S moke S ignals
september 15, 2014
Grand Ronde Tribal
Housing Authority
Community Fund selects
Bodine as Hatfield Fellow
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
Opportunity for comment on
GRTHA’s 2015 Indian Housing Plan
Under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-De-
termination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA), the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will provide grants to
Indian Tribes/Indian Housing Authorities for the development
and operation of low-income housing in Indian areas. Grants are
made to eligible recipients under the Indian Housing Block Grant
Program. To be eligible for the grants, respondents must submit
an Indian Housing Plan that meets the minimum requirements
of the Act, and also submit an Annual Performance Report to
HUD, and maintain records for HUD monitoring.
The Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority (GRTHA) has
received multiple grants under this program. Comments on the
Indian Housing Plan are welcome and copies of this report can
be obtained at the GRTHA office or by calling 503-879-2401 or
1-800-422-0232, ext. 2401. Comments must be submitted in writ-
ing to GRTHA no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, 2014. All
comments will be incorporated into the final report submitted
to HUD.
Home repair grants for Tribal homes
The Tribe, through the Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority,
offers Home Repair Grants to Tribally owned private homes for
needed repairs, upgrades and maintenance.
If you own a home in Oregon and it needs a little help with
things like a worn-out roof or a tired heating system, get in
touch with your Tribal Housing Authority and see if you and
your home qualifies. 503-879-2401.
Online degree programs
Turn your college credits or associate degree into a more powerful four-year
degree from Portland State University.
Undergraduate degrees offered: BA/BS in Social Science, BA/BS in Arts &
Letters and BA/BS in Liberal Studies.
For more information about online degree programs, contact the PSU Salem
Center at 503-315-4281 or e-mail psusalem@pdx.edu. n
Mary Bodine, a member of the
Confederated Tribes of Warm
Springs, has been selected by Spirit
Mountain Community Fund as the
newest Hatfield Fellow.
Bodine currently works at the
Bonneville Power Administration as
the corporate fish and wildlife para-
legal/project manager in Portland.
Each year, Spirit Mountain Com-
munity Fund sponsors a congres-
sional fellowship with a member of
the Oregon delegation to enhance
the mutual understanding between
leadership in Washington, D.C.,
and Indian Country. Past fellows
have served in a number of con-
gressional offices, including those
of Sens. Ron Wyden and Gordon
Smith and Reps. Kurt Schrader,
Darlene Hooley, Earl Blumenauer
and Greg Walden.
Bodine will begin her Hatfield
Fellowship in November with a
one-month orientation with the
American Political Science Associa-
tion in Washington, D.C. Following
the orientation, she will assume her
congressional placement in the of-
fice of Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio,
where she is expected to be assigned
to work with the House Committee
on Natural Resources.
Bodine received a juris doctor-
ate degree in 2013 from Lewis and
Clark School of Law and received
an Environmental Law certificate.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in
Environmental Studies from Lewis
and Clark College in 2009.
She is a recipient of the Oregon
Mary Bodine
State Bar Association’s award for
diversity and inclusion. From 2006-
08, she served as president of the
Native American Student Union
at Lewis and Clark and is a former
intern with the Columbia River
Intertribal Fish Commission.
Bodine was a contributor and
project lead at Oregon Health and
Science University in Portland,
researching toxicology issues for
Native Americans and consumption
of contaminated salmon. She is a
former Udall congressional intern
and has received numerous awards,
scholarships and accolades for her
work in Indian Country.
The Hatfield Fellowship was cre-
ated in 1998 to honor the late Sen.
Mark Hatfield’s public service to
Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
More information about the fel-
lowship can be obtained at www.
thecommunityfund.com. n
Learning new skills
Photo by Ron Karten
Tim Anderson (in foreground) writes down ideas suggested by
(from left, backs to camera) David DeHart, Alton Butler and Dalette
Remington-Nash for winning strategies to succeed at work during the
first Work Skills class held Tuesday, Sept. 9, in the Education Building.
In the background, from left, Ronnie Johnson, Misty Carl and Tiffany
Mercier also suggest strategies. All are part of the seven-class course
called “The Work Skills System,” a modular training program designed
to enhance communication skills vital to success at work. The class is
moderated by Senior Human Resources Generalist Steve O’Harra. The
second class is scheduled for Sept. 23 from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Education
Building. Contact O’Harra at 503-879-2113 to join.