4
MAY 1, 2020
Food Bank providing
boxes on Fridays in May
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 COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the Food Bank will
be holding May food distributions only from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays.
“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. n
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 meets monthly. The next meeting has not been sched-
uled. Chair: Siobhan Taylor. 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 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 Employment 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.
• Veterans Special Event Board meets at 5:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of
the month in the old Elders Craft House. Chair: Rich VanAtta.
To update information on this list, contact Publications Coordinator Dean
Rhodes at 503-879-1463 or dean.rhodes@grandronde.org.
(Editor’s note: All committee and special event board meetings
have been suspended during the Tribe’s limited shutdown
in reaction to the coronavirus pandemic.)
Smoke Signals
yesteryears
a look
back...
2015 – TriMet’s new bridge across the
Willamette River not only had a Chinuk
Wawa name – Tilikum Crossing – but
also three prominent pieces of Tribal
artwork decorating it. The Tribe gifted
two basalt carvings and a large bronze
medallion to help remind Portland and
its residents that Native Americans
have lived and continue to live along
the shores of the river since time im-
memorial.
2010 – Tribal member Jake McKnight
patrolled the Grand Ronde Reservation
as its Forest Patrol officer. His investi-
gations on the 10,000-acre reservation
included a slew of criminal activities
ranging from poaching game and dump-
File photo
ing garbage to stealing firewood and 2015
growing marijuana. In addition, McK-
night was soliciting the help of members of the public who used the
forest most if they saw any evidence of illegal activity.
2005 – Spirit Mountain Casino opened a 163-room expansion of
the Spirit Mountain Lodge, bringing the total number of rooms to
254. Approximately 200 people attended a ribbon-cutting event that
featured comedian Jay Leno. The expansion included 12 new Jacuzzi
suites, a gift shop, continental breakfast room and 35 new jobs.
2000 – The Tribe donated $10,000 toward the installation of rum-
ble strips on Highway 18. Tribal Council authorized the donation
because of concerns regarding highway safety. “We want to continue
our tradition of sharing with the community and we believe this is
an important issue,” Tribal Council Chair Kathryn Harrison said.
1995 – The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde approved the Up-
per Agency Creek restoration and recreation projects. The purpose
was to implement projects that would restore fish and wildlife habitat
to the area, and expand recreational and educational opportunities
for the public.
1990 – Miss Grand Ronde Jolene Poole, her mother Annabelle
Poole and grandmother Leona Severin had the opportunity to meet
with Oregon Gov. Neil Goldschmidt at the Magnolia Manor Nursing
Home, where Severin resided. The governor was there at the request
of a patient for her 100th birthday celebration.
1985 – Results of the recent Tribal Council election were released
with a tie between Russell Leno and Frank Harrison for the eighth
and ninth seat. The seven other council members elected were Kath-
ryn Harrison, Henry Petite, Darrell Mercier, Eula Petite, Merle Leno,
Mark Mercier and Cheryle A. Kennedy.
Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year in-
crements through the pages of Smoke Signals.
Ad by Samuel Briggs III
