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Thursday, Jan. 17, in the Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center in Dallas, Ore. Donna Christine Strafford Nov. 19, 1946 - Sept. 16, 2012 The angels came for Christy on her journey to heaven. She was pain free! I think she danced her way into heaven. Her husband, Joseph (Syd) and loved ones were close by, Adrian, Greg and Gina, and her pets: Bridget, Missy, Spunky and Stormy. Christy passed away from bile duct cancer. She chose hospice care so she could enjoy visits from family, friends, cousins, play …

Health & Education OEIA laying foundation for Tribal history curricula in state 12.30.2013 Dean Rhodes Education , State government The Oregon Indian Education Association held its second of three regional summits in Grand Ronde on Friday, Dec. 13, to help lay the groundwork for designing Tribal history and sovereignty curricula for fourth, eighth and 10 th grades in Oregon schools. The curricula will be aligned with Oregon common core standards. A previous effort, in 2005, was not aligned …

Culture Oregon’s First Nations gather for third year in a row 02.11.2011 Dean Rhodes Culture , Entertainment , Events Grand opening at the third annual Gathering of Oregon's First Nations on Saturday, Jan. 29, put the spotlight on hundreds of Indians. They danced in, walked in, came with walkers and in wheelchairs. Although the program was sponsored by Oregon's five western Tribes, representatives of all nine federally recognized Oregon Tribes carried Eagle Staffs to lead the grand opening. …

Tribal Government & News Election registration continuing amidst BIA shutdown 01.17.2019 Danielle Frost, Staff Writer Elections , Enrollment Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy makes her opening remarks during a Constitutional Amendment Election education meeting held in the Grand Ronde Community Center on Wednesday, Jan. 16.The meeting was for Tribal Council to answer questions and concerns from Tribal members. (Timothy J. Gonzalez/Smoke Signals) Register to vote, then wait and see. …

Culture Pitch perfect: Tribal teenager Kaelynn Simmons receives WWU athletic scholarship to play softball 01.14.2019 Danielle Frost, Staff Writer People , Education Tribal member Kaelynn Simmons has played softball for Dallas High School for the last three years and will continue her athletic career playing for the Western Washington University Vikings. (Contributed photo) Although playing at the college level is the dream of many a high school athlete, few make it that far. But for Tribal …

Tribal Government & News Federal shutdown forces election delay to March 22 01.31.2019 Danielle Frost & Dean Rhodes, Smoke Signals Staff Elections The recently concluded partial government shutdown has forced the Grand Ronde Tribe and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to postpone the scheduled Feb. 25 Tribal constitutional amendment election to Friday, March 22. Tribal members who registered for the Feb. 25 election will not have to re-register for the new election, but Tribal members who did not …

Tribal Government & News Mercier checking out new chapter in her life after more than 28 years of Tribal employment 01.31.2019 Danielle Frost, Staff Writer People , Education , Tribal employees Librarian Marion Mercier, who participated in Adult Reading Time in the Cougar Lodge on Wednesday, Jan. 16, retired at the end of January. Harris Reibach will be filling the librarian position on an interim basis. Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez/Smoke Signals After more than 28 years with the Tribe, …

Culture Spirit Mountain Community Fund tops $80 million in giving 03.14.2019 Danielle Frost Spirit Mountain Community Fund Mid-Valley Healthcare Education Coordinator Nancy Leon is wrapped in a blanket her organization won in a raffle at the end of the first quarter Spirit Mountain Community Fund check presentation held in the Tribal Council Chambers in the Governance Center on Wednesday, March 13. Spirit Mountain Community Fund Director Michael Cherry and Tribal Council member Kathleen George …

is being led by the Cultural Resources Department on behalf of the Tribe. This effort is about the first people of this land welcoming the newest to arrive in an effort to build and share lessons in community, resiliency and healing.” Thompson added the Syrian visit is the first of three visits that are planned over the next year. The Syrian visitors were treated to a lunch of elk stew, salmon, salad and berry cobbler before the powwow grand entry. Tribal member Shelly Nichols also came from …

Committee in 2017, Empey met Health Services Executive Director Kelly Rowe, who mentioned the Tribe was looking for a pediatrician. Empey, who lives in Portland, visits Grand Ronde two days every other week and will soon start visiting on a weekly basis. Empey says the importance of being a Native American physician caring for Native American patients strikes a chord with her when she visits the Tribal clinic for care for Grand Ronde children. “It is just more meaningful for me to be at the Tribe …