sNok signflz FEBRUARY 15, 2021 A shot at returning to the classroom Photos by Timothy J. Gonzalez Willamina kindergarten teacher Miaja Lopez received a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination from Virginia Garcia Clinic certified medical assistant Jill Melara at Faulconer-Chapman School in Sheridan on Tuesday, Feb. 2. The event was hosted by the Yamhill Public Health Department and administered 100 doses to teachers in Willamina and Sheridan school districts. The Willamina School District welcomed first- and second-graders back to school for in-person instruction on Tuesday, Feb. 9. 9 Certificate of Appreciation The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Oregon Department of Forestry and U.S. Forest Service for its assistance in helping host a fire camp that battled the Echo Mountain Complex fire near Otis and Lincoln City Smoke Signals screenshot in September 2020. At right, Peter Daugherty, director of the Oregon Department of Forestry, was accompanied by representatives from the U.S. Forest Service during the virtual presentation on Wednesday, Feb. 3. Glenn Casamassa, a regional forester with the Forest Service, said he appreciated that the Tribe hosted the fire camp and provided food and security for the firefighters. Daugherty said the Tribe’s help was instrumental in helping to set up a fire camp in less than 24 hours while state employees also were trying to evacuate Lincoln City. Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy, Vice Chair Chris Mercier, Secretary Jon A. George and Tribal Council members Steve Bobb Sr., Denise Harvey and Lisa Leno participated in the virtual event. Mercier recalled how Grand Ronde felt “apocalyptic” during the raging forest fires that occurred in western Oregon. Tribal staff in attendance included General Manager David Fullerton, Chief of Staff Stacia Hernandez, Communications Director Sara Thompson and interim Natural Resources Department Manager Colby Drake. Participants also thanked former Natural Resources Department Manager Michael Wilson for his assistance. “Thank you for recognizing the partnership that we have,” Kennedy said. Willamina teachers received Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations from Virginia Garcia Clinic employees at Faulconer-Chapman School in Sheridan. Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday February 16 April 20 June 15 August 17 October 12 December 14 2 p.m. 10 a.m. 2 p.m. 10 a.m. 2 p.m. 10 a.m. Beginning in February 2021, the Tribal Veterans Service Office will be holding a series of one-hour or less, bi-monthly meetings for all veterans in our local community. The meetings will focus on various, informative topics each month. (For now, the meetings will be virtual). Tribal Veterans Service Officers (TVSOs) in Native Country Tuesday, February 16, 2021 2 p.m. 998 1048 8787 Register at: zoom.us/join, enter meeting ID, and answer a couple of questions. An email will automatically be sent to you with your registration information. All CTGR Veterans send me your email address so I can include you on the CTGR Veteran Newsletter Distribution List (monthly) and email information updates (periodic). TVSO will be calling CTGR veterans in Oregon during the month of February to discuss veterans’ benefits. Please have your DD-214, your current benefits and/or questions ready! ( In return, you will receive a small token of appreciation for your time ). CTGR veterans in Oregon, please send or email me photos, stories, biographies, from your time in the service to receive a gift for Memorial Day due by May 21, 2021 We are setting up a four-series set of behavioral health trainings throughout the year. These will be open to all veterans, families, and community members with a special invitation to the other Oregon Tribes. Mailing Address: Attn: Social Services Dept. /TVSO 9615 Grand Ronde Rd. Grand Ronde Oregon, 97347 Email: CTGRTribalVSO@GrandRonde.Org Office Phone: (503) 879-1484