The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians recently celebrated the lifting of restrictions on their hunting, fishing, and gathering rights with a traditional powwow at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort. For 47 years, the tribe has commemorated the regaining of federal recognition through this annual event. The tribal chair, Delores Pigsley, expressed the joy of returning to their pre-1850s way of life. The Siletz tribe was forced onto a reservation by the federal government and lost recognition in the 1950s and 60s. This loss of self-governance was a painful experience, but after years of fighting, the tribe regained federal recognition in 1977.
However, to regain a fraction of their land, the Siletz tribe had to agree to restrictions on their hunting, fishing, and gathering rights. Recent collaborative efforts with the US and Oregon resulted in the lifting of these restrictions, allowing the tribe to manage and sustain wildlife traditionally used for ceremonial and subsistence purposes. The powwow brought together tribal members, ensuring that their important traditions are passed down to future generations who can now celebrate and practice their cultural heritage freely.
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Photo credit www.theguardian.com
