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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2018)
8 S moke S ignals DECEMBER 1, 2018 Beneficiaries receive more time By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Designated beneficiaries will now have an extra six months to claim funds after Tribal Council approved amendments to the Member Benefit Fund Ordinance on Wednesday, Nov. 28. Previously, any benefits not claimed by a designated benefi- ciary within one year of a Tribal member’s death were returned to the fund for distribution. With the amendments, benefi- ciaries will now have 18 months to claim the benefit before the money is returned to the Mem- ber Benefit Fund for Tribal-wide distribution. In addition, the Tribe will take on the added responsibility of trying to notify the beneficiary by publishing a notice in Smoke Signals for six months after the first 12 months pass and the funds remain unclaimed. In other action, Tribal Council also clarified the Enrollment Ordinance to delineate what the word “entitled” means when referring to people who were not listed on the August 1954 Termination Roll, but should have been. “Following many meetings, Tribal Council believes the ap- propriate criteria to establish an individual was entitled to be on the membership roll on Aug. 13, 1954, is that the individual was living on that date and born to a member of the Tribe,” states an executive summary regarding the clarification. “This action does not alter the Enrollment Ordinance requirements, but rather provides an official in- terpretation.” In other action, Tribal Coun- cil: • Approved an emergency amendment to the Guard- ianship and Conservatorship Ordinance that allows the Tribe’s Children and Family Services program to file for conservatorship in Tribal Court for children in state court dependency care and include the appropriate state department as an “interested person”; • Approved the annual self-gov- ernance funding agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior; • And approved the agenda for the Sunday, Dec. 2, General Council meeting that will be held at 10 a.m. in the Tribal Community Center. Spirit Mountain Community Fund will make the program report and the Editorial Board also will make a presentation. Tribal Lands Department Manager Jan Looking Wolf Reibach provided the cultural drumming and singing to open the meeting. The entire meeting can be viewed by visiting the Tribal website at www.grandronde. org and clicking on the News tab and then Video. Turkey bowling Photos by Timothy J. Gonzalez Maintenance Supervisor Andrew Freeman , center , gets a high five after his winning throw in the men ’ s division during the 15th annual Tribal Turkey Bowling at the Youth Education building on Thursday , Nov. 15. Employee Relations Specialist Steve O ’ Harra , left , congratulates Deann Dickinson on taking first place in the women ’ s division. At right , Curriculum Specialist Mercedes Jones participates in the 15th annual Tribal Turkey Bowling held at the Youth Education building. Clark joins Smoke Signals staff By Danielle Frost Smoke Signals staff writer Tribal member and Grand Ronde resident Jennifer Clark joined the staff of Smoke Signals on Monday, Nov. 26. Clark will work in the newly cre- ated social media/digital journalist position, which includes expanding media into various platforms such as YouTube videos and podcasting to complement the current print and online product. She currently produces podcasts for the nonprofit online ministry “Out of the Darkness” and writes a monthly e-newsletter. “I’ve always been interested in journalism,” Clark said. “I like the idea of getting to go out, talking to people and learning more about my Tribe and our culture. I have a real interest in that.” Clark, 31, has called Grand Ronde home for the past four years. She lives with husband, Wade, and two children: son Logan, 10, and daughter Arya, 5. Her mom is Tina Leno, and grandparents are Victor and Kristina Cureton. “I’m looking forward to finding local stories that connect with peo- ple on a personal level,” Clark said. She earned an associate degree in general studies from Chemeketa Community College. Previously, Clark worked as a teacher’s aide for the Tribal preschool and as an ad- ministrative assistant at Chachalu Museum & Cultural Center. “We are looking forward to Jenni- fer helping Smoke Signals expand its media outreach to the mem- bership via podcasting, videos and other offerings on myriad social Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez Jennifer Clark is the new Social Media/Digital Journalist for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. She will be concentrating on expanding Smoke Signals ’ social media outreach to other platforms beyond Facebook. Her first day was Monday , Nov. 26. media platforms,” Publications Coordinator Dean Rhodes said. “We are sure she will grow profes- sionally as Smoke Signals grows journalistically over the years. Her interest in the Tribe will hopefully help us make more connections with the diverse and dispersed membership.” In her free time, Clark said she enjoys hiking, spending time with family and photography. She can be reached at 503-879- 1461 or Jennifer.clark@gran- dronde.org.
