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children, we celebrate,” she said. “For the many Tribes that formed Grand Ronde, we all rejoice together.” Kennedy recalled that after the Tribe was terminated in 1954, there were only 900 members on the Termination Roll. She was one of them. “Many of us, those Elders among us today, we need to appreciate and help them,” she said. “You have to think of the feat that was accomplished. The United States, the most powerful nation in the world, admitted they were wrong and they restored us to Tribal …

. It was a cold, foggy morning, but it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the participants. Successful program participants earn level one certification, which makes them more employable while they work on various projects. “They’re not getting a job running an excavator right off the bat, but have the opportunity to do so once they get in more time with an employer,” TERO Compliance Officer Duke Kimsey said. It’s the third time TERO has offered the training in Grand Ronde. Last year, four of the six …

Health & Education Tribe begins administering doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine 12.23.2020 Danielle Harrison Health & Wellness Health Services Executive Director Kelly Rowe was one of the first Tribal employees to receive a first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, Dec. 23. (Photo courtesy of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Facebook page) By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals staff writer The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde started administering the highly anticipated …

graduation rates.” The overall statewide graduation rate is 82.6 percent, the highest graduation rate ever recorded in Oregon. “While the class of 2020 ended their high school careers in a way no one wanted or expected, the graduation rate shows how much work they put in over the last 13 years with the support of their teachers and families,” Education Department Director Colt Gill says. “Seeing greater growth in graduation rates for most students of color, students with disabilities …

of drugs such as cocaine, heroin, oxycodone and methamphetamines to a civil fine of $100 instead of having a criminal penalty with fines up to $6,250 and potential jail time of up to one year. Additionally, those who are fined under the new law can have the fine waived if they agree to complete a health assessment. Drug manufacturing and selling remain illegal activities. Grand Ronde Tribal Police Chief Jake McKnight said he has concerns about implementation of Measure 110 locally. He said that since …

in a dissertation, “An Archaeology of Survivance on the Grand Ronde Reservation: Telling Stories of Enduring Native Presence,” which was recently awarded the Society for American Archaeology’s 2021 Dissertation Award for the outstanding contributions it makes to the discipline. The society is the largest professional archaeology organization in the United States. It recognizes one dissertation annually and Kretzler received a plaque and three years’ worth of free membership in the organization. “Ian …

Affairs’ Northwest Region that will reimburse the Natural Resources Department for wildland fire services and support through Dec. 31, 2025; Approved a memorandum of understanding with the Yamhill County Housing Authority that will provide one housing voucher per month to a participant involved in the Tribe’s Warriors of Hope Program, which assists victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse; And approved the enrollment of one infant into the Tribe because he or she meets the requirements outlined …

million mark in giving. (Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez/Smoke Signals) By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Spirit Mountain Community Fund awarded $574,427 in grants on Wednesday, March 10, during a virtual check presentation event that also celebrated the Grand Ronde Tribe’s philanthropic entity surpassing the $85 million mark in giving since its beginning in 1997. One year ago, the Community Fund held the final in-person event on the Tribal campus before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down not only Spirit …

by linguistic scholars since the 1960s.” “The presence of the (Umatilla) people increased during the fur trade and mission era, which brought additional (Umatilla) members to the Willamette Valley and increased use at Willamette Falls.” Beckham fact-checks that statement as false as well, citing an 1839 Hudson’s Bay Co. census of Fort Vancouver Indians that identified no Umatilla Indians. He does concede there was one Walla Walla youth who briefly attended school on French Prairie in the early 1840s …

. “This is an important subject always, but even more so in this current time we are in,” Watson said. “I’m very excited to be here today to discuss health care as it relates to health inequities for Indigenous communities. … One of my leading values is once we know better, we must do better. I would invite the audience today to take this new information and turn it into action in your own communities.” Watson’s first question for the panelists was their thoughts on the term “health inequities …