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Health & Education On-time graduation rates for Native American students in Willamina continue to improve 10.29.2020 Danielle Harrison Education Graphic by Samuel Briggs III/Smoke Signals By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals staff writer The number of Native American students graduating high school within four years continues to increase in the Willamina School District despite the COVID-19 pandemic that has left schools shuttered since March. Willamina saw a 6 percent increase, from 82 percent …

, challengers Reyn Leno and Brenda Tuomi joined Tribal Council incumbents Denise Harvey and Kathleen George for a 93-minute forum that attracted approximately 40 viewers. Incumbent Tribal Council member Jack Giffen Jr. is not running for re-election, ending 18 years of service on the Tribe’s governing board. General Manager David Fullerton handled moderator duties and Tribal Council Chief of Staff Stacia Hernandez watched the clock to ensure candidates did not go over their allotted time. After …

and accommodate two beds. Rowe said many locations for the village were considered, but ultimately the gravel lot adjacent to the Grand Ronde Tribal Police Station and the Food Bank west of Grand Ronde Road became the favored location. “ This will give residents access to the food pantry and within walking distance to all our Tribal resources,” Rowe said. Additionally, it’s planned to provide guests with one meal a day and a case manager to assist them during the transitional time. The tiny …

living as a mechanic for Midas Muffler. He was known for being able to bend pipe better than anyone else. He was also a fantastic do-it-yourself repairman who took such pride in his work. He showed that there was nothing he could not build or fix, and always enjoyed a new challenge. Steven enjoyed spending time with his family. He loved to hunt and fish. Deer hunting and salmon fishing were his absolute favorites. He loved spending time outdoors and raised many types of farm animals. Steve …

Tribal Council Vice Chair Chris Mercier during a special Nov. 2 Tribal Council meeting, adding that the result will alleviate fear among Tribal members that they one day might be the subject of disenrollment proceedings because of incomplete or faulty enrollment records possessed by the Tribe. Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy called it a “moment in time.” “Today is a great day for the Tribe,” Kennedy said. “The Tribal membership’s passage of the constitutional amendment to ban …

. “And it wouldn’t be that name if I had never worked for the Tribe.” Most recently, Hewitt served as a clinical supervisor and mental health therapist for the Tribe, and also has worked as the Youth Empowerment and Prevention Program manager and as a senior mental health counselor. In total, she was employed by the Tribe for eight years and has been a therapist for 18 years. Hewitt decided to branch out on her own so she could spend more time with her family, especially her 7-year-old daughter, Sanaa. “I …

differently each time,” Furby said. He began working with the “Drumstick” story in 2020. The tale includes a bit of magic and ambiguity. “We see the gay and you may not. Queer people see it as a queer story, straight people see straight.” The audience gathered around to listen to the ikanum, which combined multiple voices, visual elements and a 1929 recording of Clackamas Chinook storyteller Victoria Howard singing to bring the tale to life. The work that went into presenting the ikanum is a glimpse …

. passed away on Sept. 2, 2024, at the age of 87. Wilson’s Sutherlin Chapel of the Roses in Roseburg is assisting the family. Funeral service details were not available before press time. Gary Lee Ashman Jan. 5, 1953 – Aug. 31, 2024 Tribal Elder Gary Lee Ashman passed away on Aug. 31, 2024, at the age of 71. Gary was born on Jan. 5, 1953, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. He moved to Willamina, where he lived most of his life surrounded by the beauty of his hometown. A man of boundless enthusiasm and joy …

, but organizers decided to stay the course, a decision that paid off when, despite the forecast, the rain held off until after Friday evening’s grand entry. The powwow, held Friday, Aug. 15 through Sunday, Aug. 17, at the uyxat Powwow Grounds, was the opposite of the Veterans Powwow the prior month, which was warm, hot and dry. After the much-needed rainfall hit late Friday evening, it cleared away in time to allow Saturday’s grand entry to go forth unimpeded. Overcast skies and cooler temperatures were …

and will enter into intergovernmental agreements and/or memorandums of understanding "at the request of its Tribal government partners." "This is truly a pleasure to be here," Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy said during her testimony before the City Council. "I want to welcome everyone to the homelands of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. I want to thank you for listening to what has been said about the importance and support of this resolution. It is very moving and meaningful …