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