S moke S ignals
july 1, 2014
5
Employees honored for years of service
Tresa Mercier marks 29th
year working for Tribe
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
Seventy-eight Tribal employees
were recognized for a combined 875
years of service to the Grand Ronde
Tribe during an employee recogni-
tion event held Thursday, June 12,
in the Community Center.
Most notably, Health and Well-
ness Business Office Manager
Tresa Mercier reached her 29th an-
niversary of working for the Tribe.
She started working for the Tribe
on Oct. 1, 1984.
The years of service recognition
event honored employees who
reached employment anniversaries
of five years or more during the
last quarter of 2013 and the fi rst
quarter of 2014.
Tribal Council Chairman Reyn
Leno thanked employees for the
work they perform for the general
membership.
“The membership really appre-
ciates what staff does for them
although they might not come up
and say it,” Leno said.
Acting General Manager Chris
Leno also thanked staff for tak-
ing on extra assignments as the
Tribe works to fi ll two high-level
governmental vacancies – general
manager and fi nance offi cer.
Tribal Council members who
attended the recognition event in-
cluded Vice Chair Jack Giffen Jr.,
Ed Pearsall and Jon A. George, who
gave the invocation. Tribal Council
members June Sherer and Denise
Harvey, who were unable to attend,
sent e-mails to staff before the event,
thanking them for their efforts.
“I am so thankful that we have
Come join Youth Education as we head
to Camp Dakota for an adventure!
We will be playing paintball, riding
zip lines, climbing a rock wall, and
completing a ropes course over the
course of the two days. Also during
that time, students will be having some
frank discussions about health and
wellness and the choices that they
make.
Contact:
Matt Zimbrick at (503) 879-2144 or
Tiffany Mercier at (503) 879– 2101 to
reserve a spot or if you have any
questions.
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
Jennifer Biesack, a Tribal staff attorney, receives a hug from Tribal Council
member Jon A. George during an employee recognition event held at the
Tribal Community Center on Thursday, June 12. Biesack has worked for the
Tribe for six years. in the background are Tribal Council Vice Chair Jack Giff en
Jr., middle, and Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno.
such dedicated and loyal employ-
ees working in our organization,”
Sherer said. “Please know that all
of your hard work does not go un-
noticed.”
“(I) would like you all to know
that I appreciate all that you do,”
Harvey said.
Three employees who reached
their 10-year anniversaries re-
ceived more than a bonus check
– they were gifted a Tribal Pendle-
ton blanket.
Employees who attended the
event also were treated to straw-
berry shortcake and strawberry
lemonade.
Senior Human Resources Gener-
alist Steve O’Harra was the master
This event is open to:
Enrolled CTGR Members
CTGR Descendents
Native American Youth
All participants must have
been in 6th, 7th, or 8th
grades during the 2012-
2013 school year.
of ceremonies during the event.
Employees honored were:
Five years: Lawrence Schwabe,
Kari Culp, Shelby Wren, Amanda
Mercier, Flicka Lucero, Angela
Renteria and Desiree Allen.
Six years: Rachel Clark, Michelle
Alaimo, Tyrell Soderberg, Michele
Volz, Bart Bryant, Timothy George,
Rosie Salvidas, Arnoldo Moralez,
Brian Krehbiel, Misty Thorsgard,
Joan Dugger, Jennifer Biesack and
Susan Wright.
Seven years: Eleanor Ashman,
Tauni McCammon and Joe Loo-
mis.
Eight years: Debra Nolen, Les-
lie Riggs, George Neujahr, Toni
Mercier, Michelle Sweeney, Jessica
Cruickshank, John Genera Jr.,
Loyal Hamilton and Rose Smith.
Nine years: Darin Riggs, Nancy
Renfrow, Brandy Bishop, Rebecca
Goeserich and Shawn Bobb.
10 years: Lisa Archuleta, Donna
Todd and Kathy Cole.
11 years: Kevin Campbell,
Stephanie Grim, Joshua Clift, Jake
McKnight and Willie Mercier.
12 years: Kerrina Mishler, Trav-
is Stewart, Sandra Bobb, Charlean
White and Donald Coon.
13 years: Chris Bailey, Tyson
Mercier, Kim Rogers, Michelle
Manso, Jill Hafl iger and Nathan
Rolston.
14 years: David DeHart, Connie
Wyngarden and Crystal Szczepan-
ski.
15 years: Tammy Garrison and
Lillian Engel.
16 years: Sunni Ulestad and
Donnette Spaulding.
17 years: Jan Looking Wolf
Reibach, Jody Jerger and Mike
Karnosh.
18 years: Daniel Ham, Julia Pa-
pen, Dana Ainam, Hollie Mercier
and Jerry George.
19 years: Kim Mueller and Wen-
dell Olson.
20 years: Penny DeLoe.
23 years: Marion Mercier, Karan
Scharf and John Mercier.
29 years: Tresa Mercier. n
Lamprey harvesting
scheduled at Willamette Falls
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has set the season for
harvesting lamprey at Willamette Falls for June 1 through July 31.
Harvesting may be conducted 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Monday.
Harvesting is not allowed Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
Harvesting is confi ned to the east side of Willamette Falls and does
not include the horseshoe area at the peak of the falls. Gear is restricted
to hand or hand-powered tools only.
A permit is required, but Tribal members are allowed to use their
Tribal enrollment card in lieu of a state-issued permit. Catches must
be recorded on a Fish and Wildlife Department harvest card available
from the Grand Ronde Natural Resources Department or by contact-
ing the Clackamas ODFW offi ce, 17330 S.E. Evelyn St., Clackamas,
OR 97015.
For more information, contact the Tribal Natural Resources Offi ce
at 503-879-2424. n
Middle School Girls Night Out
Sleeping with the Sharks
Portland Aquarium
Leaving at noon July 8 th
and retuning noon July 9 th
Packing List:
Sleeping bag
Spend time
with us too!
Change of Clothes
Sturdy Shoes
Swim Trunks
Paintball equipment (Optional)
Towel
Come spend
the evening
with your
girls!
There are limited spots
so get your permission
slip in soon!
Things you will need to bring:
Sleeping bag
Pillow
Toiletries
Extra clothes for the next day
Pajamas
Spending money (Optional)
A positive attitude!
Flashlight
Contact Tiffany Mercier at
503.879.2101 with any
questions!
Don’t worry,
we won’t
bite!
Speak for
yourself!