Rusty Butler, Siletz Tribal Member

Karen James interviews Rusty Butler, a Siletz tribal member who works as prevention coordinator for the tribal alcohol and drug program in his community on the central Oregon coast. Rusty spent his teen years incarcerated at MacLaren, Oregon’s youth correctional facility. When his spiritual practices were not included among the religious practices offered at MacLaren, Rusty and his family took steps to bring native traditions to MacLaren. Rusty tells of his release from MacLaren at age 21, his unsuccessful transition back to his Siletz community, and how, years later, he returns to work with the Siletz youth. Rusty also assists as a spiritual practitioner in Oregon men’s prisons.
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians http://ctsi.nsn.us/