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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2019)
S moke S ignals MARCH 1, 2019 7 Showcasing sovereign nations Legislative Information Day provides an opportunity for Tribes to tell their stories By Danielle Frost Smoke Signals staff writer SALEM — Steven Richmond be- came interested in learning more about Oregon’s first peoples while taking a Native American legal studies class in college. “I’ve learned a lot about Tribal issues and want to know more,” the Western Oregon University sophomore said. Since Richmond is also serving as an intern for Oregon Rep. Dan Ray- field of Corvallis, Tribal Legislative Information Day at the State Cap- itol on Thursday, Feb. 21, provided ample opportunity to visit with rep- resentatives from Oregon’s nine fed- erally recognized Tribes. Richmond head- ed to the Confed- erated Tribes of Grand Ronde’s ta- ble first because his legal studies class is co-taught by Tribal member and lobbyist Justin Martin. There, he chatted with Tribal Council Chief of Staff Stacia Hernandez and Deputy Press Secretary Sara Thompson. “I want to learn more about what the priorities are,” he said. “Who We Are” was the theme of Tribal Legislative Information Day. Held annually at the State Capi- tol, the event provides an opportu- nity for Oregon’s Tribes to highlight who they are and what makes Trib- al governments different from the various special interest groups and stakeholders with whom legislators and state agencies mostly interact. Hernandez said the best part about the event is the opportunity for networking. “It’s a chance to work with legisla- tors and educate folks who come in about the Tribe,” she said. “We also network with other Tribes across the state.” Hernandez added that Informa- Photos by Timothy J. Gonzalez Tribal Council Chief of Staff Stacia Hernandez, left, and Deputy Press Secretary Sara Thompson talk with Steven Richmond, an intern with Rep. Dan Rayfield, (D-Corvallis), during Tribal Legislative Information Day held at the State Capitol in Salem on Thursday, Feb. 21. At left, artist and former Warm Springs Tribal Council member Aurolyn Stwyer, center, talks with Spirit Mountain Community Fund Director Michael Cherry, Spirit Mountain Community Fund Program Director Angie Sears and Tribal Council Vice Chair Chris Mercier during Tribal Legislative Information Day. tion Day is an important oppor- tunity to correct misconceptions Oregonians may still have about Tribal people. “A lot of people are completely unaware of the rich history of the Tribes in this state,” Hernandez said. “We have come a long way in that regard, but many still do not know the history and the work that we do in the community.” Spirit Mountain Community Fund Director Michael Cherry and Program Coordinator Angie Sears were on hand to answer questions about the philanthropic arm of the Tribe, which awards grants to bene- fit qualified nonprofit organizations in 11 western Oregon counties, as well as to other Oregon Tribes. General Manager David Fullerton talks with Oregon Veteran Affairs Director Kelly Fitzpatrick and Deputy Director Mitch Sparks during Tribal Legislative Information Day held at the State Capitol in Salem on Thursday, Feb. 21. “I think it’s important to interact with all of the different Tribes and talk with other people,” Sears said. “That way we learn more about what they are doing and their services.” The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde’s giveaway table included ceded lands maps, the Community Fund’s annual report, copies of Smoke Signals, notepads, pens, keychains, highlighters, lanyards and water bottles. Grand Ronde Tribal Council member attendees included Vice Chair Chris Mercier, Secretary Jon A. George and Lisa Leno. Other staff members in attendance were General Manager David Fullerton, Finance Officer Chris Leno and Tribal Council Administrative Assistant Shannon Ham-Texeira. The Tribe provided a light break- fast and the Legislative Commis- sion on Indian Services provided coffee and water. During the four hours the Tribes were at the Capitol Galleria, a steady stream of school groups, Capitol staff, agency directors and staff, legislators and staff, lobbyists and members of the public visited the tables. Tribal Legislative Information Day has been held for more than 13 years. The Legislative Commission on Indian Services serves as event host along with fellow commission members and staff. After missing the event last year due to inclement weather, the Native American Rehabilitation Fund returned and brought 1,000 cookies in lieu of frybread to hand out to attendees. Their table, next to Grand Ronde’s, proved to be a popular spot for attendees. Other Tribal tables included in- formation on governmental struc- ture, pottery, baskets, first foods, stone tools, Native plants, youth and Elders programs, treaty in- formation, health programs, social service offerings, maps and bead work. “Tribal Information Day at the Capitol was a success because Oregon’s Tribes proudly displayed information about (themselves),” said Danny Santos, interim exec- utive director of the Legislative Commission on Indian Services. “Legislators, staff, lobbyists and the general public had the opportunity to be educated on Tribal matters. Whether it was about history, cul- ture or policy, people got to learn from the different and unique perspective of Oregon’s sovereign nations. The Legislative Commis- sion on Indian Services appreciates the participation and support of Oregon’s Tribes and the Native American Rehabilitation Fund.” It was Lisa Leno’s second year attending since being elected as a Tribal Council member in Sep- tember 2017. Last year she wasn’t sure what to expect, but this time around she said she enjoyed the op- portunity to visit with other Tribes. “I really enjoyed it last year, but in my second year it’s a chance to recon- nect with people,” Leno said. “All the people I’ve seen this year are those I worked with in Social Services so it’s been a lot of fun. I enjoy being here. It’s an opportunity to share about dif- ferent Tribal issues with each other and to reconnect. It’s also a good op- portunity to educate the community about our Tribe. Everyone has done a great job of giving a glimpse of who we are as a people.” Tribal Council member Lisa Leno talks with people who stopped by during Tribal Legislative Information Day held at the State Capitol in Salem on Thursday, Feb. 21.
