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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2021)
8 AUGUST 1, 2021 Smoke Signals Tribe at huge disadvantage for federal funding FEMA continued from front page said. “I hope through my time here we will have an opportunity to work with Tribal communities and understand what your challenges are.” The meeting began with an in- vocation by Tribal Council Chair- woman Cheryle A. Kennedy, who also spoke about the struggles once-terminated Tribes like Grand Ronde face when trying to provide basic public safety services, such as police and fire safety. “Part of our funding that has never been provided by the federal government is for public safety,” Kennedy said. “We bear the burden with no other means of support. We take care of the whole community without a dollar from anyone. We don’t have the resources other Tribes do because of being termi- nated. To put federal (emergency management) funds in the hands of the state doesn’t do much good because it goes to the state. Then, Tribes have to compete against each other for that funding. It is not fair. We do what we can, and all the Tribes are good at supporting each other when tragic things happen. … I appreciate everyone coming together today.” General Manager David Fuller- ton agreed. “We’ve always sent our crews out to help other communities, but we also have to focus on preparedness here,” Fullerton said. “We need to be at the same table as other mu- nicipalities are for funding. Right now, we are at a huge disadvantage for that.” Tribal Emergency Management Preparedness Coordinator Brandy Bishop said that there is simply not enough staff to do what the Tribe is being asked to do in the area of public safety. “That needs to be changed and we don’t have the capability to make those changes,” Bishop said. “The coalition we have with other Tribes has been about building relation- ships. I know I can call any of these people and they will be there. That is the nature of our people and I would like to see that grow beyond Oregon Tribes.” In addition to Kennedy, Bishop Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy, right, and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, second from right, host officials from Oregon’s other federally recognized Tribes on Wednesday, July 21. Criswell visited the Tribe to listen to Oregon Tribal representatives and hear about their individual emergency management work. The intent of the listening session was for FEMA leaders, Tribal leaders and emergency managers to have an open discussion about emergency management challenges in Oregon, including the wildfires that are currently burning in the state. and Fullerton, other attendees included Emergency Management officials from the Cow Creek, Warm Springs, Coquille, Burns Paiute and Siletz Tribes, U.S. Fire Ad- ministration Acting Chief Ton- ya Hoover and Oregon Office of Emergency Management Director Andrew Phelps. Several officials from FEMA Region 10, which oversees oper- ations for 271 Tribes in Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Idaho, also attended the event, including Tribal Liaison Aurora Lehr, who is based out of Seattle. Several Tribal leaders spoke about the challenges they face as small Tribal nations responsible for providing public safety services for members who live in remote areas, and how they often don’t apply for federal grants due to the large amount of paperwork involved and not having enough time to focus on cultural education it without taking away from the vital services they provide. “I understand what you mean about wearing multiple hats,” Criswell said. “Part of my vision is to help others understand the value emergency managers bring to the table.” Criswell was in Oregon to learn more about the challenges the state is facing with recovery from last fall’s record wildfires as well as emergency response to the current Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon, the largest in the United States. In addition to visiting with Tribal emergency man- agers, she also met with Gov. Kate Brown and FEMA staff in Salem. “Coordination across our Tribal, state, local and federal emergency management systems is the only way we can find long-term, holistic solutions to the wildfire threat,” Criswell said in remarks posted on Oregon.gov. “I want to thank Gov- ernor Brown for her leadership and her commitment to building strong, resilient communities. I also want to thank the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde for hosting a valuable conversation with Tribal leaders and emergency managers and look forward to continuing the dialogue.” Criswell was confirmed as Presi- dent Joseph Biden’s FEMA admin- istrator in April. She previously served as the commissioner of the New York City Emergency Man- agement Office and worked in the FEMA office during the Obama administration. She also served as a firefighter for 21 years, was de- ployed to Kuwait with the Colorado Air National Guard and worked as the emergency manager for the city of Aurora, Colo. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED A re you missing out on what Cultural Education has to offer? Follow us on Facebook to get detailed class information, photos from events, and updates. Plus, check out the tribal calendar for a quick glance of upcoming events and classes. Open to Tribal and Community members. Join us! Search Facebook for Grand Ronde Cultrual Education Tribal Calendar // www.grandronde.org/tribal-calendar Sheridan, SW Polk and West Valley Fire Districts are recruiting volunteers for fire response, emergency medical response, and support functions. Please see our websites for volunteer applications and instructions. sheridanfd.org – swpolkfd.org – westvalleyfd.org
