Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 2022)
6 FEBRUARY 15, 2022 Smoke Signals General Council briefed on Natural Resources By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals staff write r Natural Resources Department Manager Colby Drake updated Tribal members on the depart- ment’s various programs and ac- complishments during a Sunday, Feb. 6, General Council meeting held via the Zoom video conferenc- ing application. During the approximately 35-minute presentation, Drake discussed the different programs within the department, various projects and future goals. “I’m very excited for the opportu- nity to represent the Natural Re- sources Department,” Drake said. “We have six different programs within the department which in- cludes an administrative team that keeps our department together. It’s been a great opportunity to work with them.” Drake served as interim manager after former manager Mike Wilson retired in January 2021 and was officially named to the post eight months later. Natural Resources programs include Parks and Recreation, Tim- ber Resources, Fish and Wildlife, Fire Management and Protection, and Environmental Protection. Some of the highlights included: • Fish and Wildlife: Coordinating annual ceremonial fishing and in- stallation of a removable platform at Willamette Falls, distributing 7,400 pounds of salmon to Tribal members, issuing hunting and fishing licenses, and monitoring the salmon counts via a fish weir at Agency Creek. • Environmental Protection: Since 2015, the department has re-ac- quired some 2,000 acres of land. Three of these conservation prop- erties – Takilth, Noble Oaks and Ahsney – are located near Grand Ronde, Chankawan and Chahalpam are near the Santiam Highway and Rattlesnake Butte is near Junction City. Natural Resources is currently working on a program for Tribal members to hunt, fish, gather and hike at these locations. To date, there have been 92,401 plants plant- ed, 13 structures and 268 tons of garbage removed, and eight acres reforested. Additionally, more than $2 million in grant funding from state agencies and nonprofits has been obtained for improvements. The Tribal Native Plant Materials program grows 35 to 45 species of plants that are native to the Willamette Valley including various first food spe- cies which are used primarily for the restoration projects. • Fire Management: The nationally available Tribal Wildland Fire program includes a 20-person crew, six engines, a tactical en- gine and one 1,500-gallon water tender. The program also em- ploys 30 additional people as sea- sonal firefighters. There has been implementation of prescribed burns on and off the Reservation. The program has generated ap- proximately $300,000 in engine revenue and more than $1 million in reimbursable receipts. • Timber Resources: The Yoda logging unit generated more than $3 million in revenue using Tribal member-owned contract logging, young Douglas fir trees were salvaged from the February 2021 ice storm and the timber was thinned to optimize growth. The program also manages the 128 miles of roads and trails on the Reservation. • Parks and Recreation: There are 13 tent sites, two RV sites, three vault toilets and one portable toilet at Big Buck campground in Grand Ronde. The summer youth crew program recently received a $40,000 grant from the state to help with funding and will be looking to hire 16 to 18 youths with two to three leaders, as there will be substantial work in 2022 due to no crew in 2020 and a short season in 2021. Additionally, a disc golf course is being designed at Fort Hill State Park with the first 10 baskets installed. The department is looking to install a shorter course on the main Tribal campus by sum- mer as well as a nature play area on a two-acre plot of trees near the Elders Activity Center. “I’m very excited with all of our new projects and everything that is happening,” Drake said. After the presentation, he took two questions from the audience. “I appreciate Natural Resources so much,” Tribal Council Chair- woman Cheryle A. Kennedy said. “It’s a blessing to hear about the wonderful projects and land the Tribe has acquired through pur- chase or BPA mitigation. Our goal is to re-acquire all the land that was lost.” In other action, it was announced that the Portland community meet- ing would not be held after General Council due to funeral services for a Tribal Elder, which were scheduled for the same day. An input survey for Portland-area Tribal members will still be conducted and shared at the March General Council meeting. Those interested in com- pleting the e-mail survey are asked to contact Tribal Council Chief of Staff Stacia Hernandez at stacia. martin@grandronde.org. Additionally, the next General Council meeting will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 6, with a report from the Cultural Resources Department. The location is yet to be determined. Door prize winners were David Harrelson, Gail Wilkinson, Kristi Petite, Deborah Bernardo Ander- son and David Leno, $50 each; and Brenda Tuomi, Richard A. McKnight and Angela Schlappie, $100 each. The meeting can be viewed in its entirety by visiting the Tribal government’s website at www. grandronde.org and clicking on the Government tab and then Videos. Community Shred Event set for April 25 The next Community Shred Event, just in time for spring cleaning, will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, April 25. People are asked to remove paper clips and binder clips from the documents they want shredded. The location of the event and more details will be announced soon. For more information, contact Kim Mueller at kim.mueller@ grandronde.org. CTGR TERO Announcement • Grand Ronde Community • Clothes Closet FORKLIFT CERTIFICATION • Open to All • 8-Hour Training & Certification Wednesday, March 16, 2022 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CTGR Employment Service Center SERVICES OFFERED: 9615 Grand Ronde Rd. Grand Ronde, OR 97347 (Building C) Limited to 10 persons. Masks required. No cost for Tribal members and $182 for non-Tribal members Register with the TERO office by calling 503-879-2188 or Email - tero@grandronde.org TRIBAL EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OFFICE Ad by Samuel Briggs III Children’s Clothing Women’s Clothing Men’s Clothing Blankets Free Dog & Cat Food Diapers and Toilet Paper Emergency Hygiene Kits Camping Supplies (Tents, Tarps, Wood) Small Appliances and Household Items Toys SEASONAL PROGRAMS Backpack & School Supply Giveaway For children ages K-12 at the start of school Christmas Shop Adults can pick out 1 new gift for each child in their household. Children can shop for 1 gift for each adult in their household. The Grand Ronde Clothes closet is located on the Tribal Campus near the Elders Activity Center at the end of Blacktail Drive. The Clothes Closet accepts donations in clean and good condition. Please put donations in plastic bags for sanitation purposes and drop them off during open hours. Please use the Community Board to post large items. For more information or emergency clothes, contact Lori Walker-Hernandez at 559-847-7565.