2
NOVEMBER 15, 2020
General Council meeting
11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6
Being held remotely using the Zoom teleconferencing program.
NOTICE — Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE
TIME
Wednesday, Nov. 18...........................................................................10 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 2..........................................................................1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 16...........................................................................10 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 30...........................................................................10 a.m.
Please note that these times and dates are subject to change if needed.
Smoke Signals
sNok signflz
PUBLICATIONS OFFICE
9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
1-800-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173
Website: www.smokesignals.org
E-mail: news@grandronde.org
Editorial.Board@grandronde.org
Twitter: CTGRSmokeSignal
www.facebook.com/SmokeSignalsCTGR/
ATTENTION TRIBAL MEMBERS ON THE TRIBAL
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)/DISABILITY (SSD)
& MEDICARE PART B REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAMS
It’s time to send us a copy of your “2021” Social Security award letter
*If you haven’t received your “2021” Social Security award letter yet,
please contact the Social Security Administration (SSA)
at 1-800-772-1213 or online at www.ssa.gov
*Your “2021” SSA award must reach our office by
5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, to avoid future delays in your benefits.
Please send a copy of your “2021” SSA letter to:
CTGR Member Services
Attn: Shannon Simi
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, OR 97347
www.youtube.com/channel/UCMDXdTzfGjzJ_j3NPpCrtcw
DEAN RHODES
PUBLICATIONS
COORDINATOR
503-879-1463
DANIELLE
HARRISON
TIMOTHY J.
GONZALEZ
STAFF WRITER
503-879-4663
PHOTOJOURNALIST
503-879-1961
dean.rhodes@grandronde.org
danielle.frost@grandronde.org
timothy.gonzalez@grandronde.org
SAMUEL F.
BRIGGS III
JUSTIN
PHILLIPS
KAMIAH
KOCH
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SPECIALIST
503-879-1416
PAGE
DESIGNER
503-879-2190
SOCIAL MEDIA/
DIGITAL JOURNALIST
503-879-1461
samuel.briggs@grandronde.org
justin.phillips@grandronde.org
kamiah.koch@grandronde.org
DEADLINE DATE
ISSUE DATE
Friday, Nov. 20 ..................... dec. 1, 2020
Friday, dec. 4 ...................... dec. 15, 2020
Friday, dec. 18 .........................jan. 1, 2021
E-mail: Shannon.simi@grandronde.org – Fax: 503-879-2480 –
Phone: 503-879-1358 or 1-800-242-0232, ext. 1358
NOTE: It is the responsibility of the Tribal member to notify the Tribe of
any changes in your benefits from the Social Security Administration
SSI/SSD program. Failure to submit your annual SSA letter and/or
notify the Tribe of any changes may result in an obligation to repay
ineligible benefits received and/or interrupt or delay your Tribal
Supplemental Security Income & Disability payments and
Medicare Part B reimbursements.
Clothes Closet open Friday afternoons
The Clothes Closet is open from 3 to 6 p.m. Fridays on the Tribal campus
near the Elders Activity Center at the end of Blacktail Drive.
The change in hours will better serve the community so people do not
have to choose between going to the Grand Ronde Food Bank or the Clothes
Closet. It also will be open and available to those who work.
The Clothes Closet accepts clothing, small appliances, small pieces of
furniture, electronics and household goods that are clean and in good
condition. It does not accept books, large TVs or furniture, but there is a
community board where people can post those items.
For more information or emergency clothes, contact Lori Walker-Her-
nandez at 559-847-7565.
TRIBAL EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ORDINANCE
OPEN FOR COMMENT
The Tribal Council is considering amendments to the Tribal Em-
ployment Rights Ordinance. The proposed amendments were given
a First Reading at the Oct. 28, 2020, Tribal Council meeting.
The proposed amendments include: (1) a provision restricting a
commissioner’s access to records if the commissioner also bids on a
project; (2) a provision granting limited administrative supervision
of the TERO Director to the Chief of Staff or in her/his absence the
General Manager; (3) a requirement that TERO workers on construc-
tion projects be afforded the opportunity to work the same hours as
nonTERO workers; (4) and other minor technical changes.
Tribal Council invites comment on the proposed amendments to
the Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance. For a copy of the amend-
ments, please contact the Tribal Attorney’s Office at 503-879-4664.
Please send your comments to the Tribal Attorney’s Office, 9615
Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 or by e-mail to legal@
grandronde.org.
Comments must be received by Dec. 15, 2020.
Tribal Office Closures
Tribal offices will be closed on Monday-Friday, Nov. 23-27, in obser-
vance of Tribal Restoration Day and Thanksgiving.
Editorial Policy
smok signflz , a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Communi-
ty of Oregon, is published twice a month. No portion of this publication may be reprinted
without permission.
Our editorial policy is intended to encourage input from Tribal members and readers
about stories printed in the Tribal newspaper. However, all letters received must be
signed by the author, an address must be given and a phone number or e-mail address
must be included for verification purposes. Full addresses and phone numbers will not
be published unless requested. Letters must be 400 words or less.
smok signflz reserves the right to edit letters and to refuse letters that are determined
to contain libelous statements or personal attacks on individuals, staff, Tribal administration
or Tribal Council. Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Letters to the
editor are the opinions and views of the writer. Published letters do not necessarily reflect
the opinions of smok signflz .
Members of:
Native American Journalists Association
Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
2020-21
Tribal Council
tribalcouncil@grandronde.org
Cheryle A. Kennedy
Tribal Council Chairwoman
— ext. 2352
cheryle.kennedy@grandronde.org
Chris Mercier
Tribal Council Vice Chair
— ext. 1444
chris.mercier@grandronde.org
Jon A. George
Tribal Council Secretary
— ext. 2355
Jack Giffen Jr.
— ext. 2300
jack.giffen@grandronde.org
Denise Harvey
— ext. 2353
denise.harvey@grandronde.org
Michael Langley
— ext. 1777
michael.langley@grandronde.org
Lisa Leno
— ext. 1770
jon.george@grandronde.org
lisaleno@grandronde.org
Kathleen George
Steve Bobb Sr.
— ext. 2305
— ext. 4555
kathleen.george@grandronde.org
steve.bobb@grandronde.org