JUNE 1, 2018
S moke S ignals
17
Fire consumes Tribal Hepatitis C event
Elder’s mobile home
By Danielle Frost
Smoke Signals staff writer
A Tribal Elder’s Dallas area home was recently destroyed in a fire, along
with cultural items such as baskets and beadwork.
Cordelia Kneeland, 92, is the mother of Tribal Council Chairwoman
Cheryle A. Kennedy. Kneeland’s son carried her out of the flame-engulfed
home. Their dog also survived the blaze, but the home is a total loss.
Units from the Southwestern Polk County Rural Fire Protection District
and Dallas Fire & EMS were called to her mobile home in the 1500 block
of East Ellendale Avenue in Dallas at 9:39 p.m. Wednesday, May 16.
Approximately 30 personnel were on scene with three fire engines and
a water tender. The fire was extinguished by midnight and the road re-
opened to traffic. The cause was determined to be a cooking fire that began
in the kitchen, according to the fire department.
At the Wednesday, May 23, Tribal Council meeting, Kennedy shared
that Cultural Resources Department staff were talking about protection
of family artifacts and heirlooms at the Tribal Emergency Preparedness
Fair held in the gym, and how it made her a bit sad for her mother.
“She had a number of baskets that were lost in her fire,” Kennedy said.
“We have recovered a little of the beadwork that was in the far bedroom in
a chest. It is really important for our Tribal members to think about that
and find places of protection for our personal family artifacts.”
Graduation Celebration
set for June 22
The 2018 Graduation Celebration will be held at 6 p.m. Friday,
June 22, in the Tribal gym, 9615 Grand Ronde Road.
If you are a graduate this year, send a picture and information
to Part-Time College Program Coordinator John Harp at john.
harp@grandronde.org.
To RSVP, call 503-879-2275.
Photo by Dean Rhodes
Dr. Randy Blome discusses Hepatitis C during
an educational event held in the Tribal Health
& Wellness Center on Friday, May 18. Blome,
a Family Practice physician, has spearheaded
an effort to get Tribal and community
members tested for the disease since baby boomers and Native
Americans have the highest rates of infection, and a person can have the
disease for years without knowing it. Behind Blome are Health Services
Executive Director Kelly Rowe, left, and Tribal Council Chairwoman
Cheryle A. Kennedy, who also spoke during the event. Kennedy revealed
that she contracted Hepatitis C through a blood transfusion before tests
were developed to identify the disease in the blood supply. She has since
been cured. The event also featured informational displays, a PowerPoint
that explained the disease and Health Committee members handed out
red T-shirts designed by Tribal member Jordan Smith. Tribal Elder Virginia
Kimsey Roof also talked about being cured. After the presentations and
speeches, about 30 attendees were treated to lunch served by clinic staff.
To find out more about the disease, go to www.spreaker.com and search
for “Smoke Signals podcasts” to hear Blome talk in-depth about the
effort to eradicate Hep C in Grand Ronde.
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