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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2020)
sNok signflz NOVEMBER 1, 2020 Tribe co-chairs state-Tribal Natural Resources work group 7 Flute exchange By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde for the first time ever virtually co-chaired the gov- ernment-to-government Natural Resources Work Group on Thurs- day, Oct. 22. Natural Resources Department Manager Michael Wilson and Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Ef- fectiveness Monitoring Coordinator and Tribal Liaison Ken Fetcho co- chaired the meeting via the Microsoft Teams teleconferencing program. It was the second virtual meeting of 2020 since the March in-person meet- ing was canceled when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Oregon. “We were unable to pivot quickly enough to go to a virtual meeting,” Fetcho said. The work group was founded af- ter Gov. John Kitzhaber signed a 1996 executive order that directed state agencies to develop working relationships with Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribes. It usu- ally meets three times annually. Besides Natural Resources, the state created work groups that deal with Health and Human Resources, Economic Development and Com- munity Services, Public Safety, Education and Cultural Resources. “It is recognized that the Natural Resources Work Group is a powerful communication tool for achieving Tribal-state collaboration and coop- eration in carrying out the respective responsibilities for natural resource protection and management,” states the work group’s purpose statement. The group works to enhance effec- tive communication between state agencies and Tribal governments, satisfy training and education needs, further Tribal-state agency coordination and consultation, and works in good faith to identify prob- lems of mutual concern and engage in problem-solving activities to resolve any issues. Members represent several state departments, such as Agriculture, Energy, Environmental Quality, Fish & Wildlife, Forestry, Land Conservation and Development, Lands and Water Resources. All nine federally recognized Smoke Signals screenshot Natural Resources Department Manager Michael Wilson co-chairs a meeting of the state-Tribal Natural Resources Work Group on Thursday, Oct. 22, using the Microsoft Teams teleconferencing application. Tribes in Oregon can appoint a voluntary representative and other participants represent the Legisla- tive Commission on Indian Affairs, Governor’s Natural Resource Of- fice, Department of Justice and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. Wilson, who has been the Tribe’s Natural Resources Department manager since 2007, has been the co-chair of the work group since 2018. As co-chair, one of Wilson’s mandated responsibilities is to obtain a group consensus on topics and issues. Overall, the work group also is mandated to promote effective communication, encourage and pro- mote education and training oppor- tunities and achieve Tribal-agency working relationships. The four-hour Oct. 22 meeting had almost 40 attendees and fea- tured presentations regarding win- ter steelhead acclimation efforts on Canyon Creek by Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribal employees, ef- forts to combat poaching presented by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife and a climate imple- mentation plan from Oregon De- partment of Energy staff members. “The Natural Resource Working Group works great to get to know leaders in the state agencies we deal with on a daily basis,” Wilson said. “They can update Tribes on upcoming opportunities and pro- posals where we may have interests and we can give them feedback on areas where Tribes need more in- formation or involvement.” n Education program seeking Native applicants EUGENE – The Sapsik’WalA (Teacher) Education Program at the Uni- versity of Oregon is seeking qualified American Indian and Alaska Native applicants for its cohort classes that begin in June 2021. Deadline for applying is Jan. 15. There also will be online Zoom recruit- ment sessions that will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 17, and Tuesday, Dec. 15. Sapsik’WalA students engage in a full-time, 12-month program and re- ceived a master’s in education while learning Indigenous methodologies for teaching. The program offers full financial assistance that includes tuition, fees, books, supplies, a living stipend, dependent stipend and a computer. Total support is approximately $50,000 per student. Students must relocate to Kalapuya Ilihi (Eugene) to complete the pro- gram and upon graduation must complete a service payback by teaching in schools that serve Indigenous/Native students for two years. Prospective students need to have their undergraduate education degree and apply through the admissions process at UO Teach. To review the admission requirements and apply, go to https://education.uoregon.edu/ uoteach/apply. n Photos by Kamiah Koch Grand Ronde Land Department Manager Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach holds a flute that was hand-painted and signed by Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. In appreciation for the flute Bobb painted for him, Reibach exchanged a flute he carved. In addition to working for the Tribe, Reibach is a multiple Native American Music Award winner playing Native American flute and teaches how to play flute at Oregon State University. Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. holds a hand-painted flute he exchanged with Grand Ronde Land Department Manager Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach on Monday, Oct. 19. Sapsik'ʷała Teacher Education Program: Recruitment and Informational Sessions Sapsik'ʷała is recruiting applicants for the 2021-22 cohort! We are offering Zoom informational sessions for interested parties. Please join us for any of our three opportunites to learn more about our program! Tuesday, October 20th 5:30-6:30 https://uoregon.zoom.us/j/93377936198 Tuesday, November 17th 5:30-6:30 https://uoregon.zoom.us/j/99866891283 Tuesday, December 15th 5:30-6:30 https://uoregon.zoom.us/j/97078392630