S moke S ignals
JUNE 15, 2017
13
Tribal members participate in annual Eagle Feather ceremony
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
SALEM – Two Grand Ronde
Tribal members were among 56
Native American seniors who par-
ticipated in the 2017 Eagle Feather
ceremony held by Salem-Keizer
Public Schools at North Salem
High School.
Jordan Harvey and Nicole Upton
received feathers, Pendleton stoles
and award certificates during the
21st annual ceremony held on
Wednesday, May 24.
Two other Grand Ronde Tribal
members – Justin Howerton and
Cassandra Hughes – who are grad-
uating this year did not attend the
event.
Spirit Mountain Community
Fund Director Mychal Cherry and
Employment and Employee Rela-
tions Manager Sarah Harvey sit on
the Salem-Keizer Indian Education
Parent Advisory Committee and
Education Department Manager
Leslie Riggs is the Grand Ronde
liaison with the district.
Tribal Council Secretary Jon A.
George delivered the invocation
at the event and the Grand Ronde
Color Guard posted the colors.
Cherry, who is president of the Par-
ents Advisory Committee, gave the
welcome speech and Tribal member
Harris Reibach performed a bless-
ing song on Native American flute.
“Our graduates have reached a
milestone in their lives where they
Photo courtesy of Cherry Photography
Tribal member Jordan Harvey
participates in the 21st annual 2017
Eagle Feather ceremony held by
the Salem-Keizer Public Schools at
North Salem High School in Salem
on Wednesday, May 24. Harvey
graduated from McNary High School
in Keizer.
will make a leap from adolescence
to adulthood,” Cherry said. “The
important goals and paths they
choose in the next few years will
impact the rest of their lives.
“Because we are honoring the
students, we need to also honor
and thank the people who were
instrumental in helping the stu-
dents reach this point. Parents,
we thank you for your support for
your children in all their academic
Board seeking younger veterans
The Tribal Veterans Special Event Board is recruiting younger
veterans – Iraqi and Afghanistan veterans – to join.
“Our committee is getting older,” said Veterans SEB Chairman Steve
Bobb Sr., who is a Vietnam War-era Marine Corps veteran.
Members of the Special Event Board attend events as flag carriers
and represent the Tribe and their branch of service. Veterans interest-
ed in volunteering should contact Tribal Council Chief of Staff Stacia
Hernandez at 503-879-2304 or stacia.martin@grandronde.org. 
endeavors. Elders, we thank you all
for being here and supporting our
program. You are needed to provide
guidance from all the wisdom you
have gained in your lives.”
Shelby Maerz, a Grand Ronde
Tribal member and Indian Ed-
ucation Program assistant with
Salem-Keizer Public Schools, pre-
sented the Native American se-
niors.
Keynote addresses were given
by McNary High School senior Mi-
guel Araiza (Squaxin Island) and
Chemeketa Community College
professor Johnny Neal Jr. (Choc-
taw).
The Ahnii Nijii Signers were the
host drum for the night and the
Lakota Oyate Ki volunteers cre-
ated custom-made Pendleton wool
graduation stoles for the graduates.
Harvey graduated from McNary
High School, Howerton from Rob-
erts High, and Hughes and Upton
from Sprague High.
Harvey plans to attend Cheme-
keta and Oregon State and study
kinesiology while Hughes plans
on attending Corban University to
study elementary education and
Upton plans on attending Cheme-
keta and Linfield College and study
elementary education as well.
Howerton did not list his post-high
school plans.
“This event is only one of many
great services that Indian Educa-
tion provides,” Sarah Harvey said.
“There is also summer school, tu-
tors and education support nights
and cultural activities.” 
Tribe hosting Youth
Wellness Warrior Camp
The Native Wellness Institute based in Gresham will be holding a Native
Youth Wellness Warrior Camp Monday, June 26, through Thursday, June
29, at Uyxat Powwow Grounds off Hebo Road.
Native youth 12 to 18 years of age and their adult chaperones will camp
in a teepee or plankhouse or stay at Spirit Mountain Lodge.
The purposes of the Warrior Camp is to bring together youth and teach
them skills and provide them with tools to help them live in balance in
the often hectic world.
“Through ceremony, workshops, activities, movement, traditional games
and crafts, horse therapy and more, the young people will experience
healing, growth, maturity, a sense of purpose and belonging and tools to
help them along their life’s journey,” said a Native Wellness Institute flier.
Other activities will include a trip to Nike’s world headquarters in Bea-
verton, as well as song and dance performed by the Grand Ronde Canoe
Family in achaf-hammi.
Scheduled trainers include Thosh Collins, Robert Johnston, Jilene Jo-
seph, Shalene Joseph, LoVina Louie, Wade McGee, Martin Sensmeier,
Charles Tailfeathers and Jim Warne.
Early bird registration is $375. For more information, visit www.native-
wellness.com on the Internet. 
Grand Ronde Head Start Preschool
Handgun Safety Course
Apply now!
Head Start & Early Head Start
Head Start nurtures the growth of
you and your child.
Join our supportive community and
give your child a strong head start.
Apply today!
Enrolling ages birth to 4
For Kids:
For Parents:

Safe, quality early education

GED classes

Qualified teachers

Connection to housing resources

Healthy meals

Employment assistance

Cultural opportunities

Parent training & support

Enrollment opportunities available for
pregnant women

Resources for children with disabilities

Enrollment opportunities for all income
levels
Saturday, July 15, 2017
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
CTGR Community Service Center - Bld. B
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347
Limit: 25 participants per class
$ 25.00 Per Person
Payment to be made day of class
Please bring your own lunch
No firearms or live ammunition will be
allowed in the facility
NOTE:
 This course meets one of the prerequisites set forth by the County
Sheriff in order to apply for a concealed handgun license.
 There are further conditions that must be met in order to obtain a
concealed handgun license.
 Successful completion of this course does not guarantee issuance of
a concealed handgun license.
For further information please contact: Juan Sifuentez (after 4 PM) at 503-798-3521
or juansifuentez1964@gmail.com
To Learn More: 503-879-2161