Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow celebrates generations of Siletz culture, tradition and community.
By Amand Fallon
The 2026 Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow brought together members of the Siletz community and visitors from across the region Aug. 7–9 at the Pauline Ricks Memorial Pow-Wow Grounds on Government Hill in Siletz, Oregon.Hosted annually by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz, the three-day celebration brought together Tribal members and visitors for traditional dancing, drumming, singing, Indigenous arts, crafts and food.
The 2026 gathering was part of the Tribe’s continuing annual Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow, which is held each summer on the second weekend of August. The event takes place in the heart of the Siletz Reservation and provides a space for community members to gather and celebrate Siletz culture and traditions.
The Confederated Tribes of Siletz is made up of more than 57 tribes and bands, with ancestral homelands extending from Northern California to Southern Washington.
The history of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz is connected to seven ratified treaties and one unratified treaty negotiated between 1853 and 1855. These agreements involved the cession of Tribal homelands and the consolidation of Tribal communities. The Coast, or Siletz, Reservation was established by executive order from President Franklin Pierce on Nov. 9, 1855.
That history provides important context for the significance of the pow-wow today. Held on the Siletz Reservation, the annual gathering brings together Tribal members to continue cultural traditions, strengthen community connections and celebrate the culture and identity of the Siletz people.
During the 2026 event, attendees experienced traditional dancing, drumming and singing, while vendors offered Indigenous artwork, crafts and cuisine. The gathering also gave visitors an opportunity to learn about Siletz culture and support Native artists and craftspeople.
The Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow continues to serve as an annual celebration of Siletz culture, community, history and traditions.