Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2021)
2 FEBRUARY 1, 2021 General Council meeting 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 7 Being held remotely using the Zoom teleconferencing program. NOTICE — Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings DATE TIME Wednesday, Feb. 10...........................................................................10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24...........................................................................10 a.m. Please note that these times and dates are subject to change if needed. Letter s Dear Smoke Signals: In these times of a pandemic and social distancing, I am so grateful for the stewardship and support of our Tribe. The past and present integrity of caring is evident in today’s leadership and staff. Our Tribal people have been blessed beyond measure. The Elders meals, clinic, COVID support programs and much more have produced the fruits of labor that started out as dreams in the 1970s. Our Tribal leadership has provided unprecedented solutions in a world of disease, death and social discord. I hope that all of our Tribal families join me in thanking our leaders and staff in a job well done. Margo Mercier Roll No. 885 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/ 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 Tribe expands vaccinations to those 55 and older The Grand Ronde Tribal Health & Wellness Clinic has expanded its COVID-19 vaccinations to Tribal members 55 and older, Health Services Executive Director Kelly Rowe announced on Thursday, Jan. 21. However, she added, priority still will be given to Tribal Elders 65 and older. According to the clinic, there are currently 14 active COVID-19 cases and 60 people have recovered from the virus as of Thursday, Jan. 28. The clinic has conducted 1,732 coronavirus tests and re- corded 59 positives for a 3.4 percent positivity rate. As of Thursday, Jan. 28, the clinic has delivered 655 doses with 499 of those being given to Elders. Tribal health care workers and employees who have frequent contact with the public, such as first responders and Adult Foster Care staff members, were some of the first to receive the vaccine. The Grand Ronde Tribe received its first 300-dose batch of the Moderna vaccine on Dec. 22. The vaccine requires two doses given approximately 28 days apart to help the body build up resistance to the virus. Tribal members 55 and older should call 503-879-2032 to schedule a vaccination appointment. Letters welcome Letters should be exclusive to smok signflz. Letters should be 400 words or less and must include the writer’s name, address, phone number and Tribal roll number. You will be contacted to confirm authorship. All letters are subject to editing for space, grammar and, on occasion, factual accuracy. Only two letters per writer are allowed during a three-month period. Letters written in response to other letter writers should address the issue at hand and, rather than mentioning the other writer by name, should refer to the date of the letter published. Discourse should be civil and people should be referred to in a respectful manner. Letters deemed in poor taste will not be printed. Send letters via e-mail to news@grandronde.org, or submit in person at the Tribal Governance Center in Grand Ronde, Ore., or mail to smok signflz, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR, 97347. monday, feb. 8 .......................feb. 15, 2021 monday, feb. 22 ............... march 1, 2021 monday, march 8 ........ march 15, 2021 Thursday, march 25 ......... april 1, 2021 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 2021 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 Tribal Office Closures Tribal offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 15, in observance of Tribal Chiefs’ Day. ISSUE DATE 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