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determination and other positive influences, it has moved in a good direction. Today, the 28-year-old Grand Ronde Tribal member is poised, proud of her Native heritage and pursuing a master’s degree, all while raising a toddler with her husband and tackling a new job as the Tribe’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention coordinator. It’s not her first tenure with the Tribe. Atanacio has worked in different capacities in Grand Ronde since she was 18, most recently as an assistant preschool teacher. “I have done …

Lucero received help from several volunteers while frying the fry bread that was made by Culture Committee member Faye Smith. “I started learning how to do this when I was in college at Portland State University,” Unger said as he whittled down a stick of dogwood. “I had some Elders teach me their method. They were really awesome people. They showed me how to do it (stake out a salmon filet). That’s where I started doing it and I have always liked this traditional way of cooking. You can’t beat …

Culture Richard Ray kept on trucking throughout his life 03.31.2016 Brent Merrill People , Elder Profile When a celebration of life is held before you walk on, you know you have lived a good life. In the words of Grand Ronde Tribal Elder Richard “Mushy” Ray, “I’m on a different path.” Fellow Tribal Elders thought enough of Ray’s good life so far that they held a celebration gathering at the Elders Activity Center in Grand Ronde on Saturday, March 5, and he says it was “too much.” “It was too …

to be looking for a place to live in Grand Ronde. The Lynches have two adult daughters, Natasha, 27, and Tyler, 22. Just before coming back to work for the Tribe, Lynch had been managing the pharmacy for the Siletz Tribe and she had spoken with Rowe on the phone about the open position in Grand Ronde. “Kelly and I started talking about our vision, our dreams, our hopes and our enthusiasm to bring our talents back to our Tribe,” said Lynch. “The more I spoke to her the more I started to entertain that I …

Tribal Government & News Letters to the Editor -- Feb. 1, 2021 01.29.2021 Dean Rhodes Letters Dear Smoke Signals : In these times of a pandemic and social distancing, I am so grateful for the stewardship and support of our Tribe. The past and present integrity of caring is evident in today’s leadership and staff. Our Tribal people have been blessed beyond measure. The Elders meals, clinic, COVID support programs and much more have produced the fruits of labor that started out as dreams …

to transportation. “We’re a microcosm of federal government services,” he said. “I was happy with my former job, but this has been a great opportunity to help Indian Country.” He takes the helm of the Portland BIA office from Stanley Speaks, who retired in 2017. “I have known Stan for several years and I’m trying to meet with him every few months,” Mercier said. “He has a lot of knowledge and was here for a long time.” Mercier, 45, is not the only member of his immediate family serving Indian …

numerous writing awards, including the Native American Journalists Association’s Best Coverage of Native America category several times. “When Smoke Signals was looking for a new staff writer six years ago, I already was zeroing in on a January 2024 retirement,” Publications Coordinator Dean Rhodes said. “I wanted to hire someone who I knew would be able to succeed me and keep Smoke Signals as one of the preeminent newspapers in Indian Country. Danielle has the experience, news judgment and knowledge …

. (Photo by Michelle Alaimo) By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals editor While in elementary school, Tribal member Cohen Haller remembers a fellow basketball player that he really admired telling him he would never be a point guard. “He looked like he was ready to cry when I picked him up from school that day,” his dad, Tribal member Rich Haller, said. “He told me what had happened and I asked him a question. ‘Do you believe that?’” The answer was no. “Well, I don’t believe it either,” Rich said …

and Santiago Atanacio, Nokoa and Kaikanim Mercier and Andrea Grijalva one by one. She took her time and examined each face before moving on to the next one. “She has been coming to powwows since she was eight days old,” said Jordan. “I think it’s natural for her. It’s her home. It’s where she feels comfortable and that’s kind of how I wanted it to be.” Canoe Family members gathered near the announcer’s stand just before drum roll call kicked things off for the Tribe’s annual contest powwow on Friday …

across those barriers took years, even decades, and took not only hours of study, but also struggling with feeling overwhelmed and inadequate, they said. “This is a huge accomplishment for me,” Tribal member Molly Leno told the audience about achieving her high school completion certificate. “It’s always been one of my biggest barriers to complete due to obstacles in life. I should have graduated 30 years ago. But here I stand as living proof it can be done. The icing on the cake is I’m able …