AUGUST 15, 2015
Tribal members:
I’d like to take a moment to update you on some of the initiatives and
projects here in Grand Ronde. After wrapping up the Veterans Summit, our
annual Marcellus Norwest Memorial Veterans Powwow and the dedication
of our new arbor, we’re gearing up for 2016 and have a number of things to
report back to the membership.
Third annual Veterans Summit and
Marcellus Norwest Memorial Veterans Powwow
This year’s Veterans Summit and Marcellus Norwest Memorial Veterans
Powwow were a big success. I’d like to thank the Native Wellness Institute for
once again working with the Tribe to provide resources, benefits coordination,
health care and opportunities for healing and networking for our veterans.
For the last three years, the summit has provided a venue and platform for
the Native Wellness Institute and the Tribe to bring awareness to veteran’s
issues and have conversations with federal and state agencies on ways to
address some of the issues affecting veterans and their families.
Over the weekend, many veterans and their families joined us for the
annual Marcellus Norwest Memorial Veterans Powwow. The Tribe’s new
powwow arbor provided guests with ADA accessibility, great views of the
arena and a fair amount of relief from the sun and other elements. As the
annual Contest Powwow draws near, we hope to have our announcer’s stand
and soundstage built to improve mobility and accessibility.
CY2016 Tribal Operating Budget
Last month, department managers and supervisors began preparing their
budgets for the upcoming calendar year. As with years past, Tribal Council
has been meeting with staff to discuss upcoming Tribal Council budget pri-
orities and initiatives. This year, the deadline for managers and supervisors
Official Tribal Facebook pages
•Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde:
www.facebook.com/CTGRgov
•Grand Ronde Tribal Council:
www.facebook.com/TheConfederatedTribesOfGrandRondeTribalCouncil
•Grand Ronde Higher Education:
www.facebook.com/grand.r.ed
•Grand Ronde Youth Education:
www.facebook.com/CTGRYouthEducation
•Spirit Mountain Community Fund:
www.facebook.com/SpiritMountainCommunityFund
•Grand Ronde Station:
www.facebook.com/GrandRondeStation
•Grand Ronde Royalty: www.facebook.com/CTGRRoyalty
•Veterans Special Event Board:
www.facebook.com/pages/Veterans-Board-of-the-Confederated-Tribes-of-
the-Grand-Ronde-Community
• Community Garden: www.facebook.com/GrandRondeCommunityGarden
• Grand Ronde Food Bank: www.facebook.com/GrandRondeFoodBank
Committee & Special Event
Board meeting days and times
Below is the most current information on the meeting days and times for Tribal
Committees and Special Event Boards:
• Ceremonial Hunt Board meets as needed. Chair: Marline Groshong.
• Cultural Trust Board meets as needed at Chachalu Museum & Cultural
Center. Chair: Perri McDaniel.
• Culture Committee meets at 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at
Chachalu Museum & Cultural Center. Chair: Betty Bly.
• Education Committee meets at 5:15 p.m. on the first Monday of the month
in the Adult Education building. Chair: Tammy Cook.
• Elders Committee meets at 10 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month in
the Elders Activity Center. Chair: Julie Duncan.
• Enrollment Committee meets quarterly in Room 204 of the Governance
Center. Chair: Robert Schmid.
• Fish & Wildlife Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the
month at the Natural Resources building off Hebo Road. Chair: Harold Lyon.
• Health Committee meets at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of the month
in the Health and Wellness Center. Chair: Patti Tom-Martin.
• Powwow Special Event Board meets TBA at the Community Center. Chair:
Dana Ainam.
• Social Services Committee meets at 3 p.m. the third Wednesday of the
month in the Social Services conference room. Chair: Alan Ham.
• Timber Committee meets at 5 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at
the Natural Resources building off Hebo Road. Chair: Bob Mercier.
• Veterans Special Event Board meets at 5 p.m. the first Tuesday of the
month in the Community Center. Chair: Steve Bobb Sr.
To update information on this list, contact Publications Coordinator Dean
Rhodes at 503-879-1463 or dean.rhodes@grandronde.org.
S moke S ignals
3
to submit their preliminary budgets to Finance was Wednesday, Aug. 12.
As we move through the budgeting process, Tribal Council will continue
to pay close attention to the bottom line and will begin to cut back where
necessary. I’d like to encourage you to submit your thoughts regarding next
year’s budget. The feedback you provide is valuable and helps us focus on
the things that matter most to our Tribal members.
Spirit Mountain Casino Capital Improvement Projects
This year, a number of renovations took place at Spirit Mountain Casino
in anticipation for our 20-year anniversary. The projects included many
things, such as a parking lot overlay, kitchen repairs, new slot machines and
chairs, and exterior painting. Casino staff did an outstanding job keeping
the projects on time and within budget. As we get into the CY2016 budget,
Tribal Council and casino staff will begin looking at any additional projects
that need to be completed in 2016.
Employment Services building
On July 23, the Tribal Employment Rights Office moved into the new
Employment Services building and began serving Tribal members and other
Natives, offering a variety of services from career development to construction
training. Since then, the 477 Program, Vocational Rehabilitation Program,
and the Human Resources departments from both Spirit Mountain Casino
and the Tribe have moved into the building and have set up shop to pro-
vide employment services to Tribal members, other Natives, veterans and
job-seekers within our community. The new building is a “one-stop shop” for
Tribal members and community members seeking employment, employment
training services and career development. The new building features two
training/classrooms and provides job-seekers with work stations so they can
submit their applications online. With these departments working together,
we will be able to better meet the needs of our members and our community.
Elder Honor Day
This year’s Elder Honor Day was a huge success and was attended by
more than 500 Elders and their guests from around Oregon and the Pacific
Northwest. I’d like to thank our Elders Committee for working so hard
on the event and working with all of the departments and employees who
helped make it such a success. The staff at Spirit Mountain Casino helped
us pull off a flawless event and I’d like to thank them for all their time and
preparation. Here at the Tribe, Tribal departments put together giveaway
baskets for the raffle and Natural Resources donated smoked salmon for
the event. The event was well-received and the Elders did a tremendous job
working up to and during the event. I look forward to next year.
Additional Hunting Tags on Our Reservation
On Sept. 5, 2014, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Commis-
sion approved the Tribe’s Fish and Wildlife Management Plan. As part of
that plan, the state delegated authority to the Tribe to manage wildlife and
species on the Grand Ronde Reservation. An administrative rule was devel-
oped as part of the process and provided the Tribe with additional tags for
the Grand Ronde Reservation. Tags can be applied for through our Natural
Resources Department. The tags are non-transferable and additional tags
will be evaluated on an annual basis.
Fire Protection on Our Tribal Timber Lands
This summer has been hot and dry, and as a result Tribal Council and
staff have been meeting on a regular basis to assess the fire danger on the
Grand Ronde Reservation and on our timber lands. Over Fourth of July
weekend, the Tribe decided to close the Tribal timber lands to protect our
natural resources. Our timber is a multi-million dollar asset and the Tribe
and Tribal Council have an obligation to protect all of our assets. Protecting
the Grand Ronde Reservation and our natural resources is one of the highest
priorities for us in Grand Ronde. As we move through the dry weather, staff
will continue to meet and we will be sure to keep the membership informed
of our decisions.
I’d like to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to update you on a
few of the things your Tribal Council is working on. As always, it is a priv-
ilege to serve you and I look forward to providing you updates as we move
through the CY2016 budgeting process. We have a lot to be proud of here in
Grand Ronde and I look forward to working with each and every one of you
as we work to protect our assets and secure benefits for future generations.
Sincerely,
Reynold L. Leno
Tribal Council Chairman
Election Office open in Community Center
Through Thursday, Sept. 3, the Tribal Election Office in the Com-
munity Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through
Thursday with a half-hour lunch from noon to 12:30 p.m.
The office can be reached at 503-879-2271. n
WIC to visit Community Health
Pregnant? Breastfeeding? Does your family include a child under the age
of 5? If so, you may qualify for the Women, Infants and Children program.
With WIC, people can receive answers to nutritional questions and access
fruits and vegetables, whole grains, eggs, milk, cheese, juice, cereal and more.
A WIC representative visits the Health & Wellness Center on the first and
third Tuesday of the month. Walk-ins are welcome between 8:45 and 11 a.m.
When WIC clients arrive at the Health & Wellness Center, they should enter
through the Wellness Department located at the back of the medical wing
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 503-623-8175,
ext. 2297.
WIC clinics are scheduled for Aug. 18; Sept. 1 and 15; Oct. 6 and 20; Nov.
3 and 17; and Dec. 1 and 15. n