S moke S ignals
AUGUST 1, 2017
Tribal Council OKs third
hunting seasons, 76 tags
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
For the third time since the state
of Oregon agreed to the Tribal
Wildlife Management Plan in Sep-
tember 2014, Tribal Council has
exercised sovereignty to declare
hunting seasons and tags on Tribal
Reservation and trust lands outside
of state-mandated seasons.
During its Wednesday, July 26,
meeting, Tribal Council approved
the 2017 seasons and tags recom-
mended by the Natural Resources
Department.
This year’s “conservative” pro-
posal offers Tribal members 76
hunting tags across a combination
of early and late hunting seasons,
totaling six seasons.
Three of the seasons are for
black-tailed deer and three are
for Roosevelt elk. A new addition
in 2017 is one additional tag per
season specifically designated for
young hunters.
“It’s exciting to get the youth out
there,” Tribal Council member Jack
Giffen Jr. said.
Fish & Wildlife Program Manag-
er Kelly Dirksen said at the Tues-
day, July 25, Legislative Action
Committee hearing that previous
Tribal hunting seasons experienced
a 9 percent hunter success rate in
2015 and an 11 percent success rate
in 2016. Applications increased
from 203 in 2015 to 362 in 2016.
The approved hunting seasons
for black-tailed deer will run from
Nov. 18 to Dec. 3 for bow buck and
muzzleloader, and from Sept. 25-29
for coastal buck.
Approved hunting seasons for
Roosevelt elk will run from Nov.
18 to Dec. 3 for bow bull, Nov. 4-13
for coast bull and Nov. 18-20 for
any coast elk.
A Natural Resources staff report
stated that this year’s “conser-
vative” proposal was based on
the need for responsible wildlife
management and harvests, the
importance of wildlife stewardship
and keeping a manageable number
of hunters to whom the mandatory
education course will be adminis-
tered.
Giffen said at the July 25 Legis-
lative Action Committee meeting
that he would like to see Natural
Resources offer basic survival and
navigation classes for young hunt-
ers who do not learn those skills
within their families.
Tribal Council Secretary Jon A.
George said he would like to see
more of a cultural element incorpo-
rated into hunter education courses
to explain why Tribal members
hunt.
In other action, Tribal Council:
• Approved appointing Tribal
Council Chief of Staff Stacia
Hernandez as manager of Huy
Huy LLC, replacing Finance
Officer Chris Leno. Huy Huy
owns 51 percent of Lamatsin
LLC, which owns 100 percent of
Shasta Administrative Service’s
stock. The Tribe partnered with
Hawaii-Western Management
Group in November 2012 to buy
the Redmond-based third-party
health care administrator.
• Adopted a per capita payment
date of Sept. 15 for the next gam-
ing revenue distribution to the
membership.
Also included in the July 26 Tribal
Council packet was an authorization
to proceed to submit the Chinuk
Wawa phrase “ɫush pus chaku” to
the University of Oregon for use
on its newest dorm on campus. The
phrase means “It’s good to, or you
should come (in)” since there is no
direct translation for “welcome.”
Cultural Resources staff members
Jordan Mercier and Brian Krehbiel
and Tribal youth Izaiah Fisher
(Siletz) and Kailiyah Krehbiel per-
formed the cultural drumming and
singing to open the meeting.
The entire meeting can be viewed
on the Tribal website at www.gran-
dronde.org by clicking on the News
tab and then Video.
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
K-12 Parent Committee
meeting set for Aug. 9
The Tribe’s K-12 Parent Committee will meet from noon to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 9, in the Employment Services building, 9615
Grand Ronde Road.
Parents, guardians and community members interested in youth
education services are invited to attend.
Open Parent Committee board seats are available. Lunch will be
provided.
RSVP to Amber Yates at 503-879-2101 or Daphney Colton at 503-
857-8449.
7
Bucking bulls at Rodeo Grounds
Photos by Michelle Alaimo
Tribal member Marcel Allen rides Glass Jacket during the High Desert
Bucking Bull Association Bucking Bull Competition held at the Tribal
Rodeo Grounds in Grand Ronde on Saturday, July 15. In a bucking bull
competition, the bulls, not the riders, are judged. The bulls are judged
on their ability to buck, kick and spin, and for their intensity and degree
of difficulty. Glass Jacket tied for sixth/seventh place in the Classic
competition, which is for 4-year-old bulls.
JT Marshall gets bucked off by Creeks Pet during the
High Desert Bucking Bull Association Bucking Bull
Competition held at the Tribal Rodeo Grounds in
Grand Ronde on Saturday, July 15. Creeks Pet took
first place in the Derby competition, which is for 3-year-old bulls.
Merkley seeking congressional intern
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley is offering a $5,000 sti-
pend as part of the Otto and Verdell Rutherford Congressional Internship
program that is based in his Washington, D.C., office for the fall, winter/
spring and summer terms.
The internship provides an opportunity for an Oregonian who seeks to
experience public policy-making firsthand and further the cause of econom-
ic and social justice. The internship is specifically designed for students
who otherwise would not be able to afford the opportunity to intern in the
nation’s capital.
The ideal candidate is inquisitive, adaptable, rooted in community
service and possesses a keen interest in advancing social and economic
justice issues. Candidates should demonstrate strong communications and
interpersonal skills, attention to detail, an ability to multi-task as well as
maintain a positive demeanor while working in a fast-paced environment.
Oregon ties are a must.
The internship is a full-time position with flexibility regarding start and
end dates. Fall typically begins in late August or early September, winter/
spring term in January and summer term in late May or early June.
Housing is not provided, but Merkley’s intern coordinator can work
with individuals to provide resources and guidance in arranging housing.
To apply, candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, two letters
of recommendation and answer two essay questions to Jodi_Niehoff@
merkley.senate.gov. Deadlines to apply are Aug. 15 for fall, Nov. 15 for
winter/spring and March 15 for summer.
For more information, contact Merkley’s Administrative and Correspon-
dence Director Jodi Niehoff.