Smoke Signals February 1990 Page 6
ROGERS( cont.)
"I feel confident in her abilities to do a good job based
on her background and her approach. She is organized
and has the capibilities necessary to implement a
successful program. She really knows people, not just
kids and her approach is a real humanistic one and that
is what it is going to take for a successful program, " said
General Manager, Jim Willis.
"I feel confident in her abilities to do a good
job based on her background and her approach.
She really knows people, not just kids, and her
approach is a real humanistic one and that is
what it is going to take for a successful pro
gram. "
Jim Willis
Rogers brings a wealth of experience to the job with
her. "I've worked with domestic violence and drug abuse
programs for many years and throughout that time I feci
that I've gained quality experience travelling and
working throughout the country." The new director said
it has always been her desire to work with Native
Americans. "I am part Native American and it has
always been an important part of my life." Rogers
explained that she has been interested in Native Ameri
can culture and backgrounds for years. "I'm very proud
of that part of my heritage and I have been interested in
helping people too."
Helping people has always come easy for the quick
witted Rogers and she has always taken pride in her
work. "I was working in an out-patient unit in Wisconsin
just prior to coming to Oregon to work for the Confed
erated Tribes of Grand Ronde. It was intensive treat
ment with adolescents and adults."
Rogers brings a breath of fresh air to the treatment
center with her positive attitude and her intense desire
to provide the young adults at the center with a healthy
environment. "The more I work in this capacity the more
I know I'm in the right profession."
INDIANS LACK HEALTH
CARE DESPITE FEDERAL
PROGRAMS
A recent report in The Miami Herald said that many of
the more than 1 million Indians in the United States
have inadequate health protection despite nearly $1
billion in health care aid each year.
The newspaper reported that many Indians lack money
for everything from eyeglasses to chemotherapy. Infant
mortality is slightly better than a decade ago, but is still
higher than in some Third World countries.
Nearly half of American Indians will die before their
45th birthday.
In Florida, the Herald reports, one doctor serves 2,000
Indians located on three different reservations.
"We're rationing health care. That's a frank, simple
statement. We do this by establishing priorities," Dr. W.
Craig Vandcrwagen told the Herald.
- Courtesy of the American Indian Report
n ,"
f 57fn
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Tribal member Connie Monson began working for the Tribe as the Forestry Department's secretary in July of '89.
CONNIE MONSON
Forestry secretary Connie Monson has been winning
over co-workers and Tribal members alike with her hard
work and cheerful personality since she began working
for the Tribe in July. "Connie does a good job of
relating to and handling Tribal members and co
workers. We've had people come in ( to the forestry .
office) that have been upset abput personal things and
she handles all situations very well. She is just an
excellent employee," said tribal forester Cliff Adams.
Connie explained that she learned about her present
position with the Tribe when she spotted a job opening
announcement in the tribal newsletter. Soon after,
Connie and her husband Brad Monson moved to the
Grand Ronde area from Falls City, Washington near
Seattle. "I really wanted to move down here and come
back home, " said Connie. She grew up in nearby
Sheridan.
After she graduated from high school, Connie attended
college at Northwest Nazarene in Nampa, Idaho for two
years. After meeting her husband Brad "at a non
denominational church camp," the couple moved north
to Seattle, Washington. Connie explained that when she
was in Seattle she gained valuable working experience,
but didn't really like living in the big city. "It took
forever to get home from work; it was already too late to
do anything."
Moving back to this area and going to work for her
Tribe has made Connie thankful for the opportunity.
Connie's husband Brad works for Computerland, in
Salem. "We both like the area and we have a nice place
to live on 3 12 acres that takes up most of our spare
time."
Connie said that one of the best parts of her job is
working with the rest of the forestry crew and the Tribal
members who frequent the forestry office. "I like
working here because I find it more of a challenge that '
other jobs I've had in the past, because I'm learing so
much." Adams is full of compliments for his staffs
secretary. "She's been doing an excellent job, Connie is
just an exceptional worker. She's so fast at her work it's
hard to keep her busy."
Adams expressed his pleasure at being able to trust her
with the resposibilities associated with maintaining an
organized office. "We have all (including Jeff Kuust
Tribal Forester and Jeff Nepstad-Forest Technician)
given her the responsibilities here at the office because
we're so busy outside the office that she is relied upon
to take care od things."
When asked what he thought her strongest quality was,
Adams elaborated, "One really strong point she has is
her ability to be very dependable. She has confidence
and she is real sure of her abilities which is something
that I looked for during the interview process."
It's clear that Connie Monson has been a valuable
addition to the family of the Confederated Tribes of
Grand Ronde. If you need any information regarding
the Forestry Division you can contact Connie at 879
5211 ext. 131. ' '
THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS & ALCOHOL ON YOUR BABY
Drugs and Alcohol can cause problems for you and
your baby before and after birth. When you drink or use
drugs your unborn baby does too. Drugs and alcohol
can be trouble for anyone, but especially for your
unborn child. Harmful chemicals taken during the first
three months of pregnancy can cause birth defects or
miscarriage. Continued drug abuse during the preg
nancy may effect your baby's brain growth and weight
gain, or cause premature birth, which leads to problems
that effect your child their entire life.
Substances Most Commonly Abused & Their Risks to
Mother and Baby
COCAINE: In the first three months of pregnancy,
cocaine causes an increased risk of miscarriage. In the
last three months of pregnancy, separation of the
placenta, premature labor, increased blood pressure and
heart problems may develop. Cocaine injected into the
veins increases the risk of getting AIDS. The newborn
experiences withdrawal symptoms and is at increased
risk for crib death (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
ALCOHOL: Malnutrition, miscarriage, and still
births are risks of alcohol abuse. Effects on the baby
include Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Symptoms of
(Continued on page 7.)