 1029 1872 2629 2777 3139 3583 3. Blood Quantum Correction - Martha Maryetta Moody roll #0674 Enrollment Committee Recom- mendation for approval to Tribal Council: Resolution 2025-376 6. Revision FORM # ENROLL-008 Siletz Tribal Identification Request Enrollment Committee Recom- mendation for approval to Tribal Council: Resolution 2025-379 January schedule Tribal ID’s Laverne Jean Butler Sunshine Lavonne Butler Enrollment Committee Recom- mendation for approval to Tribal Council: Resolution 2025-374 Gerri Jae Stratton Shatara Rosemarie Holmes Adam Charles Bremner Robert Freeman Starling Alliyah Shanea Lucas Tyler Mason St.Onge Mathew Leo Redlinger Gail Irene Hodgson Tiffany Dawn Stuart-Whiterock Michelle Marie Cadena Amy JoAnn Jackson Angela Irene Mack Chalise Pamela Mason Bobb 0158 1842 4. Application for Enrollment Enrollment Committee Recom- mendation for approval to Tribal Council: Resolution 2025-377 Rielynn Tonya Barbera Sondra Charis Ewing-Means Tanner Ray Justice Reese Mireya Keppinger Maliika Wilma Mary Queen Newsby Riggen RyAnne Nye Stevie Jay Sis-xa Risener Jasmyne Marie Ross Thomas Martin Vengco Peyton Estella-Jean Williams Miriam Dolores Yardley 6837 6838 6839 6840 6841 6842 6843 6844 6845 6846 6847 The Enrollment Department staff is scheduled for two tribal ID card events in January. These events are open to Tribal Members who need to update their Tribal ID. Jan 14, 2026 from 3-7 p.m., at the Eugene Area Office • 2468 W 11t h , Eugene, OR 97402. Note: The ID equipment will not be available in Siletz after 1:30 p.m. this day. Jan. 28, 2026 from 3-7 p.m., at the Salem Area Office • 3160 Blos- som Drive NE Suite 105, Salem, OR 97305 Note: The ID equipment will not be available in Siletz after 1:30 p.m. this day Siletz Tribal members are required to make a report to Natural Resources, even if they did not harvest an animal. This is to help our staff generate more accurate harvest statistics and better manage elk, deer, bear and cougar populations. Mandatory reporting of big game harvest has already been required by Tribal Members since the 2024 big game hunting season. Please report within 3 days if you harvest an animal to the Natural Resource Department by calling the department, visiting in person or reporting online. This year Tribal Mem- bers that were unsuccessful and did not harvest an animal, will still be required to report on their tags to staff by January 31, 2026. Online reporting is avail- able on the Fish and Wildlife page on the CTSI website at ctsi.nsn.us. January 2026 • Siletz News • 19
