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JUNE 1, 2018
Food Bank provides
boxes, seeks help
The Grand Ronde Food Bank – iskam mfkhmfk haws – is op-
erated by Marion-Polk Food Share, which has been leading the
fight to end hunger since 1987 because no one should be hungry.
Recipients of SNAP, TANF, SSI or LIHEAP assistance automat-
ically qualify for assistance at the Grand Ronde Food Bank, 9675
Grand Ronde Road. No one will be turned away in need of a food box.
“We believe that everyone deserves to have enough to eat,” Food
Bank Coordinator Francene Ambrose says. “You are welcome to get
a food box at each of our regular weekly distributions. No one will
be turned away in need of a food box.”
Upcoming food box distribution dates will be:
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, June 1;
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 9;
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, June 15;
• 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 20;
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, June 29.
People must check in 15 minutes before closing to receiving a food box.
In addition, the Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center’s Commu-
nity Health Team will be setting up the mobile clinic at the pantry
on the first Friday of every month.
Those who are unable to pick up a food box can fill out an autho-
rized representative form and that person can pick up a food box on
your behalf. The authorization is good for one year.
The Food Bank continues to seek volunteers to help with repacking
food, putting food on the shelves, handing out food boxes, end-of-
month inventory and picking up food donations at area stores.
Call to ensure someone is available to assist. People also can sign
up for a monthly e-mail for the Food Bank calendar and events, as
well as follow the Food Bank on Facebook.
The Food Bank is an equal opportunity provider.
Call Ambrose at 503-879-3663 or contact her at fambrose@mari-
onpolkfoodshare.org for more information or to volunteer. 
Police Department starts
non-emergency text line
The Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department has created a non-emergency
text line, Tribal Police Chief Jake McKnight said.
“We learned in our last school meeting that kids would like a different
way to communicate with the police if they have a non-emergency situa-
tion,” McKnight said. “We all know kids love to text so my officers and I
decided this would be a great tool to utilize.”
The new text number is 541-921-2927.
“Even though this is mostly designed for children, I don’t want adults
thinking that they can’t use it as well. If you have a non-emergency situ-
ation or question, feel free to contact my officer via text through this line.
When one of my officers receives the text, they will call you back when
they have time.”
McKnight said that emergency situations still require people to call 911.
For more information, contact McKnight at 503-879-1474. 
Police issue warning about
archaeological objects
Oregon State Police have issued a reminder to Oregonians that a
new law that took effect on Jan. 1 requires people to leave discovered
archaeological objects in place and not to remove and/or retain them.
Senate Bill 144, passed by the state Legislature in 2017, makes it
unlawful to remove objects from public lands without a permit. The
new law prohibits a person from excavating, injuring, destroying or
altering an archaeological site or object or removing an object located
on public or private lands in Oregon unless that activity is authorized
by a permit.
Before the law’s passage, a person who unintentionally discovered
an object that had been exposed by the forces of nature on public or
private lands could keep the object for personal use.
As of Jan. 1, a person is only exempt from the prohibition if they
unintentionally discover an object that has been exposed by the forces
of nature on private property.
Removing an object from public land without a permit is a Class B
misdemeanor.
People with questions about archaeological objects can send an e-mail
to the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office at Oregon.Heritage@
oregon.gov. Reports of anyone observed illegally collecting artifacts or
looting sites can be made to Oregon State Police at 800-452-7888 or by
using a cell phone keypad to dial *677. 
S moke S ignals
VA meet and greet
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
Michael Fisher, director of Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care
System, talks to Tribal Council member Denise Harvey during his
meet-and-greet visit with Tribal Council in council’s conference room
on Tuesday, May 29. Also present at the meeting was Tribal Council
Vice Chair Chris Mercier, Tribal Council Secretary Jon A. George,
Tribal Council members Kathleen George, Lisa Leno and Brenda
Tuomi, General Manager David Fullerton, Tribal Health Services
Executive Director Kelly Rowe and members of Fisher’s staff. Fisher
became director of VA Portland Health Care System in July 2016 and
oversees delivery of health care to more than 95,000 veterans with
approximately 4,000 staff and an operating budget of $813 million.
Fisher asked Tribal Council how he could prepare for his participation
in the Veterans Summit and Marcellus Norwest Memorial Veterans
Powwow coming up in July. They also discussed sharing of resources to
provide for veterans' health in the area and he was given a history of
the Tribe by Mercier and other Tribal Council members.
Fundraiser slated to aid Matt Haller
A spaghetti fundraiser to help Tribal member Matt Haller will be held
from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 15, in the Tribal Community
Center, 9615 Grand Ronde Road.
Haller was recently injured in a motorcycle accident and has been unable
to work due to his substantial injuries. He and his wife have two children
and they recently purchased a new home.
The meal will include spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and a beverage for
$8. Cash or credit/debit cards will be accepted. 
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 10 a.m. Friday, June 15. Chachalu conference
room. Chair: Siobhan Taylor. Contact: Editorial.Board@grandronde.org.
• Education Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first 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: Jennie VanAtta.
• 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: Kristy Criss-Lawson.
• 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.