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and economic development for Tribal communities. “I’m looking forward to this opportunity a lot,” he said. “I never had a political leaning or saw myself in that position, but I have a passion to help Native people any way I can. I want to represent the Tribe and the Pacific Northwest the best I can.” The Grand Ronde Tribe established the Mark O. Hatfield Fellowship in 1998 as a tribute to his accomplishments as Oregon governor and representing Oregon in the U.S. Senate. The Community Fund …

Council members in attendance, which included Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy, Vice Chair Chris Mercier, Michael Cherry, Kathleen George, Lisa Leno, Denise Harvey and Jack Giffen Jr. “It’s important for me to note at these events that I am not a veteran and the closest I got to combat was going to the Civil War (football) game and dealing with Beaver fans,” Mercier said to chuckles in the audience. “I met Steve 20 years ago when I worked at Smoke Signals and then when I was elected …

Tribes of Grand Ronde. The summit opened with an invocation from Tribal Council member Brenda Tuomi, followed by a welcome statement from Tribal Council Vice Chair Chris Mercier. “I am a product of the Tribe’s Education Department,” he said. “I got in my undergrad work at the University of Oregon and I went to law school, and because of all the assistance I received from the Tribe, I actually graduated law school without any debt…I will be eternally thankful to the Tribe for that. … I hope you …

Abernathy Bridge project. “We’re talking hundreds of millions of dollars,” Reibach said. “It’s the biggest project we’ve ever been on actually. So, we keep a lot of people dispatched to that project.” Overall, in 2025, TERO participated in 31 projects and 90 new workers registered with the program, up from 51 the past year. There were 77 active workers on jobsites. “For total hours and wages, and this is always something I’m harping on here, I call it food in the fridge and shoes on the feet,” Reibach …

project. “We’re talking hundreds of millions of dollars,” Reibach said. “It’s the biggest project we’ve ever been on actually. So, we keep a lot of people dispatched to that project.” Overall, in 2025, TERO participated in 31 projects and 90 new workers registered with the program, up from 51 the past year. There were 77 active workers on jobsites. “For total hours and wages, and this is always something I’m harping on here, I call it food in the fridge and shoes on the feet,” Reibach said …

, said. “I think one of the things that came out of it is a shared vision of restoring community around our Willamette River. This was an opportunity to not only talk about the work we are doing at tumwata village , but also to expand the conversations we’ve been having with the local cities and counties to other groups who are doing community river restoration as well.” During the event, George discussed the intent for the day and also moderated a panel discussion about effectively building …

and distributes 6 percent of Spirit Mountain Casino profits to charitable organizations in 11 counties in western Oregon and the other eight federally recognized Oregon Tribes. Since its creation, the Community Fund has granted almost $55 million. George will run a program that includes three other employees. "I think it is just such an honor to be able to work for Spirit Mountain Community Fund," George said. "When I applied for the job, I thought about the work that the fund does, which is supporting …

early in her life, but it took a long time to fulfill." "My parents instilled pride in us," Harrison said in accepting the award. "The first 10 years gave me the hope and pride I would need for the rest of my life. And I knew how to pray." So, when trouble came, Harrison said, "I knew I had to stand up." Tymchuk described Harrison's visits to Washington, D.C., with family and other Tribal members in the effort to restore the Grand Ronde Tribe in the eyes of the federal government. He praised her …

meeting. "I am not in favor of more encroachment into our ceded lands. We have treaties that say Cascade Locks is part of our ceded homelands. It is a great honor that we were finally listened to." "It's been a long road," said Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy. "I am inspired that a decision has been reached by the Port of Cascade Locks. My goal from the start was to preserve Grand Ronde's ceded lands from diminishment. "The people of Grand Ronde have suffered many injustices, more so than …

it because we will use it and make it useful for our people." In August, Elders working at the center came up with a new strategy for using that extra produce. They created a canning group. In its first session on Aug. 12, the group included Tribal and community members of all ages. "We had bananas coming out of our ears," said Elder and volunteer Louise Medeiros. "Literally. We ended up taking eight boxes to the Elders' lunch room - they were so thrilled - and I took a box and went to the different …