4
S moke S ignals
DECEMBER 15, 2017
Speaks retires
Portland hires Tribal liaison
PORTLAND – Laura John, a descendant of the Blackfeet and Seneca
Nations, has been hired as the city of Portland’s Tribal liaison.
John will act as the primary representative of the mayor, City Council
and all bureaus and offices in relationships with sovereign Tribal govern-
ments and the urban Native American community.
John has worked in Native American communities for the past 20 years.
She was previously a researcher and program evaluator for the National
Indian Child Welfare Association, an early career scientist for the Native
American Research Center of Health and coordinated a child abuse pre-
vention program for the Native American Rehabilitation Association in
Portland.
She holds undergraduate degrees from Portland State University and
Haskell Indian Nations University, and graduate degrees from Washington
State University and the University of Montana.
“I am humbled to be selected for this position,” John said. “It is truly
a privilege to serve the community that I grew up in. I look forward to
elevating the voice of the Portland Native community through outreach,
inclusion and representation.”
The Tribal liaison will report to the director of Government Relations
at Portland City Hall and hold a full-time position within the Office of
Government Relations. 
Flu shots available
Patients at the Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center can
check in at any time to obtain a flu shot. For more
information, contact Activities/Wellness
Promotion Coordinator Kandee Little at
Kandee.little@grandronde.org or at 503-879-2089. 
Photo by Rob Greene
Tribal Council member Denise Harvey, left, and Chairwoman Cheryle A.
Kennedy, second from left, attended a retirement party for Bureau of
Indian Affairs Regional Director Stan Speaks, second from right, held
Sunday, Dec. 10, at Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City. Speaks has
worked in public service for more than 59 years. Speaks’ federal career
began when he joined the BIA following graduation from Northeastern
State University in Tahlequah, Okla. During his tenure, he has served in
a variety of management positions with the bureau including boarding
school superintendent, agency superintendent, area director and
acting deputy commissioner. Speaks is a Native of Oklahoma. He was
accompanied by his wife, Lois.
Community Health Program
ATTENTION
TRIBAL MEMBERS
COMMITTEE AND SPECIAL EVENT BOARD VACANCIES
The following Committees and Special Event Boards have vacant positions.
Election Board
Housing Grievance Board
Fish & Wildlife Committee
1 alternate vacancy
1 vacancy
1 vacancy
Please send completed applications to Stacia Hernandez,
9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347.
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.
Committee & Special Event
Board meeting days and times
Below is the most current information on the meeting days and times for
Tribal Committees and Special Event Boards:
• Ceremonial Hunting Board meets as needed. Chair: Marline Groshong.
• Culture Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the
month at the Grand Ronde Food Bank/iskam mfkhmfk haws, 9675
Grand Ronde Road. Chair: Francene Ambrose.
• Editorial Board meets at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12, in Room 204 in the
Tribal Governance Center. Chair: Siobhan Taylor.
• Education Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of
the month in the Adult Education building. Chair: Tammy Cook.
• Elders Committee meets at 10 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month
in the Elders Activity Center. Chair: Gladys Hobbs.
• Enrollment Board meets quarterly in Room 204 of the Governance
Center. Chair: Michael Mercier.
• Fish & Wildlife Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday
of the month at the Natural Resources building off Hebo Road. Chair:
Tyson Mercier.
• Health Committee meets at 10 a.m. the second Monday of the month
in the Health & Wellness Center. Chair: Patti Tom-Martin.
• Housing Board meets at 3 p.m. the third Thursday of the month in the
Housing Department conference room. Chair: Matt Thomas.
• Powwow Special Event Board meets monthly at noon at the Community
Center. Dates vary. Contact Dana Ainam at 503-879-2037. Chair: Dana
Ainam.
• Timber Committee meets at 5 p.m. the second Thursday of the month
at the Natural Resources building off Hebo Road. Chair: Bob Mercier.
• Veterans Special Event Board meets at 5:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of
the month in the old Elders Craft House. Chair: Steve Bobb Sr.
To update information on this list, contact Publications Coordinator Dean
Rhodes at 503-879-1463 or dean.rhodes@grandronde.org.