After 15 Years, haich ikt’ at’uu Comes to Siuslaw Estuary
Coalition celebrates breach of levee, adding a connection to traditional waterways.
This story originally appeared on Underscore Native News by Brian Bull
Published June 3, 2026
On the foggy morning of May 29, a thick, earthen barrier was the only thing separating a restored dairy farm from its reclaimed destiny: an estuary to welcome back the Salmon People, as well as lamprey, shorebirds, and numerous plants not seen on the premises since the mid-1800s.
Tall, dinosaur-like excavators stood on either side of the levee, with a crowd of people from the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CLUSI), the McKenzie River Trust, and the Siuslaw Watershed Council watching from roughly 50 feet away on a raised mound of earth, clad in hard hats and reflective vests.
Nearby, Dan Kirk, the restoration projects manager for CLUSI, waved a smoldering bundle of sage across the damp landscape.
“This is a big moment that a lot of our project partners and community members have been waiting for,” smiled Kirk. “It’s going to be really beautiful and amazing for everyone.”
Blessings have been done nearly daily for about a month, at a site that has undergone an incredible transformation since redevelopment began in the late summer of 2023. Contractors leveled out the terrain and removed drainage ditches and other agricultural fixtures, while in June 2024, CLUSI officials approved a new name for the 217-acre expanse: haich ikt’at’uu. It means “heart of the river.”
“It makes me think of heartbeat and pulse,” said Kirk, as they walked to the levee. “That’s what I get excited about, is just seeing the rhythm of the river do its thing.”
The McKenzie River Trust acquired the Waite Ranch site for $750,000 in 2010 with a grant from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. Since then, the total cost has been roughly $16 million, according to Kirk. A large portion of that is a 1.2 mile earthen ridge -or berm- that protects the section of Highway 126 that runs adjacent to the estuary.
“Today we will be reconnecting the tidal Siuslaw River into the site,” said Kirk, as a survey team put up a wide yellow barrier called a silt curtain between the Siuslaw River and the levee. “So creating about 180 acres of new wetland that was historically tidal wetland before the mid-1800s when it became a dairy farm.”
Huddled with the observers was Margaret Treadwell, the central coast conservation program manager for the McKenzie River Trust. She had never seen a levee breach before, and was excited for what was to happen in the next few minutes.
“The waters of the Siuslaw River are going to come back into this place from the tide for the first time in probably over 100 years. It’s returning the natural processes to this place.”
Breaking down to rise up
At 7:33 a.m., an excavator lowered its toothed bucket against the earthen levee, and readily broke it apart as the onlookers cheered. River water coursed in immediately, seeping quickly into the area that hadn’t touched brackish water for generations.
“Keep an eye out for animals coming back in,” said Treadwell. She said wildlife has a way of knowing when things like breaches happen, and return to their ancient habitat.
“It’s a pretty good feeling,” said CLUSI Chief Doug Barrett. He’d performed a short ceremonial drum song to complement Kirk’s blessing of the estuary. Until this moment, he’d only really known of the site as farmland. Barrett was excited to see this transformed into a special place for the wildlife significant to his tribe.
“This is a pretty awesome place now to call our home,” he said, as the waters began to rise higher along the estuary channel. “And our salmon to call their home, and our lamprey.”
A trending push to reclaiming the land and the waters
The CLUSI is one of several Pacific Northwestern tribes that have reclaimed and restored coastal areas since the beginning of the millennium. In 2015, a levee breach was carried out by the Tulalip Tribes of Washington State, assisted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the City of Marysville, among others. Named the Qwuloolt Estuary, the breach connected 354 acres of historic wetlands to the Salish Sea, which also created more favorable passage and conditions for salmon.
And at Similk Bay on the south side of Fidalgo Island in northern Washington state, a habitat restoration project is in the works that could help reverse the trend for chinook salmon, which are listed as an endangered species. The Swinomish Tribe and the Skagit River System Cooperative are collaborating on a 17-acre parcel of saltwater marsh habitat for juvenile chinook, namely a pocket estuary coordinators say will help the fish rebound. At last check, the project is expected to wrap up this summer.
Mizu Burruss of the Siuslaw Watershed Council said partnerships between tribes and nonprofit organizations like hers are essential as resources and bandwidth can be tight for just a lone group to tackle.
“They make them richer, better, more complex and diverse projects,” said Burruss. “When we’re talking about ecosystem restoration, that’s what we want.”
Closing ceremony through canoe
With the Siuslaw Estuary steadily filling up with river water, Chief Barrett made his way back to Florence. There, he joined the CLUSI tribal council and other officials at the Port of Siuslaw, and boarded “Lottie”, a 32.5-foot cedar canoe.
With oars at the ready, the dozen-person crew launched into the dark green waters of the Siuslaw River, and paddled roughly four miles eastwards towards the newly-opened channel of haich ikt’at’uu. Several seals and a sea lion were spotted on the way, and a small armada of kayakers joined the canoeists in the final leg of the journey.
The image could not have been more iconic of the traditional and modern worlds: the dugout canoe with its crew wearing woven basket-hats approaching a restored space still flanked by dump trucks and excavators, while several drones hovered above. Some people in the craft sang, as Chief Barrett and others threw tule seeds and tobacco into the estuary.
Jesse Beers, CLUSI’s cultural stewardship manager, carefully placed a woven grass mat bearing the remains of a salmon into the current, which swept it away towards the newly-formed habitat.
“We came in and did a protocol ceremony,” said Beers, after the canoe docked. “When we were in the channel, it almost brought tears to my eyes.” He said the salmon remains were to let the Salmon People know that this was a “good place” to come again, to “fatten up and be healthy.”
Beers said as the increasingly salty water flows in from the ocean, there’ll be less invasives and briars to contend with, and more cattail and tule growing across the restored space.
“Just seeing the breach actually happen after this long, it’s just an amazing experience.”
One last piece remains: a canoe landing which wasn’t installed yet by the time of the levee breach. The landing was suggested by CLUSI youth, who wanted cultural access to the area to interact and learn with the estuary’s environment. Organizers expect the canoe landing to be done sometime in July.
*This story originally appeared on Underscore Native News.
Read more at KLCC and Oregon Live
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CTCLUSI Culture Summer Camp 2026 Registration Now Open!
This camp is open to CTCLUSI Tribal Youth, Youth in Tribal Households, Youth of neighboring Tribes and Youth of CTCLUSI Staff ages 8-18.
Join us in learning, growing, connecting, and having fun!
Application form opens June 1, 2026!
Questions? Angela Henry, Camp Director at 541-294-9602
Email ahenry@ctclusi.org
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Dress for Success 2026! Education Readiness Support
What Is Dress for Success?
Dress for Success helps remove clothing-related barriers that prevent students and youth from fully participating in school, training programs, interviews, and career preparation activities.
Who Can Participate?
CTCLUSl-enrolled students Kindergarten through age 24. Students ages 18-24 must be enrolled in Higher Education or provide a current or upcoming vocational, career-tech, or college class schedule.
What Support Is Covered?
Participants may receive funding for:
- School-appropriate clothing
- Interview or career-readiness attire
- Shoes
- Outerwear
- Other essential items required for participation
Funding Available: Up to $250 per student
Questions or need more infomation? Please contact Lyndsay Carroll at lyndsay.carroll@ctclusi.org
PROGRAM LAUNCH DATE: JUNE 1, 2026 through December 1, 2026
All forms must be submitted by December 1st by 11:59pm
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Hands of Harvest Voucher Program 2026
The CTCLUSI 2026 Hands of Harvest Voucher Program is NOW OPEN!
We have expanded the voucher program to include the Lane County Farmers Market (LCFM) and the Coos Bay Farmers Market (CBFM).
Program Eligibility (Per Household):
- Enrolled CTCLUSI Tribal Member (Widow/Widower eligible).
- Parent or Guardian of Enrolled Tribal Member(s) within household.
Farmers Market Vouchers can ONLY be used at the selected market and CANNOT be used at both Markets.
Vouchers are NOT interchangeable between markets.
This is a first-come first-serve system, and funding is limited to availability.
Please submit an application at the link provided:
(Form Close Date: June 1st) https://laserfiche.ctclusi.org/Forms/Hands-of-Harvest
1st Distribution can be pick up starting on June 8th at the requested location for approved applications.
If you need assistance please call or email:
Barbara Black, Tribal Navigator/Community Health Aide/Elders Coordinator
bblack@ctclusi.org
541-888-7520
Nicole Romine
Tribal Tobacco Prevention Program Specialist II
nromine@ctclusi.org
541-294-9341
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Secretarial Election Results
The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians would like to thank all the CTCLUSI Tribal Citizens who voted in the April 28, 2026, Secretarial Election for Amendments to the Tribal Constitution.
Election results for proposed amendments are as follows:
Proposed Amendment #1 – Passed
Proposed Amendment #2 – Passed
Proposed Amendment #3 – Passed
Proposed Amendment #4 – Passed
Proposed Amendment # 5 – Withdrawn (removed from this election)
Proposed Amendment # 6 – Passed
Proposed Amendment # 7 – Passed
No ballots were rejected; a spoiled vote means that there was no vote for that proposed amendment or the ballot was left blank.
Proposed amendments shall be adopted if a majority vote in favor of adoption, provided that at least 30% of registered voters have cast ballots, with 2/3 of votes cast in favor.
Out of 268 registered voters, 136 ballots were received, 91 votes in favor were needed to pass the proposed amendments.
May 3, 2026: Any challenges to the election results must be made within five calendar days of the Election and must be submitted in writing to the Secretarial Election Board Chairman.
They must include substantial evidence supporting the challenge. The BIA will review and make a determination regarding any challenge.
secretarialelectionboard@ctclusi.org
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Draft Amendment #2 to the Long-Range Transportation Plan
The Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians invite the public to review and comment on Draft Amendment #2 to the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
Public comment period will be open from April 22, 2026 through May 18, 2026.
Public input is an important part of this process and will help guide decision-makers as they finalize policies and strategies included in Draft Amendment #2 before formal action is taken in 2026.
How to Review the Draft:
- Online: https://ctclusi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/LRTP-Amendment2-DRAFT.pdf
- In-person: Florence Outreach Office
1576 12th Street
Florence, OR 97439
How to Submit Comments: Comments must be received by May 18, 2026 and may be submitted via: Email: ggray@ctclusi.org Phone: (541) 888-9577 In-person at the Florence Outreach Office
For additional information, please contact Project Manager Garrett Gray using the details above.
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Notice of Proposed Code Amendments Chapter 10-2 Tribal Forest Resources Managment
The following proposed Code amendment draft was passed for First Reading by Tribal Council on April 12, 2026
TITLE: 10 Natural Resources and the Environment
Chapter 10-2 Tribal Forest Resources Management
The Tribal Council has determined the need to amend Chapter 10-2 Tribal Forest Resources Management Code.
This Code amendment is necessary to comply with requirements set forth by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in the approval of the Tribe’s Indian Tribal Asset Management Pan (ITAMP).
Tribal Council hereby approves the amendments for First Reading and required posting for a twenty-eight (28) comment day period.
.
DATE OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING AT WHICH THE PROPOSED CODE IS EXPECTED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR FINAL PASSAGE:
June 14, 2026
Please visit www.ctclusi.org for complete draft of the Code.
The notice of the proposed amendment/creation of Code/Ordinance shall be published in the Tribal Newsletter and the draft text will be posted for public comment for twenty-eight (28) days in the Administration Building, Tribal Hall, Outreach Offices, on the Tribes’ website and at Three Rivers Casino (Office of the Gaming Commission). Written comments should be sent to the Tribal Council by May 31, 2026, in care of Jeannie Miller, CTCLUSI, 1245 Fulton Avenue, Coos Bay OR 97420 or email: jmiller@ctclusi.org.
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The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians Elect New Officers
April 15th, 2026 For Immediate Release
COOS BAY, OREGON— The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) is pleased to announce the selections of Teresa Spangler as Tribal Chair and Brad Kneaper as Vice Chair following its most recent election that saw both Chair Spangler and Vice Chair Kneaper re-elected along with Tribal Council member Debbie Bossley.
As Tribal Chair, Spangler will lead the Tribal Council in its continued mission to promote the health, education, and economic well-being of the Tribal Membership while protecting the Tribe’s sovereignty and natural resources. Chair Spangler brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as Vice-Chair since 2024 and on Tribal Council for multiple terms.
Chair Spangler shared, “I am honored to serve my Tribe for another four years, and very grateful to my peers for electing me as chair. This responsibility is one I take very seriously. I look forward to working closely with our Tribal community to help advance the well-being of our people—not only now, but for the next seven generations.”
Brad Kneaper, selected as Vice-Chair, will continue his role supporting Tribal Membership as a Tribal Council officer, having previously served as Chair from 2022 to 2026.
“I want to thank all those who voted for me to continue on Council as I am looking forward to building on our goals and initiatives from the previous 4 years. I made the decision to step down as Chair so I can dedicate more focused attention to key projects and issues that are important to the Tribe. In this role, I will continue working closely with the Council and the Chair to ensure these priorities remain active and moving forward. I am honored to continue to serve the Tribe and extend a hand to tribal members wherever located.” Vice Chair Kneaper stated.
The Tribal Council is the governing body of CTCLUSI responsible for policy development, oversight of Tribal Government operations and legislative actions.
About CTCLUSI: Headquartered in Coos Bay, Oregon with a five-county service area including Coos, Curry, Lincoln, Douglas and Lane Counties, The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians are one of the 9 Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon. CTCLUSI is comprised of 3 Tribes (4 Bands): 2 bands of Coos Tribes: hanis and miluk; Lower Umpqua Tribe (quuiich); and Siuslaw (sha’yuushtl’a) Tribe.
For media inquiries, please contact: R.J. Benner, Community Information Manager rbenner@ctclusi.org (541) 435-7175
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Tribal Council Election – April 12, 2026
Each Council member shall be elected for a four (4) year term at the appropriate General Council meeting in the year of the expired term. Council Positions #1, #3, and #5 shall be elected in odd-numbered years. Positions #2, #4 and #6 shall be elected in even-numbered years.
Tribal Code 7-3-23 Candidate Eligibility
According to the Tribal Constitution (Article VIII, Section 4(a)), in order to be eligible for election to a Tribal Council position, candidates shall meet the following qualifications:
(a) Be a duly enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes;
(b) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age; and
(c) Never have been previously removed from office for good cause after the date the Tribal Constitution was ratified. (May 23, 1987).
7-3-24 Candidacy Procedures (a) Statements of Candidacy (1) Candidates shall file Statements of Candidacy no later than thirty (30) days before the scheduled date of the election. CLUSI Const. Art.VIII, Section 4(c). (2) Statements of Candidacy must be filed with the Election Board either by mail, hand delivered to the Tribal Administrative offices, or delivered to the Election Board Chairperson. In order to verify timeliness of filing, a candidate may request a statement of receipt of said Statement of Candidacy from whoever receives the statement. The statement shall state, at a minimum, the name of the person accepting the statement, name, roll number and signature of the person presenting the statement, and date and time of the transaction.
(3) Each candidate shall indicate the position for which he or she is filing. Once a person has filed for a position, he or she will not be allowed to change positions or to withdraw and refile for the same election.
For a complete Election Code please see www.ctclusi.org Tribal Code, Ch 7-3 Elections.
Tribal Council Election Day: April 12, 2026
Your Vote Matters! Only Registered Voters Are Eligible to Vote in CTCLUSI Tribal Elections.
Election Results April 12, 2026
Candidates for Tribal Election
| Position #2 | Position # 4 | Position #6 |
| Sarah Marical – submitted statement of candidacy 12/17/25 | Teresa Spangler (Incumbent) – submitted statement of candidacy 12/4/25 | Debbie Bossley (Incumbent) – submitted statement of candidacy 12/18/25 |
| Howard Roy – submitted statement of candidacy 1/13/26 | Tyler Slyter – submitted statement of candidacy 12/17/25 | Justin Krossman – submitted statement of candidacy 1/22/26 |
| Brad Kneaper – submitted statement of candidacy 2/9/26 | Jack Garcia – submitted statement of candidacy 3/5/26 |
Candidate Position Statements
Disclaimer from the CTCLUSI Election Board:
Tribal Council Election “Position Statements” are written, submitted, and provided by the Tribal Council candidates and do not reflect the position of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, in whole or in part. The accuracy of the information provided has not been independently verified by the Election Board and any questions regarding the information presented must be directed to the Tribal Council candidate.
Tribal Council Candidate Forum
The Tribal Council Candidate Forum (question-and-answer session) was held on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
Candidates were not required to participate.
*page created 12/18/25
**last updated 3/24/26
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Call for Artists
The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, in collaboration with The Coquille Indian Tribe, The Siletz Tribe and South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, is seeking an Indigenous artist to create artwork highlighting a historic canoe fragment on display at South Slough found at Sunset Beach. Components will consist of a four-sided pedestal wrap and a 6′ x 8′ wall mural.
The chosen artist will work through an internal creative review process and with the Arts and Exhibits Team to ensure we present a unified and culturally grounded identity.
Send letter of interest, portfolio, concept sketches, Resume, and proposed budget to:
Jared L. Schmidt | Cultural Arts and Exhibits Coordinator, jaredschmidt@coquilletribe.org
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