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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 1994)
Smoke Signals April 1994 Page 9 Subcommittee Testimony, Continued In addition, the IHS budget forecasts private insurance collections over 4.5 times last year's rate. This inaccurate forecast, if accepted, most likely would result in shortfalls to our Tribe and others to make up the uncollected difference. Also, the budget does not include deferred services funding. We hope Congress will restore funds for this area at the 1994 level of $5 million, at a minimum. The budget does not increase Catastrophic Health Emergency Funds although 220 cases were not reimbursed in FY 1992, 257 in FY 1993, and 257 in 1994. We ask Congress to add $6.5 million to address the shortfall and adjust for medical inflation. The 1995 budget requires and absorption of $7.5 million in the Self-Determination Fundfor new and expanded contracts. The only way to do this is to reduce existing contracts. The IHS budget does not show contract support costs for Self-Governance compacts. We ask the Congress to fully fund Contract Support needs of tribes to maintain adequate tribal services. The present Administration is attempting to reduce the national deficit. Each year, uncertainty grows as federally funded programs continually get the ax. This is why tribal leaders travel to Washington D.C. In the past, the Tribe has received some much needed support from this Committee in forestry and child development. Without their support we could not have provided adequate protection and development of our most important resources: people and forests. We appreciate the increases provided to the TribeAgency budget for 1994. While it does not restore what has been lost over the years to inflation, it has certainly helped. Eachyear, tribal leaders must work with the members of Congress not only for our Oregon delegation, but other members as well. There are supportive members willing to ensure that rights of Native Americans are protected. However, tribes need to voice their concerns in order to be heard. Grand Ronde Sanitary District Receives Funds Grand Ronde will use a $10,000 grant from the WaterWastewater Funding program to support the development of new housing and the creation of new jobs, according to Economic Development Department Director Bill Scott. The Grand Ronde Sanitary District received the grant to help solve problems with wastewater discharged into the South Yamhill River. The district serves the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. The area has been severely affected by timber issues and has a high unemployment rate. Further financial assistance for wastewater and drinking water system improvements in Grand Ronde will be needed in the future. The Oregon Economic Development Departmentandthefederal Rural Developmentand Economic Development administrations are working to come up with joint funding packages. The grant funds will help the district analyze and find solutions to problems with its wastewater treatment plant. The district has for the past few years been out of compliance with its National Pollution Elimination System Discharge Permit, issued through the department of Environmental Quality. The Grand Ronde Tribe is providing both technical operating expertise and $28,000 in financial assistance to the district toaddress non-compliance issues, correct the problems and improve the system capacity. rrs is a photo of Spirit Mountain looked in 1904, from the Grand Ronde Indian Reservation. As you can see, it looked a little different ninety years ago. Shantee Klootchman Turn Turn Invited To Russia The members of the Shantee Klootchman Turn Turn Drum have been invited to , participate in the opening Carmen Mercier, Mychal Childcrs, ceremonies of the 1994 Goodwill Games m Russia. 71 . . , ' A group of five is anUcipated to represent the andCamdleMemerdrumattheCapitol Budding Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde at this worldly event, in Salem during an artifact dedication to the At this time fund-raisers to sponsor the drummers Tribe. are being planned. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Mychal Childcrs at 879-2035 or Camille Mercier at 879-2901. Thank you. i' I? ' ' if . am m n lis , . fc , ft f ! r .,r V"V.? 1 n Liu ' -1 -t-U.'...- 1 - - ;'..-.... 19 m m--. 'vi.fcv 4 i k
