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attention to the bottom line and will begin to cut back where necessary. I’d like to encourage you to submit your thoughts regarding next year’s budget. The feedback you provide is valuable and helps us focus on the things that matter most to our Tribal members. Spirit Mountain Casino Capital Improvement Projects This year, a number of renovations took place at Spirit Mountain Casino in anticipation for our 20-year anniversary. The projects included many things, such as a parking lot overlay, kitchen …

or Vocational Rehabilitation programs, as well as contact the Tribal Employment Rights Office about possible construction jobs available within a 60-mile radius of the Reservation and then walk over to the Human Resources Department for both the Tribal government and Spirit Mountain Casino to find out about job openings and also sign up for the temporary worker pool. “We try to meet each individual where they are when they come in and apply for services” Gibbons says. “The most important key aspect …

, increasing availability and access to fresh food, and bringing it to the community on food carts. Perri McDaniel reminded the group of the esteem that Native Americans have always had for their food. Patti LeClaire, coordinator of the Grand Ronde Community Garden, described the development of the Community Garden. Last year, she said, the garden harvest exceeded 3,000 pounds. Most went to the local food pantry while portions also went to Elders and preschoolers. This year, the garden will grow 4,200 …

it was founded in 1997. The check distribution started with five children from the Lilu preschool classroom singing a Christmas carol and honor song in Chinuk Wawa. Board of Trustees Chairman Sho Dozono, dressed in a festive red sweater and Santa Claus hat, and State Rep. Val Hoyle, who is the newest member of the Board of Trustees, also attended. “We are thrilled today to get to, in most cases, renew our partnerships on 30 absolutely fantastic projects,” said Community Fund Director Kathleen …

a play. The 10-year-old program works with each of some 70 to 75 annual participants over three-week sessions. Each participant writes a play that afterward is performed by professional actors in front of a live audience, said founder and Executive Director Bruce Livingstone. Most participants have a history of trauma or neglect, he said, but the results are astounding. The University of Oregon and Oregon Health & Science University conducted a study of four workshops with the same approach …

Tribal sovereignty. These updates provide me with an opportunity to update you on some of the things Tribal Council has been working on and I hope you find this piece informative. NAFOA "Deal of the Year" Award In April, the Tribe received the "Deal of the Year" Award from the Native American Finance Officers Association for our investment in MicroGREEN Polymers, Inc. The award was presented to the Tribe at NAFOA's 32nd annual conference held in New Orleans, La. As most of you know, MicroGREEN …

Lewis, an invocation and introduction by Tribal Council member Jon A. George and a welcome from the Grand Ronde drum opened the all-day event. "The conference has become a must-attend event for many people working in heritage in Oregon," Lewis said. "There are few events like the conference that offer such a powerful array of scholars working in different disciplines, presenting in the same location. "We had the most respected scholars in their fields at the conference, which attests to the great …

devoted much of its time to natural resources and takes pride in the sustainable management of our most valuable resources looking forward seven generations," Leno said in his testimony before the commission. "Our Fish and Wildlife Plan is the product of a collaborative dialogue and exchange of ideas between the Oregon Fish & Wildlife Department and Grand Ronde. Grand Ronde considers ODFW to be a partner in its efforts to improve wildlife habitat and implement management rules that will ensure our …

to take the Tribal food bank one step further, said Gaupo. The effort intends "to control the Tribal community's food destiny," he said. The extra involvement by Food Share will include help setting up the infrastructure for a smooth-running, well-planned operation that makes the most of many possibilities. Those might include examples of what a good garden looks like, or packaging and distribution help with some of the gardens' harvests. Facilities will allow the community to teach canning processes …

in the public school system. ECONorthwest and the Chalkboard Project compared Tribal membership rolls for seven of Oregon's nine federally recognized Tribes with data provided by the state Department of Education. The most important finding, George said, was that 28 percent of Tribally enrolled children in elementary school are chronically absent, meaning they miss 10 percent or more of days throughout the school year. The chronic absenteeism rate increases to 31 percent for middle school students and 43 …