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don’t normally get exposed to our Native language and culture to have an opportunity to be immersed in it.” This year’s journey is hosted by the Lummi Nation and the theme is "Honoring Our Way of Life.” “The Lummi people are honored to welcome all our relations traveling the traditional highways of the ancestors to participate in this year’s journey,” stated the Paddle to Lummi website. “Together we will celebrate, honor and preserve the unique cultural heritage of the Coast Salish people. We …

pandemic. (Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez/Smoke Signals) By Danielle Frost Smoke Signals staff writer With many larger grocery stores running out of staple items, local Elders are grateful to have free, ready-to-heat lunches for the remainder of the week. Last week, Nutrition Program Manager Kristy Criss-Lawson announced that the Elders Activity Center would close at 2 p.m. Friday, March 13, and remain shuttered through the end of March, but that Elders would still receive food. Those who typically …

Casino remained open during a recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Oregon. “Spirit Mountain Casino has no plans to deviate from our health and safety plan,” said Marketing Director Shawna Ridgebear on Friday, Dec. 4. “We will continue with our limited business hours and increased sanitation plans, much of which exceeds the Centers for Disease Control recommendations. Our full plan is available on our website at www.spiritmountain.com.” Spirit Mountain Casino, the Grand Ronde Tribe’s primary …

Former Grand Ronde Education Department Manager Leslie Riggs is the newest member of the Editorial Board. Tribal Council appointed Riggs, 54, to the board that oversees the editor of Smoke Signals during its Wednesday, Jan. 12, meeting. He will serve the remainder of the three-year term that belonged to former Public Affairs Director Siobhan Taylor, who walked on in August 2021, through March 2023.

in financial distress and/or the homeowners are deceased. Housing staff received an estimate of $100,000 to repair the unit and also researched removal. During that process, they found a company that will remove the home for free and attempt to rehab it for sale. “It’s been vacant for years,” Housing Department Manager Shonn Leno said at a Tuesday, July 23, Legislative Action Committee meeting. “It didn’t make any sense to improve the home based on the cost of the repairs that were presented …

Gaming Portland man wins $934,185 jackpot at Spirit Mountain Casino 10.14.2015 Dean Rhodes Gaming , Spirit Mountain Casino By Angela Sears Advertising supervisor Donald Stanley of Portland hit a $934,185 jackpot at Spirit Mountain Casino on Saturday, Sept. 26. Stanley, who recently starting working with the U.S. Postal Service, left work on Saturday morning and headed to Spirit Mountain Casino with his wife, Melissa Major, to celebrate an anniversary. Stanley said he is a big fan of the “Sons …

. 15, to the preceding Monday to give Tribal members extra time to Christmas shop. During its July 26 meeting, Tribal Council named Sept. 15 as the date for the third per capita payment of 2017. Tribal Council also approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon Cooperative Procurement Program. Procurement Manager Larry Leith said at the Tuesday, Aug. 1, Legislative Action Committee meeting that the Tribe uses the state program to buy goods and services and usually purchases big-ticket …

Tribal Government & News Tribal Council approves 2024 budget 12.27.2023 Danielle Harrison Tribal Council By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals editor Tribal Council held its final meeting of 2023 on Wednesday, Dec. 27, by handling items brought to it during its Tuesday, Dec. 19 and Tuesday, Dec. 26, Legislative Action Committee meetings. Council members approved the 2024 final budget, which included a 3.2 percent increase in spending from the 2023 budget. The 2024 draft budget was mailed …

Tribal Government & News Tribal Council approves grant application for Chachalu phase three construction 06.27.2024 Danielle Harrison, Michelle Alaimo By Danielle Harrison and Michelle Alaimo Smoke Signals staff Tribal Council approved applying for an Indian Community Development Block Grant that would help fund completion of phase three construction at Chachalu Tribal Museum & Cultural Center at its Wednesday, June 26, meeting. The $500,000 grant would be used by the Tribe’s Cultural …

adjacent to Spirit Mountain Casino on Salmon River Highway after contact tracing uncovered positive COVID-19 connections to the facility. The closure, which took effect at 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, was announced on the Tribal government’s official Facebook page. “We will take this opportunity to conduct a deep clean of the store while the fuel pumps will remain open for credit card use,” the post said. “The Tribe’s highest priority is the safety of our staff and community.” The store will remain closed …