Smoke signals., June 15, 2007, Page 3, Image 3

Smoke Signals 3
JUNE 15,2007
Grand Rondes Bid For Inclusion in Gorge National Scenic Act
Gorge Tribal members speak up for the Tribe and for their own heritage.
1
By Ron Karten
"Grand Ronde seeks to be consulted and involved in the protection
and management of the Gorge in the same manner as the other Co
lumbia River Tribes."
With these words, the Grand Rondes aim to have a bill introduced
into the 110th Congress to accomplish that goal.
In support of that bill, the Grand Rondes have produced an eight-minute
DVD "to demonstrate to state and federal authorities that members
of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Rondes have always had ties to
the Columbia River Gorge area," according to Siobhan Taylor, Director
of Public Affairs for the Tribe.
"We have Tribal members who trace their heritage to Chief Tumulth,
signer of the 1855 Willamette Valley Treaty, and that tie has never
been broken," she said.
Tribal Elders Valerie Alexander, her sister Marilyn Portwood and their
cousin Chuck Williams, all lifelong residents of the Gorge area, partici
pated in the production. See related story on Alexander on page 4
"As a result of Termination, the Grand Rondes were ignored when
the scenic act first was passed," said Taylor.
Now, the Tribe is speaking up for its right to be heard. B
Grand Ronde Community Rallies to Raise Money for Tribal Member
Benefit Concert with Silent Auction and BBQ Dinner to be held Saturday, June 30.
WW IrV (
for more information contact
Angie Sears
503 879 1961
By Angie Sears
A group of Grand Ronde community members have rallied together to
raise money for Tribal member Jackie Whisler, who is suffering from a life
threatening illness.
Whisler, a long-time resident of Lincoln City, OR, has been battling cancer
for more than a year. She has been an active member of the Grand Ronde
community most of her life; in fact, she played a key role in the restoration of
the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Last July, her illness forced her to
leave her position as a language specialist with the Tribe.
A group of her friends, family, co-workers and community members have
come together to hold a series of fundraisers to help with the cost of treat
ment and travel expenses. She is currently undergoing rigorous chemotherapy
treatments in Lincoln City, but there is a chance the family will be considering
alternative treatment at a facility in Washington State.
On Saturday, June 30, at 3 p.m. the group will hold a silent auction, with
a benefit concert and BBQ dinner at the Tribal gym. The concert will feature
performances from Native American flutist and Tribal member Jan Michael
Looking Wolf and Native American flutistguitarist Tim Yett.
The doors will open at 3 p.m. and bidding will begin at 3:30 p.m., with din
ner and concert to follow at 4:30 p.m. There is a minimum donation of $10
for adults and $5 for children age 10 and under. Tickets are on sale now. To
purchase tickets please contact Angela Sears at 503-879-1961 or inquire via
e-mail at angela.searsgrandronde.org Tickets will be able available at the
door, but it is requested that people purchase them in advance if possible.
There will be a lot of fun items to bid on, including a massage package, hotel
and casino packages, dinner packages, white water rafting, baseball or soccer
tickets, Pendleton items, bead work, Native arts and crafts, and much more.
For anyone who can not attend the silent auction benefit concert but would
like to make a donation you can do so at any Bank of America branch. An ac
count has been set up under the "Jackie Whisler Medical Fund."
Pro-Appronticoship Program Invites Community To "Appreciation BBQ"
By Angie Sears
On April 9, 2007, the Tribe
began a pre-apprenticeship pro
gram for Tribal members that
also included other Native Amer
icans and community members.
The program, called G.R.O.W.
(Grand Ronde Occupational
Workshop), stemmed from the
Tribe's Workforce Development
Program, run by Tribal member
Denise Harvey.
G.R.O.W. began with 17 stu
dents, and now has 12, the
majority of them being Grand
Ronde Tribal members.
The program does not pay stu
dents but is designed to give them
skills needed to gain employment
in the construction trade. They
are learning the importance of
safety in the workplace, CPR
training and the fundamentals of
mathematics in construction, as
well as the skills of framing, con
crete form, layout, roofing, etc.
Currently, the group is work
ing on the construction of the
Elders' seating area at the new
pow-wow grounds.
"The students have a lot of
pride in building the Elders'
seating area.
They have do
nated 275 hours
of their personal
time to complete
the project," said
Harvey. The
students have
also agreed to
extend the du
ration of their
class time by
four weeks to
complete the
project.
The class is
taught by Doug
McCarver of
Willamette Car
penters Train
ing Center, and
Thomas Ain- ;
sworth, a mem-
ber of the community and Karuk
Tribal member. Both instructors have
an extensive background and experi
ence in the construction and carpentry
industry.
Upon completion of the program,
the students will receive a certificate
of completion documenting what
they learned and the total number
'JLlV I r.wl.' I ' m
i'-p L1 a
i -
Tribal members from the Tribe's pre-apprenticeship
program work on the Elders' seating area at the new
pow-wow grounds.
of hours in training.
"This training will be beneficial to
the students by providing experience
in the industry," said Harvey. "It will
give them the qualifications needed
to gain employment in entry-level
positions and apprenticeship pro
grams. It also gives them exposure
to the industry allowing them to
determine if this field is a good
fit for them."
G.R.O.W. has received mul
tiple donations from businesses
and would like to give a special
thanks to Hampton Lumber for
their donation of lumber; to S.D.
Deacon Construction for their do
nation of concrete; to Round Val
ley for the use of their warehouse,
as well as for their support and
cooperation with the program;
to the CTGR Natural Resources
department for the donation
of tools and equipment; and to
United Rental, that has been
very helpful and has sponsored
the "Appreciation BBQ" for the
students.
The pre-apprenticeship pro
gram will hold the BBQ on Tues
day, June 19 from 12 -1:30 p.m. at
Fort Yamhill Park. The program
invites all Tribal and community
members to join them in showing
their appreciation to the students
for their dedication and hard
work.
For information about the
pre-apprenticeship program
contact Denise Harvey at 503-879-2112.