Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2015)
4 JANUARY 1, 2015 S moke S ignals St. Michael’s offers weekly brunch St. Michael’s Catholic Church offers an open house brunch every Sunday following Mass. The brunch is free to the community. Brunch begins at about 11:30 a.m. following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Mass attendance is not required for brunch attendance. For more information, contact Janelle Justen at 503-550-0923. n 2010 – The Tribe started doing something that had been suspend- ed most of the previous two years – selling timber from the Reser- vation. Natural Resources Department Manager Michael Wilson said the timber market was slowly showing improvement, which makes it worthwhile again for the Tribe to once again sell timber. 2005 – The first annual Na- tive Youth Leadership Powwow was held at Willamina High School gym. The powwow was coordinated by Tribal youth in the NYL program, along with the Tribal Education Depart- ment. The Youth Social Services Prevention Program funded the File photo celebration. 2000 – The Elders Committee held a surprise recognition cere- mony for Tribal Council Chair Kathryn Harrison, who was recently named one of three Oregon Women of the Year by the Oregon Com- mission for Women. “Kathryn was both surprised and speechless,” said Committee Chair Sharon Hanson. 1995 – Spirit Mountain Development Corp. Director Bruce Thom- as reported that construction, planning and training arrangements for the gaming center were progressing and on schedule. The Tribe established a training program with Chemeketa Community College for Tribal members who want jobs at the gaming center. Some of the service and floor personnel working on the games and in food services will be paid $4.75 minimum wage. “However,” Thomas said, “they can make good pay because of the tips they will be receiving.” 1990 – Smoke Signals and Tribal archives do not have a copy of the January 1990 edition. 1985 – Tribal Council authorized the general manager to develop and submit a proposal to Housing and Urban Development for con- struction of a 4,000-square-foot Social Services facility. The Tribe’s $250,000 proposal must compete for funding with all other Tribes in the Northwest. Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year increments through the pages of Smoke Signals. Earthquake occurs near Willamina NOTICE TO ALL TRIBAL MEMBERS ON THE SSI/SSD SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME PROGRAM Attention Tribal members; It’s getting to be that time of year again. Time to remember to send us a copy of your current (2014-15 preferably) benefit statement from the Social Security Administration so that we can update your file. If you do not receive your current benefit statement, you may order one by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or go online at www.ssa.gov. Your current benefit statement must reach our office by Jan. 31, 2015, to avoid any future delays in your benefits. For Elders age 55 and up, if you have been qualified under the SSA department as SSI (Social Security Supplemental Income) or SSD (Social Security Disability) eligible, your pension checks may qualify as non-taxable. We will need a copy of that document (SSA award letter) on file in order for this to take effect. We have updated our SSI/SSD application form and it will be re- quired that all Tribal members in the SSI/SSD Supplemental Program have a new updated application form in their file. This application form will be mailed to all current members of this program within the next 30 days. Please complete and return the form at your earliest convenience. If you are a new member to this program (within the last 60 days), you have already submitted the updated application and do not need to complete another, but you will need to submit your new award letter for the year 2015. Please mail copies of your benefit statement to: CTGR Member Services Attn: Jolanda Catabay 9615 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde, OR 97347 You may also e-mail or fax a copy to the following: Fax: 1-800-879- 2480 or e-mail: Jolanda.catabay@grandronde.org. Note: It is the responsibility of the Tribal member to noti- fy the Tribe of any changes in your benefits from the Social Security Administration SSI/SSD program. Failure to notify the Tribe may result in an obligation to repay ineligible ben- efits received, interrupt or delay your Tribal Supplemental Security Income and Disability payments. Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions or concerns. My contact numbers are 503-879-2253 or toll-free 1-800- 422-0232, ext. 2253. Respectfully, Jolanda Catabay Enrollment Member Services Specialist Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor A 3.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred about 6 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, near Willamina was felt by some in the Grand Ronde area, but it did not cause any damage to Spirit Mountain Casino or Tribal buildings. The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network said the quake was centered about 16 miles deep about 25 miles west of Salem. A sheriff’s dispatcher in Salem said the 911 center received calls from residents saying they felt the shaking, but there were no reports of damage. Spirit Mountain Casino General Manager Stan Dillon said that some employees felt the quake, but there was no damage to the facility. “The tremor was so minor that it didn’t disrupt any of our services, nor was it even felt by many at the casino or the Tribe,” said Tribal Public Affairs Director Siobhan Taylor. “There is no damage. That being said, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Spirit Mountain Casino public safety staff have a well-trained and engaged Emergency Management Team in place to deal with any emergency or threat to public safety. We remain vigilant because the safety of our guests, employees and the com- munity is our top priority.” n Free online learning source The information includes: Everyday life Math and money Computer training Online classes Work and career information Check it out at www.gcflearnfree.org Construction workers needed for work on upcoming projects The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) is seeking construction workers who are CTGR Tribal members and enrolled members of federally-recognized In- dian Tribes to participate in a workforce that is being prepared for deployment on construction projects. Projects are located on the Grand Ronde Reservation and on ODOT projects in various locations in northwestern Oregon. TERO is looking for workers in the following job classifications: • Carpenter • Laborer • Equipment operator • Cement masons • Truck driver • Electricians • Ironworkers • Loggers • Painters • Asphalt workers In addition, TERO is also seeking experienced Native American highway traffic control flaggers for assignments to projects. A limited amount of training positions in construction trades are available to candidates who meet apprenticeship requirements. For an application to be considered for these opportunities or for more information, go to www.grandronde.org/tero, e-mail at: tero@ grandronde.org or call 503-879-2188. n
