November 15, 1997
SMOKE SIGNALS
dimmiftom
Statetribal government to aovernment Poets; $500 grand prize
relations education meeting hosted by Tribe
By Dean Azule
In keeping with the Governor's Executive Order 96 -30, to formalize the government to government relationship between
Oregon's Indian tribes and the State to resolve potential conflicts, maximize key inter-governmental relations and enhance an
exchange of ideas and resources. The meetings between the tribes and State agencies were conducted in Portland on
September 23 and 24. Tribal education representatives from Siletz, Grand Ronde, Warm Springs, Burns Paiute and Umatilla
conducted a segmental meeting with representatives from the Oregon State Board of Education, Oregon Department of
Education Assistant Superintendent, Oregon State System of Higher Education, Commission on Children and Families, and
Oregon Commission on Indian Services. As a result of discussions, the Education Segment participants agreed to continue
to meet, to expand communications, address common concerns, work toward establishing a data base and work on a
collaborative effort to address educational needs.
On October 24, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde hosted the first follow up meeting of the Tribal Education
departments and State Educational agencies. Participants attending this meeting were:
Herbert Hawley, Burns Paiute Council
Joe Miller, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua, Education
Tonya Theiss-Skrip, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua, Education
Cathy Brown, Oregon Dept. of Education, Assessment
Ric LaTour, Oregon Dept. of Education, Title I, Title IV, Title VI '
Maya Close, Oregon Dept. of Education, Head Start
Merced Flores, Oregon Dept. of Education, Student Services
Dean Azule, Grand Ronde Tribe, Education Division
Marion Mercier, Grand Ronde Tribes, Higher Education
Marty Branch, Grand Ronde Tribe, Higher Education and Chemeketa Community College
Marie Schmidt, Grand Ronde Tribe, Education Committee
Brenda Frank, Klamath Tribe, Education
N. Kathryn Brigham, Umatilla Tribe, Board of Trustees and EducationTraining Committee
Louella Farrow, Umatilla Tribe, Higher Education
Daniel Darrikhuma, Umatilla Tribe, Adult Basic Education
' Elizabeth Burke, Umatilla Tribe, Johnson O'Malley
Robby Hill, Umatilla Tribe, Middle School and High School Coordinator
jj Laurain Hintsada, Warm Springs Tribe, Higher Education
5 Charlotte Shike, Warm Springs Tribe, Education Committee
ITEMS PRESENTED AND DISCUSSED AT THIS MEETING INCLUDED:
1. Loss of Indian Education Specialist funding. Oregon Department of Education (ODE) provided overview regarding
loss of funding through appropriations. There is an attitude among some legislative representatives, that funding should
not be appropriated and tribes with gaming should be providing funds for this position. We need to push for FTE and
possibly utilize Oregon Commission on Indian Services in lobbying effort.
2. Oregon American IndianAlaskan Native Education State Plan has received support from superintendents and State.
Need to continue to push incorporation of this plan at local school district level.
3. Discussion on what the ODE can provide to tribal communities. Push for greater involvement to access State services.
ODE would like to follow up with a workshop which identify State services tribes might be eligible to receive.
4. Office of Community College Services (OCCS) will work with tribes to get on community college's agenda for January.
Areas we would approach OCCS would include; customizedspecialty courses to address tribal training and educational
needs, technology partnerships and accessibility, establishing a data base of Indian student enrollment, expansion and
partnerships with community colleges regarding GED and Adult Education services.
5. Develop tribal profile for universities and community colleges which demonstrate funds tribes contribute toward post
secondary education, statistics on enrollment, scholarship participation, completion and graduation percentages, partner
ships, support programs and class standing.
6. Generate statistics on tribal percentages enrolled in Oregon's public school system, and review of drop out statistics.
1995-96 stats indicate 10,288 American Indian students were enrolled in Oregon schools, while in 1990-91 there were 7,944
students enrolled. In 1991-92, 9 American Indian students dropped out, while in 1994-95 American Indian students
realized an 1 1 . 1 drop out rate. Tribes needing to identify what percent of these statistics pertain to their membership. Need
to collaborate with agencies in working toward reduction.
7. Oregon State System of Higher Education (OSSHE) seek clarification on the status of the Underrepresented Minority
Achievement Scholarship Program (UMASP). At last meeting we were informed UMASP had been placed under the
Laurel's Scholarship. Concern about losing scholarships and eventually realizing reduction in funding. The OSSHE schools
were to develop a diversity plan that would address student enrollment and establish a data base of Indian students.
Afternoon session included overyieyv of Oregon Department of Education services and programs, Federal programs, Title
I, Title IV, Title VI , Head Start, and Assessment. Discussion included how tribal communities can access services through
local school districts in addressing student educational needs, parent involvement, identification of "poverty count," 1
initiative, Social Services and Family Resources, expansion funds, early childhood education services in collaboration with
tribal programs, technical assistance training, CIM and CAM requirements, common curriculum goals, content standards,
state testing standards, and collection of works portfolios.
The Tribal Education representatives and State Educational Agency representatives concluded meeting on a positive
note of commitment to work collaboratively toward improving educational services for our children. The next Education
Segment meeting with Tribes and State agencies has been set for December 5, 1 997 and will be hosted by the Confederated
Tribes of Umatilla.
A free contest sponsored by the Sparrowgrass Poetry
Forum is offering 35 cash awards, including a grand prize of
$500. Poets may enter one poem, 20 lines or less, on any
subject, any style. Contest closes November 30. Poems
entered in the contest will be considered for publication in
the summer 1 998 edition of Poetic Voices of America. Prize
winners will be notified by January 3 1 , 1 998.
Poems should be sent to Sparrowgrass Poetry Forum,
Dept. LM, 609 Main St., P.O. Box 193, Sisterville, WV 26175.
Poems may also be submitted electronically at the
Sparrowgrass web site, www.tin-place.comsparrow or e
mail, Sistersvaol.com.
Poster contest; 3-4 graders
Students in grades 3 and 4 are invited to become an
"Audobon artist" and submit original artwork of their favor
ite birds and have the chance of winning a $50 savings
bond or other prizes including t-shirts, nature books and
museum admissions. Winning selections will be based on
originality, creativity, use of materials and selection of sub
ject. Entries must be received no later than 5 p.m. on De
cember 12. For a complete listing of contest guidelines
write to: Audobon Poster Contest, co World Forestry Cen
ter, 4033 S. W. Canyon Rd., Portland, OR, 9722 1 or call Lynn
Bergstedt at 503-228-1367, ext. 1 1 1.
Anger management class
The Adult Education prpgram is asking for a response
from tribal members who are interested in taking a" Dealing
Well With Anger Issues Parent Skills Class." This class
would be offered on Saturdays in Grand Ronde and would
be approximately three hours long. Those who sign up for
the class must commit to attending and participating in all
three classes.
The class is taught by John Aaron and two other instruc
tors who team teach anger management skills. If you are
interested, please call Hollie at 879-2275. This class will
only be available if enough participants enroll.
Native American law class
In collaboration with Oregon State University and the
Tribal Education Division, aNative American Law, Treaties
Interpretation and U.S. Relations, upper division (300-400)
level class will be offered on site during Winter Term 1998,
(January through March). Class will be held on Wednesday
evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., for a 10 week period. Per
sons interested in signing up for this class should call Hollie
800-422-0232, ext 2275, to sign up. The class is open to the
public and tuition for this 3 credit hour class is $ 4 1 5. Tribal
members interested in enrolling in this class need to com
plete a Short Term Training application.