MARCH 15,2006
Smoke Signals 5
Wednesday, February 8, 2006
ACTIONS continued
from page 4
age. Vice-Chair Blackwell, who sits on the Chemawa Station Board LLC,
stated that the Tribe is committed to an infrastructure time frame only
at this point. No decisions have been made on development. The project
is mainly proceeding in phases per council member Jan D. Reibach. A
conceptual drawing of the project has appeared in the Tribes' newspaper,
Smoke Signals. 4. Will the membership be offered training to obtain any
of the open positions? Councilwoman Kennedy advised that the Tribe has
several programs to providing job skills to the membership. On March 24
there will be a Career Fair for Native Americans at the Siletz Tribal Office
and Tangent facility, per Denise Harvey, Mentorship Program Manager.
Transportation will be available for those needing a ride to either site.
H Yolanda Catabay 3424 made the following remarks: 1. Con
cerned over whether the vacancies on the Tribes' Committees and
Special Event Boards were open to all Tribal members and whether
there is a notice requirement to alert members on any vacancies.
Councilwoman Kennedy stated that all Tribal members are eligible
to apply to fill any open vacancies. Vice-Chair Blackwell advised
that this year the council considered all applications not merely rec
ommendations to fill the vacancies. 2. Encouraged more efforts by
the Tribe to meet the needs of area food banks. Discussion followed.
Per Chairwoman Kennedy, currently, the Tribe and Spirit Mountain
Community Fund (SMCF) have provided funding for the Grand Ronde
Community Resource Center (GRCRC) and SMCF has granted funds
to area community food banks (i.e. Sheridan). The council receives a
monthly report regarding inventory at GRCRC.
B Marcella Selwyn 1721 and Marilee Norwest-Davis 1530 raised
concerns over the service received by their sister recently at the Health
& Wellness Center. Councilwoman Kennedy cautioned the Tribal
members that this was a public forum and that medical matters are
confidential. They asked to be heard. Discussion followed. Council
woman Kennedy directed Chris Leno, the Interim General Manager to
set up a meeting with them. In addition, to ask that Michael Watkins,
Director of Health & Wellness and Dr. Diane Pratt attend this meet
ing. Councilwoman Kennedy advised that their sister would need to
sign a release so that her specific medical information can be discussed
outside of her presence at this meeting.
0 Marcella Selwyn 1721 raised concerns regarding service received
by her son also at the Health & Wellness Center. Chris Leno, Interim
General Manager will also review this matter with the Director of Health
& Wellness Michael Watkins and staff.
B Betty Bly 3534 made the following remarks: 1. Shared comments on
services her granddaughter received at the Grand Ronde Health & Well
ness Center. 2. Asked whether the appointments to the Health Committee
were from recommendations by the committee or by Tribal Council's deci
sion. Dakota Whitecloud, Tribal Council Relations Coordinator responded
that council received many recommendations from committee and Special
Event Boards over a period of time. Council then saw all applications and
made their selections. 3. How will the Enrollment Requirement Ad-Hoc
Committee be filling their vacancies, by recommendation to council or
will council decide. Councilwoman Kennedy advised that notice was pub
lished in the February 1, 2006, issue of Smoke Signals, applications to be
returned to Dakota Whitecloud, who will turn over the applications to the
committee for consideration then council will wait for recommendations
from the committee. Appointment(s) to the committee will be finalized at
a regular Tribal Council meeting.
B Maxine Rock 1173 sought clarification as to why a new chair of the
council is elected every three years and not for life as some Tribes. Coun
cilwoman Kennedy stated this required by the constitution adopted by
the Tribe.
B Marilee Norwest-Davis 1530 stated concern over services received
by her daughter at Spirit Mountain Casino's Human Resources depart
ment. Ron Hudson, Tribal member and employee of the Tribe, stated that
concern had been addressed and that her daughter may begin work with
out waiting for orientation to be held first.
6:35 p.m. Jan D. Reibach moved, Angie Blackwell seconded to adjourn
the meeting. Motion Carried.
OjEddD Ctecak HHxa Gfefl?
1 fclliflrtidUr
-f
1 V
, -i ., .A
Sponsored by the Grand Ronde
Tribal Housing Authority