4 SEPTEMBER 1, 2007
Smoke Signals
Goal: Best Clinic In Northwest
JOHNSTON continued
from front page
grants for Coquille's clinic and
soon became the assistant ad
ministrator for the Tribe's health
department.
In 2001, Johnston accepted the
health director position for the
Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw
Indians. Some of his responsibilities
included managing the clinic, pre
paring budgets and supervising the
health and wellness programs.
Johnston said that accepting the
position with the Grand Ronde
Tribe was an easy decision.
"This position fit my development
and growth," he said. "I've been
treated like family since the begin
ning and it has been incredible."
Johnston was born and raised
in Bandon, Ore., and graduated
from Bandon High School. After
attaining a degree in Texas, he
returned to Bandon in 1989.
Johnston is currently seek
ing a home in the Grand Ronde
area. His wife of 21 years, Trina,
and two daughters, Amanda and
Krissy, still live in Myrtle Point
until he can find a residence closer
to the Tribal campus.
Johnston also said that Krissy
was part of the girls' basketball
team that beat Willamina in the
championship game of the 2006
Oregon 2A State Tournament.
"It was one of those once-in-
Name: Mark Johnston
Age: 40
Born: Bandon, Ore.
Tribal job: Director of
Grand Ronde Clinic
Education: Bachelor's de
gree from Texas Wesleyan
University in Fort Worth
Family: Married to wife,
Trina, for 21 years; two
daughters
Quote: "This is the cream
of the crop. This is an
incredible place and I'm
excited about the opportunity."
a-lifetime moments for Myrtle
Point," Johnston said.
Despite not having the Wil
lamina High School Athletic
Department's best interests at
heart, Johnston seems to have the
Tribe's in focus.
"I've talked to a lot of people that
have expressed their concerns and
my goal is to have a clinic that is
considered to be the best in the
Northwest," Johnston said.
"With serious commitment,
there is no reason that we can't
get there. Hopefully, those pa
tients that have elected to go
elsewhere will give us another
chance." D
Employee Appreciation BBQ
W L DO, i
PI VR rr...
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2
Human Resources Generalist Steve O'Harra gives out a prize to Social
Services ICW Caseworker Kristi Petite during the Employee Appreciation
Day Barbecue held on Friday, Aug. 10. Below, Bonnie Mercier (from left),
Pearl Mekemson and Darlene Aaron serve food to Tribal employees.
J
IMafiDW Ameirkain RJnosoc Awards
Grand Ronde Tribal flutist up for three awards at Oct. 6 ceremony in Niagara Falls.
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
Tribal member Jan Michael
Looking Wolf Reibach is not
only up for three awards
at the ninth annual Native
American Music Awards on
Oct. 6, he is now one of the
show's performers.
Looking Wolf is nominated
as Flutist of the Year for
the compact disc "Tribute to
the Flute Makers," for best
long video for "Introduction
and Techniques of the Na
tive American Flute" and
for debut duogroup for his
collaboration with flutistgui
tarist Tim Yett (Cherokee) on
the release "Breath Maker,"
which opens with a track en
titled "Spirit Mountain."
Looking Wolf was informed
Aug. 15 that he had been
selected to perform during
the awards show, which will
be held at Seneca Niagara
Casino & Motel in Niagara
Falls, N.Y.
At the show, which will be televised
via podcast and later released on
international cable networks, Look-
X '
1 f
y
Tribal member Jan Michael
Looking Wolf Reibach
ing Wolf will be performing with Yett
and music producer George Noriega,
who co-wrote the hit song "Hips Don't
Lie" recorded by Shakira.
How To Cast A Vote
Part of the Native American Music Awards process is a public
online vote at www.votenative.com.
The public vote counts for 35 percent of the award selection process.
To vote for Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach, go to the Web site
and the categories will pop up on the screen. He is nominated in the
categories Flutist, Debut DuoGroup and Long Video.
One vote per computer is allowed.
"This is all so surreal," Looking
Wolf said. "I'm so thankful to my
Tribe and family ... without them
none of this would be possible. The
music is good and it's a real gift to
be able to perform with Tim and
George at the NAMMYs, but what
really touches my heart is the show
ing of support by the Tribe."
Looking Wolf has received 11 other
national musical recognitions, in
cluding two Native American Music
Award nominations in 2004 and 2006
and being a best spiritual recording
finalist in 2006. His native flute music
is based on the principle of One Heart,
which recognizes that all people and
cultures are of equal value.
Looking Wolf, 41, has recorded 14
albums on four record labels and
is currently paring down his per
formance schedule to spend more
time with his family. He works for
the Tribe as its acting Tribal Lands
Management director.
"Every day is a good day to live,"
Looking Wolf said. "In the sunshine
or the rain ... and I'm proud to be
Grand Ronde."
The Native American Music
Awards is the country's leading
membership-based Native Ameri
can music association and is com
posed of industry professionals,
musicians, programmers, produc
ers, engineers and other musical
professionals dedicated to promot
ing and preserving Native Ameri
can music throughout the United
States, fl