Search

Tribal Government & News Voter list remains unchanged in Nov. 2 constitutional election 10.20.2022 Dean Rhodes Elections , Tribal Constitution , Disenrollment The list of Bureau of Indian Affairs registered voters for the Nov. 2 constitutional election hangs on the entrance doors of the Governance Center in Grand Ronde. (Photo by Kamiah Koch/Smoke Signals) By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor If you’re one of the 19 Grand Ronde Tribal members who challenged the voter list for the Nov. 2 …

Tribal Government & News Reservation Act amendment to fix Thompson strip error signed into law 12.20.2023 Danielle Harrison and Dean Rhodes Federal government , Reservation By Danielle Harrison and Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals staff WASHINGTON – An amendment to the Grand Ronde Reservation Act that would fix a mistake incorporated into the act in 1994 was unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, Dec. 19. The bill was signed into law by President Biden on Tuesday, Dec. 26 …

Tribal Government & News Letters to the Editor -- Nov. 1, 2011 10.28.2011 Ron Karten Elections , Letters Dear Smoke Signals : It's hard to believe that the BIA would agree to putting four separate issues into one bundle to be voted upon. I truly wish Tribal Council would put each issue separately on the ballot to be voted on separately. What is the problem in doing that? Nancy Hughey Roll #1042 Dear Tribal members: When we voted on the 1999 enrollment proposal, many of us did not know what we …

descendants were not given back their Tribal enrollment status because they failed to file an appeal within the 14-day time limit set by the Tribe’s Enrollment Ordinance. That decision was upheld by the Tribal Court of Appeals. On Sept. 26, Tribal Council adopted amendments to the Enrollment Ordinance, also by a 4-3 vote, that allow for reinstatement of former members if it is appropriate under Tribal law, as well as Tribal case law. The loss of membership had to have been decided by the Enrollment …

Tribal police respond to Willamina to assist with a domestic disturbance. Tribal police responded, but the request was cancelled before they arrived. An assault was reported in the 26000 block of Salmon River Highway. Tribal police are investigating. Wednesday, April 26 Tribal police continued investigating several cases and located new evidence. Polk County deputies requested Tribal police respond to assist a deputy with a DUII investigation. A possible fraud was reported in the 27000 block …

Culture Native American activist Beryle Contreras walks on at 81 05.31.2017 Brent Merrill People , Walking On One of the most important moments in modern American Indian history occurred in California in November 1969 when five activists jumped from a three-masted yacht named Monte Cristo in San Francisco Bay and swam to Alcatraz Island. Within days after Richard Oakes, Jim Vaughn, Joe Bill, Ross Harden and Jerry Hatch made history by claiming the island by right of discovery, the occupation …

with the Grand Ronde Tribe over the years during his tenure with the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, serving as a featured speaker at the Tribe’s annual Memorial Day event and Marcellus Norwest Memorial Veterans Powwow. “The military was a really good fit for me and I ended up staying longer than I thought I would,” he says. “Many Native Americans serve their country in very high numbers compared with overall population.” Sparks retired from active duty in 2007 after 26 years and several …

graduation rates,” Superintendent Carrie Zimbrick said. “It continues to be a work in progress.” Willamina had 867 students in grades K-12 last year, and approximately one in three are American Indian or Alaska Native. The school district’s Title VI director works with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde to review the federal forms and check for students missing from the list. However, state data for Willamina counts a significantly lower number, just 20% of students, as American Indian/Alaska …

Ronde took time to honor 95 employees for their service on Thursday, Sept. 19, with certificates, drawings and games, along with a hearty breakfast. The employees, who have worked from 5 years to 34 for the Tribe, have a combined total of 1,383 years of service. “Forty-one years ago, this was not here,” Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy told the audience. “None of this was here. There were cow fields, primarily.” The newly-restored Tribe started with just two employees, a general …

Tribal Government & News Grand Ronde Police Log -- Feb. 26 - March 11 03.13.2017 Dean Rhodes Public Safety Sunday, Feb. 26 Tribal police assisted Oregon State Police with two crashes on Salmon River Highway. Both were vehicles that crashed in the ditch due to snow conditions. A woodcutting complaint was received. Tribal police investigated and found the woodcutters had permits. Tribal police were requested by Polk County deputies to assist with an investigation in the 26000 block of Salmon …