November 25th is recognized as Native American Heritage Day. The Elakha Alliance is proud to honor the 4 Indigenous individuals that serve on our Board.
- Peter Hatch: Peter is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, and works in the tribe’s Cultural Resources office. He’s been fishing, clamming and crabbing in Lincoln County his entire life, and wants to ensure that his descendants can always do the same.
- Chief Don “Doc” Slyter: Born in North Bend, Doc is a Hanis Coos Elder. Besides an overseas post in the U.S. Army, Doc has resided in Coos Bay, for most of his life. Doc was elected Chief of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians in April of 2020.
- Chief Jason Younker: Jason spent his childhood in Coos Bay where he learned how to dig clams, herd ducks and fish, and canoe as part of the Coquille Indian Tribe. Today, he is Chief of the Coquille Indian Tribe, holding one of seven seats on the tribal council, and is the tribe’s leader in cultural and spiritual matters. Younker also serves as assistant vice president and advisor to the president on sovereignty and government-to-government relations at the UO.
- Robert Kentta: Robert is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, of Shasta and Dakubetede descent. He’s always been passionate about protecting and restoring the species that make our region special. He has managed the tribe’s cultural resources program for more than twenty-five years, and proudly serves as an elected member of the Tribal Council.
