4 S moke S ignals MAY 15, 2017 George confirmed to state environmental commission By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Brown is tasking the Environmen- tal Quality Commission with new rules under Clean- er Air Oregon, a change to the state’s air Kathleen George quality rules announced in the wake of reports about toxic emissions in Portland. George was elected to Tribal Council in September 2016. Before her election, she was director of Spirit Mountain Community Fund, the Tribe’s philanthropic arm, from September 2011 through her elec- tion to council. She also worked for the Tribe’s Natural Resources Department as its environmental coordinator from 1996 to 2002 before moving to east- ern Oregon to work for the Umatilla Tribe as a water policy and senior policy analyst. She also worked for the Department of Environmental Quality in Pendleton and owned a natural resources consulting busi- ness, Cedar Consulting. George graduated from Domini- can University in California with a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology. 2012 – The Grand Ronde Tribe’s efforts to continue improving the local community received a $500,000 boost from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The federal grant will be used to a build a new, more accessible food bank capable of handling and meeting federal Department of Agriculture commodities program requirements for the local community. 2007 – Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski visited Grand Ronde and met the oldest living member of the Tribe, Nora Kimsey. In addition to meet- ing with Tribal Council, the governor visited the Health & Wellness Clinic, the Tribal Library, Education Complex and made a surprise visit to Tribal Elder Hubert Mercier. 2002 – The eighth annual Government-to-Government Summit was held in Grand Ronde at Spirit Mountain Casino. Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber made what many believed would be his final appearance at the summit. He spoke about Executive File photo Order 96-30 that mandated 2002 state agencies develop rela- tionships with Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribes. 1997 – Spirit Mountain Community Fund made its first grant: $174,000 to enhance Life Flight Network’s ability to save lives in medical emergencies that occur in rural Oregon. The grant will help implement a state-of-the-art satellite navigation system and will help pinpoint exact accident locations and flight routes, and help provide medical rescues in bad weather. 1992 – The Elders meal site dropped its meal price in half to $1.50 for anyone who is not an Elder in an attempt to increase attendance. Of course, Grand Ronde Tribal Elders continued to eat for free. 1987 – Tribal and urban Indian representatives attended a luncheon meeting with Gov. Neil Goldschmidt. Tribal Council Chairman Mark Mercier represented the Grand Ronde Tribe and reviewed the progress being made on the Tribe’s Reservation Plan and updated the governor on timber company concerns relating to exporting timber from the proposed Reservation. SALEM – The Oregon Senate voted 24-5 on Tuesday, May 2, to appoint Grand Ronde Tribal Council member Kathleen George as one of three new members of the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission. George was nominated to the commission by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown in March to replace three members who were fired. The commission is a five-member panel appointed by the governor to four-year terms. Members serve as the state Department of En- vironmental Quality’s policy and rulemaking board. It also issues orders, judges appeals of fines or other departmental actions, and appoints the department’s director. George will join the commission along with fifth-generation Orego- nian Wade Mosby, who was approved 19-10, and Oregon State University associate professor Molly Kile, who was approved 16-13. Current com- mission members Sam Baraso and Ed Armstrong will continue serving. The former board members said they were fired over their choice to lead the Department of Environ- mental Quality. However, Brown said the decision was not related to that choice, but that new leadership was necessary to execute her vision for the department, which includes new air quality rules. Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year incre- ments through the pages of Smoke Signals. MARRIAGES IN TRIBAL COURT Includes information from Oregon Public Broadcasting. The Tribal Court is now issuing marriage licenses and is able to per- form marriage ceremonies for a filing fee of $40. For questions regarding scheduling, please contact the Tribal Court at 503-879-2303. Space is limited! We will be taking the fi rst 40 people who sign up. 8:30 a.m. - Sign-in/breakfast . 9 a.m. - Bow Camp begins Noon - Lunch 3:30 p.m. - Snack 5 p.m. - Bow Camp ends Please come in a good way and have lots of fun learning • Th e last day to sign up will be June 28 • Th ere will be no EXCEPTIONS for signing up late. • We will need a release form signed by your parent or guardian. • Open to all ages, 12 and under must be chaperoned by a parent or guardian. • Food will be provided Sign-ups please contact Flicka Lucero at 503-879-2268 or fl icka.lucero@grandronde.org Ad created by George Valdez Ad created by George Valdez