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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2021)
PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO. 700 Daylight Saving Time Ends Nov. 7, 2021 Turn Clocks Back One Hour At 2 A.M. On Sunday, Nov. 7 november 1, 2021 Restoration Celebration will be remain virtual again A role model for success By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals staff writer F Photo by Kamiah Koch Tribal member Debby Childers is enjoying a successful career with Oregon’s Public Employees Retirement System. She was recently promoted to deferred compensation plan program manager, a world away from being a high school dropout. Childers excelling at Oregon retirement system By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals staff writer G LADSTONE — Tribal member Debby Childers hasn’t forgotten what it felt like to be a young, single mom with a GED working a low-wage job. Today, she has a successful career with Oregon’s Public Employees Retirement System and was recently promoted to deferred compensation plan program manager, a world away from being a high school dropout. Childers, 53, left Willamina High School after becoming pregnant with daughter Andrea at the age of 16 and earned a GED instead of graduating with her class. A lightbulb moment came after a particularly trying day working as a housekeeper at the Oregon Coast. “I told myself, ‘I am going back to school and will never do a job like this again,’ ” Childers recalls. “It was rough because I had two young kids, but I never quit. It can be done.” It took some time, but eventually she earned an See CHILDERS continued on page 7 or the second time since 1984, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde will not be host- ing an in-person Restoration Cele- bration. This year’s commemoration of the 38th anniversary will be held on- line due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues. During the summer and early fall, COVID-19 infections surged nationally and in Oregon, mostly attributed to the increased conta- gion of the Delta variant, although cases have been dropping steadily in recent weeks. The Tribe announced its decision in a Facebook post on Friday, Oct. 22. “On Nov. 22 we will gather as a community to celebrate 38 years of Restoration,” the Tribe’s Face- book post stated. “We've grown tremendously over that time. We hope that Tribal members will take this opportunity to share their own Restoration stories and family photos in the discussion thread of this event.” The online event will be held at noon Monday, Nov. 22, via a Zoom link that will be posted later. To see updates, visit the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Facebook page. “Every year since our Resto- ration, we have gathered as a Tribe, a community and a family to cele- brate Nov. 22, Restoration Day,” See CELEBRATION continued on page 4 Bill includes $2 million for Blue Heron redevelopment By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor T he Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde may receive $2 million in federal funding for its redevelopment of the former Blue Heron Paper Mill site at Wil- lamette Falls, according to Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley’s office. “As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’ve secured investments that will make a real difference in communities throughout Oregon,” Merkley said in a press release. “I’m pleased I was able to secure this $2 million in support of the Grand Ronde Tribe’s ongoing effort to clean up and restore the Blue Heron site at Willamette Falls – a location that holds significant historical and cultural significance to Tribal nations. I will continue to advocate See BLUE HERON continued on page 6 Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez The Tribe may receive $2 million in federal funds to continue its work in redeveloping the former Blue Heron Paper Mill site in Oregon City, according to Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley. The funding is included in an upcoming appropriations bill.
