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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 1991)
OR COLL 78 P&iK IG9&LS ft ' THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE GRAND RONDE COMMUNITY OF OREGON sr JULY 1991 GRAND RONDE VETERAN'S GROUP MEETS The Grand Ronde veteran's group has held several meet ings during the last few months, hosting veteran organiza tion speakers and planning activities. Recent meetings have included a lot of information shar ing from veteran organization representatives. On June 20th, Jim Hirsch, chief of Social Work Service for the Veteran's Medical Center joined the group and discussed services at the Veteran's Hospital. Mr. Hirsch encouraged members to utilize hospital services, which include both outpatient and inpatient care. He asked members to indicate on their registration that they are Native Ameri can. The Native American patients are identified on a regular basis and Indian volunteers visit those in inpatient care and provide follow-up on selected patients and fami lies to insure the patients have a channel through which they can communicate concerns as well as have the medical center staff respond to any special cultural and spiritual needs, according to Hirsch. The Grand Ronde group also hopes to become involved with the Northwest Indian Veteran's Association (NIVA) and has had representatives visit to discuss NIVA activi ties. NIVA is an organization serving as the Veteran's Committee of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and is made up of Northwest tribal veteran's organizations. The organization was established to serve Northwest In dian veteran needs. For instance, NIVA and the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center have worked together to establish an Native Ameri can outreach office in the Vancouver Division. The out reach office is where Native American veterans can find out about veterans benefits and health care. Volunteers at the outreach office have completed patient relations training and arc prepared to help direct Indian veterans to the appropriate VA staff for assistance. The outreach office -works to insure that native American health care, cultural and spiritual needs are met within the medical care system. The VA Northwest Indian Outreach Office is located at the Vancouver Veterans Hospital, NE 4th Plain Boulevard at 0 Street. The contact person for further information on the outreach services is Juan Perez, who can be reached at (206) 696-4061, ext. 3413. NIVA has also worked with the Veteran's Administra tion to establish the Northwest Interagency Policy Council (Continued on page 2) INSIDE: -USDA Distribution Dates p.3 -Tribal Hunting Season Info. p.5 -Tribal Hunting Tag Applications p.7 -Pow Wow Vendor Information p. 1 0 -Job Opportunities p. 11 " UNIVERSITY OF ORE" DON l.JWWR R - r. ' 1 j. v .? u I o hi 07-i " -') . Smoke sinnals (Grand Rondo, j Or. ) 1 X Historically, Native Americans have served in the Armed Forces in numbers far exceeding their representation in the population. The Washington D.C. memorial shown above includes Ira Hayes, who was a Native American serviceman. Congressional Resolution Recognizes American Indian Veterans Concurrent Resolution Extending the appreciation of Congress to all Ameri can Indian veterans for their service in the Armed Forces of the United States. Whereas, American Indians, of various Indian tribes across the nation, have a long proud and distinguished tradition of service in the Armed Forces of the United States; Whereas, American Indians have historically served in Armed Forces of the United States in numbers which far exceed their representation in the population of the United States; Whereas, American Indians have lost their lives in the service of their nation, and in the cause of peace, including Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield; and Whereas, American Indians currently deployed in the Persian Gulf have continued this proud and courageous tradition of service in the Armed Forces of the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring). Section 1. Appreciation The Congress expresses its appreciation to: (1) all American Indian veterans for their long, proud, and distinguished tradition of service in the Armed Forces of the United States; (2) all American Indian service men and women currently or heretofore deployed in the Persian Gulf region as part of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm; and . (3) the families of American Indian service men and women and members of Indian tribes nationwide who have supported their loved ones through traditional ceremonies and have prayed for the safety and contin ued strength of all American forces and Allied partners. Section 2. Condolences The Congress expresses its condolences to the families whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their nation and in the cause of peace. Passed the Senate March 20, 1991 (legislative day, February 6) Attest: Walter J. Stewart, Secretary
