6 MARCH 1,2012
Smoke Signals
Obama's 201 3 Budget looks
good for Grand Ronde
By Ron Karten
Smoke Signals itaff writer
In a federal budget where almost
everything is being cut or elimi
nated, the White House's 2013 bud
get has proposed increases for the
Indian Health Service of as much
as 2.7 percent.
The total proposed budget for In
dian Health Service is $4.42 billion,
a $116 million increase over the
2012 budget appropriation.
This is a proposed budget," Mark
Johnston, the Tribe's Health Ser
vices executive director, cautioned.
"We don't know how it will filter
out."
Within weeks, however, the In
dian Health Service appropriation
will be divvied up among IHS offices
nationwide, and when the Portland
office learns what its share will be,
the Grand Ronde part will become
clearer.
The big item for Grand Ronde
in the budget is Contract Health,
which pays for medical and related
services to members in the Tribe's
six-county service area, said John
ston. From the White House's ini
tial proposal, the clinic's portion
could be as high as a 2.6 percent
increase.
Regardless of the final funding
decision, Tribal members will con
tinue to enjoy the same health cov
erage and medical care. What the
increased funds will do, Johnston
said, is "enable the Tribe to make
better use of its funds."
'This looks very favorable for the
Tribe," said Johnston.
From an early look at the White
House proposal, no other Tribal
programs appear to be in line for
as significant an increase in federal
funding.
Indian Health Service is an agen
cy within the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services
and provides health services for
approximately 2 million Native
Americans and Alaska Natives
who are members of federally rec
ognized Tribes. D
Medicare Part B reimbursement notice
If you are a Grand Ronde Tribal member, have reached the age of retire
ment (65) or have started to receive Social Security Retirement or disabil
ity benefits through Social Security (SSD), you may be eligible to receive
Medicare Part B benefits through the Tribe. To find out if you are eligible,
or to get enrolled in Medicare Part B, please do the following: call toll-free
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or go online at www.medidare.gov.
You will need to request an application for enrollment in Medicare Part
B and return it to your local Social Security Office. Once you are enrolled
in Medicare Part B through Social Security, you will need to call our office
to request a Medicare Part B Reimbursement packet to apply As a Grand
Ronde Tribal member, the Tribe will reimburse your Medicare Part B pre
mium each month at the standard rate.
Note: If you are currently on the Skookum Tribal Health Plan it is
required that you accept Medicare Part B when you become eligible. By
not accepting Medicare Part B, your coverage for medical expenses could
be drastically reduced. . (
If you need a Medicare Part B reimbursement packet sent to you or
have any questions regarding the Tribe's reimbursement program, please
call Reina Nelson in Member Services at 503-879-2223 or toll-free at
1-800-422-0232, ext. 2223. You may call Barbara Steere with questions
regarding our Skookum Tribal Health Plan coverage at 503-879-2487 or
toll-free at 1-800-749-2928. O
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. The.Grand RondeV
RoyaltyTGommittee is i
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beaded crowns and
sashes fo'fthe 2012? 131
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Crowns and sashes must be completed and delivered by
July 13, 2012
Please submit your bid to Public Affairs,
: 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
The deadline for bids is March 15
(Deadline is firm and no bids will be accepted after 5 P.M. that day)
Questions': - cam503i879f8i
University of Oregon store
seeks artwork for sale
The University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History's
museum store, Past and Presents, is seeking a limited number of artists
interested in selling their original artwork on consignment in the store.
Pacific Northwest Tribal members interested in the opportunity should
submit five images of their work for consideration to traceyuoregon.
edu. The university's Museum of Natural and Cultural History protects
significant collections, enhances knowledge and encourages steward
ship of human and natural history through research, preservation and
education.
Past and Presents offers a comprehensive selection of regional books
and gifts that reflect the museum's exhibits, collections and research,
as well as the inspiration of the Pacific Northwest landscape. The
store features handcrafted goods from local and regional artists,
including jewelry, pottery, basketry, woodworking and more.
For more information, contact Tracey Bell at 541-346-1574. D
Dictionary available through
Cultural Resources Department
DICTIONARY continued
from front page
ciation guide and the grammar of
Chinuk Wawa. In addition, following
the words, definitions and etymolo
gies (origins) of words, the diction
ary includes a picture gallery and
biographical sketches of the Tribe's
fluent Chinuk Wawa speakers.
Two Catholic missionary texts
also are included since Catholic
priests at Grand Ronde and else
where primarily used Chinuk
Wawa to communicate with local
Native Americans.
The book is dedicated to for
mer Tribal Elder Jackie Mercier
Whisler, a Chinuk Wawa teacher
at the Tribe who contributed much
to the dictionary before walking on
in December 2007.
The dictionary will be available
for $20 (not including a $5 handling
fee) through the Tribe's Cultural
Resources Department and in the
University of Washington Press'
catalog.
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Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m.
wKh Dara D!c!dn:cn (Simmcrss)
Lccrn cppliqus dc::n tccl.r.!'jc:
ipirls Jingle, Fancy & Traditional Dress styles m
Boys Grass, Fancy Traditional & Chicken
Open to the first 10 to register
For more information or to sign-up call:
Brian Krehbiel at 503-879-4639
brian.krehbielgrandronde.org
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Ad created by George Valdez
Ad created by George Valdez