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Health & Education Shaver hired to lead Adult Foster Care program 08.12.2016 Brent Merrill Health & Wellness , Tribal Employees Peggy Shaver looks at her new job as the Tribe’s Adult Foster Care director as her opportunity to have a positive effect on people. “I feel so honored to be here,” said Shaver during an interview at her office in Black Bear Lodge. “My way to pay it forward is to take care of the Elders. It’s just so rewarding to come to work every day and know you’re making a …

Tribal Government & News Tribal fishermen return to Willamette Falls, net 15 salmon 06.14.2016 Dean Rhodes Tribal Council , Culture , History , Natural Resources , Tribal Employees OREGON CITY – The approximately 120-year break in Grand Ronde Tribal members fishing for salmon at Willamette Falls is over. Surrounded by the rushing waters of the Willamette River and standing on a slippery outcropping of rock, Tribal Lead Maintenance Technician Andrew Freeman stuck the long handle of a dip net …

Culture Community Fund surpasses $70 million mark in giving 06.30.2016 Brent Merrill Spirit Mountain Community Fund Young people at their most vulnerable were the primary beneficiaries of this quarter’s Spirit Mountain Community Fund distribution held in Grand Ronde on Wednesday, June 15, at the Tribal Community Center. During the ceremony, Spirit Mountain Community Fund also surpassed the $70 million mark for charitable giving since its inception in 1997. The fund has now distributed 2,317 …

Tribal Government & News Tribe creates in-house Security Department 04.29.2016 Brent Merrill Tribal Employees , Public Safety The Tribe now has its own Security Department and will no longer contract out security services on Tribal grounds. Beginning Saturday, April 23, Tribal Security took over from Advance Security, which had been contracting to provide security officers for the last several years. Before Advance, the Tribe contracted with Pro Star Security. The one constant in security …

Culture Chachalu exhibit features Willamina student artwork 05.31.2016 Brent Merrill Culture , Education , Events , Tribal Employees With all the concern about a massive earthquake hitting the Pacific Northwest, retiring Willamina High School art teacher Bill Boyson says he might be partially to blame if and when it does happen. Boyson, who has taught art at Willamina since 1976, is currently teaching photography and ceramics, and as many local families can attest their homes are filled with …

Tribal Government & News Tribe examining telecom business potential for Grand Ronde area 12.29.2016 Brent Merrill Tribal Council , Events , Tribal Employees The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde is thinking about getting into the business of providing Internet services to the Grand Ronde area by possibly starting its own telecommunications company. Part of the process for considering the new venture is gauging community interest. Tribal Council member Chris Mercier hosted a community meeting …

Tribal Government & News General Council briefed on Spirit Mountain Casino 09.15.2015 Brent Merrill General Council , Spirit Mountain Casino , Tribal Employees General Council received election results and an update from Spirit Mountain Casino General Manager Stan Dillon on Sunday, Sept. 13, at the Tribal Community Center. The Grand Ronde drum group opened the meeting with a drum song. Drummers were Bobby Mercier, Kaikanim Mercier, Kyoni Mercier, Brian Krehbiel and Travis Stewart. Tribal …

Tribal Government & News Willamina School Board OKs display of Tribal flags in district buildings 06.30.2015 Brent Merrill Tribal Council , Education WILLAMINA -- The Willamina School Board approved a new policy regarding flag displays that accommodates a request from Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno to hang the Grand Ronde Tribe’s flag in the school gym during its Tuesday, June 23, meeting held in Willamina High School Library. The Tribe’s flag will now hang next to the U.S. and Oregon flags …

Culture Willamina to reconsider Tribal flag request on May 12 04.29.2015 Dean Rhodes Culture , Education , Events By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor WILLAMINA – The Willamina School Board is scheduled to reconsider a request to hang the Grand Ronde Tribal flag in the high school gym on Tuesday, May 12, after tabling the matter at its April meeting. Former Grand Ronde Tribal liaison to the school district, Tribal Court Administrator Angela Fasana, made the original request after visiting …

Culture Willamina School Board to consider policy that would permit Tribal flag 06.12.2015 Dean Rhodes Culture , Education , State Government By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor WILLAMINA – The Willamina School Board will consider a revised policy regarding flag displays and salutes at its Tuesday, June 23, meeting that would accommodate a parent’s request to place the Grand Ronde Tribal flag in the high school gym. The revised policy, developed by Willamina School District administrators, …