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Tribal Government & News Tribal Council selects Mercier for vice chair, Cherry as secretary 09.13.2023 Danielle Harrison Tribal Council By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals editor With just a week passing in between meetings, Tribal Council had a fairly light agenda on Wednesday, Sept. 13, with only three action items. The shorter one-week period between meetings occurred because Tribal Council traditionally holds a meeting after new members are sworn into office. Earlier in the day, incumbents …

Culture Watchlist: ‘In The Dirt’ 06.28.2024 Kamiah Koch Watchlist By Kamiah Koch Social media/digital journalist The Navajo Nation’s reservation embraces not only its traditional Native culture, but it also has a big mountain biking culture. The documentary “In The Dirt” is directed by T.C. Johnson and follows retired professional cyclist Scott Nydam’s journey as he uncovers a community of passionate cyclists on the reservation. The “In The Dirt” documentary trailer starts out with Navajo …

Tribal Government & News Veteran reporter Nicole Montesano joins Smoke Signals 07.12.2024 Smoke Signals Nicole Montesano Staff writer Nicole Montesano joined the newsroom of Smoke Signals on June 24, after 30 years with the News-Register newspaper in McMinnville. Montesano covered county government and politics for the last 10 years for the News-Register, along with writing about the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in 2020 and assorted other issues. Before 2014, Montesano covered the city of …

Tribal Government & News Federal budget cuts funding for tumwata village 03.27.2025 Federal government , Tumwata Village WASHINGTON -- A continuing resolution for federal funding that narrowly passed in Congress last month includes eliminating $2 million in funding for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde’s restoration of tumwata village, among other cuts. The Senate passed the bill on Friday, March 14 and President Trump signed it into law the following day. “We are disheartened that our …

Tribal Government & News Open enrollment begins Tuesday, June 3 05.30.2025 Enrollment The Tribe will begin accepting non-infant and non-emergency enrollment applications under the new lineal descent requirements starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 3. The deadline for applying is 5 p.m. Friday, July 18. Applications submitted during that period will be included in an enrollment drawing Tuesday, July 29. The drawing will be live-streamed at a time to be announced. Applications received after the …

Tribal Government & News Police arrest suspect in tumwata village fire 06.13.2025 Tumwata Village Smoke Signals file photo OREGON CITY -- Oregon City Police Department announced Thursday, June 12, that they arrested Christian Gannon Dukes, 21, of Oregon City for arson in the second degree. He was arrested for allegedly starting a fire at the former Blue Heron Paper Mill, the Tribe’s tumwata village property in Oregon City, in January. The 3-alarm fire started in the early morning hours of …

Tribal Government & News Food programs face more cuts 07.11.2025 Katherine Warren Federal government By Katherine Warren Smoke Signals staff member Healthy Food Boxes, a popular monthly program for Tribal members that is grant funded, will not continue after August. Tribal Council has said it hopes to find a way to continue funding the boxes. Additionally, local food pantries are also feeling the federal funding cuts and increased costs elsewhere. Grand Ronde Food Bank (iskam mǝkʰmǝk-haws) …

Tribal Government & News Investment report presented at General Council meeting 10.14.2025 Nicole Montesano General Council By Nicole Montesano Smoke Signals staff writer A representative from Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. briefed the general membership on the Grand Ronde Tribe’s investment portfolio Sunday, Oct. 5, in a hybrid General Council meeting on Zoom and in Tribal Council Chambers. Tribal drummers performed a song and Tribal Council member Kathleen George gave the invocation. The …

suspended. Friday, June 15 Suspicious conditions reported in the 9600 block of Grand Ronde Road. Motorist assist in the area of milepost 26 on Salmon River Highway. Suspicious conditions reported in the area of Grand Ronde and Tyee roads. Saturday, June 16 Assist outside agency with a non-injury vehicle crash in the area of milepost 19 on Salmon River Highway. Driving complaint received in the area of milepost 21 on Salmon River Highway. Motorist assist in the area of Grand Ronde Road and Salmon …

Culture Walking On -- Leona Medina, Charlene Minjarez, Charles Taylor and John Pool 09.30.2020 Dean Rhodes Walking On Leona Medina Leona Jane (Ray) Medina Sept. 26, 1969 – Sept. 17, 2020 Leona Jane Medina was born on Sept. 26, 1969, in Crescent City, Calif., the daughter of Richard and Lola (Spates) Ray. She passed away peacefully on Sept. 17, 2020, at the age of 50. Leona grew up in Crescent City, graduating from Crescent City High School. She was a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand …