CTCLUSI Reflects on 36th Year of Restoration
In 1855 the Tribes signed the Oregon Coast Treaty but it was never ratified. In 1954 The Western Oregon Termination Act is passed by Congress severing relations with 43 Tribes and bands of Indians in Western Oregon. In 1984, after years of hard work, Public Law 98-481 restores Federal recognition to the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. Since our Restoration, October 17, 1984, some of the Tribes major accomplishments are: the return of our Forest Lands of just under 15 thousand acres; the return of Naval Facility at Coos Head; the return of Gregory Point; our purchase of the old Elks building in Coos Bay, now the Administration building which also houses our Dental Clinic, that was recently remodeled and expanded; the economic development of Three Rivers Casino and Hotel in Florence and the Three Rives Casino in Coos Bay Oregon; the purchase of the old Camp Easter Seal property in Lakeside OR; and Housing for our Tribal membership in North Bend and Florence, Oregon.
Due to our countries current state, with the COVID -19 Pandemic and the recent devastating fires in Oregon, Washington and California, we will not hold an in-person celebration for our Restoration this year. We would like to invite you all to please visit the Tribes website at www.ctclusi.org for images from past Restoration events of our pride in history, culture and accomplishments. Giving thanks to all of the members before us that worked so hard toward our Restoration and helped to pave a path for our future success for many generations to come. Special thanks to all those who work so diligently towards our Restoration in 1984. Also sending thanks to all our Tribal Council leaders since Restoration who worked towards achieving the accomplishments listed above and for so much more. Everyone please stay safe. We hope to see you all next year!
-Debbie Bossley, Tribal Council Chair
- Published in Tribal News
Language Committee Member Opening
The Language Committee, newly established by the Tribal Council meets from 5:00-7:00pm on the 4th Friday of each month (with instances of different meeting dates in the cases of Holidays coinciding. At their second meeting held on September 25th, the (8) sworn in members of the Committee nominated and voted in Chairwoman Alycia Cossey, Vice-chair Jamie Beisanz and Secretary Rachael Schaefer to their Committee roles. They have been working hard at establishing Committee bylaws and on September 30th the Tribal Council approved a resolution to establish the committee as a nine (9) member Committee.
With that said, there is a vacancy for position #9. Position #9 will be posted on Oct 19th for 28 days on the Tribal website and in the November edition of The Voice of CLUSI newsletter with a deadline of November 16 or until filled.
Fill out a letter of interest form to apply.
- Published in Tribal News
Free Zoom Fitness Workshop
Free Zoom Fitness Workshops!
4-WEEK “LIVE ON-LINE”
LOW IMPACT FITNESS SERIES
FOR ALL AGES
DATES: THURSDAYS:
NOVEMBER 5, 12, 19,
& DECEMBER 3, 2020
TIME: 6:30 – 7:30PM
Free Event provided by the CTCLUSI Health Family Support Services Department in partnership with the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians.
All ages are welcome. Come join us and learn from Professional Fitness Instructors and “Native Wellness Guests” for 4 awesome weeks. Great for beginners, the entire family, or anyone wanting to learn a healthy exercise.
This is a Diabetes Prevention and Health and Wellness Event, sponsored by the IHS Special Diabetes Program for Indians. CTCLUSI attendees must reside in the Tribe’s Service Delivery Area of Coos, Curry, Douglas, Lane, or Lincoln Counties for this event.
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
ONCE REGISTERED, YOU WILL BE PROVIDED A ZOOM LINK VIA EMAIL.
RSVP BY: Friday, October 23, 2020
TO: Shayne Platz 541-297-3450
- Published in Tribal News
For Immediate Release
Update Posted: November 20, 2020
CTCLUSI Forest Lands Closure Has Been LIFTED
Original Post Date: September 13, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
RE: CTCLUSI Forest Lands Closure
The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI) are announcing the closure of all Tribal forest lands due to extreme fire conditions until further notice.
Wildland fires continue to threaten life, property and resources throughout the western states of Washington, Oregon and California. We join our Federal, State and private land management partners in this closure during these extreme and dangerous fire conditions. The combination of high heat, significant wind events and dry conditions, combined with regional limitations of our wildland fire fighters and resource support, have contributed to these unprecedented events. We offer our prayers and support to all those involved in meeting the demands of this threat.
Update Posted: November 20, 2020
CTCLUSI Forest Lands Closure Has Been LIFTED
- Published in Tribal News
SALMON CEREMONY CANCELED
Bal’diyaka
The Importance of Salmon Ceremony: Remembering the Past While Looking to the Future
Article printed in the August 2020 edition of The Voice of CLUSI Tribal paper, by Morgan Gaines, Communications Specialist
Due to the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic, the Tribal Council of The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians made the difficult decision not to gather for the Annual Salmon Ceremony on the second Sunday of August. While this decision did not come lightly, it was made in the best interest of keeping our Tribal members, families, and staff safe during these uncertain times. One of the most effective ways of keeping the spread of the virus to a minimum is to reduce the number of people gathering and by maintaining social distancing. While we are not coming together to celebrate and hold ceremony this year, the Tribal Council has planned to perform a small private ceremony in honor of the Salmon People and encourage us all to think about the importance of this great tradition and perhaps hold ceremony in our own ways with just those in our own households. It is important to remember the reasons we gather for Salmon Ceremony (and look forward to celebrating 2021 together) to honor and respect the Salmon People in ceremony.
Traditionally we came together as a people on the first catch to thank and honor the Salmon. It is important that we not forget that and we continue to thank them hiis haiyach (with a good heart). The Salmon Ceremony has always been planned by the Tribal Chief. This year would have been newly elected Chief Doc Slyter’s first ceremony as Chief, with the honor of conducting the ceremony itself. “It saddens my heart that we are not able to a gather this year for Salmon Ceremony, but that is why we will still cook one Salmon together to hold ceremony. Our Tribal members that come from all over for Salmon Ceremony will be missed, and we miss seeing all our local members. We are resilient and will come together again once it is safe to do so” shared Chief Slyter. I asked Cultural Stewardship Manager, Jesse Beers to share his perspective on the importance of Salmon Ceremony each year. He said “Usually in late July I would either be getting back from Canoe Journey or from some sort of Culture Camp activities and prepping for Salmon Ceremony. Salmon Ceremony for our Tribe happens the first Sunday of August why? Because it’s in our constitution. This Ceremony is not only a celebration of the Salmon but it is a Sacred Ceremony in which we honor and thank the Salmon People. I am usually one of the people with the honor of cooking the Salmon in one of the traditional ways, split cedar stakes. Cooking over a mix of green and cured alder. After cooking them in a traditional way, we save any remains and return them to the waters through Ceremony, song, and dance. Even if we aren’t able to gather though, the fish are still out there and many of us still fish, cook our fish in the traditional ways, and return the remains to the water with song and prayer. The ceremonies will go on even if we aren’t able to gather as a community for them.” Hold ceremony in your own homes, in your own ways until we can gather again. Our culture lives within each of us. … Salmon Ceremony has also been a time to honor our history. Once a village site for our Miluk ancestors, Baldich, also know as Chief’s Island and Gregory Point, has been a place of significance for our Tribe since time immemorial. In recent history the Tribe regained stewardship of the 24-acre property encompassing the island back from the U.S. Coast Guard in 2013. In 2018 we celebrated the signing of our Land Bill, seeing the return of over 14,000 acres of traditional territorial lands back into the stewardship of the Tribe. A ceremony for both of these momentous occasions happened at Baldich respectively. We continue to gather here because of how important this land was to our ancestors and how sacred it remains to us. The land and the water are our lifeways; we have always been here and will continue to be stewards of this place we call home for generations to come. We will come together again once the pandemic eases and it is safe to gather. Until then, we are together in spirit and we look forward to seeing you all soon.
- Published in Tribal News
SUSPENDED CTCLUSI Summer Student Internships
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 as well as the health/safety of our Students and Employees, Tribal Council has had to suspend the 2020 CTCLUSI Summer Student Internship Program. This decision was not made lightly and comes with a heavy heart as this program has served as a catalyst for the educational goals of our college students. We look forward to future Internship opportunities in the years to come. Download alert
For additional information please contact Stephanie Watkins 541-999-1360 or Pam Hickson 541-999-7860
The CTCLUSI Student Intern is a paid internship with the goal to assist current College Students in
supplementing their work and education experience based work experience along with their needs, desires and interests.
Minimum Requirements:
- Must be a member of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians
- Must be an Enrolled Full-Time Student (Sophomore status or above) OR recent graduate (within 6 months) in/from any Accredited College including on-line schools (NOTE: Students may qualify even if they are not on a Tribal educational stipend)
- Must have verifiable transcripts that show a current GPA of 2.0 – can be obtained from your college’s registrars or campus placement office.
- This position is subject to pre-employment drug testing and criminal history background check which may include fingerprinting.
- Published in Tribal News
All Tribal Offices Are CLOSED
Please read The Voice of CLUSI monthly newsletter for rescheduled and future event dates.
Visit the CTCLUSI Health Alerts page for more information
In the interest of the health of our Tribal members, staff and the greater community the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians are extending the closure of all Tribal Government Offices until further notice. The Tribe will maintain a small group of essential services staff who will continue to provide services to those most vulnerable in our Tribal Community. The Tribal Council will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation on an ongoing basis, and respond as necessary.
- Published in Tribal News
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