July 23, 2021 10:00 a.m.

The Coquille Indian Tribe is mourning the passing of Chief Don Ivy.

A release said the chief died on Monday night after a seven-month battle with cancer. Ivy was 70 years of age and had been chief since 2014.

Tribal Chairman Brenda Meade said, “Chief Ivy was a consistent source of wisdom and kindness for the Coquille people. His voice was an invaluable asset to those of us who were privileged to serve with him in tribal leadership, and we will miss him terribly”. Meade offered prayers for the family and “…our enduring gratitude for his many contributions to the tribe’s wellbeing”.

The release said Donald Ivy was well-known in Oregon as a champion of Indian people and a scholar of tribal heritage. Ivy received many awards for his leadership and contributions to the State of Oregon and Indian Country, including the Potlatch Award, Antone Minthorn Economic & Community Development Award and the Oregon Heritage Commission’s Heritage Excellence Award. The release said Ivy was honored by Southwestern Oregon Community College in May as its 2021 Distinguished Alumnus.

As chief of the Coquille Tribe, he served on the seven-member Tribal Council and was the tribe’s cultural and spiritual spokesman. In honoring his wishes, the tribe will hold a special election to choose his successor.

A memorial service will be held in the Mill Casino-Hotel’s Salmon Room at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday September 25th.