2023 New Years Day Peace Hike
9:30 AM – 1: PM
Picnic Shelter behind the Yachats Commons at 4th-5th Street and Highway 101.
Given the ever-shifting impact of Covid and the absolute need to keep the Peace Hike activities safe, the Yachats Trails Team will continue having the format be a combination of live and virtual experiences. There will be no indoor ceremony but there are a number of ways to manifest and celebrate peace throughout the day, both outdoors and within one’s home or shelter.
The Peace Hike traditionally honors the memory of a blind Native American (Coos) woman named Amanda who was forcibly taken away from her daughter and marched 80 miles with other captives all barefoot through the rocky terrain to the Alsea Sub-agency prison camp in what is now Yachats in 1864.
To truly understand the government sponsored genocidal policies that led to the murder and suffering of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, Siuslaw and Alsea Peoples, watch a video narrated by Patricia Whereat Phillips, Miluk Coos, member of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) and Donald Slyter, Chief of the CTCLUSI. www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6D-wkqXGy0
Cedar is a sacred tree for many tribes of the Pacific Northwest. On January 1, anyone interested in exploring Cedar in prayers is invited to take a Cedar sprig from a basket outside the Commons at the Picnic Shelter or at the Bears’ Statue on the Amanda Trail. From there they can take the sprig and walk with it holding their vision of peace and what it means in one’s life.
On New Year’s Day (weather dependent) this year’s Yachats Trails Committee has composed a map of alternative trails that allow everyone to hike or walk where they are most comfortable in addition to those who want to hike to the Amanda Gathering Area. Committee members will be on hand to answer questions and provide maps and guidance at the Lions Picnic Shelter behind the Yachats Commons.
There will be two small ceremonial fires in which to place the Cedar sprigs – one near the picnic shelter and one at the Amanda Gathering Area for those who hike the Amanda Trail.
Schedule
9:30AM – The Yachats Community Drum will be available, and drumming will start at the picnic shelter.
10 AM. Fire will be lit, and the ceremony will begin in part led by Tribal members including the telling of the Amanda story.
10:30 – Participants will walk with their cedar sprig on the trail they have chosen, return to the fire where they will place the Cedar sprig, to add their prayers or visions for the new year.
For those hiking to the Amanda Gathering Area, which is 2.2 miles south from the Commons, there will be several options to park to lessen that distance.
12 PM – There will be a ceremony conducted by Tribal members at the Amanda Gathering area and a fire to which to lay one’s Cedar sprig.
1:00PM – There will be closing of the fires at both locations.
Water, energy bars and delicious cookies prepared and generously donated by the Yachats Ladies Club will be available at the Picnic Shelter and the Amanda Gathering Area.
All participants will be given Peace hike buttons.
This year’s Peace Hike button has been beautifully created by artist Loren Dickinson and Bette Perman.
If you have hiked or celebrated peace throughout the day, both outdoors and at home or shelter and were unable to participate directly, you may pick up peace hike buttons at the Yachats Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center located at 2nd Street and Highway 101.
The Yachats Trails Committee wishes you peace and good fortune during this time of many celebrations and in the year to come.
It is through the Tribes’ and community endeavors with the Amanda and Ya’Xaik Trails that many people have become aware of the need to acknowledge the wrongs of the past and to be more conscious of the need to treat people of all cultures throughout the world with honor, dignity and respect.
- Published in Public Notices, Tribal Event, Tribal News
Three Rivers Foundation Grant Cycle Now Open
visit ThreeRiversFoundation.org for more information and to file a grant application
- Published in Public Notices, Tribal Event, Tribal News
Winter Solstice Celebration 2022
Join us for an all day celebration at Tribal Hall in Coos Bay, Oregon.
December 20th: Women’s Sweat at 5:30 p.m.
Ceremonial Fire at midnight
December 21st: Festivities begin at 8:30 a.m.
Storytelling from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. via zoom
Dinner at 5:30 p.m.
Sweat and Lamtl’am tournament to follow
Please RSVP for dinner at 1-888-365-7155
- Published in Public Notices, Tribal Event, Tribal News
Harvest Shellfish? Take Survey for Chance to Win $50!
Contributed by
Taylor Dodrill, Portland State University and South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Janet Niessner, Environmental Scientist, CTCLUSI
Do you harvest shellfish recreationally? Are you 18 or older? Please take our 10-minute survey for a chance to win a $50 gift card to a local business.
This survey is a part of a study being done by a Portland State University graduate student in collaboration with the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Department of Culture and Natural Resources, the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The purpose of this study is to understand how shellfish harvesters view their risk of shellfish poisoning caused by harmful algal blooms (HABs), and to understand their preferences for management of fisheries during harmful algal blooms. The results will be used to develop a report that may be published in a scientific journal and to provide guidance to local managers on making coastal communities more resilient to harmful algal blooms.
To learn about HABs and the health risks associated, go to EPA.gov/cyanohabs. For any questions regarding this project and survey please contact Taylor Dodrill at tdodrill@pdx.edu.
All survey answers are anonymous, and the combined results will be made public after all survey data have been analyzed. We plan to use this information to improve safety information provided to shellfish harvesters.
You can find the survey at: https://forms.office.com/g/M3Ja7apBsR
Original post date: August 10, 2022
- Published in Public Notices, Tribal Event, Tribal News
PRC 2023 Application for Health Care Services
Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) program for FY2023. You must submit a new
application each year for each PRC-eligible Tribal member in your household.
This year, the deadline for applications is Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
If an application is received after January 31, 2023, PRC will only pay claims 90 days prior to the date the application was submitted for that calendar year.
Please be sure to upload the front and back of your insurance card to ensure we have the most current information.
You must complete a separate form for each PRC-eligible family member.
Please call PRC at (541) 888-4873 or (800) 227-0392 to have a hard-copy application mailed to you or with any questions.
- Published in Public Notices, Tribal Event, Tribal News
Tribal Office Halloween Treats
This Halloween, the Tribal Offices and the Housing Department will be offering Halloween goodie bags to youth of Tribal families. From 3:00 to 5:00 pm (PST) on All Hallows Eve, stop by any Tribal government office near you to receive a Halloween goodie bag. Participating offices are the Main CTCLUSI Government Office & the Housing Office in Coos Bay, Florence Outreach Office, & the Eugene Outreach Office. k’ele/luuwii/iisha/hiisa (Thank you) to those who put together these amazing goodie bags. We can’t wait to see everyone in their ghoultastic costumes from 3:00-5:00pm (PST) on Halloween.
- Published in Public Notices, Tribal Event, Tribal News
Hunting, (Trapping) Fishing and Gathering Special Election Results Are In
October 22, 2022 Special Election Results
Yes vote 338
No Vote 1
Special Election timeline
July, August and September 2022 The Voice of CLUSI, Tribal Newsletters offered full detailed articles each month, giving membership information about recent agreements that have been made with other Tribes in Oregon and Oregon Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) specifically.
On September 8, 2022: A detailed information packet was mailed out to every member 18 years of age and older.
On September 11, 2022: Tribal Council passed a Resolution to call the Election Board to facilitate a Special Election.
On September 12, 2022: The Election Board met and set the date of October 22, 2022 for the Special Election to be held.
On September 14, 2022: A postcard mailing was sent to every household providing official notice of the upcoming Special Election on October 22, 2022 and Public Comment Zoom Meeting Question and Answer Forum to be held September 22, 2022.
On September 20, 2022: An auto dialer phone message went to all members 18 years of age and older with working phone numbers, reminding them of the Public Comment Zoom Meeting Question and Answer Forum to be held September 22, 2022.
On September 22, 2022: A Public Comment Zoom Meeting Question and Answer Forum was held for all the General Council to participate.
On September 28, 2022: At a Tribal Council Business Meeting, the Council approved the final draft of the ‘Question’ after receiving input from the General Council. If you have any questions about this Special Election, please contact Enrollment, enrollment@ctclusi.org or call 541-888-9577 and ask for the Election Clerk.
On October 22, 2022: Special Election Day. Polls open for in person voting at Tribal Hall in Coos Bay, Oregon from 12 (noon) to 4:00 p.m.
VOTER EDUCATION GUIDE
What will a YES or NO vote mean?
Voting “YES” for this issue will authorize the Tribal Council to negotiate and adopt an agreement with the State of Oregon for hunting, trapping and fishing, that would be regulated by the Tribe and not the State. Under the agreement, the Tribe, the State, and other Oregon Tribes would jointly develop annual harvest limits designed to conserve and protect species. The method of hunt and other regulations would be set solely by the Tribe and the Tribe would issue any required permits and tags to its members. The vote would also allow the Tribal Council to work with federal and state land management agencies, local governments, and private landowners to develop agreements increasing Tribal member opportunities to gather under Tribal permits and regulations and free from any other permitting requirements. Agreements allowed by this vote would set a precedent for the recognition of these rights and make it clear that regulation is subject to Tribal and not state or federal permitting requirements.
Voting “NO” maintains the status quo and would not allow the Tribe to enter into agreements that provide for expansion, enhancement, and protection of hunting, trapping, fishing, and gathering opportunities. Without these agreements, Tribal members could be subject to efforts of state, federal, or local entities to continue to enforce their regulations, fees, and permitting requirements.
Why have this vote now?
The Oregon Governor and the current Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Director are supportive of entering into an agreement with the Tribe. The State has already entered into a similar agreement with the Coquille Tribe, our closest neighboring Tribe. Our Governor leaves office at the end of the year and we simply do not know who the governor will be and how they view this issue. Time is of the essence to get these agreements in place.
Why is there a vote on this? How did the vote go for other Tribes?
The CTCLUSI Constitution requires a vote of the membership in order to negotiate, settle, or diminish hunting, trapping, fishing, and gathering rights. This prohibits the Tribal Council from even beginning negotiations until the membership approves this. Other Tribes do not have this restriction in their Constitutions and their Tribal Councils are free to negotiate agreements that will enhance Tribal member rights without a vote.
Does this allow the Tribal Council to give away Tribal rights?
This measure is drafted narrowly to only allow the Tribal Council to enter into agreements that will enhance or expand the hunting, trapping, fishing, and gathering rights of Tribal members. This would prohibit the Tribe from giving away or impairing opportunities. The language of the measure also contains language that limits the Tribal Council from giving away any rights – “… provided that Tribal Council shall not be authorized to enter into any agreement that diminishes and waives any hunting, trapping, fishing, or gathering rights of the Tribe.” An agreement that gives away rights would be unlawful and could be struck down by the Tribal Court.
The measure is also narrowly drafted to: (1) allow the Tribal Council to negotiate a hunting, trapping and fishing agreement similar to the Coquille Tribe and (2) allow the Tribal Council to reach agreements with state and federal land management agencies, local government, and private landowners to enhance gathering opportunities and provide Tribal members with legal protection if they are gathering on those lands.
Lastly, Tribal Council will provide an update in the Tribal Newsletter, on the Tribes website and at future Council Meetings as to the status of any negotiation activity.
Where can I get copy of the Coquille Tribe’s agreement with the State? Here is a copy of the complete Coquille Tribe’s agreement with Oregon Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)
Your participation is vital, no matter where you live in the US. If we don’t have enough participation this will not be a valid election. Please VOTE.
PLEASE REGISTER AND VOTE!
Contact Jeannie McNeil jmcneil@ctclusi.org or call 541-888-9577 for the Election Clerk to be sure you are registered.
Special Election Day: Saturday, October 22, 2022
Polls will be located at the Tribal Hall, Coos Bay, Oregon from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. You may vote in person at the polling place, and register to vote in person if you have not done so.
Ballots will be mailed to every registered voter on September 29, 2022. You must be registered to receive a ballot by mail.
TRIBAL CONSTITUTION / ELECTION INFORMATION
Below are areas of the Constitution that state why this Special Election is necessary. Our Tribal laws require a vote of the membership to grant authority to the Tribe to negotiate and/or enter in to any agreements related to Hunting, Trapping, Fishing and Gathering with any other entity as outlined below.
Article II Hunting, Fishing, and Gathering Rights
Nothing in this constitution shall be construed as restricting the exercise of hunting, fishing or gathering rights of members, to the fullest extent permitted by law. No tribal decision affection such hunting, fishing or gathering rights shall be made except by a full vote of Tribal membership.
Article V –Section 1. General Council
(g) Exercise those powers of fundamental changes in the Tribes jurisdiction, reservation lands, or rights specified in Article VI, Section 3(a) ….below.
The VOTE
Article VI, Section 3. General Council Authority
(a) Before taking any action with regards to the following matters, the tribal council shall obtain the approval of three- fourths (3/4) of the membership in a vote in which at least thirty -five (35) percent of the membership of the general council participates, such vote may be taken by mail.
The language of the Tribal Constitution below identifies what is required for participation and the numbers needed to pass in the upcoming vote of the Special Election.
| Current CTCLUSI Membership 18+ Eligible to Vote | Members Registered to VOTE as of TODAY | Minimum Members Needed to Participate to validate this Special Election | Minimum approval needed for to Pass |
| 915 | 596 | 320 | 240 |
ONLY those members REGISTERED will receive a ballot. Election Registrations are valid for 10 years. Some of our Tribal Members registrations have expired and others have never registered to vote.
Participation
We will NEED to receive the required minimum number of ballots listed on the previous page for the Special Election to be considered valid and counted.
Historically, in Tribal Council Elections participation has not reached these number, however Council Elections do not require this specific participation criteria.
YES or NO – Approve or Fail
In order for the ballot initiative to pass in this type of Special Election it is also required special tabulation. It means three fourths (3/4) of the membership must be in favor and vote yes for this to pass.
All CTCLUSI Members 18+ are needed to participate in the upcoming Special Election
For more information please contact Jeannie McNeil 541-888-9577, jmcneil@ctclusi.org
- Published in Public Notices, Tribal Event, Tribal News
Coos Fire Protection Association Career Day
Thursday, September 29th at the Coos County Forest
Are you interested in a career in wildland fire fighting?
Would you like to receive credit through your high school and/or SWOCC for firefighter training?
If so, you’re invited to attend the CFPA Career Day!
Please contact the Tribes’ Director of Forest Management, Colin Beck, at (541) 261-3420 for more information.
- Published in Public Notices, Tribal Event, Tribal News
Notice of Hearing for Water Quality Standards
Notice of Public Hearing
Regarding Adoption of Water Quality Standards for the Waters of the Tribe
The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) invites the public to review and comment on the Tribe’s draft Water Quality Standards (WQS). WQS are science-based criteria describing the conditions necessary to sustain healthy human and aquatic life within the Tribe’s waters. These WQS apply only to waters within the boundaries of the Tribe’s trust and reservation lands and are not applicable to public or privately owned waters of the State of Oregon.
The CTCLUSI Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public hearing at 6:00 PM Pacific Time on September 21st, 2022, for the purpose of hearing comments and recommendations on the development of Tribal Water Quality Standards.
Topic: CTCLUSI Water Quality Standards Public Hearing
Time: September 21, 2022, 6:00 PM Pacific Time
Click here to Join Zoom Public Hearing
There will be time during the public hearing allocated to commenters who wish to make statements, as well as time for unscheduled comments. Written comments will be accepted until Friday, September 30, 2022. To sign up for a scheduled time to speak at the public hearing, submit written comments, or for questions, please email: WaterQualityStandards@ctclusi.org. Comments will be limited to no more than five minutes and may be less depending upon the number of speakers interested. For more information, visit ctclusi.org.
Once the comment period ends, DNR will review the comments and revise the WQS draft to create a final version. Tribal Members will then have an additional opportunity to comment when Tribal Council considers the final version for adoption into Tribal Code. The CTCLUSI DNR is conducting this hearing and accepting public comments pursuant to Tribal Council Resolution 22-084 (June 12, 2022), which directs DNR to initiate a public comment period and submit the final WQS to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for review.
Section 518 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) allows federally recognized tribes to implement and administer water quality programs within tribal land in the same manner as states, provided that the tribe is first determined to be eligible by the EPA. On May 3, 2021, the EPA determined that CTCLUSI is eligible to administer a water quality certification program under CWA Section 401 and develop water quality standards in accordance with CWA Section 303(c). Furthermore, the Clean Water Act states that it is the EPA’s responsibility to review new or revised water quality standards, per CWA Section 303(c)(3). The federal regulations at 40 C.F.R. Part 25 govern the public participation requirements for CTCLUSI to meet before receiving WQS approval.
The CTCLUSI Water Quality Standards were developed using the best available science and existing EPA-approved state and Tribal water quality standards. The document contains an anti-degradation policy and implementation plan, designated use categories, and narrative and numeric water quality criteria.
The anti-degradation policy and implementation plan can be found in sections 10-1-14 and 10-1-15. Together, they are meant to ensure that Tribal water quality is maintained sufficiently to meet the needs of plants, animals, and humans that utilize the Tribe’s waters.
The designated uses of the waters of the Tribe, as defined in sections 10-1-25 and 10-1-26, describe the types of activities the Tribe’s waters are used for. Multiple designated uses often apply to a single area. For instance, Big Creek, which flows through the Tribe’s Talbot Tract, is designated for both Cultural and Ceremonial use as well as use by Resident Fish and Aquatic Life. The table of designated uses and what Tribal waterbodies they apply to can be found at 10-1-27(a).
Finally, the draft contains narrative and numeric water quality criteria. Narrative criteria uses descriptive language describing the proper conditions of the Tribe’s waters and can be found from 10-1-16 to 10-1-23. For example, the narrative criteria in section 10-1-16(a) covering floating solids, oil, and grease reads: “All waters shall be free from visible oils, scum, foam, grease, and other floating materials and suspended substances of a persistent nature resulting from other than natural causes.”
Numeric criteria uses numbers, measures and values to express water quality standards, and can be found in sections 10-1-28 through 10-1-32. For example, the numeric criteria addressing dissolved oxygen for areas designated as shellfish growing and harvesting says “In fresh water and estuarine water, dissolved oxygen may not be less than 8.0 mg/l as an absolute minimum. Where natural conditions of barometric pressure, altitude, and temperature preclude attainment of the 8.0 mg/l, dissolved oxygen may not be less than 90 percent of saturation.”
- Published in Public Notices, Tribal Event, Tribal News
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day(s) with Tribal Police
The Tribal Police Department will once again be participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day (NDTBD) held on Saturday, October 29th, 2022 from 10am – 2pm at the governmental offices at 1245 Fulton Avenue in Coos Bay. This event is sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and it provides the supplies to be able to collect unused or expired prescription medications to ensure that they are safely disposed of without falling into the wrong hands or unnecessarily polluting.
In order to comply with COVID restrictions, all of these events will be outside (parking lot) so that participants can just pull up and drop off their items.
After the event (on Saturday), from 2pm – 3pm, Tribal Police Officers will be available to travel within 20 miles of the governmental office to pick up any unused or expired medications from Tribal families or Tribal Elders. If you know of someone who would like to participate, but is unable to make it to any of the events, please have them contact me for scheduling at our office: 541-997-6011.
There will be no identifying information collected, and the program is anonymous. We encourage participants to remove any identifying labels from bottles prior to submission. We will be able to accept vape pens without internal batteries, controlled, non-controlled and over the counter medications with a few exceptions; Intra-venous solutions, injectables, syringes, chemotherapy medications, or medical waste WILL NOT be accepted.
If you have any questions about the program, please let me know. Our goal is to keep medications from being lost, stolen, or misused. If you would like to view information about the program from the DEA, please visit: https://takebackday.dea.gov/ . If you know someone who lives outside of the area, they can also search by zip code to find an event nearby.
In addition to the National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Tribal Police Officers will be at the Eugene outreach office on Thursday, October 27th from 11am – 2pm to accept any medications and also at the Florence outreach office on Friday, October 28th from 11am – 2pm.
Since we began partnering with the DEA in the NDTBD program in 2018, the Tribal Police Department has helped to keep over 282 pounds of medications from being misused or otherwise polluting our landfills and waterways. Anyone is welcome to participate, so feel free to share the information with your friends and family.
- Published in Public Notices, Tribal Event, Tribal News