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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2018)
PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO. 700 Beginning carving class — pgs. 10-11 FEBRUARY 1, 2018 ATNI Winter Convention draws Tribes from across the region Tribal Council OKs Enrollment Ordinance changes By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor By Danielle Frost T Smoke Signals staff writer P ORTLAND – The Grand Ronde Tribe was well-rep- resented at The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians’ Winter Convention. The annual event, held Mon- day through Thursday, Jan. 22- 25, at the DoubleTree Hilton, occurred in the Tribe’s ceded lands and is an opportunity for meetings, discussion, presenta- tions and committee work that affects policy, legislation and the future of Indian Country in the Northwest. Grand Ronde Tribal Council Secretary Jon A. George gave the invocation, asking for a blessing upon ATNI staff, Tribal leaders and the city of Portland. Cultural drumming and sing- ing were led by Tribal Cultural Advisor Bobby Mercier, Tribal Cultural Education Specialist Brian Krehbiel and George, and Kevin Paul of the Swinomish Tribe. Colors were posted by the Northwest Indian Veterans Association, as well as Grand Ronde Veterans Honor Guard members Al Miller, Steve Bobb Sr., Raymond Petite and Rich VanAtta. Tribal Council members who attended the Monday morning session included Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy, Vice Chair See ATNI continued on page 9 Photo by Michelle Alaimo Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy speaks during the opening of The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians’ Winter Convention 2018 held at DoubleTree by Hilton Portland in Portland on Monday, Jan. 22. he Tribe’s Enrollment Or- dinance received an update at the Wednesday, Jan. 24, Tribal Council meeting when changes were approved, including the return of final decision-making authority regarding loss of Tribal membership to Tribal Council. In the midst of controversial disenrollment proceedings, a split Tribal Council voted in July 2014 to transfer final decision-making authority regarding involuntary loss of membership cases to the Enrollment Board and removed Tribal Council from the enrollment process. Senior Staff Attorney Deneen Aubertin Keller said during the Tuesday, Jan. 16, Legislative Ac- tion Committee meeting that the Tribe received six comments, five in support, regarding the proposed amendments to the Enrollment Ordinance. Other Enrollment Ordinance changes ensure that adoption-re- lated records and Social Security numbers that are contained in Tribal member enrollment files remain confidential. However, Tribal members and applicants while in the presence of Enrollment Department staff now will be al- lowed to see electronic versions of their entire enrollment file and the enrollment files of deceased lineal ancestors or living lineal ancestors who have granted permission. They also will be allowed to take notes See TRIBAL COUNCIL continued on page 5 RetrieveRx receives rave reviews New prescription system ‘significantly’ decreases wait times at Pharmacy By Danielle Frost Smoke Signals staff writer W ait times at the Grand Ronde Pharmacy have decreased substantially since a new prescription retrieval system was installed two months ago. RetrieveRx electronically organizes prescriptions. After client information is entered in the computer, a light on See PHARMACY continued on page 8 The Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center Pharmacy has started using the RetrieveRx system for prescription bags. The bags are equipped with lights to make for quick and easy retrieval of Photo by Michelle Alaimo prescriptions.
