In this 2018 photo, Chief "Doc" Slyter plays one of his hand-carved flutes while watching lamprey tagging at Eel Creek.
Brian Bull/KLCC
Donald “Doc” Slyter, Chief of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI), died this past weekend. He had served in his role since 2020.
Brenda Brainard is a fellow tribal member who worked with Slyter on restoring federal recognition for their people in the 1980s, as part of the CTCLUSI restoration committee.
“Our families were very active together in our tribe’s struggle to sustain a community during termination, and then work for restoration.”
Brainard told KLCC that he battled esophageal cancer in his final years. He was 72.
“What will always stand out to me with Doc was his smile,” said Brainard. “He just had the cutest, sweetest, little smile. And it kinda had a hint of impishness with it. But what I remember most about him was his quietness. He was very calm, he was a very humble man.”
Slyter was also a U.S. Army veteran.
In a statement, U.S. Representative Val Hoyle of Springfield said Slyter’s spirit and his memory “leave a legacy of resilience and hope.”
“It is a huge loss. He was a respected Elder, our Cultural Leader and a thoughtful friend to all of our people,” Jesse Beers, CTLCUSI Cultural Stewardship Manager wrote in an email to KLCC.
Family tribute
On the CTCLUSI website, the tribe shared the following statement from Slyter’s two sons, Tyler and Scott:
“After a long battle, Chief Donald “Doc” Slyter has left this world to rejoin the Creator. He passed at home surrounded by his family.
“His lifelong perseverance, up until the very end, would certainly make our ancestral Warriors proud. Never one to back down or admit defeat, he fought for what he believed was right.
“He spent nearly his entire life living on the Southern Oregon Coast. He was married to his wife Debbie for 50 years, yet another testimony of his commitment and determination.
“At the time of his passing, Donald Slyter was the acting Chief for The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw. His lifelong involvement with the Confederated Tribes gave him the opportunity to witness their return to Recognized status in 1984, followed by 39 years of growth and success. Never content, Chief Slyter felt an obligation not only to those Tribal Members today, but also those of future generations.
“His presence will be missed by many. Without doubt, his Spirit will watch over all friends and family. Additional information on plans to celebrate his life will be shared soon.” Brainard says she wishes to keep referring to Slyter in the present tense, to keep him alive in people’s memories. “As long as we say his name, he’s not really gone.”