S moke S ignals
january 1, 2014
Cover Oregon and Tribal Communities:
Working Together for You
Cover Oregon opened Oct. 1, but its Tribal community partnerships
were already up and running and will continue to be important in
the months and years to come.
For the last two years, representatives from Oregon’s nine Tribes
have helped shape Cover Oregon and how its programs will help
American Indians and Alaska Natives across the state get qual-
ity health insurance that can be used at your local Tribal or urban
Indian clinic.
Cover Oregon is an online marketplace for Tribal communities and
others to find health insurance and get financial help to pay for it.
Even if you receive services from your Tribal or urban Indian clinic,
Cover Oregon will work for you.
“Once all of the bugs are worked out of the online system, the
opportunity for all Native Americans to access low-cost sub-
sidized insurance is incredible. At Grand Ronde, it promises
to reduce Tribal expenses for Tribal Skookum, out-of-pocket
costs to Grand Ronde members and improve the effectiveness
of Contract Health Services. We are excited about having the
opportunity to continue to help our membership to meet their
health care needs.” – General Manager Mark Johnston
Having health insurance is important because it protects you and
your family from large medical bills by paying for some or all of the
costs of medical care. Even if you get services at your Tribal or ur-
ban Indian clinic, health insurance protects you in case you need a
hospital stay or specialty care.
Many choices are available through Cover Oregon, including private
plans, the Oregon Health Plan and Oregon Healthy Kids. If you are
an enrolled member of a federally recognized Tribe and sign up for
insurance through Cover Oregon, you can expect:
• To help your Tribal community: Getting health insurance helps
fund Tribal or urban Indian clinics;
• Consistent care: You can continue to get care from your Tribal
or urban Indian clinic;
• No cost for doctor visits: You will never have to pay for any
service you receive from a Tribal or urban Indian clinic. Also, you
might qualify for no cost-sharing at any doctor or provider if you
meet certain income requirements;
• Flexible enrollment: Special monthly enrollment periods allow
you to sign up or change plans.
For more information on benefits to you and your Tribal commu-
nity, contact Cover Oregon or get in touch with a Tribal or other
community partner who can tell you more.
You also can contact Loretta Meneley, Certified Application Assister
at the Grand Ronde Health and Wellness Center, at 1-800-775-0095
or 503-879-1359. To be sure you’re working with a certified agent or
partner, visit CoverOregon.com or call 1-855-CoverOR. Language
assistance is available. n
Hawk release
Photo by Dean Rhodes
Tribal Temporary Oral Historian Sequoia Raya releases a red-tailed
hawk back into the wild at Yamhill County’s Stuart Grenfell Park
on Thursday, Dec. 19, just west of Sheridan along Highway 18.
The hawk was found by Tribal Elder Alan Ham on Nov. 21 in the
grass divide where Highway 18 splits from two to four lanes west
of Sheridan. Ham took the hawk to Turtle Ridge Wildlife Center
in Salem, where it underwent several weeks of recuperation from
trauma, said volunteer Kyra Knutson. The trauma was probably
caused by a collision with a car. Once the hawk was healthy again, it
was suggested that it be released near where it was captured just in
case it had a territory in the area. Raya and Knutson were assisted
in the release by fellow Turtle Ridge volunteer Charles Harmansky.
Turtle Ridge provides care to injured or orphaned Oregon wildlife
with the goal of release back to their natural habitat. Raya said that
based on who found the bird, he took to calling it “Ham Hawk.”
important notice to full-time students
All full-time students must submit verification that they have applied to a
scholarship outside the Tribe BEFORE funding will be released for the term/
semester. Verification can include a scholarship award or denial letter, e-mail
verification that an application was submitted, a copy of the application or
the financial aid award letter that lists an outside scholarship. Please contact
Education at 1-800-422-0232, ext. 2275, if you have any questions. n
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 Chinuk-
Wawa@gmail.com or 503-709-3017. n
TЭnas
Intervention
Services to be provided to babies &
moms-to-be:
Checkups
Cleanings, if applicable
Injection-free fillings, if needed and
appropriate
Cavity prevention treatment
Age-appropriate goodie bags
Raffle ticket for one of two blankets
to be raffled every six months
Confederated Tribes
of Grand Ronde
Dental Clinic
Adult Foster Program
Pregnant women
and babies under 2
Tribal members: pregnant women or
0-2 year olds (teeth or no teeth!)
who come in for a scheduled dental
checkup or other appointment will
be entered in a
raffle for a baby
Pendleton
Blanket!
To schedule call:
503-879-2020
The Tribe’s Adult Foster Care lodges are committed to offering quality
care to our Elders and helping them remain as independent as possible, while
providing the personalized assistance they need. At our lodges, a wide range
of services is available in a comfortable setting where privacy is respected
and maximum independence is supported. For information, contact the Adult
Foster Program Director at 503-879-1694. n