This story originally appeared on Underscore Native News.
Citizens of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, joined by elected officials from both the tribe and the city of Salem, gathered to celebrate the opening of Kloshe Illahee Haws affordable housing project on Sept. 29 in Salem, Oregon.
With a ceremonial ribbon cutting, they opened the 39-unit affordable housing development project, built on 8.8 acres of trust land.
Three Siletz citizens started the event by offering a hand drum song, with a prayer from tribal council member Loraine Butler that followed, as the skies welcomed the crowd with a light misting of rain…