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the summit this year and he thanked the Elders before acknowledging Tribal Council members present. Harrelson introduced Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno. “These are always great opportunities to let people know who we are,” said Leno. “We believe in education. I want to thank everybody for coming. These are great educational opportunities, so thank you for being here.” Harrelson jumped right into the heart of the summit experience on day one with a presentation about Tribal history. Local historian …

, a father at the age of twenty. I have pushed the limits of my own mortality multiple times some of which was the result of my own foolish and stupid behavior. Some from my many close calls in Vietnam by some means escaping it all forever changed but somehow untouched. To my ongoing fight with serious health issues the latter being Leukemia, a word no one wants to hear. I believe that no one can be that close to death and walk away. No one can be that insanely lucky unless we have a purpose why …

conference initiated by Gov. John Kitzhaber with Executive Order 96-30 during his first term as Oregon governor. "This is far more than a statutory obligation," Kitzhaber said. "For me, it is a deep personal obligation." One theme that speakers returned to again and again was the value of "mutual respect and trust," in the governor's words. Developed over time, state and Tribal governments have each recognized the extra work required to continually train leaders and staff members who take over …

lanes, and widen the highway in that span to four lanes. Additionally, an interchange, similar to what is seen at Fort Hill Road, is proposed for where highways 18 and 22 meet near Spirit Mountain Casino and Valley Junction. “There is a big problem with congestion and wait times there,” says Oregon Department of Transportation Project Manager Bill Ness. “Hopefully the project will address a majority of those issues.” Construction projects to widen and improve road access are only one part …

to the pandemic. In a keynote address on Thursday, April 22, society President Dr. Paul Earley referred to substance use disorders and COVID-19 as “intertwined epidemics.” “In 2020, the overdose numbers got much worse” he said. “There was a 28.28 percent increase as of September. There has also been a significant rise in overdoses from multiple use of drugs. It’s rare to find people who overdose on one substance. There is also a much higher risk of getting infected with COVID if you have a past or present …

. The crisis led to millions of people with addiction problems, some of whom were not helped by traditional abstinence-based, 12-step programs. Some dismiss medication-assisted treatment as “swapping one drug for another,” which Great Circle Recovery Center Operations Director Jennifer Worth says is a common misconception. “Many are confused by the concept of medication-assisted treatment,” Worth says. “It doesn’t mean replacing one drug for another. It’s a form of treatment that minimizes risk and meets …

out at the crowd of more than 100 people who had gathered to hear her speak, Grand Ronde Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy summed up the moment: “Wow,” she said. Kennedy was the featured speaker at Clackamas Community College on Tuesday, May 9, hosting the lecture, “Do You Know Oregon’s First Peoples? A History of the Grand Ronde Tribe.” “One of the things for me that has been so important in addition to being a traditional Indian woman is to teach, so that those who look up to you …

Culture Public memorial for Kathryn Harrison slated for Sunday, June 4 05.31.2023 Dean Rhodes Walking On Kathryn Harrison By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Grand Ronde Tribal matriarch Kathryn Jones Harrison walked on Sunday, May 21, at the age of 99. Harrison was a key participant in the Grand Ronde Tribe’s early 1980s Restoration efforts and was one of five Tribal members who testified before the U.S. House of Representatives on Oct. 18, 1983, in support of restoring the Tribe to federal …

Health & Education Graduates say persistence pays off 07.11.2025 Nicole Montesano Education Tribal member Katherine Rodriguez was one of three guest speakers during the Tribal Education Department’s Honor and Recognition Event at the Spirit Mountain Casino Event Center Friday, June 27. Rodriguez graduated with her master’s degree from Eastern Oregon University. (Photos by Michelle Alaimo) By Nicole Montesano Smoke Signals staff writer Persistence in the face of difficulty was the theme …

, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have given her 103 direct descendants. At the time of her passing, Nora was aunt to 200 to 300 people, with six generations growing up behind her. Many of Nora's descendants remain active and influential with the Tribe and in Tribal activities. Her parents were Cecille Leno Warren and John M. Warren. John Warren's father was Chief Bogus of the Umpqua Tribe, who was killed by vigilantes on the 1856 Trail of Tears. Chief Bogus was one of eight Tribal members …