Confederated Tribes

Bal'diyaka drone video footage by Joshua Stevens. Music provided by Chief Doc Slyter 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 Slyters 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 ...Read More