Delores Pigsley
Delores Pigsley was born in Toledo Oregon to Alfred and Maude Lane. The youngest of eight children, lived and grew up at Chemawa Indian School, where her parents were employed. After graduation from Keizer Grade School, attended Serra Catholic High School then graduated from North Salem High in Salem Oregon in 1961.
Delores worked in various jobs throughout her working career, working while going to school, beginning her career with Prudential Insurance Company and retiring from 24 years of work with the Social Security Administration, where she worked at various locations in Oregon commuting from Salem Oregon.
As an advocate for the Siletz Tribe, she was elected and has served on the Siletz Tribal Council for the past 42 years, when the tribe sought and reversed federal termination. She has served as Tribal Chairman for over 36 years.
In the capacity as Chairman, Delores has been actively involved in tribal government, serving on the various federal, tribal, and local organizations. She is the chief negotiator and spokesperson for the tribe.
The history of the tribe since termination in the 1950s to restoration in 1977, to the growth and prosperity of the tribe today has been tremendous.
She was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Law from the Willamette University in Salem Oregon and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement award from Portland State University.
She was married to Donald Pigsley, a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe of Wagner, South Dakota, she had three children Timothy Troy and Quanna, and seven grandchildren, Don, Troy and Quanna are now deceased.
Delores credits the success of her tribe to all of the past and current tribal council leaders, and to many national tribal leaders serving as mentors. The rebuilding of a tribe takes leadership and community support.