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December 22, 1995 - SMOKE SIGNALS
Members' questions about USDA answered suggestion cards offered
By Tracy Dugan
Smoke Signals has received many questions and com
ments regarding an announcement we printed last month
about the USDA Food Distribution Program. It should be
noted, that all of our information regarding USDA comes
directly from the Siletz Tribe's USDA warehouse in Siletz,
Oregon.
Last month we read in the Siletz newsletter that all tribal
members are eligible for a one time distribution of com
modity food per year. We called the Siletz tribal office to
verify that: I) this information is correct; 2) Grand Ronde
tribal members are also eligible for this service and; 3) the
distribution dates for December are correct. The USDA
staff at Siletz verified this information and gave us a phone
number tribal members could call for further information.
The staff of Smoke Signals was not aware that every tribal
member picking up commodities is required to fill out an
application form and make an appointment. In fact, we
have been told by regular clients that in the past, they sim
ply arrived on a distribution day and were serviced without
question.
Consequently, many Grand Ronde tribal members read
this information regarding the one-time service and drove
SALEM:
January 9, 10, 11
('distribution until 8 p.m.)
(503) 391-5760 - Only on distribution days.
2580 19th S.E. in Salem.
SILETZ:
January 23, 24, 25
1-800-922-1399 or (541) 444-4226
Swan Ave. in Siletz, right next to
the new Admin. Building.
to Salem on the distribution dates under the assumption they
would simply have to show tribal identification to receive
their commodities.
I spoke with the director of the USDA program and was
told that the Salem distribution dates for December were
booked solid with apointments. Tribal members who are
not regular clients would need to make an appointment for
January or pick up their commodities at the Siletz distribu
tion. Again, all recipiants of USDA commodities are re
quired to fill out a four-page application formeven if you
know you don't qualify for monthly distribution.
We would like to apologize to the members who trav
elled to Salem without apointments on distribution days and
were turned away. This process may seem lengthy and ex
cessive, especially for a one-time distribution.
Here at Smoke Signals, we understand how important
the commodity program is to many tribal members. We
realize that the regular USDA clients should have first pri
ority at distribution.
Below is some helpful information regarding the USDA
food distribution program. If you have any questions, please
call the number for your area. "'
If you are having someone pick up food for you,
please make sure that person is on your original
application as the authorized representative. If
they are not listed, your food will not be released
to them. Notes will no loner be accepted.
Clients please make sure that you stick to your
appointment time. If you do not come in on your
scheduled time, you will have to wait until the
next available opening. Being prompt is very im
portant. One time service clients will need to fill out an
application form at the time of their appointment.
I am the Quality Improvement Coordinator for the Health
and Human Services Division. Many of the patients, cli
ents and overall members do know me, as I haveeen em
ployed with the Division for nearly two years. I would like
your input as to how you perceive the services within the
Division. It is the Health and Human Services Division's
overall goal to maintain quality services.
There are several suggestion boxes in, the departments
within the Division. Please take a few moments to offer
your comments as I read them monthly. If there is a com
ment that you would like to see addressed that is not of
fered from the questions on the suggestion cards, please
feel free to contact me by mail or phone.
Thank you,
Mary Alice Duran
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347
1-800-422-0232, extension 2060
Note from the editor
O Letters and concerns of gaming commis
sion. In recent weeks some tribal members have asked us
to explain in detail the role of the Grand Ronde Gaming
Commission and its purpose in ensuring the security and
reputation of the casino.
We hope the article on page 3 answers some of the ques
tions tribal members have. If you have further questions,
the phone number for the Gaming Commission is (503)
879-2362. The number for the Spirit Mountain Develop
ment Corporation offices is (503) 879-2350.
Smoke Signals. Because of the wind storm dur
ing the week of December 1 1-1 5, the tribal offices lost power
and were closed for several days. As a result, we were
unable to meet our December 15 deadline. This issue of
Smoke Signals is a consolidation of December 15 and Janu
ary 1 issues. The next edition will be mailed out in mid
January. We regret any inconvenience this may have
caused.
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If you have recently moved or plan on moving, let us know so you won't
miss a single issue of your favorite newspaper. Smoke Signals is available
to anyone at no cost. Just fill out this form below with your name and
address, then mail it back to the Smoke Signals.
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Smoke Signals is a publication of the Confed
erated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of
Oregon. We have established an Editorial Policy
to encourage input from readers about stories
printed in Smoke Signals, as well as other tribal
issues.
Letters must be printed or typed, and cannot
exceed 300 words. Smoke Signals reserves the
right to edit any letter for clarity and length, and
to refuse publication of any letter or any part of
a letter that may contain libelous statements or
personal attacks. Not all letters are guaranteed
publication upon submission. Published letters
do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Smoke
Signals, tribal employees, or Tribal Council.
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