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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2018)
S moke S ignals APRIL 15, 2018 5 Hatfield Fellow Program seeking applicants By Angela Sears Community Fund Program Coordinator 2013 – The annual Eas- ter Egg Hunt was revived by two community mem- bers after being unex- pectedly cancelled. Zach and Melissa Bly volun- teered to step up and host the hunt after reading about it being cancelled File photo in Smoke Signals. Tribal 2013 Council contributed $500 to cover expenses and the hunt went on as it had in years past. Budgeting and staffing issues combined with personal health issues were cited as the reason behind the original cancellation. 2008 – The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde was ready to add to its small screen resume with an upcoming appearance on the European Travel Channel when the channel was set to air a 15-part series called “Oregon Uncovered” beginning in January 2009. The show featured the attractions, people and experiences of Oregon. A European Travel Channel film crew began shooting the series in Portland in October 2007 and it was expected to wrap up in southern Oregon in September. 2003 – Native star Elaine Miles was a featured speaker in Grand Ronde when she spoke to Tribal youth during the Tribe’s first Native Youth Wellness Day. Miles, a member of the Umatilla Tribe, was best known for her portrayal of Marilyn Whirlwind on “Northern Exposure” and her numerous appearances in movies. She was also a prize-winning traditional dancer and was the head woman at the 2000 Gathering of Nations Powwow. 1998 – A public hearing concerning Senate Bill 1691, sponsored by Washington Sen. Slade Gorton, called for a waiver of sovereign immunity of Indian Tribes and sparked much interest, debate and protest on both sides. The hearing was conducted by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in Seattle. Tribal members, advocates of Tribal sovereignty and the president of the National Congress of American Indians all testified in favor of continued sovereignty. Hawaii Sen. David Inouye, a longtime supporter of Tribal sovereign- ty, said that 800 treaties were signed by the U.S. government with Tribes across the country and only 370 were ever ratified. “Of those 370 treaties, every one has been violated by the federal government,” he said. “This is not a great record for a great country.” 1993 – Past Tribal Council member Bob Mercier was the featured “Entrepreneur of the Month” for his business, Bob Mercier Trucking, a contract log hauling business with four trucks and three employees. Previously, he worked for a Siletz trucking company for 15 years and had always dreamed of owning a business. He also was chair of Spirit Mountain Development Corp., an organization established to bring business and industry to the Grand Ronde area. 1988 – Indian Health Service began offering massage therapy for Tribal members with injuries, disabilities, chronic pain, stress, grief and life changes. Dawn Faith Cloud was a licensed massage techni- cian and had been in private practice as a body/mind therapist since 1981. “I am very pleased to be able to offer this nurturing, healing experience to my Grand Ronde friends,” she said. “I sense that I was sent to Mother Earth not just to take but to give back something. The greatest gift that I can offer is myself.” Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year in- crements through the pages of Smoke Signals. The web-based application for the 2018-19 Hatfield Fellowship opened Friday, March 16, for mem- bers of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana Tribes and will close on Monday, April 30. Each year, Spirit Mountain Com- munity Fund sponsors a congres- sional fellowship with a member of the Oregon delegation to enhance the mutual understanding between the federal government and Indian Country. Past fellows have served in a number of Senate and House con- gressional offices, including those of Sens. Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Gordon Smith and Reps. Kurt Schrader, Darlene Hooley, Peter DeFazio and Greg Walden. “The Hatfield Fellowship is a yearly investment in strengthening the understanding between Oregon Tribes and our congressional rep- resentatives,” Community Fund Director Mychal Cherry said. “By spending eight months as part of a congressional office, these Tribal members come away with an invalu- able understanding of how things are done in D.C. During the fellowship experience, working relationships are formed that will benefit the fellow throughout their career. The congressional staff also learn from a colleague about the realities in Indi- an Country and the huge potential for our communities. This is abso- lutely a learning exchange.” Fellows begin their time in Wash- ington, D.C., in November with a monthlong orientation with the American Political Science Asso- ciation. The Hatfield Fellowship was created in 1998 to honor Sen. Mark Hatfield’s public service to Oregon and the Pacific North- west. Additional information about the program is available at www.thecommunityfund.com/ hatfield-fellowship. Lighthouse Church helping area homeless Lighthouse Church, located in the Tribal building at 24697 Grand Ronde Road, is opening its doors from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday to provide temporary shelter for homeless Tribal members and Tribal families in the Grand Ronde area. If a family with children needs shelter, they will be allowed to stay overnight if they arrive before 7 p.m. The church provides refreshments and information on where to receive additional help. For more information, contact Pastor Ken Haller at 971-237-4949. Sewing class participants wanted The sewing classes that have been held at the Elders Activity Center have been canceled due to lack of participation. Classes could resume if at least six people commit to attending. To commit or find out more infor- mation, contact Elders Activity Assistant Dan Ham at 503-879-2233. You’re invited to an informative Round Table Discussion on Special Education FAQs Parents/guardians and those who are supportive of children with disabilities are all welcome. Support for the struggle involved in the IEP process and beyond Information about special education law Question/Answer time for specific scenarios Parent and school district rights Where: Youth Education When: April 19 Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lunch provided Become a stronger voice of advocacy. Reserve your spot by calling Audra at x2069 or Elaine at x2095
