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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 2012)
Smoke Signals 3 JANUARY 15, 201 2 (ViembeirsDDDip tor Defied odd Coinni muni) fitly Fiamid By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Tribal member Kathleen George, who took over as executive direc tor of Spirit Mountain Community Fund in 2011, briefed the Tribal membership on the fund's past and gave indications about where it is headed in the future during the Jan. 8 General Council meet ing held in the Tribal Community Center. The Community Fund, which is the philanthropic arm of the Con federated Tribes of Grand Ronde, distributes 6 percent of Spirit Mountain Casino revenues to chari table organizations in an 11 -county area, as well as to the state's nine federally recognized Tribes. Grants are awarded in the cat egories of health, education, arts and culture, historic and envi ronmental preservation, public safety and problem gambling. It is supervised by an eight-member Board of Trustees, which currently includes Tribal Council members Steve Bobb Sr., Reyn Leno and Toby McClary, and Tribal member Ron Reibach. In 2011, the Community Fund awarded $2.97 million in grants. "The Community Fund is im portant to the quality of life in northwest Oregon," George said, after telling the General Council audience how "wonderful" is was to return to the Tribe. "There con tinues to be a great time of need in Oregon. The requests for aid have exploded during the last few years." George said that since 1997, when the Community Fund was created, 3,729 grant applications have been received and 1,706 funded. Over those 15 years, the Community Fund has awarded more than $55 million in grants. Since 2008, the Community Fund also has aided Oregon's nine Tribes through its Oregon Tribal Grants J,-i;M'W30':',,v,i;..-, Photo by Michelle Alaimo Tribal member Kathleen George, Spirit Mountain Community Fund executive director, gives the Tribal membership a report on the fund's past and discusses some of the future plans for it, during the General Council meeting in the Tribal Community Center on Sunday, Jan. 8. Program, distributing 24 Tribal grants totaling $1,074 million. George said the Tribal Grants Program helps fill a need since Tribes customarily receive less support from philanthropic foun dations. For 2012, George said the Com munity Fund will concentrate on a new public information campaign that reminds Oregonians that the Community Fund exists because of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. "Every now and then, it is good to refresh that," George said about the direct connection between the Tribe, Spirit Mountain Casino and the Community Fund. She said the Community Fund also will work at revitalizing the Hatfield Fellowship, which places a Tribal member from Oregon or Washington in the office of a mem ber of the Oregon congressional delegation. The fellow works for nine months in Washington, D.C., and learns about the federal gov ernment and also informs those in Congress about Native American issues and culture. She said the Community Fund will continue to work with reduced funding levels because of the lower revenue coming from Spirit Moun tain Casino. "We want to continue to leave a legacy that is consistent with our Tribal values," George said. In other action, Tribal member Melisa Chandler briefed the gen eral membership on the Cultural Resources Site Protection Program as part of the cultural presenta tion. Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. gave the invocation to open the meeting and Tribal Elders Laura Gleason and Nancy Coleman and Tribal spouse Darlene Laf ferty won the $50 door prizes while Tribal Elder Robert Nagel won the $100 door prize. Louise Coulson, Cherie Butler and Linda Brandon were elected to the Elders' Committee and Richard Ray and Margaret Provost tied for the fourth open seat. Ray and Provost will face off in a run-off election during the birth day meeting at the Elders' Activity Center between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25. The next General Council meet ing will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, at the Tribal Community Center. Committee & Special Event Board meeting days and times Below is the most current information on the meeting days and times for Tribal Committees and Special Event Boards: Ceremonial Hunt Board meets as needed. Chair: Shonn Leno. Cultural Trust Board meets at 4 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. Chair: Perri McDaniel. Culture Committee meets at 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month in Modular No. 3. Chair: Kathy Provost. Education Committee meets at 5:15 p.m. on the first Monday of the month in the Adult Education Building. Chair: Shelby Rogers. Elders' Committee meets at 1 0 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month in the Elders' Activity Center. Chair: Gladys Hobbs. Enrollment Committee meets quarterly in Room 204 of the Governance Building. Acting Chair: Robert Schmid. Fish & Wildlife Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the Natural Resources Building. Chair: Harold Lyon. Health Committee meets at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of the month in the Tribal Wellness Center. Acting Chair: Patti Tom-Martin. Powwow Special Event Board meets at 5 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the Tribal Community Center. Chair: Dana Ainam. Rodeo Special Event Board meets at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the Tribal Rodeo Office. Acting Chair: Harold Lyon. Social Services Committee meets at 4 p.m. the second Monday of the month in the Social Services Conference Room. Chair: Ron Hudson. Timber Committee meets at 5 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the Natural Resources Building. Chair: Bob Mercier. Veterans Special Event Board meets at 4 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month in the Tribal Community Center. Chair: Dakota Whitecloud. I .. ; w Elders7 garage sale seeking donations Tribal Elders are regularly seeking donations for their fundraising garage sales. To donate an item or items, contact Tribal Elders Linda Brandon at 971-267-0918 or Duane Wheeler at 541-992-3254. D i;j jxcepics Invitation To Tribal Members, Spouses off Tribal Members , Parent Off A Tribal Member And Legal Guardians Of Grand Ronde Tribal Member Children To Apply For The Temporary Staffing Pool The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde's Temporary Staffing Pool is accepting applications. Tribal members, descendants, spouses of Tribal members, parents of a Tribal member, and legal guardians of Grand Ronde Tribal member children interested in assisting with filling temporary vacancies on an Mon-calP or an "extended duration" basis are encouraged to contact the CTGR Human Resources office. Employment applications are available at the Human Resources office located in the Governance Center, 9615 Grand Ronde Road. Applicants must pass the following background checks: Criminal background Work history References Tribal membership Drug screen Temporary employees will be subject to the CTGR's Employee Handbook. This is an excellent opportunity for our membership to sup plement their income and gain experience while aiding us in continuing a smooth delivery of services. X Ad created by George Valdez
