2022 New Year’s Day Peace Hike
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Picnic Shelter behind the Yachats Commons
By Jan Brown
Given the ever-shifting impact of Covid and the absolute need to keep the Peace Hike activities safe, the Yachats Trails Committee will again be changing the format to a combination of live and virtual experiences. There will be no indoor nor large group 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.
On New Year’s Day (weather dependent) in lieu of a single event, 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. Committee members will be on hand to answer questions and provide maps and guidance at the Lions Picnic Shelter behind the Yachats Commons.
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 atrocities that Indigenous People in the area faced, watch a video narrated by Patricia Whereat Phillips, Miluk Coos and member of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI)
(video can be viewed at end of post)
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 Lions 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.
While there is no formal ceremony at the Amanda Gathering Area, 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.
Amanda Trail will be open to the Gathering Area only that day. When hikers reach the Kittel driveway signs will instruct them to walk down the driveway to the green gate, turn left and walk down the new auxiliary road to the Gathering Area. Hikers will also have the opportunity to see the progress on the suspension bridge construction. (The auxiliary road will remain closed to the public both before and after New Year’s Day.)
This year’s Peace Hike button has been beautifully created by artist and illustrator, Nora Sherwood www.norasherwood.com Peace Hike buttons can be picked up at the Picnic Shelter or at the Amanda Gathering Area during the Peace Hike. If you have hiked or celebrated peace throughout the day, both outdoors and at home or shelter, you may pick up peace hike buttons at the Yachats Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center located at 2nd Street and Highway 101. Water, energy bars and delicious cookies prepared and generously donated by the Yachats Ladies Club will be available at the Picnic Shelter and Gathering Area.
The Yachats Trails Committee wishes you peace and good fortune during this time of many celebrations and in the year to come.
It is though 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
Special Election Results
A Special Election was held on Sunday, December 19, 2021 regarding Council Compensation. All enrolled registered voters were mailed absentee ballots for mail in voting or had the option to vote in person at the Tribal Hall in Coos Bay, Oregon.
Election Results for the Tribal Council Stipend
December 19, 2021 – Special Election Vote
Yes 117
No 78
A YES Vote Means: Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians elected officials will be compensated for duties performed…The monthly stipend would begin on January 1, 2022 and will stay in place for all Elected Officials going forward, only an official vote of the General Council could authorize any changes.
The CTCLUSI Tribal Council and Chief positions will be paid for their performance of Tribal Council duties by monthly stipend in the amount of $3,600 (for anyone not currently employed) and $1,800 (for anyone currently employed).
- Published in Public Notices, Tribal News
Winter Solstice Kit Request
***Winter Solstice Kit sign up has ended. Updated 12/28/21***
COVID-19 is still limiting our ability to gather together, the Tribe would like to offer Winter Solstice Kits for interested CTCLUSI Enrolled Tribal Members in lieu of the Winter Solstice Gathering.
Winter Solstice Kits are limited, so they will be available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
These kits are sponsored in part by Youth Suicide Prevention and Tobacco Prevention Grants. Thank you Family Services, Education, and Culture and Natural Resources for making these kits possible.
- Published in Tribal News
Notice of Special Election to be held 12/19/21
NOTICE – SPECIAL ELECTION – December 19, 2021
To Officially Vote on Council Compensation
Article V of the Tribes Constitution gives certain authority to the General Council (Tribal Members). One such area states the General Membership have the authority to: Article V –Section 1 General Council. (b) Elect tribal council members and approve or disapprove any salary wages paid for performance of tribal council duties.
On Sunday November 14, 2021 the Tribal Council passed a resolution calling the Election Board to meet; Tribal Code Chapter 7-3-2(e)(3) The Tribal Council may request the Election Board to meet at any time, with reasonable notice. The Council requests the Election Board to facilitate a Special Election to be held for Council Compensation; Tribal Code Chapter 7-3-25 (5) Ballots for initiatives, referenda and issues requiring General Council approval shall contain a statement of what the voter is deciding and shall be worded in such a manner that clearly allows for a choice of a “yes” or a “no” vote only. No misleading statements whatsoever will be accepted.
The Election Board met on November 17, 2021 and set the date for the Special Election.
Sunday December 19, 2021. The ballots will be mailed to every registered voter on November 30, 2021 to the last known address we have on file. The Administration will prepare and mail all the ballots, return envelopes and secrecy envelopes from the Coos Bay Government office. The ballot mailing process will be verified by Mark Petrie Election Board Chair and Andrew Brainard, Election Board Vice Chair. When you vote and return your ballots, they will go to an independent third party, then the third party will supervise in tabulation and certify votes with the Election Board members on Election Day.
In person polling location will be at the Tribal Hall, 338 Wallace Ave, Coos Bay Oregon 97420 during the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. You may register and vote in person on that day, if you are not registered. (Social distancing procedures will be conducted per current CDC guidelines.) For more information about voting, registration or any election questions contact Jeannie McNeil @ jmcneil@ctclusi.org or (541) 888-7506.
Tribal Code Chapter 7-3-22 Public Notice of Upcoming Elections
(b) The Election Board shall post at the Tribes’ Administrative Building, Tribal Hall, Outreach Offices, on the Tribes’ website and in the office of the Gaming Commission a notice of an upcoming Special Election, as soon as practicable after the setting of a Special Election, and in no event later than fifteen (15) days before the scheduled election. If practicable, the Election Board shall publish a notice of an upcoming Special Election in the Tribal Newsletter in advance of the Special Election.
For a complete Election Code please see www.ctclusi.org Tribal Code, Ch 7-3 Elections. Contact me with any questions. Jeannie McNeil, Election Clerk jmcneil@ctclusi.org 541-888-7506
- Published in Public Notices, Tribal News
Enrollment Posting December 2021
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRIBAL MEMBERSHIP – Posted December 1, 2021
According to CLUSITC 7-1-36(i), this information will be posted in the Administrative Building, Tribal Hall, Outreach Offices, on the Tribes’ website and at Three Rivers Casino for twenty-eight (28) days from the date listed above.
In accordance with CLUSITC 7-1-37(a), Tribal Members shall have the right to protest the recommendation of the Committee approving an application and must file a written, signed protest with the Committee stating their reasons for believing that an Applicant(s) is not entitled to enrollment. The protest must be filed with the Committee within twenty-eight (28) days after notice of the proposed enrollment is posted as described in CLUSITC 7-1-36(i).
- Published in Public Notices, Tribal News
PRC 2022 Application for Health Care Services
The Purchased and Referred Care department is now accepting applications for the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) program for FY2022. You must submit a new application each year for each PRC-eligible Tribal member in your household.
This year, the deadline for applications is Monday, January 31, 2022.
You can apply online at www.ctclusi.org. You will see a link at the bottom of the home page that will take you to the online form (or look under Member Services, Purchased and Referred Care). 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 News
American Rescue Plan Act General Welfare Assistance for Tribal Members
*** The ARPA Assistance Application period has closed as of 12/1/21. Please contact the main Tribal Government Office with any inquiries at 541-888-9577. This post was updated on 12/2/21. ***
October 19, 2021
Dear Tribal Member,
Tribal Council has made the decision to utilize American Rescue Plan funds to provide cash assistance to eligible Tribal Member households to address negative economic impacts caused by the COVID -19 pandemic during the period of March 3, 2021 through December 31, 2021. The amount of assistance for 2021 is based on Tribal Council’s assessment of the severity of actual and reasonably anticipated COVID-19 economic impacts upon our Tribal Member population during this time period. Please note that this assistance must only be used to address these specific impacts.
Beginning October 19, 2021, each eligible enrolled adult member and enrolled minor child will be able to submit an application to receive this assistance. Deadline for submission of a complete application is November 30, 2021.
To be eligible to receive this assistance payment:
- You must be an Enrolled CTCLUSI member as of October 17, 2021 OR you must have a completed Enrollment Application approved by the Enrollment Committee by November 9, 2021.
- You must have an approved Tribal Member Emergency COVID -19 General Welfare Assistance American Rescue Plan (ARPA) application on file.
- You or your household experience negative impacts from the COVID -19 Pandemic in an amount not less than the assistance amount.
If you have any questions, please contact ENROLLMENT by email at jmcneil@ctclusi.org for further instruction.
- Applications must be submitted and approved by December 1, 2021.
- Published in Public Notices, Tribal News
Fall Harvest Household Kits
***Harvest Household kits are no longer available as of 11/24/21
Because COVID-19 is still limiting our ability to gather together, the Tribe would like to offer Fall Harvest Household Kits for interested Tribal families in lieu of the Fall Harvest Party. Fall Harvest Household Kits are limited, so they will be available on a first come first served basis while supplies last.
These kits are sponsored in part by Youth Suicide Prevention, and Tobacco Prevention Grants. Thank you Family Services for providing these funds and making these kits possible.
- Published in Public Notices, Tribal Event, Tribal News
Press Release
October 1, 2021
Media Contact:
Debbie Bossley, Tribal Council Chair
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians’ Tribal Council vote to give emergency funds to all Tribal Government and Enterprise employees.
Florence, Ore. — The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians is pleased to announce the Tribal Council met September 29, 2021 and voted unanimously to approve Emergency COVID -19 Assistance to all qualified current full and part time employees of CTCLUSI Tribal Government and all Tribal Enterprises, this includes Three Rivers Casino Florence and Coos Bay, Ocean Dunes Golf Links, and Blue Earth.
The Tribal Council has determined, it is imperative to provide general welfare assistance on an emergency basis to Eligible Citizens experiencing financial needs resulting from this national pandemic incurred between March 1, 2020 and October 1, 2021 including, but not limited to, increased costs of living expenses such as food, housing, utilities, medical and other anticipated and unanticipated living expenses and income losses.
Tribal Council Chair, Debbie Bossley said, “COVID-19 has affected our Tribal community much longer than imagined. Tribal Council recognizes that it has had some devastating effects on many of us. We are honored to have the resources to offer assistance to staff and their families during this difficult time.”
This is to provide emergency economic assistance to Eligible Citizens, who have experienced financial hardships during the COVID-19 Pandemic, utilizing CARES Act funding in the amount of $1,000.00 for each approved eligible applicant.
About the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, & Siuslaw Indians
The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians is a federally recognized Tribe made up of 3 tribes (4 Bands): 2 bands of Coos Tribes: Hanis Coos (Coos Proper), Miluk Coos; Lower Umpqua Tribe; and Siuslaw Tribe. The Tribes trace their ancestry back to the aboriginal inhabitants of the South-Central coast of Oregon. The Tribes employs more than 600 employees through its government and enterprise functions. For more information, visit ctclusi.org.
- Published in Tribal News
Tribal Member Input Needed for Tribal Hall Kitchen Remodel/Upgrade
Historic Tribal Hall has funds approved for a full kitchen remodel and upgrade. Tribal Member Input Requested. The deadline for any submission is Oct 9, 2021.
This project will include: New cabinetry, Countertops, Appliances, Fixtures, Flooring. Tribal Council has directed that membership be allowed the opportunity to provide input for any specific needs for consideration in the planning for this project. Please submit any suggestions, comments or concerns by clicking the button at the top of this post.
The deadline for any submission is Oct 9, 2021.
Tribal Council will approve final plans at the Sunday October 10, 2021 Regular Council Meeting.
***The images below are examples of the Tribal Hall Kitchen Remodel. No design has been finalized or approved as of this time.***
- Published in Public Notices, Tribal Event, Tribal News