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and sports writing in 2016 and best feature story in 2017. Merrill was born on Dec. 31, 1960 in Dallas, Ore., the son of Tribal Elder Donna Stronach (Bean) and Warren Merrill, and the grandson of Fremond Bean. He was descended from Tribal leader Chief Joseph Sangretta and was proud of his Northern Paiute and Kalapuyan roots. He was raised in Oregon and spent his entire life living and working in the Pacific Northwest. He attended Marist High School in Eugene and received a GED, and then attended Western …

before COVID-19 was being able to walk through the halls of Congress. “It feels like you are a part of something bigger and exciting,” she said. Post pandemic, the best experience was the care and concern shown to her by other congressional staff members. “That was really helpful for me to be able to push through what was happening,” Wright said. Wright has begun a new position as policy analyst for the National Congress of American Indians, a position she secured after working …

said. “We’ve had up to 116 Tribal members out working on different construction projects and this training gives them more marketable skills.” Tribal member Lisa Leno was all smiles after spending time operating the loader. “I like it,” Leno said. “It’s fun and I think it’s the best part of the training. Using the simulator helped me get the foundation of how to operate it. I felt pretty confident I could do this after using it.” Leno said she enjoys being outdoors and has worked as a landscaper …

and the Blazers are huge in Portland. The owner of this space is a big fan, so we went for it,” Douglass said. “It’s quirky so it fits in well with the neighborhood. People love it.” Evidence of that was shown on a recent Friday afternoon as Douglass handled a sale using a basketball-shaped phone, customer purchases and an interview with Smoke Signals at the same time. So far, the best-selling product has been the Blazer Barbie Doll. “We sell a lot of Blazer gear in general,” he said. “We have …

is the first archaeology graduate recognized for this honor who has conducted community-based research with a Tribal nation,” says Dr. Sara Gonzalez, an associate professor with the University of Washington’s Department of Anthropology. “For a field whose history of relations with Indigenous communities can be best characterized as extractive, Ian’s Tribally led approach to conducting heritage research with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde serves as a model for how our discipline might begin …

believe that many of our communities experience their best health with eating First Foods and diets that have sustained people for generations, and within our extended family structures. I think culture should always be looked at as an accelerator to achieving health and wellness for individuals.” Added Watson, “It’s a systems change question. How do we embrace the systems that are going to be affirming of all of our identities, and educate people not only to embrace but to work within …

of delivering services during a global pandemic. “It’s been a tough year for everyone and housing is included in that, but we have done our best to continue our mission,” he said. “Many of you know our mission statement: We are here to ensure the membership has safe housing, which is affordable, promotes self-sufficiency, Tribal pride and Tribal spirit. We’re also going to create additional housing opportunities for Tribal members.” Leno said that despite a sluggish economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic …

of the American Political Science Association, where Auger attended virtual orientation sessions in the fall. “There was a lot missing from that, but a small group of us are planning to have lunch in D.C. soon,” she said. Auger also said she appreciates the Hatfield Fellowship program. “I’m very blessed to have it,” she said. “I appreciate the opportunity and will continue to make sure I do my very best and always think about my role as something I am doing to serve our Tribal community …

to leave behind his best buddy and friend, Donovan Kaufman, and his loving “Dad,” fishing buddy, traveling companion and “Captain,” Floyd Holbrook. Toye thoroughly enjoyed traveling dirt roads in central Oregon, taking landscape photos and playing his music loud! Unfortunately, his life was taken May 29, 2021, on a country road in a single-vehicle crash. When his truck accelerated, taking him through two fences and landing on its side, it burst into flames in the Little Deschutes River. Toye’s …

Chris Mercier. "She was always seeing the best in people. She had a zeal for her job and you could see that with the relationships and friendships she helped forge for our Tribe. I think she was the perfect example of somebody who loved this Tribe and would do anything for it. She wasn't just an employee, she was a true friend." Taylor also was a member of the Oregon chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and served on the board of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Foundation. She …