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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2019)
smok signflz DECEMBER 1, 2019 Little indicted for felony theft from Elders’ fund By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Former Elders Committee Trea- surer Julie Ann Little is scheduled to return to Polk County Circuit Court on Thursday, Dec. 19, to possibly change her not guilty plea to two charges of first-degree theft. Little, 64, was indicted on two counts of first-degree theft by a Polk County grand jury on Oct. 29 after the grand jury heard testimo- ny from Elders Committee Chair- woman Penny DeLoe and Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department Sgt. Rod McAllister. The charges stem from Little allegedly stealing a $1,000 or more on two separate occasions from the Elders Committee fund – one that occurred between March 8 and July 11 and another that occurred between July 15 and July 31. “The defendant … did unlawful- ly and knowingly commit theft of money, of the value of $1,000 or more, the property of Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde,” both felony counts state. The indictment states that she allegedly spent the money in Yam- hill, Polk and Tillamook counties. Little was elected to the Elders Committee during the December 2018 election and resigned when the allegations against her sur- faced. She was cited and released by McAllister on Sept. 26. The Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department declined to release Lit- tle’s arrest report to Smoke Signals, citing that the Polk County District Attorney’s Office is not finished with the case. She is being prose- cuted by Deputy District Attorney Kyle Haney. Chief Deputy District Attorney Alicia Eagan said that first-degree theft charges generally receive sentences from between probation to five years maximum depending on a defendant’s criminal history. “Last I heard they were working on a deal, but I didn’t hear if she took it,” said Tribal Police Chief Jake McKnight in an e-mail. Elders Committee Secre- tary-Treasurer Julie Duncan said that the Elders bank account de- creased from approximately $7,400 to $58 during the first three months after Little took over as treasurer. Duncan said she and Little were the only Elders Committee members with access to the funds, which were raised through bingo nights, fund- raisers and other events to help pay for Elders activities and trips. Duncan added that the Elders Committee voted to pursue legal action against Little. “It wasn’t just one person’s decision,” she said. Duncan said the Tribe has reim- bursed the Elders Committee the missing funds and Elders funds are now being funneled through the Finance Office to prevent a similar occurrence. Tribal Council Chief of Staff Sta- cia Hernandez said she was unable to comment on the specifics of the case. Little, who lives in Dallas, is rep- resented by Salem attorney Arthur B. Cummins. She declined to com- ment on her case when contacted by Smoke Signals. 7 Grand Ronde Editorial Board position openings 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