The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians have signed an agreement that aims to increase access to veterans’ benefits and services.
The memorandum of understanding signed June 27 lays the groundwork for the creation of the tribe’s first-ever tribal veterans service officer position. The role will be jointly funded by Veterans’ Affairs and the tribe with the intention of helping Siletz veterans and their families more easily access both state and federal benefits that they’ve earned.
“Oregon’s Tribal veterans have long served with honor and distinction, and it is our responsibility to ensure they receive the care and recognition they have earned,” said Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Nakeia Council Daniels, who signed the agreement alongside Tribal Council Chairman Delores Pigsley. “By partnering with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, we are committing to a future where Siletz veterans are served in a way that honors their stories, their service and their sovereign identity.”
The agreement marks the sixth memorandum of understanding that Veterans’ Affairs has signed with Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes.
Pigsley called the partnership more than a formality.
“It’s a commitment to honoring and empowering those who have served our nation,” she said. “Not only to support them but to help advocate for them.”
Tribal veterans service officers work within their communities to assist veterans and their families in navigating the often complex process of filing claims and accessing benefits ranging from health care and education to housing and burial services.
More information on veteran services in Oregon, including tribal-specific resources, is available on the state’s website.