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Ronde Reservation. "I am confident, in every way, that the creation of this reservation will contribute to an improved standard of living for the entire area," said Chairman Mark Mercier. 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: …

by Elizabeth LaPensée, a former Grand Ronde-area resident and indigenous game developer. The game follows an Anishinaabeg in the 1890s who is displaced from Fond du Lac Reservation in Minnesota. The game features more than 20 indigenous writers. Lewis, 53, became involved with the project after LaPensée contacted him online to write several game scenarios. It is his first foray into gaming. “This was a great way to pass on knowledge in an educational and engaging format,” Lewis said. “I would do …

in Chinuk Wawa. Jones began working with Judith Fernandes, a language teaching consultant at the Northwest Indian Language Institute. “While writing a unit on Pacific lamprey, Judith and I thought how great it would be if we created a story about a Tribal family who went to Willamette Falls to harvest lamprey,” Jones says. She began researching lamprey and the harvesting process, met with a Tribal biologist to ask questions and with Cultural Resources staff to ensure the story line included …

staff writer There isn’t a single industry that has remained unaffected by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, including law enforcement. From traffic stops to jail bookings, the way the Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department performs its job has required adjustments to ensure safety of members of the public and officers, according to Chief Jake McKnight. “I would say the biggest changes are not taking anyone to jail unless it is domestic violence or a mandatory arrest,” he says. “Also, all …

held Friday, June 19. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the ceremony was held virtually. Two videos, one featuring GED and college graduates, and another featuring high school graduates and eighth-grade promotions were streamed on the Grand Ronde Education Programs Facebook page. The college graduates video began with Tribal Council Secretary Jon A. George offering his congratulations. “You’ve reached a milestone in your life and you should be proud to say, ‘I did it. I accomplished it.’ Today …

to serve 60 students in kindergarten through 12 th grade. They had 150 sign up. In July, the number jumped to 200 because the department was able to provide more boxes. They are expecting similar numbers through the month of August. Barry isn’t sure if Youth Education will continue providing the boxes next summer. “I don’t know what the future holds,” he said. “It kind of depends on the situation and where we are at with offering onsite programming. But, I do see the value in it for kids who can’t …

have to work remotely, either due to COVID concerns or simply when we have to be away from the office on business in the future,” George said. “I think we have all experienced some technology failures before this. I have just been dropped in the middle of meetings, sometimes over and over on the same meeting, or been able to see and hear everyone but nobody could hear me. I have seen the same things happen to other council members. Also, being able to see the other meeting participants adds …

the country. “I am writing to you all wanting to share the meaningful contributions and accomplishments that Cultural Resources staff had at the conference,” Cultural Resources Department Manager David Harrelson said in a staff e-mail. “When our work takes us away from the Tribe sometimes successes are not as easy to see. In that spirit I want to share with you all a bit about the conference and the contributions Cultural Resources staff made.” He noted that staff members provided or contributed …

dreams is hallelujah, here we are.” Oregon Rep. Andrea Salinas introduced legislation to fix the mistake on March 22. Her bill was co-sponsored by Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, and Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Val Hoyle and Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “I am deeply proud that my amendment to the Grand Ronde Reservation Act has passed the Senate and will soon become law,” Salinas said. “This is a historic moment not only for the Grand Ronde Tribe, but for Indigenous peoples in Oregon …

, “When I die, it’s OK to be sad for a little bit. But don’t stay sad.” Then she would get a big smile and start clapping when she thought about heaven and she would say, “Can you imagine?” The most important thing in her life was family: Her Christian family, birth family, Tribal family, Narcotics Anonymous family, canoe family and community family. All of you gave her so much joy and purpose. Let us honor her gift of connecting to people, understanding people and her ability to reflect back …