Smoke signals., August 15, 2013, Page 10, Image 8

AUGUST 15, 2013
Smoke Signals
Cultural plants are scattered on the property
10
GARDEN continued
from front page
directions, among many that are
applicable to the garden work.
The prospect of volunteers
brought the Culture Committee on
board, Gibbons said, and Natural
Resources came in soon after.
"It's such a positive thing for the
community and the Tribe," said Jan
Looking Wolf Jteibach, manager
of Land and Culture, who led the
initial effort. 'The practice of culti
vating our lands to bring food to our
Tribe is a part of our tradition."
Volunteers already have restored
raised and ground level beds, but
both need tilling and general gar
den maintenance. Plans also in
clude the planting of a one-acre
orchard with 50 fruit trees. On
some of the remaining acres, plans
for the future envision a 3-plus-acre
cultural plant reserve.
"There are pockets of cultur
al plants on the property," said
Heibach, and the Tribe is always
"looking for opportunities to ex
pand the Tribe's cultural reserve
acreage."
On May 31, Land and Culture
dedicated the 1.8-acre Tyee Cultur
al Reserve project behind the Tribal
Housing Authority building.
With volunteers and 477 work
ers on the site every morning, the
plans are taking shape. A never
used, new greenhouse building pur
chased by the Culture Committee
some five years ago is slated to be
moved to the site next year; an ex
isting shed on the garden grounds
was relocated and repurposed for
tools; an old, unrepairable house
just off the garden area will be de
molished; new fencing and lighting
are providing better security; and
signs will give the project a visible
identity.
The Grand Ronde Water Asso
ciation has been and will continue
to provide water for the gardens,
orchard and anticipated reserve.
This year's stakeholders are look
ing for greater involvement from
the Tribe and community, and a
wider sharing of the benefits.
Credit for the ongoing project
goes to Tribal departments and
others.
Land and Culture provides coor
dination for the project, put up the
greenhouse, supplied the soil, pre
pared orchard grounds, catalogued
indigenous plants in the area and
developed a list of indigenous
plants that the Tribe could grow
in the area.
The 477 program in Social Ser
vices enabled workers to build their
skills at the garden. 477 workers
also built a shed.
Facilities moved it on site and
Community Health Needs
Assessment Consultant
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde is seeking the services of
a qualified consultant to work with the Tribe in performing a com
munity health needs assessment.
The assessment and associated report must be completed by Dec.
12, 2013. Interested parties should contact Julie Davis, Clinical
Services director, at Julie.davisgrandronde.org or at 503-879-2299
to request a proposal packet.
Proposals are due back to the Tribe no later than Aug. 29, 2013,
by 4:30 p.m. B
installed the new gate.
Kngineering designed the fenc
ing. The Grand Ronde Food Bank and
the Tribal Culture Committee sup
plies ideas and volunteers.
Marion-Polk Food Share is provid
ing seeds, plants and fruit trees.
Elder Patty LeClair, coordinator
for the garden, has been volunteer
ing there for a few years. She took
a permaculture course here at the
Tribe in 2012.
"I have the basics," LeClair said,
"but there's so much to it, I'd like
to get more involved.
"The goal is to show that we have
a huge interest and that we're go
ing to follow through. I'd love to
see flowers start growing, enough
vegetables to supply the community
- blueberries, strawberries, all that
good stuff."
Zach Bly started volunteering in
the garden in mid-spring, he said.
"When I started, I didn't think
anyone else was interested," Bly
said. "I was working down there
and I got into it. I put a lot of hours
in, and Jan (Looking Wolf Reibach)
took notice of the place and decided
to run with it.
"It just kind of took off; all these
meetings started happening. I
thought, like, maybe they'll donate a
couple tools. But they ran with it."
The garden has two parts, he
added. One, to grow food for the
(Grand Ronde) Food Bank and
the other part is for community
members to grow their own food.
"The goal is to get people to work
together, to grow their own and
help with other's work."
The Tribe expects the garden to
be planted and fully functional by
next spring, said Reibach.
"I want to acknowledge all of the
unsung heroes who have given a
day or two out of their lives and the
department heads who allow their
crews to come down and deliver
supplies or mow the lawn," said
Gibbons. "The old house is plum
full of cardboard boxes donated
by people in the community to put
under the wood chips."
Tools have been donated and
Charles Gleason of the Tribe has
offered boards to replace the rotted
ones on the beds, she said.
"This garden project is a great
example of Tribal programs, staff,
Tribal Council and the community
coming together in taking care of
our lands," said Reibach. H
New CTGR Higher Education
Program deadlines set
There are now only two Higher Education programs depending on
whether you are full-time or part-time.
The deadline for the Full-Time College program is at least 30 days
before the start of classes. The deadline for the Part-Time College pro
gram is at least 10 days before the start of class.
Visit the Tribal Web site for more program information and an applica
tion. www.grandronde.orgdepartmentseducationhigher-education 0
LaChance Family BBQ
4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1 7, at 231 95 S.W. Grand Ronde Road. Food provided;
please bring a chair. For more information, contact
Glenda LaChance at 971-241-2589.
Public Notice Open For Comment
This is a Public Notice for Comment on the Grand Ronde Tribe's
application for 2014 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LI HEAP) Funding.
The Grand Ronde Tribe obtained a LIHEAP grant last year from
the Division of Energy Assistance within the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services.
This grant program assists income eligible Tribal members with en
ergy assistance (utility bills, fire wood, etc.), crisis energy assistance
and weatherization (e.g. furnace repair, caulking, insulation).
The Tribe's LIHEAP service area includes Polk, Yamhill, Marion,
Multnomah, Washington, Tillamook and Clackamas counties. If
you are interested in obtaining services from the current program,
please contact Social Services at (800) 242-8196 for energy assistance
and the Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority at 503-879-2405 for
weatherization.
The Tribe is taking public comment on the 2014 LIHEAP appli
cation and plan, which are to be submitted by Sept. 1, 2013. The
latest draft will be available for review at the Planning & Grants
Development Department at the Adult Education Building starting
Aug. 16, 2013.
It also will be available at the Housing Authority booth at the pow
wow starting Aug. 16, 2013.
. You also may call Planning & Grants Development at 503-879-2250
with your comments on the plan or to obtain more information
about the plan. B
14th Annual RiggsNorwest
Family Reunion
Sunday, Aug. 18, 2013
A gathering of relatives and friends. A potluck
meal will be served at 3 p.m. We provide the
meat, you bring your favorite dish and beverage.
Tournament Starts a Noon
R.S.V.P.
Steve & Connie Bobb
503-876-3118
23340 S.W. Willamina Creek Rd.
Willamina, Or. 97396
,g&t& Creek & games for kids.
(Brine towels and extra clothes)
1UM RMINai
Memorial Horsvsho Tournament