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