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Tribal Government & News Letters to the Editor -- June 1, 2015 05.29.2015 Dean Rhodes Letters Dear Smoke Signals: Since I was a younger spirit, I have known a digging stick is called an Um-Dah and I have never heard it called anything else. I am now 81 years old and feel satisfied that an Um-Dah is a good name for an important tool that our ancestors used in gathering food, basketry material and for other important daily work of survival. I bring this to your attention because I believe …

to a back injury suffered during her 50s. VanAtta doesn’t mince words when she describes it. “The golden years aren’t so golden,” she says. “It’s more like rust than gold.” VanAtta, 62, grew up in Philomath, but left home her freshman year of high school and began working. “We had a pretty sucky home life,” she says. “I decided if I wanted to be OK, all I needed to do was to be different than my mom. If you can’t show your kids what to be, then show them what not to be.” She spent most of her …

Culture Eldest Tribal Elder turns 100 03.27.2025 Nicole Montesano Elder Profile Tribal Elder Lorene Smith turned 100 years old Wednesday, March 19. She is the Tribe’s eldest Elder. (Contributed photo) By Nicole Montesano Smoke Signals staff writer In her century of life, Tribal member Lorene Smith has seen a lot, and for the most part, she’s enjoyed the experience. However, Smith doesn’t quite understand why anyone else might be interested in hearing about it. “I’ve had an interesting life …

into office on Wednesday, Sept. 13, by Tribal Court Chief Judge David Shaw after Cultural Resources Department drummers performed a warrior song called “The Challenge Song” meant to challenge the council members to “be the best, bring the best and get things done.” “I was honored,” Langley said after the swearing-in ceremony about receiving more than 700 votes. “I felt pretty good about how things were going, but I wasn’t expecting that. I think I did bring some unique characteristics. I think …

curriculum. Minahan then modified the curriculum to improve its effectiveness in the future. This was the Tribally-developed curriculum, the first Indian history curriculum to meet state standards. Reeves' experience made her a great choice for the curriculum specialist position recently vacated by Minahan, Langley said. "Before student teaching," said Reeves, "I knew I belonged in the education field, but since student teaching I have realized that it's exactly where I'm meant …

. “I changed my mind quick,” she said. “It was not for me.” Partridge grew up in Astoria, with little connection to the Tribe, apart from attending powwows and other events. After marrying her husband, Kelsey, in 1999, she put off going to college for several years while raising their three youngest children. In 2005, Partridge finally began chasing her long-standing dream, enrolling at Tacoma Community College. In 2013, Partridge joined the Tribal Attorney’s Office as an intern, working for six …

Tribal Government & News Letters to the Editor -- Nov. 1, 2016 10.31.2016 Dean Rhodes Letters Dear Smoke Signals : This is one of the most difficult letters I have ever tried to write and I almost feel I must apologize for doing so. So forgive me, I am far from perfect and unwell. I am writing to ask for only a little help, nothing more than we do in our daily lives to lend each other a hand; help each other when needed. Where I am there is none I can call to except Creator, and while I know I …

defend that individual’s rights. “I have been advocating for the rights of people with disabilities for around 20 years,” Duke said. “When I was in college, I used to help assist some individuals who lived in a group home. Although my primary career goals have been focused on housing, construction and hospitality, I have been a part-time care provider for 15 years. “When the Affordable Care Act was expanded here in Oregon in roughly 2013, I started paying close attention to the Oregon …

Tribal Government & News Letters to the Editor - Oct. 1, 2011 09.29.2011 Ron Karten Letters Dear Smoke Signals : This is a memory of 1946 when I was 12 years old. My sister Sharon and I attended Chemawa Indian School in Salem, Ore. She was in the fifth grade and I was a sixth-grader. Our boarding school dormitory was McBride Hall, which was located very close to the train tracks. The train tracks are still there. It is now September 2011 and I recall September 1946. The students were called …

Health & Education Education Division slates Oct. 5 Open House 09.06.2011 TJ McKnight Education , Events The 2011 Education Division Open House will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, in the Tribal gym. There will be a free barbecue dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to visit with staff from the following Education programs: Head Start/Preschool, Youth Education K-12, Kindergarten/Chinuk Wawa Language Immersion, Adult Education and the Tribal Library …