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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2000)
APRIL 15, 2000 3 errs n i a In he's sE to c Q & Eugene's ambitious fundraising effort for a new library has re ceived a big lift from the Tribe and its Spirit Mountain Community Fund. Tribal Chairperson Kathryn Har rison announced the $100,000 grant on March 23, before a tribal commu nity meeting in Eugene. Members of the Eugene Library Foundation were also present. "This is yet another proud moment for the Tribe," said Harrison. "It's amazing how we started out as a ter minated Tribe, and used to pass the hat around during meetings just to fund our newsletter. Times were tough then. But when you have a purpose, anything is possible. It's good to be able to help others now." Harrison said she remembers how important books were to her as a child, and how much she learned about her people and the world through reading. "We are pleased to help the com munity of Eugene provide better ac cess to books and computers for its residents," she said. Council member Val Grout, who was one of many Tribal Council present in Eugene, said, "One of the ways the Grand Ronde Tribe gives back to the communities is through different organizations. And educa tion has always been one of my fa vorite causes." The Tribe created the Community Fund in 1997 as a way to continue the tradition of giving back. The fund distributes six percent of casino prof- Mountain ,omnmnirv t) o ; j - y Ji V V I V I' I i 1 1 Grand Ronde Tribal Council members pose for a photo with members of the Eugene Library Foundation Board on March 23 in Eugene. The Tribe awarded $100,000 to the Library through its Spirit Mountain Com munity Fund. "When you have a purpose, anything is possible," said Tribal Chair Kathryn Harrison. "It's good to be able to help others now." its to worthy organizations in 11 Or egon counties. The Community Fund has given away $7 million in its first three years. Recent grants have included Oregon Children's Foundation, Interfaith Vol unteer Caregivers, Raphael House (domestic crisis shelter), and the Or egon Garden Foundation. The new 90,000 square-foot li brary, on Tenth and Olive in down town Eugene, will replace the old li brary several blocks away that is only one-third the size and offered little space for book stacks, study tables, magazine collections, children's events, community meetings, or com puterInternet stations. Health Center staff speak at youth conference y J ' , ; f I ft as: 4 7Z? me, giving back to the community, providing a service to your people that's what being Indian is all about.9 Kathleen Marquart Physician's Assistant Grand Ronde Health Center The kids asked a w . , lot of questions, ir.pM rC and its nice to know 1 they are interested - 5hsL: in colleger T" j ism-l i f . Mm w ai t & "fh Dr. Anthony Luco j Grand Ronde Dental Clinic : ' ; ;,;,) By Tracy Dugan Local Native youth who attended the Native American Youth Con ference at Portland State University in February had an exciting day of presentations and workshops. Part of the conference was designed to encourage and promote educa tional and career opportunities to stu dents, who traveled from Chemawa and other public schools to attend. Kathleen Marquart, a physician's assistant, and Dr. Anthony Lucio, DDS, both from the Grand Ronde Health Center spoke to the youth about career opportunities in the health care professions. "I encouraged the participants to take math and science courses in middle and high school," said Marquart. "Students should also have good reading and studying skills." Marquart said she wanted to im press upon the kids that providing health services to Native communi ties is a rewarding job, but it does require hard work to get there. "I have been a physician's assistant for 20 years, and I love it," she said. Marquart (TlingetHaida) told the youth to find a mentor or a counse lor in the health profession they could talk to. "Grand Ronde youth have wonder ful educational opportunities," she said. "To me, giving back to the com munity, providing a service to your people that's what being Indian is all about." Dr. Anthony Lucio (Zuni) said speaking to the youth was an enjoy able experience that he would do again, if invited. "I shared my experience in getting to college, and studying dentistry," said Lucio. "The kids asked a lot of questions, and its nice to know they are interested in college." The conference, entitled, "Living in Two Worlds," was sponsored by PSU's United Indian Students of Higher Education (UISHE), a campus-based organization. UISHE's goals are to provide support to Na tive American students entering higher education; support Native Americans in preserving their tradi tional ways and customs; provide a base for cultural education to non Native American populations; and improve the overall community's ra cial relations.
