Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

What happened

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians' website calls the Tribes the most diverse confederation of Tribes and Bands on a single reservation in the United States. It says their ancestors signed treaties and were promised a 1.1 million acre reservation, but that after massive reductions Congress passed the Western Oregon Termination Act in 1954, taking away federal recognition. The site says the Tribes' lobbying succeeded in 1977 and that they became the second formerly terminated tribe to regain recognition. Its Government page describes a nine-member Tribal Council elected by the General Council, a Tribal Court and an executive branch. Its menu lists Forestry and Fish & Wildlife programs.

In October 2026 Underscore Native News, republished by OPB, reported on a coastal parcel outside Yachats. The report says the Tribes bought a nearly seven-acre parcel. Joanne Kittel of View the Future said that, with support from McKenzie River Trust and The Nature Conservancy, the land was appraised and purchased for $120,000, of which her group contributed $55,000. CTSI Natural Resources Director Angela Sondenaa said the land was part of the Tribes' ancestral territory and the coast reservation. McKenzie River Trust's conservation director said the funding was flexible so there would be no restriction on the title.

The Tribes' own pages do not mention the purchase. The article describes the parcel as on its way to being returned, so the transfer may not be complete.

Good to know. The Yachats parcel was described as on its way to being returned, so the purchase may not have closed yet.

Summarized with AI assistance from 4 sources and checked against their words; not yet reviewed by historians or by the nations. Report an error