The Confederated Tribes of Siletz shares
Community Connections
Sue Ann Belknap

The confederated Tribes of Siletz recognize the importance of community. Community is a value
they strive to preserve with tradition and strong family values. As a part of a relationship with
Oregon State University the Cross Cultural Issues in Native American Class was invited to explore
Native American culture and its connections with neighboring communities through a
 "learning through listening" program.


Course Directors:
Dwaine Plaza, Department of Sociology  http://oregonstate.edu/dept/sociology
Kurt Peters, Department of Ethnic Studies  http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ethnic_studies/

Oregon State University
 


Part of our trip was spent with the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz and related stakeholders on the Oregon Coast. Students learned to facilitate meetings and work together to create appropriate questions for people we interviewed. This process required that we learn to communicate with each other first:
 


 
The class included long hours of work and we took turns taking care of food and clean up. We were treated to a suprise
when the guys cabin not only cooked the best meal but also decorated the table with flags we were given by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz:
 

 
The ride in the van and breaks along the way gave us time to
get to know each other. Students in this class were from all
different academic and cultural backgrounds. I think we learned as
much from each other as we did from the experience
of learning about Native American culture and traditions.

Elders of the tribe spoke with us about value of self-identity.
Self-identity is not about the color of your skin but about
knowing that you are valued in your community.
This team experience encouraged us to value each other in the
process of learning.

Community connections take time to build. In the coastal environment with winding roads and stormy weather it can be difficult to stay connected. There currently is no public bus system to connect small rural communities to each other and the services that they offer. Programs that offer a connection such as this class at Oregon State University opens doors for a better understanding.
 

The Native American population in Siletz has a wealth of knowledge they are willing to share. One good introduction for the general public is to attend a Pow wow. Pow wows are native celebrations - Native American arts and crafts vendors, competition dancing, fry bread and a blend of Northwest Native culture are just a part of the pow wow experience.

I would like to say thank you to the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Tribal council for allowing us to spend time listening so that we might learn more about challenges facing Native Americans in the 21st century.


More about the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians:
http://www.npaihb.org/profiles/tribal_profiles/Oregon/Confederated%20Tribes%20of%20Siletz%20Indians%20Tribal%20Profile.htm
http://www.firstnationsmonday.com/
http://www.chinookwindscasino.com/
http://www.narf.org/nill/tribaldocs.html
http://www.hud.gov/news/focus.cfm?content=2002-11-25.cfm

Neighboring Communities:
http://www.digital-neighbors.com/city/or/siletz705n.htm
http://www.visittoledooregon.com/
http://www.oregoncoast.org/
http://www.depoebaychamber.org/
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_212.php
http://www.newportchamber.org/

Education:
http://www.mu.oregonstate.edu/longhouse/
http://www.casco.net/~PEAS/Peas_Siletz.htm
http://www.lincoln.k12.or.us/toledohs/
http://www.thelane.net/index.php?op=show&ID=815
http://libweb.uoregon.edu/diversity/multicult/native.html

Community Involvement:
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/recycle/jtr/state/siletz.htm
http://www.ecotrust.org/community/elakha_support.html
http://www.newportnewstimes.com/2000/nt_news0719/general/nt_news.html