2
S moke S ignals
JANUARY 1, 2017
NOTICE — Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE
TIME
Wednesday, Jan. 11.............................................................................4 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 25.............................................................................4 p.m.
Please note that these times and dates are subject to change if needed.
General Council meeting
11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 8
Tribal Community Center
Letters
Dear Smoke Signals:
The Tribal Court held its annual volunteer appreciation event on Dec.
13. Current volunteers for the court have served a combined 67 years.
The Tribal Court would like to publicly acknowledge and extend our
appreciation to all volunteers. Darlene Aaron, Angela Schlappie, Sharon
Hanson and Patti Tom-Martin have served the Tribal Member Review
Board (TMRB) since 2004. The TMRB assists in dependency cases by re-
viewing cases of child abuse and neglect and suggesting recommendations
for the Tribal Court. The accomplishments of this group include developing
life binders for children aging out of the foster care system and providing
unique suggestions to involve youth in Tribal culture.
The Tribal Court Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers
Todd Mulrooney and Greg Oldham work closely with vulnerable youth.
CASAs are assigned one or two abused or neglected Tribal youth, working
as an advocate for them in court and fostering a positive relationship with
the Tribe. For many youth in dependency cases, their only experience with
the Tribe is through this court process, which increases the importance
and necessity of this role.
Peacemakers Lisa Archuleta and Lew Younger have been mediating
conflicts within the Tribe for a combined 16 years. The Tribal Court Peace-
maker Program aims to reflect the Tribe’s tradition of using respected
members of the community to heal disputes among its members. This free,
voluntary program allows parties to discuss their conflict or dispute in a
safe, non-threatening environment. The mission of Peacemaker volunteers
is to reestablish communication between the two parties and facilitate an
amicable and agreeable solution.
The Tribal Court wishes to extend gratitude to all those who commit
their time to improving the lives of Tribal children and families. The efforts
made, no matter the size or commitment, help to create a better environ-
ment and future. You can receive more information on getting involved in
Tribal Court Programs through contacting Annie Schmidt (annie.schmidt@
grandronde.org) or by calling 503-879-4623.
Annie Schmidt
Tribal Court Programs Specialist
Smoke Signals
PUBLICATIONS OFFICE
9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
1-800-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173
Website: www.grandronde.org/news
E-mail: news@grandronde.org
Twitter: CTGRgov
Facebook: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
DEAN RHODES
CHELSEA CLARK
MICHELLE ALAIMO
PUBLICATIONS
COORDINATOR
PUBLIC AFFAIRS/
PUBLICATIONS
ADMINISTRATIVE
ASSISTANT
PHOTOJOURNALIST
503-879-1463
dean.rhodes@grandronde.org
503-879-1961
michelle.alaimo@grandronde.org
503-879-1418
chelsea.clark@grandronde.org
GEORGE VALDEZ
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
BRENT MERRILL
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SPECIALIST
PAGE DESIGNER
STAFF WRITER
503-879-2190
503-879-4663
503-879-1416
justin.phillips@grandronde.org
brent.merrill@grandronde.org
george.valdez@grandronde.org
SCARLETT HOLTZ
NOVALEE LANCOUR
CENTRAL PHONES
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1447
503-879-1446
scarlett.holtz@grandronde.org
novalee.lancour@grandronde.org
DEADLINE DATE
ISSUE DATE
Friday, Jan. 6 ...............................Jan. 15
Monday, Jan. 23 ........................... Feb. 1
Monday, Feb. 6 .......................... Feb. 15
Sidewalk repairs
Editorial Policy
SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Com-
munity of Oregon, is published twice a month. No portion of this publication may be reprinted
without permission.
Our editorial policy is intended to encourage input from Tribal members and readers
about stories printed in the Tribal newspaper. However, all letters received must be
signed by the author, an address must be given and a phone number or e-mail address
must be included for verification purposes. Full addresses and phone numbers will not
be published unless requested.
SMOKE SIGNALS reserves the right to edit letters and to refuse letters that are determined
to contain libelous statements or personal attacks on individuals, staff, Tribal administration
or Tribal Council. Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Letters to the
editor are the opinions and views of the writer. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the
opinions of SMOKE SIGNALS, Tribal staff, Tribal administration or Tribal Council.
Members of: Native American Journalists Association
Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
Jeremy Miller, a concrete finisher with RK Concrete Construction in
Otis, smooths out the sidewalk that is being replaced in front of the
Governance Center on Wednesday, Dec. 28. Public Works Manager
Jesse white said differential settlement in the sidewalks was causing
large cracks at the expansion joints, which had gotten to the point
where they were a safety concern. To remedy the problem the concrete
and base is being removed, crushed rock is being brought in and
compacted, and then the new concrete sidewalks are being poured.
Health & Wellness Center closures
• Monday, Jan. 16 – All day
Tribal Office Closures
Tribal offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 2, in observance of
New Year's Day. Offices also will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16, in
observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
2017 Tribal Council
1-800-422-0232 — tribalcouncil@grandronde.org
Reyn Leno
Tribal Chairman
— ext. 2399
Denise Harvey
— ext. 2353
reyn.leno@grandronde.org
Chris Mercier
— ext. 1444
Cheryle A. Kennedy
Tribal Vice Chair
— ext. 2352
cheryle.kennedy@grandronde.org
Jon A. George
Tribal Secretary
— ext. 2355
jon.george@grandronde.org
denise.harvey@grandronde.org
chris.mercier@grandronde.org
Brenda Tuomi
— ext. 4555
brenda.tuomi@grandronde.org
Tonya Gleason-Shepek
— ext. 1777
tonya.gleason-shepek@grandronde.org
Kathleen George
— ext. 2305
Jack Giffen Jr.
— ext. 2300
kathleen.george@grandronde.org
jack.giffen@grandronde.org