smok signflz
NOVEMBER 15, 2019
Grand Ronde Editorial Board
position openings
Photo by Dean Rhodes
Finance Officer Chris Leno makes a presentation regarding the 2020 draft
budget during the Nov. 3 General Council meeting held in the Tribal gym.
General Council briefed
on 2020 draft budget
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
Finance Officer Chris Leno
briefed Tribal members on the draft
budget for 2020 during the Sunday,
Nov. 3, General Council meeting
held in the Tribal gym.
The meeting was held partially in
executive session, which limits how
much Smoke Signals can report on
the details.
Before the meeting went into ex-
ecutive session, Leno said that one
of the main reasons the 2020 bud-
get is increasing by 16.5 percent is
the more than $10 million budgeted
at the Grand Ronde Health & Well-
ness Center for a new program that
will implement medication assisted
treatment for patients dependent
on opioids. He also cited the new
expense of rehabilitating the Blue
Heron Paper Mill site in Oregon
City that the Tribe purchased in
August.
After Tribal Council member
Jack Giffen Jr. raised concerns
about live streaming the meeting
because it would review confiden-
tial Tribal financial information,
the membership voted to move into
executive session and end the live
streaming.
Leno’s draft budget presentation
ran 45 minutes and after lunch,
which was served by Youth Council
members, he fielded five questions
and comments regarding next
year’s Tribal spending plan.
Tribal members interested in
obtaining a compact disc of Leno’s
presentation should contact Tribal
Council Chief of Staff Stacia Her-
nandez at stacia.martin@gran-
dronde.org or 503-879-2304.
The November Tilixam Wawa
also features a detailed look at the
2020 draft budget and adult Tribal
members have until 5 p.m. Monday,
Dec. 2, to submit written comments
to Leno.
In other action, it was announced
that the next General Council
meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Sun-
day, Dec. 1, in the Tribal Commu-
nity Center. The presentation will
be from the Education Department
and Education Committee.
The early start time on Dec. 1 will
accommodate the Tribal Council
Christmas Party, which also starts
at 10 a.m. in the Tribal gym.
Val Alexander, Dan Stroebel and
Shasta Simmons won the $100 door
prizes and Julie Duncan, Joanna
Brisbois, Tracie Meyer, Peter Grout
and Kelly Lindgren won the $50
door prizes.
The portions of the meeting held
outside of executive session can
be viewed by visiting the Tribal
government’s website at www.
grandronde.org and clicking on the
Government tab and then Videos. 
Teaching program recruiting for Class of 2021
EUGENE – The Sapsik’WalA Teacher Education Program and the
UOTeach Program are looking for Native American and Alaska Native
students who have a desire and passion to become elementary or middle/
high school teachers.
Applications for the 2020-21 academic year are due Jan. 15, 2020.
The Sapsik’WalA Teacher Education Program offers full financial assis-
tance to eligible Native American/Alaska Native students. The program
is 12 months long, beginning in June and participants graduate with a
master’s degree and teacher licensure in June 2021. It is fully funded by
a federal grant with a total support package of approximately $50,000
per student.
The program requires students to live in Eugene while completing classes
at the University of Oregon and Tribal placements for student teaching
will be considered and encouraged.
Prospective students must have completed their undergraduate educa-
tion and apply through the admissions process of UOTeach.
To apply and review the admission requirements, visit the UOTeach
website at education.uoregon.edu.
For help through the application process, send an e-mail to sapsikwala@
uoregon.edu or call 541-346-2454.
The Grand Ronde Editorial Board, a Tribal board assigned the
duty by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde (“Grand Ronde”)
of overseeing its independent Tribal press (Smoke Signals), invites
applications to serve on the Grand Ronde Editorial Board. There are
two open board positions occurring in March 2020.
The five-member Grand Ronde Editorial Board is responsible to the
Grand Ronde Tribal Council. It oversees the editor of Smoke Signals
to ensure the independent Tribal press reports news free from any
undue influence and free from any political interest, and that Tribal
news employees adhere to the highest ethical journalistic standards.
The Editorial Board meets monthly. From time to time, addition-
al special meetings may be held. Board members are expected to
attend all meetings in person, although participation by telephone or
video will be permitted. Each board member receives a monthly sti-
pend for attending meetings. Travel reimbursement is limited to travel
within the six counties of Polk, Yamhill, Marion, Tillamook, Multnomah
and Washington.
Board members must be 18 years of age, have qualified experi-
ence in management and/or publications, be of good character and
integrity, and certify that he or she will adhere to the standards of
accepted ethics of journalism as defined by the Society of Profes-
sional Journalists and endorsed by the Native American Journalists
Association. Experience with and knowledge of Native American or-
ganizations is also preferred, as well as dedication to protecting and
advancing a free press for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
Applicants will be interviewed by the Grand Ronde Editorial Board
before a recommendation is forwarded to Tribal Council. Terms run
for three years.
Preference will be given to qualified Tribal members.
Submission deadline: Friday, Jan. 10, 2020
Interested individuals should submit a letter of interest de-
scribing their qualifications, a résumé and three references to:
Grand Ronde Editorial Board
c/o Smoke Signals
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, OR 97347
Phone: 503-879-1463
E-mail: editorial.board@grandronde.org
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