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Culture Yesteryears - Feb. 1, 2022 01.28.2022 Danielle Harrison Yesteryears 2017 – Faulconer-Chapman School eighth-grade students were learning the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde’s new history curriculum in their classroom. Grand Ronde Tribal member and Curriculum/Academic Advisor Mercedes Reeves was working with Faulconer-Chapman teacher Tim Hart on introducing the Tribal curriculum into local schools. The lessons culminated in several of the students completing projects of Tribal village …

Tribal Government & News Casino-related business dominates Tribal Council meeting 02.09.2022 Dean Rhodes Tribal Council , Spirit Mountain Casino , Tribal employees Land east of the current Grand Ronde Fire Station on McPherson Road may be used partially or in total for a new fire station and Emergency Management storage facility. Tribal Council approved a contract with Scholten Construction of Willamina for design and pre-construction services on Wednesday, Feb. 9. (Photo by Timothy J. …

Culture Tribal member is a top artist in international contest 02.14.2022 Danielle Harrison People , Art Grand Ronde Tribal member and Cultural Advisor Bobby Mercier recently was honored as being one of the top 10 percent of artists in the Respect the Artists international online competition for his head chief carving. (Contributed photo) By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals staff writer Grand Ronde Tribal member and Cultural Advisor Bobby Mercier is no stranger to creative undertakings. He has …

The Bank School District became the first school district in Oregon with a Native-themed mascot to sign an agreement with one of the state’s nine federally recognized Tribes in August 2016. The agreement, which expired in October 2021, phased out the school district’s previous Native American warrior profile mascot from school buildings and athletic uniforms and prompted the district to start offering a Tribally created history curriculum and sponsor a Native Club for its students.

Tribal Government & News Tribal Council approves purchasing Wiseman Island property 05.18.2022 Dean Rhodes Tribal Council Map by Samuel Briggs III/Smoke Signals By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Tribal Council approved a purchase and sale agreement for approximately 71 acres of Wiseman Island located in the North Santiam River southeast of Salem during its Wednesday, May 18, meeting. Wiseman Island is about 300 acres and consists of a series of small islands and gravel bars created by the …

Culture Yesteryears -- July 1, 2022 06.29.2022 Danielle Harrison Yesteryears 2017 2017 – With 33 grants totaling $671,500 distributed at its most recent check presentation, Spirit Mountain Community Fund surpassed the $74 million mark in charitable giving since it was formed in 1997. In those two decades, the Tribe’s philanthropic arm distributed 2,474 grants funded by 6 percent of proceeds from Spirit Mountain Casino. 2012 – Tribal voters approved a primary election amendment to the Tribal …

Tribal Government & News Tribal Council approves increase to Blue Heron demolition contract 07.13.2022 Dean Rhodes Tribal Council Demolition work continues at the Blue Heron site in Oregon City. (Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez/Smoke Signals) By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Tribal Council approved increasing the contract with Elder Demolition of Portland by $1.413 million to demolish nine more buildings at the former Blue Heron Paper Mill site in Oregon City during its Wednesday, July 13, …

Tribal Government & News Tribal Council approves two supplemental budgets 07.27.2022 Dean Rhodes Tribal Council , Lands Tribal Council approved a supplemental budget on Wednesday, July 27, that will fund the purchase of two properties, including this 0.92-acre site at 6316 Salmon River Highway in Otis formerly occupied by Knight’s Tackle Box. (Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez) By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Tribal Council approved two supplemental budgets during its Wednesday, July 27, …

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 …

Tribal Government & News Tribal Council approves signing authority for newest member 09.28.2022 Dean Rhodes Tribal Council By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor It happens most every fall. During its Wednesday, Sept. 28, meeting, Tribal Council approved adding newly elected Tribal Council member Brenda Tuomi as an authorized signer on Tribal bank accounts and also OK’d her use of a Tribal credit card. Tuomi finished second in the 2022 election and will serve her second term on Tribal Council …