Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2002)
.... , ..... ,. M, ,, , n a i r II '' g " "" 6 AUGUST 15, 2002 SMOKE SIGNALS AUGUST 15, 2002 $MOKE SIGNALS 7 A New Era In Tribal Education Begins With 6.8 Million Dollar Campus Education continued from front neering and design. The entire building has been carefully thought out to suit the needs of the Tribe. It's environment is specifi cally crafted to promote a atmo sphere that is conducive to learn ing and gives the occupants, whether they are students or teach ers, a feeling of belonging. It also has the latest in Internet access, with a high-speed T-l line con nected to all of the computers. "It's a premier facility, no doubt," said Public Works Director Eric Scott, who was the building's project manager. "It has several different classrooms, a media center, a li brary, computer classrooms, as well as smaller individual classrooms and small business classrooms," said Scott. The entire project, including in frastructure, roads, buildings and parking lots, cost $6.8 million and actually came out about $300,000 under budget. The construction crew only took one half of one day off during the entire winter of 2001. The buildings incorporate numer ous skylights and ambient lighting. Every effort was made to include as many natural light sources as possible. The walls are covered in cedar siding and there is a hand some sculpture made of columnar basalt in the front of the youth edu cation building. There are also two covered out door recess areas, for when it rains in the wintertime. The new education complex dif fers from other Tribal buildings in that Tribal members were very closely involved with how the build ing would look and what functions it would serve. "Most of the teachers and educa tion staff were part of the design team, so we all have a sense of pride in the building," said Scott. Tribal members chose how the floor plan would look and what size the buildings needed to be and what Outdoor Play Area The New to roam around in. page 1 1 ) I ' 1 I ' ' fi y " MA -K. M 1 vr i . "Thanks For The Help" Public Works Director Eric Scott was honored with a Mercier and her education staff for overseeing the successful completion of the Tribe's colors they liked. During the plan ning phase of the building, meet ings were held to try and under stand what the specific needs of the staff and teachers were to make the space more efficient. "We sought input from all of the users and asked them to be part of the design team," said Scott. They also chose what materials to use and in one case, the color of the striping around the gymnasium floor. The tiles in the hallways in the preschool and HeadStart were painted by the Before and After Care kids, and installed before the students arrived, so that when they arrived they would feel more at home. "We did a lot of surveys and went to Native American club meetings at Willamina High School," said Lisa Leno. "The students got to talk about what they wanted the new building to look like. It's not often Education campus has a large outdoor playing you get a chance to do that. . .it was likea dream come true," said Leno. Because they were so deeply in volved with the new building, many Tribal members feel a strong connection with it. That connection is apparent when talking to Marion Mercier, Tribal Education Manager, who has been involved with the new building from the start and who many would credit as being one of the driving influences behind get ting the new building constructed. She has high hopes for the new building and sees it playing a cen tral role in the lives of Tribal mem bers. "Our hope is that it will be a hub for the community," said Mercier. "People won't have to travel to get education services. Now they can come here. Our kids deserve to have a safe healthy learning envi ronment," said Mercier. area to give the children plenty of room i M 5 4 Tribal blanket by Marion new campus. Once someone has been involved in the Tribal education system, it stays open as a resource for them for life. "This Tribe is made up of very different people. A lot of Tribal members take advantage of the education opportunities available here, from kids to Elders," said Mer cier. "The services offered here are the ones that can change peoples lives," she said. Leno shares that cradle to grave education philosophy. The new building, which has programs for toddlers to college graduates, is well suited to provide life long re sources. "Education is a life long process. We have the programs to take them (Tribal members) from pre school to retirement. We offer sup port from 3 years old to 103," Leno said. '..4 A Mi, Q-1 mi ' ' iiii iKhii 1 5 I J ; J " j sv 7-:: t 0 1 (7W -y - w- i Our Children Will Benefit - Special guest Klamath Tribe gave an opening prayer that involved the Care children at the Open House. The gym and auditorium, said Mercier, can help bring events to the community. "A lot of youth play basketball in tournaments somewhere else. Now they can have them here," she said. The education staff feel that the new gym will contribute to the health of the Tribe by providing somewhere for Tribal members to work out and play ball. "I think it will be a factory for Tribal athletes," said Youth Edu cation Specialist Dustin Harmon. "I think we will have a healthier community." B " .Kir HUM MP- ;. ..-13 4 Ji'L-. J?S -'fif'- fcwJs SjlKiw " 'Brmv-mmmi I ..." Morrie Jimenez of the Tribe's Before and After " 3T Q. a Zjt. 4 it rM j!- 4 '.v-.fi r-v I - - Boh, if. A .... - '-- - "-'-.I'" In i1""" hi,, i i... :i.i'' 1 ' Y'w 'ISTim V " -aj1 .if i t.m I. 0 t. A 1., 4 , -i., -! id "ii 1 - s a. . XI o o c a.
