Smoke signals., August 15, 1999, Page 2, Image 2

Smoke Signals
Summer Youth Employment Program
Kids earn money while contributing to their tribe
2
By Tracy Dugan and Jodie Brandon
This summer, fifteen Grand Ronde youth are
learning about the internal workings of the Tribe,
providing a service to their fellow members, and
earning some money at the same time.
Recruited locally through the newspaper and
the Native American club at Willamina High
School, the kids started work in July and will con
tinue throughout August. Lisa Leno, supervisor
of the Youth Education program, worked with
Human Resources to make the Youth Employ
ment program possible.
She said, "But the real thanks should go to Tribal
Council. They appropriated the funds needed for
the kids' wages, and felt that this was an impor
tant program."
Tribal Council member Val Grout, who lives in
Grand Ronde, knows that for kids, living in a rural
community can be hard during the summer.
"This program is for youth between the ages of
14 and 17," she said. "Kids that age don't have a
lot of opportunity to earn money during the sum
mer around here. I feel this program is impor
tant, because it gives some of our young people
and chance to contribute to their tribe, and to their
families."
Council member Reyn Leno said that this pro
gram can also get kids interested in working for
the Tribe someday.
"These kids are getting to know the tribal staff,
services, and programs. If they ever need to uti
lize them, they'll know where to go and who to
talk to," he said.
Lisa Leno agrees.
"It is important to help our youth find ways to
participate in the Tribe," she said. "They aren't ,
old enough to participate in the decision-making
yet, so this is one way they can feel connected.
They are also developing a bond with each other,
and making new friends."
Leno said that the kids comment about the
things they learn about their own tribe, and have
developed a sense of ownership about being part
of something really important.
"I think that the more the kids learn now, the
more they will want to be involved when they get
older," said Leno. "They are also learning about
responsibility and that people are depending on
them. They have to get up in the morning and
report in on time, and that they are ex
pected to earn their money."
In fact the kids do have a variety of plans
for their earnings. Some are going to save
it, some will buy schools clothes, some have
elaborate spending sprees in mind.
Tricia Gray, 15, who just moved to Wil
lamina from Washington, is saving up for
a new snowboard. Tricia is helping out at
Natural Resources this summer.
"I file, answer phones, and type. I like
it," she said. . , ; '"' -
The kids who signed up for the program
were given a choice: they could work in one
, of the offices, at one of the child care cen
ters, or with the groundskeeping crew.
The groundskeeping youth crew are: Ray
Duran, 14; Josh Holmes, 17; David Holmes, 16;
Chad Peters, 15; Eli Frank, 15; Lee Wilson, 14;
and Brett Leno, 14. Many of these young men
say they like groundskeeping because they enjoy
working outside, and there's always plenty to do.
"I like this job because it's better than sitting at
home all summer," said Brett Leno.
Matt Zimbrick, 14, works at the pre-school and
does a variety of tasks. A lot of time is spent with
the children, and helping them with their projects.
Brad Leno, 15, and Brandy Leno, 17, work there
as well.
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"We just play with the kids and help them out
when they need help with something. I think it's
really fun," Brandy said. She is putting the
money she earns toward her car, and will be a
senior at Willamina High School this fall, and
plans to go to college.
Adam Sierra, 15, works at the Health and
Wellness Center.
"For this summer job I have been filing papers
for medical records," said the Sheridan High School
freshman. "I do have college plans. I am not sure
Brandy Leno working with
preschooler Zoey Holsclaw.
where I will go, but I want to study business."
Emma Leno, 14, works with Cultural Resources
and the Office of Museum Development filing, or
ganizing, and copying. She said, "I wanted to
work in the offices so I could get to know people
better."
Other youth workers include Sam George, 17,
works with the Before and After School Care pro
gram, and Jodie Brandon, 15, who works for
Smoke Signals and enjoys taking pictures and
learning how to interview for stories.