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Steph Littlebird presents her soon to be released book called "Coyote and Meadowlark Make Willamette Falls."

Reading "A Stone is a Story" and "One Day This Tree Will Fall."

and connection. My work represents more traditional Indigenous spirituality.” More than $22,000 in prize money was danced for and prizes ranged from $100 for a consolation prize to $1,000 for first place. Specials included the Saturday Night Best Dressed Drum Group with a top prize of $800, a Prairie Chicken/Round Bustle committee special with a top prize of $700, a Women’s Jingle Contemporary vs. Old Style special also with a top prize of $700, a Squetimkin & Hernandez Family Junior Jingle …

Tribal Government & News Recapping a year of COVID: From casino closure to mass vaccination clinics, Tribe persevered 03.12.2021 Dean Rhodes History Spirit Mountain Casino closed in March 2020 for 74 days. When it re-opened on June 1, many Oregonians were thankful for a place to go for entertainment. (Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez/Smoke Signals) By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor On Feb. 28, 2020, the Oregon Health Authority reported the first case of COVID-19 in Oregon. Three days later …

as a child. Raised in Milwaukie, McEachran said his family stopped and visited with Velma Mercier, who was a cousin to McEachran’s mother, in Grand Ronde on their way to Rockaway Beach. “They would sit and visit, and that was a real highlight. We came this way so we could go through Grand Ronde,” remembered McEachran. “As little kids we would sit in the car and who got to see the Grand Ronde sign first was the winner. My mother lived here, was born here and went to St. Michael’s because …

, Denise Harvey, Chris Mercier and Army veteran Brenda Tuomi followed the veterans into the dance arena to the beat of Chet Clark’s Johonaaii Singers. The Four Directions drum group then brought in the fancy shawl dancers, bustle dancers and jingle dancers, and they were followed by children of all dance styles. Tribal Elder, former Tribal Council member and Navy veteran Wink Soderberg gave the invocation and said that when people come to visit Grand Ronde they should be treated like family …

of the different departments offering health care at the clinic: Medical, Dental, Behavioral Health, Optometry, Pharmacy, Community Health, and Administration and Business Office. No matter the department, however, they are all judged on the same criteria: quality care, patient access and, perhaps most importantly, patient satisfaction. “Our complaints went down 20 percent from 2018 to 2019,” Rowe said, adding that the goal is zero complaints. “If we don’t shoot for the best …. We have to meet …

for state agency Tribal liaisons and managers. “Bringing together the liaisons and Tribes for networking and solid cultural awareness training will enhance government-to-government relations with the Tribes,” he says. After nearly six months on the job, Sparks says he thinks that it is the most unique one in state government. “You don’t just focus on one aspect, but a wide range,” he says. “There’s health, human services, housing, education and justice. But, my best days are when I am out on Tribal …

that impacts how we determine when to safely open schools and how to best serve students within the current safety and health requirements,” Vickery said. “Currently, we are working on a plan to bring in several groups of 10 students for two hours for a variety of learning activities.” Earlier guidance issued on July 28 by the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Education resulted in most school districts opting for comprehensive distance learning. Each school district was tasked …

, as well as the changes the Education Department has undergone in the past year and its future goals. “I am really excited to share everything the Education Department has done this past year and I’m honored to work with such an amazing group of people,” she said. “They managed a very difficult situation and brought the best education services they could to the membership.” Fasana described 2021 as a “rollercoaster ride.” “We re-opened in March, closed for a bit during the summer and we’re back …