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Tribal Government & News Tribal leaders discuss future of ICWA 11.30.2022 Danielle Harrison ICWA By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals assistant editor/staff writer In its Tuesday, Nov. 15, Facebook Live session, Tribal leaders and employees discussed the importance of keeping Tribal children connected to each other and their culture through the Indian Child Welfare Act. Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy shared her personal connection to ICWA. “I was one of four people in the Northwest …

professionals in a neutral setting where they could learn from each other and share solutions to some of the most challenging environmental problems.” George, who chairs the state Environmental Quality Commission, focused her speech on celebrating the accomplishments of the Clean Water Act as well as its shortcomings. “Although my work with the Environmental Quality Commission brings me back to this regularly, I will not pretend that I am the foremost expert on clean water in this room,” she said …

location, the place where they wanted to be at was surrounding Wapato Lake. There were villages all around Wapato Lake. This is where the Tualatin Kalapuya wanted their reservation to be, but in 1855 they signed a new treaty and were remanded to the Grand Ronde Reservation.” Harrelson said that when the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service approached the Tribe about a partnership for the new refuge, they insisted on one thing: wapato. “We're still linked to this place today and I remember that I was fortunate …

most about archaeology camp, 13-year-old Satara Blanchard didn’t hesitate. “I like digging in the dirt, getting dirty and not having anyone judge you for doing it,” Blanchard said. “You can have a lot of fun when you’re doing it, too. You’re finding things, looking for old things. You also meet a lot of nice people who also like digging.” Blanchard was one of several youth who attended the four-day camp, which culminated in a public archaeology day on Friday, June 23. The camp was coordinated …

Culture Yesteryears - Nov. 1, 2023 10.31.2023 Danielle Harrison Yesteryears 2018 2018 – A culture milestone was reached when the Tribe was finally able to ceremonially fish at a removable platform at Willamette Falls. “I stand here with pride in my heart and know the battle my ancestors went through so we could have this celebration today,” Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy said during a celebration event at the McLean House in West Linn. The Tribe had applied for and received …

and the property was opening. “I think one of the things about Ed is he was comfortable in any situation in terms of his ability to communicate with people,” Greene said. “I attended a number of meetings with Ed and he was always very comfortable and I think made people who he was talking with feel very much at ease. He was a wonderful ambassador for the Tribe. He was excellent at that.” Larsen said his style of leadership was to bring everyone together. “My way was to get it done and not fight about it,” he …

verified through receipts. Tribal Council Secretary Michael Cherry had no advance knowledge of the incident, according to Grand Ronde Tribal Police reports and what she told Smoke Signals. She was not cited in the matter. The updated information was made public during an Sept. 4, Tribal Council meeting by Vice Chair Chris Mercier. “This is largely a follow-up to the issue with the last Wednesday night council meeting pertaining to the Spirit Mountain Casino and Tribal police investigations…I …

Siletz casino (MOU) would be to destroy that relationship and to completely demean Grand Ronde’s millennia old cultural interests, damaging both beyond repair.” Atchison told the City Council that “There is no intent to disrespect the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. We have had a working relationship with the Grand Ronde over the years; they have helped us in a number of ways regarding inadvertent discovery plans and a number of other issues throughout the community. I personally deeply …

has asked staff for recommendations for alternative ways to maintain housing and campus grounds, Haller said. He added that he envisions “a more community-driven approach,” such as the community clean-up days held in Willamina. Eastman, who has made it a personal mission to stop the Tribe’s use of herbicides, said she is “deeply grateful for this decision.” “I don't believe it emerged from politics but grew from the voices and hearts of our community members,” Eastman said in an email. “It came …

and festivals up and down the west coast," says David Lewis, Grand Ronde Museum Curator and Cultural Liaison. "He has perhaps 30 years of photos of these festivals. I think he has the largest collection of images of these cultural events in the world." Williams' 1980 book, "Bridge of the Gods, Mountains of Fire: A Return to the Columbia Gorge," an illustrated history told from the perspectives of both his Indian and pioneer ancestors, is arguably the best book about the Columbia Gorge and has long been …