Smoke Signals 3
JANUARY 15,2013
Tribe cuts 13 positions,
some services for 2013
Johnston started working
for the Tribe in June 2007
Department of the Interior seeking
Grand Rondo Tribal member addresses
The Department of the Interior's Office of the Special Trustee for
American Indians is seeking the addresses of 22 Grand Ronde Tribal
members, according to Accounts Maintenance Technician Stephanie
Pine.
Tribal members whose current whereabouts are unknown to the de
partment are Teresa Bailey, Melvin Brisbois, Richard Oliver Brisbois,
Allen Lewis Curl, Clifford P. Deane, Gail Ruth Grant, Tessa Dawn
Grant, Fawn A. Haskins-Mack, Floriene Vivette Hoff, Dolly L. Howes,
Kayla P. Kneeland, Darrel L. Mercier, Francis Michelle, Franklin
Norwest, Sharon E. Provost-Carter, Sharmaine Scott, Francis Sim
mons, Faye Smith, Peter Sulkey, Frank Summers, Michael C. Wiggs
and Robert J. Wiggs.
If your name is on this list, contact Rosie Selland in the Portland
office of the Office of Special Trustee for American Indians at 503-231-6734
or RosemarySellandost.doi.gov. B
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
The Tribal government, in re
sponse to an anticipated 5 percent
decline in its budget from 2012,
recently eliminated nine positions,
did not fill four vacant positions and
implemented program changes that
will save an estimated $2.75 million
annually.
General Manager Mark Johnston
detailed the staff reductions and
program changes to Tribal staff in
an e-mail sent Jan. 4.
"As these decisions were being
made," Johnston said, "we focused
on the following objectives: 1)
Reduce costs without sacrificing
services wherever possible; 2) Align
reporting structures to maximize
use of support staff, and group
together programs and services
that are alike to streamline coor
dination; 3) Distribute reporting
responsibilities within the general
manager's office more efficiently."
For Tribal members, the program
changes will include;
Closure of the Eugene satellite
office effective Jan. 1. Cultural
classes supported through the
Cultural Resources Department
will continue in Eugene once a lo
cation and the number of classes
is determined;
Publications returned to mailing
out Tribal publications, such
as Smoke Signals, at the less
expensive standard postal rate
on Jan. 1;
Political contributions and spon
sorships were reduced;
The annual meteorite trip to New
York City to visit Tomanowos has
been changed to an every-other-year
trip;
And the Ackerson Road pump
station project has been elimi
nated. "A tremendous amount of time,
energy and thought were put into
these changes," Johnston said. "It
is the first time that we, as an or
ganization, have had to take such
drastic measures. We recognize
that it was not an easy process for
any of our employees and I want to
thank all of them for their contin
ued dedication to the Tribe."
Tribal government has been deal
ing with declining funding since
the beginning of the recession in
late 2008.
Spirit Mountain Casino General
Manager Randy Dugger reported to
the general membership in Septem
ber that 2012 revenues were "flat"
as predicted by his predecessor.
Dugger added that 2013 revenues
will probably mirror those of the
previous year.
In a Dec. 15 Message from the
Chair published in Smoke Signals,
Tribal Chairman Reyn Leno said
the staff reductions will make
Tribal government more efficient.
"We believe it is our responsi
bility to constantly evaluate for
efficiency and make changes as
necessary," Leno said. "We hope
these changes will prove to be posi
tive in 2013." B
JOHNSTON continued
from front page
Johnston, 46, started working for
the Tribe in June 2007 as the ex
ecutive director of Health Services.
Previously, he had worked six years
with the Coos, Lower Umpqua and
Siuslaw Indians and six with the
Coquille Tribe.
Johnston and his staff are cred
ited with restructuring the Tribe's
health services and finding creative
ways to curb rising health care
costs that were consuming Tribal
dollars.
An analysis commissioned by
the Tribe in 2007 projected Tribal
health care costs were going to hit
$29 million by 2010. Under John
ston's supervision, the Tribe was
able to keep those costs contained
at $18.5 million and find new ways
to fund health care without sacrific
ing coverage for Tribal members.
"Given Mark's management style
with the clinic, I have a lot of faith in
Mark's abilities and his leadership
to get the best out of his people,"
said Tribal Council member Steve
Bobb Sr. "That is exactly what we
need in today's climate, everyone at
their best. He has my support and
I wish him all the best."
Johnston graduated from Texas
Wesleyan University in Fort Worth
with a bachelor's degree in busi
ness administration. In 1995, he
accepted a position with the Indian
Child Welfare Department of the
Coquille Tribe. He then started
writing grants for Coquille's health
clinic and soon became the assis
tant administrator for the Tribe's
health department.
In 2001, he accepted the health
director position for the Coos, Low
er Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians.
He was born and raised in Ban
don, Ore., and graduated from Ban
don High School. After earning his
college degree in Texas, he returned
to Bandon in 1989.
He has been married for 26 years
and has two daughters and one
granddaughter. 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 avail
able 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 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. 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.
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.
2013 Tribal
Marketplace dates
D Feb. 1-2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Feb. 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
B March 1-2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; March 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
B April 5-6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; April 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
B May 3-4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; May 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
B June 7-8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; June 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
B July 12-13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; July 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
B July 19-20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Elder Honor Day)
Dates subject to change due to conflicting Tribal or SMC events.
Located across from Cedar Plank Buffet.