The Siletz is the Native American group who lived on Oregon's central coast. Their rich history and culture are worth exploring. They spoke a distinct dialect and were related to the Tillamook tribe, who lived along the Oregon Coast. Unfortunately, they faced forced relocation by the United States government during or after the Rogue River Wars of 1855-1856. However, the Siletz people successfully lobbied Congress to repeal the Western Oregon Termination Act, resulting in their federal recognition in 1977. Today, they maintain their cultural heritage and even created a "talking dictionary" of Siletz Dee-in, their native language, to aid preservation and teaching.

1. Siletz Indian Tribe

2. INTRODUCTION
1. The Siletz is the Native American group who lived on Oregon's central
coast.
2. Their rich history and culture are worth exploring.
3. They spoke a distinct dialect and were related to the Tillamook tribe, who
lived along the Oregon Coast.
4. Unfortunately, they faced forced relocation by the United States
government during or after the Rogue River Wars of 1855-1856.
5. However, the Siletz people successfully lobbied Congress to repeal the
Western Oregon Termination Act, resulting in their federal recognition in
1977.
6. Today, they maintain their cultural heritage and even created a "talking
dictionary" of Siletz Dee-in, their native language, to aid preservation and
teaching.

3. SILETZ DEE-NI TALKING LANGUAGE
• The Siletz Indian language is such an ancient language," according to the Siletz Dee-
ni community.
• It is a Native American language still spoken on Oregon's coast.
• The community took action when linguists classified their language as "moribund"
and predicted its inevitable extinction.
• They refused to let that happen and began a comprehensive revitalization process.
The community has now recorded almost 14,000 words for the online Siletz Dee-ni
Talking Dictionary.
• Younger community members are now learning, singing, and texting in the language.
• The annual Culture Camp, the ceremonial Feather Dance, and programs offered in the
local school and tribal center are all helping to preserve the language, dance,
traditional crafts, mythology, knowledge of the natural world, and a strong sense of
identity for future generations.

4. • SHELTER
• A main housing structure for many
Siletz ancestors was plank houses
made from cedar or sugar pine with a
hearth area at least slightly below
ground level.
• In the northern area of the ancestral
homelands of the Confederated Tribes
of Siletz Indians along the Columbia
River and the north coast, these plank
houses could be more than 100 feet
long and house multiple families.

5. • Depending on the exact
location, plank-house
villages sometimes served
as winter quarters and a
"home base" for many
Tribes, who also lived in
temporary structures or
camped out under the open
sky at other times of the
year as they ventured out in
"seasonal rounds" to hunt
and harvest food and
supplies.
The plank house serves as an important part of
modern tribal life.
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6. CLOTHING AND FOOD
• CLOTHING:
• Traditional Siletz clothing varied among the tribes
and bands within the confederation. However, some
common elements included:
• Cedar bark clothing: Made from woven cedar bark, it
was used for clothing, hats, and other items.
• Animal hides: Deer and elk hides were used for
clothing, moccasins, and accessories.
• Beadwork and embroidery: Decorative beadwork and
embroidery-adorned clothing.
• Feathers and shells: These were used for
ornamentation.
• Modern Siletz tribal members wear traditional and
contemporary clothing, reflecting their cultural
heritage and personal preferences.

7. FOOD
• Historically, Siletz people relied on the abundant natural resources of their
ancestral lands:
1. Fish: Salmon, trout, and other fish were essential food sources.
2. Berries and plants: They gathered berries, roots, and other edible plants.
3. Game: Deer, elk, and other game animals provided meat.
4. Shellfish: Clams, oysters, and crabs were harvested from coastal areas.
5. Today, Siletz tribal members continue to honor their food traditions while
incorporating modern foods. The USDA Food Distribution Program
provides commodity foods to tribal families in need.

8. HERITAGE:
• The term "Siletz" has several meanings, depending on the context:
• Siletz People and Language:
• The Siletz refers to a Salishan people historically inhabited the Oregon
coast. They spoke a distinct dialect and were part of the larger Tillamook
people. The Siletz people called themselves "Se-la-gees," which means
"crooked river." Their language is also known as Siletz.
• The word "Siletz" can also denote the language spoken by this indigenous
group.
• Geographical Origin:
• The name "Siletz" comes from the river on which the Siletz tribe lived. The
exact origin of the name remains unknown, but it describes the river's route
through the mountains circuitously to the ocean.

9. • The Siletz Tribe's commitment to preserving its cultural identity,
language, and traditions is evident through activities like the Culture
Camp, held annually in July. During this camp, Tribal families come
together to learn about their ancestors' ways, fostering a sense of
belonging and pride in their strong heritage.
• In 1992, the Siletz Tribe achieved self-governance, allowing them to
manage tribal programs and funding directly. They occupy and
manage a 3,666-acre reservation in Lincoln County, Oregon, where
they oversee resources such as water, timber, and fish.
• The Siletz Tribe's rich heritage, diverse languages, and resilient spirit
continue to shape their identity and community today.

10. • LITERAL MEANING:
• The word "Siletz" itself translates to a description of
something that is coiled like a rope or a snake. This
imagery reflects the winding path of the Siletz River.
• INTERESTING FACTS
• The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, for
hundreds if not thousands of years have celebrated
the summer and winter solstices with a special dance
known as the Feather Dance or Naadosh. This dance
takes place over 12 days at "Yonkentonket,"
meaning "the center of the earth."
It is a significant tradition that honors their cultural heritage and connection to the natural
world.
The Run to the Rogue is another important event for the Siletz Tribe. In this relay, tribal
members take turns carrying an eagle flagstaff from Government Hill in Siletz to Agness,
Oregon, along the Rogue River. This relay, spanning a considerable distance, is Oregon's
longest relay on foot.
Yonkentonket dance