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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2012)
Smoke Signals 9 APRIL 15, 2012 Class Mps make pairemiDinig a pDeasMcre By Ron Karten Smoke Signals staff writer Ten Tribal and community mem bers who attended the first "Make Parenting a Pleasure" course at the Youth Education building on Tues day, April 3, have many dreams for their children. Among them are being kind to others, honest, confident, law-abiding, a friend of God, happy with themselves, possess a good work ethic and have knowledge of the outdoors. Other dreams included knowing their culture and heritage, receiv ing a good education and having a sense of responsibility. "To watch (children's) firsts is a reminder to see them through a new set of eyes," said Angela Gon zales, Parent Resource and Educa tion Coordinator for Polk County Health & Human Services, who, with Tribal member and Tribal Prevention Caseworker Carmen Mercier, are leading the class. Tribal member Nichole Liebelt looks forward to "making memories with my kids." Washie Squetimkin (Colville) said that he is most taken with his son's "optimism, how he sees things so simply." "Children are just amazing at how fast they learn," said another participant. As a parent of six and a foster par ent of one, Tribal member Shannon Stanton said that her children are "totally different; the oldest is very unique; every day she surprises me about something." Vince Fagundes said his 5-year-old daughter has "the ability to keep me on my toes." & V-rp- Hi 1 The class mixed lessons with exercises. In one, Gonzales passed out magazine pictures of families. Some were examples of ideals not normally found in the real world and others were examples of mod eling good behavior. Individuals in the group focused on the meaning of these photos in their lives. 'There are lots of great ways to be a good parent," said Gonzales. "There is no such thing as a JSCEPICS tfriicgnrs - Invitation To Tribal Members, f Spouses of Tribal Members , Parent Of 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 "on-call" 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. I Photos by Michelle Alaimo Carmen Mercier, prevention caseworker for the Tribe's Indian Child Welfare program and Tribal member, reviews basic assumptions about parenting during the Make Parenting a Pleasure class at Youth Education on Tuesday, April 3. perfect family," said Mercier, who organized the class, and the lesson led to the dreams of class members for their children. "This is a way of allowingparents to define what their values are." Here are the basic assumptions on which the lessons rest: Parenting is the most challenging and most important job there is. Parents care deeply about their children. There is no one right way to be a parent or a child. After being given a photograph of a family from a magazine, Tribal members Nichole Liebelt and her husband, Levi Liebelt, discuss what type of family the photograph portrays during the Make Parenting a Pleasure class at Youth Education on Tuesday, April 3. The Liebelts brought their 3-month-old daughter, Tribal member Kalea Liebelt, to the class. Parents are the experts about their children. Parents are the foundation of the family. Parents who come to parenting class are special. This was the first class of a six week pilot course developed in conjunction with the Polk County Commission for Children & Fami lies. The focus was on "Nurturing: Taking Care of Ourselves." The second class stress and anger management also will be completed before this article comes' out, and to maintain a tight group, the class will be limited to those already enrolled, said Gonzales. The remaining classes will cover communication, both verbal and non verbal and listening skills; the basics of child development; and discipline, including challenging behaviors. In addition, the Tribe will con tinue working with Polk County to present a range of parenting courses in the months ahead, said Mercier. "Unrealistic expectations," said Mercier, "make it harder for par ents to appreciate what they do have." Parenting resources also are available at the Parent Resource & Education site www.preppc.org. D m m OT5 This is an excellent opportunity for our membership to sup- Vplement their income and gain experience while aiding us in rnntinnino a cmnnth Hplivprv nf sprvirps. j Ad created by George Valdez Relay for Life Fundraiser Sponsored by Hunters for Life Relay Team Friday, May 4th WillaminaVFWHall 2 cards for only $5 Doors open at 6pm, Bingo Starts at 7pm 12 years and older to play Cash and Checks Graciously Accepted Play Bingo to win prizes Hot DogChili Dog Dinner Bake Sale Luminaria Decoration Station m mm . ft aii proceeds win go 10 me Jt American Cancer Society Questions or information: infohuntersforlife.info or call 503-474-7944 IP
