Restoration & Cultural Revival Still, the Siletz people and culture endured. They united and organized. Through ingenuity, courage and hard work, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians restored their status as a federally recognized tribe in 1977 and became a sovereign nation once again. Today the tribe’s headquarters is in Siletz, about 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Lincoln City. The tribe owns a checker- board of approximately 16,000 acres (6,475 ha) throughout Western Oregon and operates the Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City. Construction is currently underway on Ghii Dee-Ne Dvn: A Place for the People, a 20,000-square-foot (1,858- sq-m) tribal museum in Siletz, where visitors will learn about Siletz history and culture. How to Experience Tribal Culture Learn about local Native culture at a powwow — an annual gathering with Indigenous dance, song, art and culture where everyone is welcome. There you’ll find Native food and art for sale, as well as special performances and cultural demonstrations. The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians hosts two powwows every year. The Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow is held outdoors in August in Siletz, and the Restoration Pow-Wow takes place in November inside the Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City. Check out the tribe’s website or Explore Lincoln City’s website for more information on these events. Working for Otters and Cleaner Waters In 2018 Siletz tribal members Peter Hatch and Robert Kentta got together with other tribal and conservation leaders to form the Elakha Alliance, a nonprofit working to restore a healthy population of sea otters to strengthen the region’s marine and coastal ecosystems. A January 2022 study noted that the reintroduction of sea otters to the Oregon Coast is possible and will directly improve the health of local kelp forests, which in turn help combat environmental stressors caused by climate change. Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow FROM TOP: NATHAN HOLSTEDT; COURTESY OF THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF SILETZ INDIANS; ROBERT SHEA Siletz-style basket weaving EXPLORELINCOLNCITY.COM 43
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