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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2021)
PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO. 700 REMEMBER TO VOTE ELECTION DAY, SEPT. 11 september 1, 2021 Government continues limited office access due to COVID cases By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor D Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez Patrick Flanagan, who worked for 11 years in the Oregon Department of Justice as a lead prosecutor of environmental crimes and cultural resources enforcement, has been hired to lead the Legislative Commission on Indian Services. New LCIS executive director takes over By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals staff writer S ALEM – After more than 11 years working for the Oregon Department of Justice as a lead prosecutor of environmental crimes and cultural resources enforcement, Patrick Flanagan is ready to serve Tribes in a different role. While looking through e-mail one day, Flanagan noticed one regarding an emergency meeting of the Legislative Commission on Indian Services to address the unexpected departure of the former director. He took a look at the job description and it immediately piqued his interest. See FLANAGAN continued on page 11 ue to a continuing increase of COVID-19 cases in the community and among its workforce, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde government will continue its reopening pause that started in early August through at least the Labor Day weekend. “We will continue to limit access on the campus and encourage staff to work from home. For those unable to work from home, admin- istrative leave will be granted,” General Manager David Fullerton announced via e-mail. The pause started on Tuesday, Aug. 3, closing the governmental campus to everyone but essential employees due to an uptick in COVID-19 cases. It was the first COVID-related closure in almost three months. “We all want to put this behind us, but the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over,” Fullerton said. “Practice social distancing, wash your hands and wear a mask. Let’s work together to get past this.” Employees are encouraged to work from home if possible. Staff not able to work remotely have been given administrative leave. Additionally, the campus closed to visitors and guests. Essential employees who report to work are required to wear masks. According to the Tribal govern- ment website, www.grandronde. org, there are four new active See COVID continued on page 5 Roads to Recovery: First time using heroin was one too many By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals staff writer T ribal member Tannith McNeel never imag- ined she would ever be a recovering drug user, let alone one who battled a heroin addiction. “I started off with (prescription) pills, then switched to black tar heroin and smoked it,” she says. “I never had an issue with substance use before that.” McNeel, 41, immigrated to the United States from England in 2002 to get to know the Tribal side of her family better, settling in Tillamook. Her father is Tribal Elder Kim Rowland Sr. She first discovered a desire for opiates while (Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a series of Smoke Signals stories in 2021 that examines addiction and recovery. The final article will detail the various recovery services offered to Tribal members seeking help.) pregnant with her twins. She had to be on bed rest from 19 weeks of pregnancy on, during which time she had frequent labor cramps and was often given fentanyl to control the pain. Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez See RECOVERY continued on page 7 Tribal member Tannith McNeel shares her story of recovery from a heroin addiction.
