Smoke Signals
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JANUARY 15, 2001
January General Council Meeting
Continued from front page -
Judge English
Tribal Court staff to the membership herself,
Tribal Judge Katharine English, Court Clerk
Sandra Stearns and temporary staff Julie Boekoff.
Fasana gave a breakdown of the Tribal Court
and explained how individual Tribal members can
access the court. Fasana said the court is currently
working on approximately 100 cases.
"It is a terrific honor to be your judge," said En
glish to the membership. English sat on the state
bench for 14 years prior to coming to Grand Ronde.
English explained what the court can do for mem
bers and what kind of cases the court handles.
English invited interested Tribal members to come by and see the Tribal
Court.
English said a growing number of Tribal ordinances keep the court busy.
English said she is planning an Appeals Court so that her decisions can be
reviewed. She said reviews lend to the credibility of the court.
Personnel matters, boundary disputes, name changes, marriages and di
vorces, enrollment cases and Indian Child Welfare Protection Act (ICWA)
cases are some of the things the Tribal Court currently handles for Tribal
members and the Tribal government.
Attorneys now represent both the parents and the children in ICWA court
cases, meaning that children get their own representation now, in Tribal
Court. The change is for the better, said English.
"This is a major advance," said English.
The judge said the main thing the Tribal Court has tried to do is open the
process up to the Tribal membership.
. "We have tried to make your Tribal Court more accessible to you."
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Jeannine Ferguson
D GRAND RONDE LEGAL SERVICES
New Director Jeannine Ferguson of Grand
Ronde Legal Services introduced herself to the
membership. Ferguson took over for Gayle Patter
son in September of last year. She explained what
her background was and then introduced Grand
Ronde Tribal member Mary Mode, who is the Le
gal Secretary and Receptionist, and David
Thornburg who is Director of Litigation for Legal
Aid Services of Oregon. The office is based in Mc
Minnville, but Ferguson explained that Tribal
members can access attorney services from a num
ber of offices throughout the state.
Ferguson explained what the legal services team can and can't do for Tribal
members. She also explained that Tribal Council determines the direction of
the services offered to Tribal members through the legal team.
She said the legal team can work on social security issues, supplemental
security income cases, pension cases, employment issues, Veterans' benefits,
wills, consumer protection and debtor's rights cases and domestic relations
cases.
Ferguson said that in the year 2000, the legal team worked on 155 cases
40 of which were domestic relations cases.
Ferguson explained that the Tribe's legal team works on civil law cases
and not criminal law cases.
Tribal members were encouraged to contact the Grand Ronde Legal Ser
vices offices with any questions.
D DRAWINGS Elaine McKnight and Connie Holmes won gifts in the
Wellness drawings. Angie Ellis, Georgine Gray and "Chips" Tom each won a
$50 drawing and Connie Brown won the $100 drawing.
The next General Council meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 4 at
11:30 a.m. at the Tribal Community Center.
Tribal members can access
44 attorneys and 17 paralegals at 11 Oregon offices.
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"PLAY IT SAFE"
.II J. jii 11 jul im
Submitted by the Safety Committee
During this time of the year our local area encounters various weather
patterns that disrupt our daily routines. From ice, snow, wind or the
rain we must all all precautions to remain safe from "Mother Nature."
DRIVING CONDITIONS CAN BE HAZARDOUS if you're not
prepared and alert to the conditions of your vehicle and the road.
Make sure that your automobile is tuned-up and the mainte
nance is taken care of.
Check your battery for a full charge. A weak battery can't sur
vive a cold spell.
Check your tires, they determine how well you stop and also
your control on the road. Proper traction and inflation ensure a
safer ride.
For increased visibility change your windshield wipers every 4
6 months and keep your washer-fluid reservoir full.
In case of a breakdown or an accident, one should carry a win
ter survival box in their vehicle. The box should contain the follow
ing: short tow rope, flares, extra clothing, booster cables, ice scraper,
matches and emergency candle, flashlight, fist-aid kit and blanket.
FLOODING CAN HAPPEN QUICKLY with heavy rains or snow-
melt.
If you encounter high water be cautious. Just six inches of
moving water can sweep you off your feet.
Do not drive into flooded areas. If your car stalls abandon it
immediately and if possible seek higher ground.
POWER OUTAGES are common with our annual windstorms.
Remember to have an emergency kit at home. The kit should
contain these items: battery operated flashlight and radio, blanket,
emergency candle and matches, canned food with a hand-operated
can opener, a first-aid kit and a couple gallons of clrinking water.
MANY PEOPLE HEAT THEHl HOMES WITH WOOD.
Although this is very efficient, certain cautions must be made.
Have your chimney and fireplace cleaned and inspected annu
ally. Clean chimneys don't catch fire! Certain conditions encourage
creosote buildup; using unseasoned firewood and restricted air-supply.
Try building smaller fires and always use seasoned wood. If
your chimney does start to catch on' fire get everyone out of the
house and call the Fire Department, (911).
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Family Loses Everything in House Fire
On December 28, a fire broke out in Adam and Wendy Konovaloc's
home across from the Tribe's Natural Resources facility. Tribal mem
bers Greg Leno and Tyson Mercier were among the first people on scene.
Firefighters from Willamina and Sheridan responded shortly after Leno
and Mercier. There was nobody at home at the time of the fire. Dona
tions to the family can be made to Ken Risseeuw at 46953 LaChance
Road, Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347.
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SMOKE SIGNALS is available to anyone at no cost. Fill out this form with
your name ana address, mall to: Smoke Signals, Attn: Justin Phillips,
9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
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