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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 2017)
12 S moke S ignals FEBRUARY 15, 2017 General Council briefed on Tribal educational efforts By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor CLACKAMAS – In 2014, a study funded by Spirit Mountain Com- munity Fund and conducted by ECONorthwest and the Chalk- board Project found that Tribal stu- dents throughout Oregon showed an elevated rate of chronic absen- teeism in public schools. One-third of Tribal students were chronically absent, meaning they missed 10 percent or more of school days, the survey found. In reaction to those findings, the Grand Ronde Tribe started an effort to encourage Tribal students to attend school with increased tu- toring options and targeted family services. At the Sunday, Feb. 5, General Council meeting held at the Mon- arch Hotel in Clackamas, Educa- tion Department Manager Leslie Riggs reported that those anti-ab- senteeism efforts are paying off with 68 Tribal students who have a 95 percent or better attendance rate, meaning they missed two or less days of school. “This is really a big deal,” Riggs said, adding that the Willamina School District hired an employee to track Tribal student attendance primarily in the elementary grades. Approximately a third of Willamina students are Native American. Riggs added that every Tribal student enrolled in Willamina or Sheridan high schools who were seniors in 2016 graduated. Improved attendance was just some of the good news Riggs de- livered. In addition, more than 70 percent of Tribal preschool students are meeting expectations as they prepare to enter public school kin- dergarten. “That’s a really important thing,” and the lives of the membership and their families have improved because of it,” Riggs said. Tribal Council member Chris Mer- cier, who is currently attending law school, said that the finan- cial support that the Grand Ronde Tribe provides helps mem- Photo by Dean Rhodes bers to not accrue Tribal Education Department Manager Leslie significant student Riggs gives a presentation to General Council on loan debt like many of Sunday, Feb. 5, at the Monarch Hotel & Convention his fellow nonTribal Center in Clackamas. students at Lewis & Clark College. Riggs said. “Getting them prepared Riggs also reported that the to go into kindergarten is basically Tribally created fourth- and eighth- what our purpose is. The more grade history curriculums are now early literacy that they have … will being used in almost 50 Oregon have an impact on their ability to public school districts. perform in kindergarten and the “We’re the forerunners on this. years to come.” … The feedback that we are get- On the other end of the education ting is amazing. The teachers love spectrum, the Tribe had 45 gradu- it,” Riggs said. “We haven’t had to ates in 2016 with 13 Tribal mem- strong arm anyone into doing it.” bers obtaining an associate degree, Riggs added that the Oregon 21 earning bachelor degrees, seven Legislature is considering Senate attaining master’s degrees and Bill 13, which would direct the two receiving doctorate degrees. state Department of Education to In addition, five Tribal members develop curriculum relating to Na- received a GED and two earned tive American Tribes in Oregon and vocational certificates. provide professional development Riggs said the Tribe invests be- related to the curriculum. tween $2 million and $2.5 million Riggs also discussed the Tribe’s annually into the higher education Chinuk Wawa language immersion of its members. program, family services coordina- Higher Education Manager Bry- tors who help Tribal families deal an Langley said that the most with public school staff members common higher education degrees and policies, and the Tribal Library earned by Tribal members are in during his 35-minute presentation. the business or education fields. “I just think it is really cool when “Providing education to our mem- folks go full circle,” Riggs said about bership was part of the initial Res- Tribal members who start in the ervation compact and it has always Tribe’s education program and then been a priority for Grand Ronde, grow up to obtain jobs working for the Tribe. “They come back and give back to the community.” “I think our membership should really be thankful,” Tribal Coun- cil Chairman Reyn Leno said, thanking longtime Education De- partment employees and Trib- al members who have served on previous and current Education Committees. Riggs fielded five comments and questions from Tribal members in attendance. In other action, it was announced that the next General Council meet- ing will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 5, at the Tribal Community Center in Grand Ronde. Tribal Council Secretary Jon A. George joined fellow Tribal mem- bers Jade Unger, Greg Archuleta, Chris Rempel, Lisa Archuleta, Riggs, Savannah Ingram, Eric Ber- nando, Tynan George and Miguel Adams in performing the cultural drumming and singing to open the meeting. Robert Schlappie, Reymond Re- sendiz, Rempel, Ingram and Carol Haskins won the $50 door prizes and Mike and Maxine Clements and Adrainne Llaneza won the $100 door prizes. In addition, 10 ham/turkey gift certificates do- nated by Tribal Council and two beaded necklaces made by George were raffled off. After the main General Council meeting, a Community Input meet- ing facilitated by General Manager David Fullerton was held with re- maining Tribal members to solicit input on Tribal programs and to dis- cuss possible future advisory votes. One of the key results of the meeting was Tribal member concern over Tribal economic development efforts. In addition, Tribal Attorney Rob Greene briefed the membership on the new General Council Ordi- nance. Additional Community Input meetings will be held after the General Council meetings held in March in Grand Ronde and in April in Eugene. Videos of both meetings can be viewed in their entirety at the Tribal website, www.grandronde. org, by clicking on the News tab and then Video. Free Playgroup in Grand Ronde! * When: First Thursday of each month 10:00 am-11:30 am Where: CTGR – Community Service Center 9615 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde, OR 97347 Who: Parents and caregivers of children under 5 years. Why: Come to play, have a snack and have fun! Ad created by George Valdez
