Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 15, 2012)
Smoke Signals 3 OCTOBER 15, 2012 Restoration Celebration set for Nov. 18 The Tribe will celebrate its 29th anniversary of Restoration on Sunday, Nov. 18, in the Tribal plankhouse and gym. Members interested in volunteering to help plan the event should call Public Affairs at 503-879-1418. The day will begin with a gathering in the plankhouse, followed by a meal served in the Tribal gym and then a powwow. The Tribe was officially restored on Nov. 22, 1983, by President Ronald Reagan after 29 years of Termination. The celebration is being held on Nov. 18 because Thanksgiving falls on the 22nd this year. B Attention Tribal members with Skookum health benefits In 2008, the Health and Wellness Center was given the opportunity to manage and administer the Tribal Member Health Program (Skookum). Program expenditures in 2007 were in excess of $22 million and projec tions for future years were going to put a tremendous burden on Tribal resources with 2012's estimate exceeding $30 million. However, with help from the membership, we have been able to actually reduce our program costs. By aggressively pursuing discounts, coordinating with Contract Health Services and providing the membership with the tools to be bet ter health consumers, we have reduced the annual program costs to an estimated $18 million for 2012. It's now time to take the next step in making your Skookum Health Program even more efficient. To do so, Tribal Council has authorized the program to begin verifying Medicaid eligibility for all Tribal members without primary insurance coverage, such as employer-sponsored plan, Medicare, private plan, etc. This verification of Medicaid eligibility will take place on an annual basis. What does this mean to you? If you currently use only the Skookum Health Program benefits, you will be required to show proof of your Medicaid application andor eligibility. This will require you to apply for Medicaid and receive either acceptance or a denial for coverage. Should your income be over the Medicaid income limits and you choose not to apply for Medicaid, providing proof of your ineligible income will be acceptable. When will this change occur? We will begin implementing this change effective Jan. 1, 2013. Please expect to receive more information in both Smoke Signals and by mail. Should you not complete the annual audit and return the appropriate information to the Tribe, your Skookum health benefits will be suspended or revoked. Staff will be available at the Grand Ronde Health and Wellness Center to assist members with the Medicaid application process. B Committee seeks Elders' phone numbers The Tribal Elders Committee is working on a volunteer phone list of Elders. If you would like to submit your phone number and address to be available to other Elders, send it to elders.committeegrandronde.org or leave a message at 503-879-2231. 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 at 4 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: CeCe Kneeland. Education Committee meets at 5:15 p.m. on the first Monday of the month in the Adult Education Building. Chair: Tammy Cook. 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 Elders' Activity Center. Chair: Gene LaBonte. 05 Photo by Dean Rhodes Tribal lobbyist Justin Martin briefs General Council attendees on Measures 82 and 83 during the Oct. 7 meeting held at the Monarch Hotel and Convention Center in Clackamas. Watching are Tribal Council members, from left, Kathleen Tom, Chris Mercier, Cheryle A. Kennedy, Secretary Toby McClary, Vice Chair Jack Giffen Jr., Steve Bobb Sr., June Sherer and Jon A. George. The briefing lasted approximately two hours in executive session. General Council discusses private casino measures By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor CLACKAMAS About 60 Tribal members and employees were briefed about the two private casino initiatives on the Nov. 6 ballot in Oregon for two hours in executive session during the Oct. 7 General Council meeting held at the Monarch Hotel and Conven tion Center. Because the briefing was held in executive session, Smoke Sig nals cannot report on the specifics of what occurred. Tribal member Justin Martin, who also works as the Tribe's principal lobbyist in Salem, briefed Tribal members on Mea sures 82 and 83 and the Tribe's ef forts to help defeat the measures. He then fielded approximately 20 questions and comments from Tribal members. The complementary measures would amend the Oregon Con stitution to allow private casinos and also specifically permit one to be built at the shuttered grey hound racetrack in Wood Village, which is an eastern suburb of Portland. Oregon's nine federally rec ognized Tribes, as well as other organizations like StillBadForO regon.org, oppose the measures, one of which was defeated by Oregon voters in 2010 by a 68-32 percent margin. In addition, Gov. John Kit zhaber recently came out in op position to the measures, which he said would break Oregon's promise to Tribes and negatively affect revenues from the Oregon Lottery. Outside the General Council meeting, Tribal members picked up anti-measure lawn signs, bumper stickers, information sheets and window stickers. Before the executive session started, Tribal Lands Man ager Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach played a blessing song on Native flute and the Portland area drum group performed as part of the monthly cultural presentation. After the executive session, Elder Laura Gleason, Nina Portwood and Trey George won the $50 door prizes and Kayla Leno won the $100 door prize. Elder Bernadine Shriver also won a cedar necklace made by Tribal Council member Jon A. George. The next General Council meeting will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, at the Tribal Community Center to discuss the preliminary 2013 Tribal budget. D Elders7 Halloween Costume Party slated for Oct. 27 The Elders' Halloween Costume Party will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, in the Elders' Activity Center. Elders and their guests should call the center at 503-879-2233 to sign up for the event. For more information, contact Elder Cherie Butler at 503-879-6371 or 503-560-8877. ATTENTION TRIBAL MEMBERS COMMITTEE AND SPECIAL EVENT BOARD VACANCIES The following Committees and Special Event Boards have vacant positions. Education Committee 1 Vacancy Please send completed applications to Stacia Martin, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347.
