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Tribal Government & News Tribal Council appoints Youth Council members 09.01.2016 Dean Rhodes Tribal Council , People The Tribe now has a Youth Council. At its Wednesday, Aug. 31 meeting, Tribal Council appointed Dominik Briant, Isabelle Grout, Raven Harmon, Jason Page, Payton Smith and Madalyn Volz to the Youth Council with terms ending in March 2018 or when they graduate from high school. One position remains vacant. Tribal Council Secretary Cheryle A. Kennedy said that the installation of …

Culture Tribe receives funding for Tribal Historical Preservation Officer 02.11.2011 Ron Karten Culture , Tribal employees Smoke Signals editor Tribal member and Tribal Cultural Protection Coordinator Eirik Thorsgard is now wearing a new hat as Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. Thanks to a more than $27,000 grant from the National Park Service, the Grand Ronde Tribe now has increased sovereignty in controlling its architectural and historic sites on Reservation and trust lands. Previously, …

Culture Yesteryears -- Jan. 1, 2019 12.28.2018 Danielle Frost, Staff Writer History 2014 – Jan Looking Wolf Reibach released his new album, “Tamanawas,” with High Spirit Records based in Arizona. The multiple Native American Music Award recipient recorded melodies that he had stockpiled during his more than 10-year career, as well as a few new songs. This move allowed Reibach to return to the subdued, organic flute playing that launched his career in the early 2000s. “Because this was the last …

Tribal Government & News Tribal Council extends chief judge's contract 05.01.2019 Dean Rhodes Tribal Council By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Tribal Council extended the contract with David Shaw to serve as Tribal Court chief judge through the end of June at its Wednesday, May 1, meeting. Shaw, who has been serving as Tribal Court chief judge since February 2015, saw his contract expire at the end of March, but Tribal Council previously extended it through the end of April at its March 20 …

Tribal Government & News Yesteryears -- June 1, 2019 05.30.2019 Daneille Frost History 2014 2014 – The 12 th anniversary of the dedication of the West Valley Veterans Memorial saw more than 250 people attend. The event began with a noon meal of ceremonial stew and an invocation by former Tribal Council Chair Kathryn Harrison. Tribal Royalty helped serve the meal and later performed “The Lord’s Prayer” during the memorial ceremony. Flags were at half-staff as the lunch crowd moved to the …

Tribal Government & News Yesteryears -- July 1, 2020 06.30.2020 Danielle Frost History 2010 2015 – The Willamina School Board approved a new policy regarding flag displays that accommodated a request from Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno to hang the Grand Ronde Tribe’s flag in the school gym. The Tribe’s flag would hang next to the U.S. and Oregon flags at the district’s schools for its approximately 30 percent Native American student population to see. 2010 – The Tribally funded, $1 million …

Health & Education Local school districts still do not meet updated state metrics for in-person learning 11.12.2020 Danielle Harrison Education By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals staff writer The Oregon Department of Education and Oregon Health Authority released updated guidance for returning to in-person instruction on Friday, Oct. 30. The metrics are based on the latest COVID-19 information, align with federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and could potentially …

Tribal Government & News Tribal Council approves forming a new company for small business investment 10.13.2021 Dean Rhodes Tribal Council By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde will soon have a new limited liability company. Tribal Council approved forming Upqwena LLC during the Wednesday, Oct. 13, meeting, allowing Tribal Council Chief of Staff Stacia Hernandez to file the required paperwork with the state of Oregon. The company will invest in small …

Tribal Government & News Tribe begins second round of demolition work at Blue Heron site 04.14.2022 Dean Rhodes Tribal Council The Tribe announced on Monday, April 4, that the second phase of demolition of buildings at the former Blue Heron Paper Mill site in Oregon City had started. (Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez/Smoke Signals) By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor OREGON CITY – The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde started the second round of demolition on Monday, April 4, at the former Blue …

Tribal Government & News Tribal Council appoints new Tribal Court chief judge 08.24.2022 Dean Rhodes Tribal Council Patrick Melendy By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor During a rare early morning meeting, Tribal Council appointed Hoopa Valley Tribal member Patrick Melendy of Springfield as the new Tribal Court chief judge on Wednesday, Aug. 24. Melendy, 51, grew up in Independence and started law school at the University of Oregon in 1993, graduating in 1996. He previously received an …