Smoke Signals February 1993 Page 4
Cultural Awareness Week
Below is the schedule for Cultural Awareness Week
sponsored by the Grand Ronde Tribal Education Department
and held at the Grand Ronde Elementary School.
Everyone welcome: Parents, elders, Tribal Council,
tribal employees, tribal members, community members and
other interested parties. The Grand Ronde Grade School and
the Tribal Education Department have combined efforts to
organize a Multi-Cultural Awareness Week scheduled for
February 1-5, 1993.
MONDAY: 9:00 A.M. to 9:45 A.M.General Assembly:
Principal Kathy Sumners will give an introduction about the
importance of cultural awareness, followed by tribal speakers.
WEDNESDAY: 9:00 to 9:50 A.M.Each classroom in the
school will be creating a rice dish that reflects the variety of
different cultures.
THURSDAY: 10:15-10:45 AM. Dance Assembly
FRIDAY: 8:30-9:30 AM. and 9:50-10:50 A.M.
During these time slots, each available classroom
will sponsor a different cultural theme: such as Native
American, Japanese, Hispanic, etc. Various activities will be
organized for each room.
All through the week a variety of Native American
activities will be presented by tribal members and other
interested Native Americans.
Parents, this is a perfect opportunity to participate
in your child's education and promote better communication
with the local school. If you have any questions regarding
Cultural Awareness Week, call CeCe Kneeland at 879-2278.
Student to Study in Africa
Tribal member ERIC JORDAN, who attends
Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, will participate in
the college's Foreign Study Program and going to school in
Nairobi, Kenya during Winter Term 1993. Eric's excited
about this once in a lifetime opportunity. He hopes to take
in much sight-seeing, expand his knowledge of the local
cultures, and work hard at his studies. Eric received a $ 1 ,200
scholarship from Dartmouth to cover the added costs of the
Foreign Study Program.
Eric is an EnglishLiberal Arts major. He plans on
pursuing graduate studies for a Master's degree.
Congratulations Eric!
All Students:
Mail your
Financial Aid
Forms
Immediately!
Oregon to Host
TECA Conference
Oregon Tribal Education Contractor's Association
will host the 1993 8th Annual National Tribal Education
Contractor's Association (TECA) Conference on March 27
31 1993. The site for this year's convention is the Monarch
Hotel in Portland. "Come Together With One Voice for
Education" is the theme for thisyear's gathering. Convention
sessions will include workshop strands in: higher education,
financial aid, employment assistance, Johnson O'Malley
programs, adult vocational training, adult education, BIA
Policy and regulations update, early childhood education
and program planning, and monitoring and evaluation.
Hotel reservations can be made by contacting the
Monarch Hotel, 1-800-492-8700 or 503-652-1515. room
rates are $55 single or double. Conference registration
information can be obtained by calling Dean Azule 1-800-422-0232
or Joanne Thomas 1-800-622-5869.
8th ANNUAL
Tribal Education Trust Fund
Applications Available
Students currently enrolled and those about to be
enrolled in college programs for the 1993-94 school year
should be informed the Confederated Tribes of the Grand
Ronde Community of Oregon has scholarships available
through the EDUCATION TRUST FUND SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM. Scholarships are awarded to an undergraduate
and graduate students who are majoring in: law, medical &
health, business administration, education, forestry and
natural resource management. The scholarships are based
on grade point average and academic merit, as well as
leadership ability. Applications can be obtained by contacting
Shawn, 1-800-422-0232, in the Tribal Education Department.
Deadline for submitting scholarship applications is April 30,
1993. No exceptions will be made.
File Your FAFs now!
All Higher Education students currently attending
school, if you will be enrolled in school during the 1993-94
school year, you must submit a copy of your Financial Aid
Form application into the Tribal Education Program no later
thanFebruary 15, 1993. The Higher Education Program has
been hit with high student enrollment. The existing available
funds are not sufficient to meet everyone's needs. Those
students who provide their FAFs by February 15 will be
considered number 1 priority for funding of the next school
year. If you do not submit your FAF into the office by the
specified date, your application will be removed from the
priority list. File it immediately. Do not delay.
Tribal Education Program
Receives Assist Grant
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde's
Education department received a $10,000 grant from the
ALLIANCE OF STATES SUPPORTING INDIANS IN
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (ASSIST) to promote
mathematics and science education for students K-12 grades.
The grant will enable tribal Family Math & Family Science
program to expand classes to two times per month. The
program is planning field trips throughout the spring and
summer months for kids participating in FM-FS classes.
Additionally, the class will feature: training for parents to
work with their children in math and science, make it and
take itkits for children, abiology and oceanographyboat trip,
a session on meteorologyweather watch. Special efforts will
be taken by the program to work with the SMILES
PROGRAM, through the Willamina School District and
Oregon State University. The program seeks to improve
math and algebra readiness for students entering high school.
The ASSIST grant was provided through the
American Indian Research Opportunities Program via
National Science Foundation funding to Montana State
University.
Parents, children, please plan on attending Family
MathFamily Science classes things are getting better and
better!
: Cultural Corner :
j Poems From Readers
Grand Ronde Pow-wow j
Fry bread and Indian tacos,
dancing in the sunshine,
singing and drumming goes on all day,
children run about, laughing and playing. J
i We wander through the isles I
looking at the wares of vendors,
meeting friends along the way,
both old ones and new.
As the sun slowly sets
t the dancing begins anew,
with great ceremony and showing of respect
9 and a spirituality which is unique.
And so it goes into the night,
dnimming, singing, and dancing,
little ones wrapped in blankets,
sleeping where they fell.
Until it is time to say good-night
and so go to our tents,
(all but a few of the young, who gather to
sing),
and I fell asleep to the sound of the drums. '
Contributed by Christine Anne Ervin
Salem, Oregon