APRIL 15, 2000
3
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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
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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.