S moke S ignals
JULY 1, 2017
Tribal Council approves two
agreements with Army Corps
of Engineers, Tualatin
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
Tribal Council approved two
memorandums of understanding
during its Wednesday, June 28,
meeting, with the Army Corps of
Engineers and the city of Tualatin.
The non-binding agreement with
the Army Corps of Engineers gives
the Confederated Tribes of Grand
Ronde a voice in the continuing
operation of federal dams on the
Columbia River as a cooperating
agency for development of a new
environmental impact statement.
As a cooperating agency, the
Tribe will review and provide input
on details on dam operations in
advance of the public.
In late 2016, the Army Corps of
Engineers announced that it would
start a five-year process for devel-
oping an environmental impact
statement for continued operation
of Columbia River dams because of
a federal court order.
In January, Tribal Council mem-
ber Kathleen George and Tribal
staff members participated in
Tribes-only scoping meetings in
The Dalles and Portland.
In February, Tribal staff mem-
bers met with staff from the Corps,
Bonneville Power Administration
and Bureau of Reclamation and
also coordinated with the Army
Corps on developing the agreement
regarding the Tribe’s status as a
cooperating agency.
“I think Grand Ronde’s voice will,
in this process, be as strong as the
other Tribes’,” Ceded Lands Manag-
er Michael Karnosh said during the
Tuesday, June 27, Legislative Ac-
tion Committee meeting. “Whether
or not the outcomes will all be what
Grand Ronde advocates, I could not
say, but remembering back to the
Columbia River Treaty process, this
MOU is definitely a positive step in
the right direction. In the Columbia
River Treaty process, Grand Ronde
was all but left out.”
The agreement with the city of
Tualatin is specific to interpretive
signage, Karnosh said, and ensures
that the city will maintain Tribal
signage that was erected recently
that tells the story of the Tribe’s
history, culture, connections and
sovereignty in the Tualatin area.
In other action, Tribal Council:
• Approved a Tribal credit card
for Wildlife Fire Single Resource
Boss Daniel Schramm to use for
payment for wildland fire crew
expenses, meals, rental expenses
and maintenance of Tribal vehi-
cles and engines;
• Approved applying for an approx-
imately $14,500 grant from the
Administration for Children and
Families for a Family Violence
Prevention and Services grant
that would fund individual and
group counseling and parenting
classes. Tribal Domestic Violence
Program Coordinator Anne Falla
said during the Tuesday, June
27, Legislative Action Committee
meeting that her program helped
more than 80 clients in 2016;
• Approved a confidentiality agree-
ment with the Burns Paiute
Tribe;
• And held a first reading on pro-
posed amendments to the Tribal
Procurement Ordinance that
would require environmentally
friendly purchasing practices in
an effort to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and solid waste,
conserve energy, improve Tribal
member health and provide a role
model of good stewardship.
Also included in the June 28
Tribal Council packet were autho-
rizations to proceed that increased
the Tribal minimum wage to $10.25
an hour and recommended four
names for a new dorm at the Uni-
versity of Oregon – Kalapuya ilihi,
Kalapuya haws (“haws” is Chinuk
wawa for “house”), Chanchifin Hall
or haws (Chanchifin is a Kalapuya
band from the Eugene area) and
Kalapuya Ahman (“ahman” is Ka-
lapuyan for house).
Cultural Resources Department
staff members Brian Krehbiel and
Bobby Mercier and Tribal youths
Jacob Holmes and Kaikanim and
Nakoa Mercier performed the
cultural drumming and singing to
open the meeting.
The meeting in its entirety can
be viewed by clicking on the Tribal
website at www.grandronde.org
and then going to the News tab
and Video.
Weatherization funds
available for Native homes
McMINNVILLE — Yamhill Community Action Partnership has limited
funds available for weatherizing dwellings occupied by homeowners or rent-
ers who are Native Americans.
The partnership’s energy technician will perform a free in-home energy
audit to determine what weatherization services may be installed. Eligible
applicants must be at or below 200 percent of established federal poverty
guidelines for the current year and a registered member of the Confeder-
ated Tribes of Grand Ronde. For example, a family of four earning $48,600
annually would qualify. The following items must be provided to qualify for
weatherization: approved eligibility application/packet, necessary authori-
zations completed by the owner/authorized agent and occupant, proof that
the property is clear from safety and health hazards, and the dwelling must
be in Yamhill County. The purpose of the program is to lower energy usage
and help lower utility bills. To request an application or appointment, contact
Anaberta at 503-687-1483 or visit www.yamhillcap.org on the Internet.
Rolling the dice
Photos by Michelle Alaimo
Leah Green of Tillamook dusts the interior of her 1968 Chevrolet Camaro
at the Veterans Roll the Dice Car Show held at Spirit Mountain Casino on
Saturday, June 17.
The fourth annual Veterans Roll the Dice Car Show was held in the
Spirit Mountain Casino parking lot on Saturday, June 17. The show is
organized by the Tribe’s Veterans Special Event Board with support
and help from casino staff, friends and volunteers. The show’s entry
fee and one can of food requirement raised $5,250 to be used to help
veteran’s organizations over the holiday season and 277 pounds of
food that was donated to the Grand Ronde Food Bank. The Veterans
SEB would like to thank the entertainment, The Perry Gerber Band,
Tyson and Jenny Price for starting up their “Nitro Fueled Dragster”
and all participants.
Tribal Elder and Veterans Special Event Board Chair Steve Bobb Sr. puts
out the trophies that were awarded at the Veterans Roll the Dice Car
Show held at Spirit Mountain Casino on Saturday, June 17.
Are you frustrated with your diabetes control?
Do you have questions about diabetes?
Do you need help managing your diabetes?
If so…
Call the Medical Clinic today at 503-879-2002
To schedule an individual diabetes education appointment
Community Health Program
Medical Transport
Services
Medical transportation
services are available to
Tribal members within
the six-county service
area when an alternate
means of transportation
is not available. Advance
notice required.
Please call 503-879-2078
to schedule a reservation.
5