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