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for its office site to consolidate programs in one location and help alleviate overcrowding at its other offices. The hotel was built in the 1920s and had been most recently used as a senior living complex. Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year increments through the pages of Smoke Signals. Share On Facebook Share On Twitter Share Article Link Subscribe Subscribe to our Newspaper for latest updates: Subscribe To Our Newspaper For Latest Updates: …

and ethnic groups, career and technical education courses, advanced course work and extracurricular opportunities. The Willamina School District estimates are that approximately 40 percent of the students are Native American, with most being Grand Ronde Tribal members or descendants. In 2022, Willamina Native students’ on-time graduation rate was 86 percent, up from 73 the previous year. Eighty-eight percent of ninth-grade Native students were on-track to graduate, compared with 71 percent …

and one for campus spraying that was approved in May. Tribal Council recorded comments about the on-campus spray policy during the Nov. 9 meeting. After staff explanations, attendees expressed concern and confusion about what was being exterminated and the chemicals used to do so. More than 10 people made comments, most using the entire five minutes they were allotted to present personal testimonies against the current use of herbicides. Some said they could smell the chemicals and were …

funds for the schematic design as part of its 20 percent match share, with most of the other funds coming from in-kind staff time spent on the project. 2003 – Native American rapper Litefoot rocked the house when he performed at the Grand Ronde Tribal gym. Litefoot had received many accolades during his career, including four Native American Music Awards. He said his main goal was to break down stereotypes of Native people. “My people don’t wear headdresses and we don’t ride horses,” he said …

life in service to others. He also served in the U.S. Air Force. Awan worked for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in Oregon as an alcohol and addictions counselor. Sober himself for more than 30 years, he was passionate about helping others in recovery. He loved fishing, hunting, bringing joy to others and, most of all, his daughters and grandchildren. He made hundreds of pairs of moccasins for those who needed them. He loved to spread joy and make others laugh. He loved life and many …

to ensure that fire and police have good access throughout the project.” The $3 million project is a collaboration between the Tribe and Polk and Yamhill counties. The Tribe is paying for half of it, Mercier added. Polk County has most of the jurisdiction over the road and Yamhill County has a small part. Road improvements will include removing all of the pavement and replacing it with a thicker version, and adding more rock underneath it to better absorb wear and tear over time. The two main …

and supporting our most important resource – our people.” In addition to being the first female to lead the casino, she also is third Tribal member in the job after Thomas and Randy Dugger. “The fact that Camille is the first woman CEO is a fantastic milestone,” Jenness said. “What is more important to me is that we got the right person for the job, and she is that person.” Mercier also has served on the TERO, Health and Royalty committees and is a current member of the Spirit Mountain Community …

, Legislative Action Committee meeting. Kennedy said Interior staff members were most interested in her requests to add budget lines to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for newly restored Tribes that address funding for law enforcement, public safety and fire management. She also mentioned adding a line item regarding cultural restoration. “That is what the effort was to begin with,” Kennedy said, “to remove our identity and culture.” Kennedy said she also asked for an interdepartmental commission to focus …

Program of McMinnville. Nineteen children attended the program, which was staffed by teacher Angela Bedortha, assistant teacher Mary Cook and family services advocate June Olson. 1988 – A harmful 1950s-era Termination policy, H.R. 108, was repealed by Congress as part of an education reauthorization bill passed by the House of Representatives and Senate. The 1953 policy led to an era of Termination amongst Native American Tribes. Eventually, most of the Tribes that were terminated under the policy …

most other large businesses in a down economy. During an update at a General Council meeting, Acting General Manager Roy Rhode said despite high gas prices and lagging consumer confidence in the U.S. economy, the casino’s net revenue was higher in 2008 than in 2007. 2003 – Tribal members re-elected Cheryle A. Kennedy, and elected Jack Giffen Jr. to serve on Tribal Council. The third- and fourth-place candidates, Jan D. Reibach and Mark Mercier, were headed for a recount because there was less …