S moke S ignals
AUGUST 1, 2016
Tribal Council sends ordinance
amendments out for comment
By Brent Merrill
Smoke Signals staff writer
Tribal members have until Tues-
day, Aug. 30, to comment on two
ordinance amendment proposals
that would permit the mailing of
audited financial statements to the
general membership.
During the Wednesday, July
20, Tribal Council meeting, first
readings were held on proposed
amendments to the Public Records
and Fiscal Management ordinanc-
es, which both need to be changed
to allow for the dissemination of the
financial statements.
The proposed amendments were
on Tribal Council’s consent agenda
and were sent out for first readings
without comment.
Notices appear in this issue of
Smoke Signals detailing how Tribal
members can submit comments to
the Tribal Attorney’s Office.
In other action, Tribal Council
hosted visitors from New Zealand
and Alaska.
Tribal Council member Jon A.
George gave the invocation and
much of the Tribe’s Canoe Family
performed a hand drum song.
The visitors were introduced by
Cultural Outreach Coordinator
Bobby Mercier, who explained that
Ihaia Puketapu and his wife, Ma-
rissa, along with Waikarere Grego-
ry are Maori artists who traveled to
the United States to join the Grand
Ronde Canoe Family on the Paddle
to Nisqually.
“Thank you for having us here
and hosting us at your beautiful ca-
sino,” said Ihaia Puketapu. “We’re
overwhelmed with the hospitality
we have received.”
The Puketapus and Gregory sang
a Maori greeting song.
“It wouldn’t be right for us not
to sing our own song,” said Ihaia.
“It’s about recognizing that the only
thing is love and it is a treasure
handed down from our ancestors.”
Mercier also introduced Alaskan
Native Efram Field, who is a stu-
dent at Chemawa Indian School.
He has participated in several
activities with Tribal youth during
the school year.
Mercier said that Field secured
permission from his family to fly
back to Oregon from Alaska so that
he could join the Canoe Family on
its journey scheduled from July 23
through Aug. 6.
“We started this relationship
back in 2009 with the Maori people
and it has become a great cultural
exchange,” said Mercier. “Every
year they send a delegation to come
and be with us to come and paddle
on Canoe Journey. We host them
while they are here.”
Tribal Council also approved a
memorandum of agreement al-
locating fiscal year 2017 Indian
Housing Block Grant funding using
Tribal enrollment data between
the 11 O’Link Tribes in the Pacific
Northwest.
Also included in the July 20
Tribal Council packet were autho-
rizations to proceed to purchase 35
“Native American Voices” history
books for $19,876.52 under a mem-
orandum of understanding with the
Willamina School District and to
transfer $4,100 from contingency to
cover overages for Elder Honor Day
caused by a larger than expected
turnout.
The meeting, in its entirety, can
be viewed on the Tribal website at
www.grandronde.org by clicking
on the News tab and then Video.
Contributed photo
SAM Medical received a Greatest Innovation Award from the U.S. Army
on Tuesday, July 19, for its junctional tourniquet.
SAM Medical tourniquet receives award
WILSONVILLE – SAM Medical received a Greatest Innovation
Award from the U.S. Army on Tuesday, July 19, for its junctional
tourniquet.
Due to the spread of terrorism into civilian settings, the most com-
mon cause of casualties on the battlefield has now arrived on Main
Street. Blast injuries from improvised explosive devices often result
in high-level amputations and pelvic fractures. These injuries, which
occur where the arms and legs meet the body, produce severe high
pressure bleeding that cannot be controlled by ordinary tourniquets.
After extensive testing, the junctional tourniquet was deployed
by the Army as its preferred solution for this potentially lethal in-
jury. It was the unanimous choice of the Army, NATO and Israeli
military medics.
The tourniquet was named the group category winner of the Ar-
my’s Major General Harold “Harry” Greene Award for Innovation,
which recognizes new and innovative technologies provided by the
research and development and science and technology communities,
as well as soldiers in the field.
“We had one goal in mind, and that was to significantly improve
the survivability of injured warfighters,” said Dr. Sam Scheinberg,
chief executive officer of SAM Medical. “It is incredibly satisfying
to know that we are making such a difference with this product. To
have received this award is immensely validating and a great honor.”
The Grand Ronde Tribe has been an investor in SAM Medical
since February 2013.
UPCOMING PARENTING WORKSHOPS
Please join Children & Family Services for our upcoming workshops.
Attend one or all. All are welcome!
Session 1: Thursday, August 18, 9am 11am
Positive Parenting
Session 2: Friday, August 19, 9am 12pm
Fun & Creative Parenting
Session 3: Friday, August 19, 12:30pm 3:30pm:
Parenting to a Child’s Temperament
REGISTER BY AUGUST 15TH
Lunch & Child care provided
( must rsvp, limited space, youth ages 3 yrs to 11 yrs ).
To Register or for information call
Amanda Mercier at 503-879-2039
or email
amanda.mercier@grandronde.org
Ad created by George Valdez
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