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
