APRIL 1, 2020
Food Bank provides
boxes, seeks help
The Grand Ronde Food Bank – iskam mfkhmfk haws – is operated
by Marion-Polk Food Share, which has been leading the fight to end
hunger since 1987 because no one should be hungry.
Recipients of SNAP, TANF, SSI or LIHEAP assistance automatically
qualify for assistance at the Grand Ronde Food Bank, 9675 Grand Ronde
Road. No one will be turned away in need of a food box.
“We believe that everyone deserves to have enough to eat,” Food Bank
Coordinator Francene Ambrose says. “You are welcome to get a food box
at each of our regular weekly distributions. No one will be turned away
in need of a food box.”
In reaction to the novel coronavirus outbreak, the Food Bank will be
holding food distributions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays only in April.
“We are asking clients to not come for a food box if they are having
any symptoms or concerned about their health,” Ambrose said. “We are
going to limit our geographic service area to Sheridan to Otis on High-
way 18 and Sheridan to Hebo on Highway 22. We are asking clients and
volunteers to wash their hands immediately upon entry to the building.
Our lobby is closed until further notice.
“Food box distribution is happening outside while maintaining a safe
distance between clients. We are sanitizing and keeping the food quar-
antined for three days before distribution. Pre-made boxes are available
on distribution days, limited to two days of food for two adults. Clients
within our geographic service area are still welcome to visit us weekly.”
People must check in 15 minutes before closing to receive a food box.
If you need immediate assistance, call 211 or visit 211info.org.
Those who are unable to pick up a food box can fill out an authorized
representative form and that designated person can pick up a food box
on your behalf. The authorization is good for one year.
The Food Bank continues to seek volunteers to help with repacking
food, putting food on the shelves, handing out food boxes, end-of-month
inventory and picking up food donations at area stores.
Call to ensure someone is available to assist. People also can sign up
for a monthly e-mail for the Food Bank calendar and events, as well as
follow the Food Bank on Facebook.
The Food Bank is an equal opportunity provider.
Call Ambrose at 503-879-3663 or contact her at fambrose@marion-
polkfoodshare.org for more information or to volunteer. 
Committee & Special Event
Board meeting days and times
Below is the most current information on the meeting days and times for Tribal
Committees and Special Event Boards:
• Ceremonial Hunting Board meets as needed. Chair: Marline Groshong.
• Culture Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the
Grand Ronde Food Bank/iskam mfkhmfk haws, 9675 Grand Ronde Road. Chair:
Francene Ambrose.
• Editorial Board Board meets monthly in the Employment Services Building
Smoke Signals
yesteryears
a look
back...
2015 – The Tribal Constitution remained unchanged as two pro-
posed amendments failed to receive enough support to pass. The first
proposed amendment would have removed Secretary of the Interior
oversight and approval of amendments to the Tribe’s Constitution.
The second proposed amendment, which would have instituted term
limits on Tribal Council service of a one-year break after three con-
secutive terms, also fell short of the two-thirds approval required
to change the Constitution.
2010 – Spirit Moun-
tain Casino paid for all
bus fares between Grand
Ronde and Salem during
the month of April. The
move was due to a com-
bined effort between
the Salem Mass Transit
District and the Confed-
erated Tribes of Grand 2010
File photo
Ronde to increase rider-
ship on the 2X route. Transit District Finance Director Pat Mercier
estimated the casino sponsorship would cost approximately $4,500.
2005 – The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde played host to the
second annual Native Youth Leadership Invitational Conference.
Organization for the event was spearheaded by the Youth Leadership
group, which teamed up with the Youth Education Department to or-
ganize and plan accommodations for all in attendance. Keynote speaker
was Robert Johnston of the Native Wellness Institute. He also held
workshops on leadership, unity and maintaining positive attitudes.
2000 – Retiring Grand Ronde Housing Authority Board members
Robert Watson and David Foster were honored at a special dinner
that was hosted by the Housing Authority. They were honored for
their years of service and contributions to the board. Housing Di-
rector Linda Layden said the current projects were vital to Tribal
members and Elders, and would not have been possible if not for
the contributions of Watson and Foster.
1995 – The Tribe’s Election Committee announced new election
procedures. It would send out registration cards to any Tribal
member who was eligible to vote, but not registered already. In ad-
dition, everyone who was registered would automatically receive an
absentee ballot in the mail. Current Tribal Council members up for
re-election were Andrew Jenness, Kathryn Harrison and Ed Larsen.
1990 – Willamina High School freshman and Tribal member Shonn
Leno qualified for the Oregon National Team after placing second
in a freestyle wrestling event. There were 400 competitors in the
tournament. Leno was the first freshman in the state of Oregon ever
to qualify for the honor.
Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year in-
crements through the pages of Smoke Signals.
conference room. The next meeting is yet to be determined due to the corona-
virus pandemic. The public is welcome to attend. Chair: TBD. Contact: Editorial.
Board@grandronde.org.
• Education Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month in
the Adult Education building. Chair: Tammy Cook.
• Elders Committee meets at 10 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month in the
WATCH
SMOKE SIGNALS
49
V I D E O S
Elders Activity Center. Chair: Penny DeLoe.
• Enrollment Committee meets quarterly in Room 204 of the Governance Center.
Chair: Debi Anderson.
• Fish & Wildlife Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month
at the Natural Resources building off Hebo Road. Chair: Bryan Langley.
• Health Committee meets at 10 a.m. the second Tuesday of the month in the
Molalla Room of the Health & Wellness Center. Chair: Bernadine Shriver.
• Housing Grievance Board meets at 3 p.m. the third Thursday of the month in
the Housing Department conference room. Chair: Simone Auger.
• Powwow Special Event Board meets monthly at noon at the Community Center.
Dates vary. Contact Dana Ainam at 503-879-2037. Chair: Dana Ainam.
• TERO Commission meets at 10 a.m. the first Monday of the month in the Em-
ployment Services building. Chair: Russell Wilkinson.
• Timber Committee meets at 5 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the
Natural Resources building off Hebo Road. Interim Chair: Jon R. George.
N at i v e Pl a n t
Pa rtner sh ip
Grand Ronde Tribal Council approved
the signing of a memorandum of un-
derstanding with the Willamette Valley
Native Plant Partnership on Wednesday,
Feb. 19. This partnership connects and
pools the resources from more than 25
different organizations interested in re-
storing the Willamette Valley ecoregion.
This Smoke Signals video shares why this
partnership is important to the Tribal Na-
tive Plant Materials Program and the
Grand Ronde community.
• Veterans Special Event Board meets at 5:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month
s i g
n
k •
l z
at 503-879-1463 or dean.rhodes@grandronde.org.
For more information contact
Kamiah Koch at (503) 879-1461
or kamiah.koch@grandronde.org
f
To update information on this list, contact Publications Coordinator Dean Rhodes
o
in the old Elders Craft House. Chair: Rich VanAtta.
s N
4
(Editor’s note: All committee and special event board meetings have been
suspended during the Tribe’s limited shutdown
Visit youtube.com and search CTGRsmokesignals
in reaction to the coronavirus pandemic.)
Ad by Samuel Briggs III