Smoke Signals 3
SEPTEMBER 1,2012
Nattuiral Resources wins comseirvattiioin) award
Tribal department receives honor from Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
The Tribe's Natural Resources
Department is very good at conser
vation, according to the Polk Soil
and Water Conservation District.
So conservation-oriented, in fact,
that the department received the
2012 Polk County Large Conser
vationist of the Year award at the
Aug. 23 "A Taste of Polk County"
annual meeting held at the 4-H
Club in West Salem.
"This award is for the Tribe's
progress in applying conservation
plans and practices based on soil
and other resource capabilities,"
said Conservation District Man
ager Jackie Hastings in an Aug. 6
letter to Tribal Chairwoman Cher
yle A. Kennedy.
In another press release, the
Conservation District praised the
Natural Resources Department
for implementing large-scale con
servation work during the past
three years that is building "on a
history of dedication with smaller
project."
"Partnering with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service,
the Confederated Tribes of Grand
Ronde has taken a leading role
on their current projects, setting
higher standards than NRCS plans
require and making progress at an
exceptional pace," the press release
said.
"They have enlisted their own
personnel to carry out timber stand
inventory data collection and made
the data available to the NRCS and
Polk SWCD. During pre-commer-
-'ti
cial stand thinning, they train fire
response crews to be more prepared
for sudden fire events.
"The Confederated Tribes of
Grand Ronde have also begun
large-scale restoration beyond
forest and pasture management,
which now includes oak savanna
and wetland habitat while cultivat
ing culturally significant plants.
Photos by Michelle Alaimo
The Tribe's Natural Resources
Department received the 2012
Outstanding Large Conservationist
of the Year award from the Polk Soil
and Water Conservation District
at the district's annual meeting at
the 4-H Center in West Salem on
Thursday, Aug. 23. Present from
NRD to accept the award was from
left, Lindsay Belonga, biological
technician, Michele Volz, senior
administrative assistant, Rebecca
McCoun, biologist, Andrew Puerini,
forester and Jeff Kuust, Timber and
Roads Program manager.
They have worked with natural
resource agencies for many years,
contributing significantly to Out
door School, and making a positive
impact on a large scale."
The work was made possible
through several Tribal Council
resolutions approving Natural
Resources to pursue cost-share
grant funding from the Natural
Resources Conservation Service.
Tribal Environmental Resource
Specialist Brandy Humphreys was
cited for being chair of the Oregon
Watershed Enhancement Board's
Small Grant Team for several years
and Grand Ronde volunteers were
complimented for providing assis
tance to the Conservation District's
restoration projects.
"The level of success would not
have been possible without the
Tribal Council's board members
support of Michael Wilson, Brandy
Humphreys, Zach Haas and Jeff
Kuust," the release said.
Wilson is Natural Resources
Department manager, Haas is the
department's senior forester and
Kuust is the Timber & Roads Pro
gram manager.
The Polk Soil and Water Con
servation District, based in Dal
las, was formed in April 1966. It
promotes the wise use of natural
resources in Polk County by of
fering technical assistance and
conservation planning to resources
owners and communities and
provides education and outreach
related to natural resource issues
in the county.
"The staff at the Tribe's Natu
ral Resources office puts a lot of
thought and effort into caring for
the membership's land," Wilson
said. "I am happy to see their hard
work recognized." D
Elders7 garage sale seeking donations
Tribal Elders are regularly seeking donations for 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. B
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 at4 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month
in Modular No. 2. Chair: Perri McDaniel.
Culture Committee meets at 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month
in Modular No. 3. Chair: TBD.
Education Committee meets at 5:15 p.m. on the first Monday of the
month in the Adult Education Building. Chair: Jon George.
Elders' Committee meets at 10 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. Chair: Harold Lyon.
Social Services Committee meets at 4 p.m. the second Monday of
the month in the Social Services Conference Room. Chair: Jenny San
chez. 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 and third Tues
day of the month in the Tribal Community Center. Chair TBD.
Elders' Fishing Trip set for Sept. 27
The Fish & Wildlife Committee is inviting Tribal Elders to par
ticipate in an Elders' Fishing Trip from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday,
Sept. 27, at Henry Haag Lake near Forest Grove.
The trip will occur rain or shine. Transportation, fishing gear and
a meal will be provided. Vans will leave the Elders' Activity Center
in Grand Ronde at 7 and 10 a.m. sharp and return by 5 p.m.
Lunch will include burgers, hot dogs and a picnic-style luncheon.
The trip is open to Elders and their spouses only.
Although a state fishing license is not required, participants must
have a Tribal fishing license, which can be obtained at the Natural
Resources Department at 503-879-2424.
Those interested in attending should sign up at the Elders' Activity
Center or call 503-879-2233. B
Bernando teaches Wawa in Portland office
Tribal member Eric Bernando teaches Chinuk Wawa language classes
from 5:30 to 8:20 p.m. Wednesday at the Portland office, 4445 S.W. Barbur
Blvd., Suite 101.
For more information, contact Bernando at ChinukWawagmail.com
or at 503-709-3017. D
ATTENTION TRIBAL MEMBERS
COMMITTEE AND SPECIAL EVENT BOARD VACANCIES
The following Committees and Special Event Boards have vacant
positions.
Social Services 3 Vacancies
Rodeo Special Event Board 1 Vacancy
Veterans Special Event Board 1 Vacancy
Please send completed applications to the Lauri Smith, 9615
Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347.