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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 2021)
PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO. 700 Drive-Thru Halloween photos — pgs. 10-11 november 15, 2021 Tribal campus resumes normal work schedules By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor W ith a declining active num- ber of COVID-19 cases being reported and only two new cases, Tribal governmental employees resumed normal work schedules and operations on Mon- day, Nov. 1. The number of active cases de- creased from a high of 57 that was recorded at the end of September, according to COVID-19 case num- bers posted at www.grandronde. org. General Manager David Ful- lerton encouraged employees to continue to social distance, wear masks and sanitize. “We are not encouraging public meetings or gatherings onsite at this time, but look forward to a less restrictive campus soon,” Fullerton said in an all-employee e-mail sent on Thursday, Oct. 28. The paused re-opening of the government started in early August as the Delta variant surged in Ore- gon. Only essential employees were allowed on campus for two months and employees who reported to work were required to wear masks outside of their offices. It was the first closure in three months. The Grand Ronde Health & Well- ness Center was tracking 11 active cases as of Thursday, Oct. 28. The center has conducted 3,408 COVID-19 tests with 209 positives, which translates into a 6.1 percent positivity rate. Meanwhile, the Health & Wellness Center is now offering See SCHEDULE continued on page 5 Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez Tribal member Silas Hoffer sits outside of Cafe Zamora in Portland on Friday, Nov. 5. He was recently named Mr. Montana Two Spirit. TRIBAL MEMBER NAMED By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals staff writer P ORTLAND – Before colo- nization, Native American Two Spirit people were male, female and sometimes intersexed individuals who occu- pied a distinct, alternative gender status within their Tribes. After colonialization, Two Spirit people were often viewed as “sin- ful” by white settlers and mission- aries, and subjected to violence. As a result, their traditions and practices were conducted in secret See TWO SPIRIT continued on page 8 College dedicates Wacheno Welcome Center By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals staff writer O REGON CITY – The Wacheno Wel- come Center at Clackamas Communi- ty College was unveiled at a dedication ceremony held on Friday, Oct. 29, several months after the college’s Board of Education approved naming its newest building after the Wacheno family. Dan “Old Man” Wacheno signed the Willa- mette Valley Treaty as chief of the Clacka- mas on Jan. 22, 1855. Current Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy and former See WACHENO continued on page 5 Grand Ronde Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy welcomed attendees to the Wacheno Welcome Center dedication ceremony at Clackamas Community College on Friday, Oct. 29. The college’s Board of Education approved naming its newest building after the Wacheno family in January 2021. Dan “Old Man” Wacheno signed the Willamette Valley Treaty as chief of the Clackamas on Jan. 22, 1855. Kennedy is a direct descendant of the Wachenos. Smoke Signals screenshot
