Cynthia (Bellinger) Farlow #58 CTSI Honored Elder was born before Termination and spent her formative years living in the picturesque Willamette Valley. She is the daughter of Donald F. and MaryJane Bellinger, granddaughter of Lester and Adelaide (Adams) Bellinger; and great granddaughter of Rev. John ‘Ahaiya’ & Martha (Huntsucker) Adams and Andrew Edward & Esther (Lane) Bellinger. She is the 2nd Great Granddaughter of A. Edward and Julia (Gagnon) Bellinger; Scott and Minnie (Louie) Lane, Tyee John and Usuwi Goes Ahead and John Huntsucker and Klamath Annie. Her ancestors are of Rogue River, Shasta, Tututni, Klamath, Umatilla Cayuse and the French-Canadian Indians who settled in what was called the French Prairie Oregon (St Paul) in the early 1800’s.
Cynthia began devoting her volunteer time and gift donations to Siletz Tribal Arts and Heritage Society in 2011. She served with former Chair David Hatch and Chair Gloria Ingle as a volunteer donating her handmade necklaces, gift baskets, and wreaths to various events promoting STAHS. She has also served as a Board member in 2019 and was elected STAHS Chairperson from July 2023-March 2024. She has shown unwavering dedication and passion to advancing and keeping the STAHS mission on track. She was reelected as Chairperson by acclamation in November 2024. Cynthia is a team player and believes in full Board participation in their role to succeed in fulfilling the goals set by our STAHS Mission statement.
Cynthia offers over 40 years of comprehensive experience in building construction and real estate. As a former co-owner of a roofing company and custom home and public works superintendent, she has hands-on construction expertise in residential, commercial and industrial building. Her background includes 10 years as a paralegal for a municipal contractor and five years as a Certified Construction Mediator for Riverside Superior Courts. Cynthia studied the principles of Feng Shui using the Lo Pan at UC Riverside and is proficient in building estimation (Xactimate/with Sketch) and served in Puerto Rico after the 1998 Hurricane Georges on a Cat team estimating million dollars in damages. She held a CA General Building Contractor license, specializing in ADA remodeling, and was an OR Licensed Real Estate Broker and Notary Public. She was also a Certified FEMA inspector. Her deep understanding of all phases of building construction will be invaluable to STAHS in planning and expediting the building of ‘A Place for Our People’.
Cynthia enjoys socializing in Tribal cultural activities such as Run to the Rogue, Nesika Illahee parade/powwow and Restoration Powwow. She is a former Siletz Elder Council Vice Chair and Treasurer.
It is with a sense of pride that Cynthia desires to continue to give her time, experience, and energy for sustaining our native culture and heritage for generations to come through her volunteerism with Siletz Tribal Arts and Heritage Society.