16
MAY 1, 2022
NATIVE
AMERICAN
WATCHLIST
Watchlist: Handing over national
park land to Tribes not a ‘crazy idea’
(Editor’s note: It is estimated that there are approximately 149
billion videos on YouTube, and the number continues to grow.
Grand Ronde Tribal member and Social Media/Digital Jour-
nalist Kamiah Koch sifts through those myriad videos twice a
month to recommend a worthwhile Indigenous video to watch.
Follow her bimonthly recommendations and enjoy!)
By Kamiah Koch
Social media/digital journalist
Seattle news channel King5 published a video in Nov. 8, 2021,
interviewing Billy Frank III while on the homelands of his people,
the Nisqually Tribe.
His father, Billy Frank Jr., was a well-known activist for Native
American fishing rights.
Billy Frank III is chairman of the Nisqually Tribe and his contem-
porary, Nisqually Tribal Council member Hanford McCloud, also is
interviewed in for the video.
“We come from fighters. Fighters fought for the treaty right, fought
for the fishing right and will continue to fight for the fish here in this
river in Nisqually,” McCloud says in the video. “And also fight for not
that land acknowledgments, but land back.”
The video explains the Nisqually Tribe is supporting the return of
National Park Service property to Tribal communities.
Greg Dudgeon, Mt. Rainier National Park superintendent, says
there is room for improvement for Tribal relations. The video shows
the park has established various Tribal-focused activities like a
designated area for Nisqually Tribal members to cook fish in their
traditional way and Indigenous info-centers for visitors.
The video explains the park’s interpretive staff members are trained
on Tribal issues by McCloud. However, McCloud says nothing could
match what the park could be like if it was operated by those who
have been here for generations.
“It’s unfortunate that we still have this battle going with the feder-
al government to try to get our land back that was originally ours,”
Billy Frank III says at the end of the five-minute video. “But I feel
like with this administration, this is going to be one of the best shots
we have at it.”
You can watch (and read) the full story at www.king5.com/article/
news/community/facing-race/tribal-land-national-parks-washing-
ton/281-fec522a5-cb26-45f2-9d61-9c95d7030294 or find it linked in
the “Watchlist” playlist on the Smoke Signals YouTube channel. 
Smoke Signals
Community Fund seeking
Hatfield Fellow applicants
Applications for the 2022-23 Hatfield Fellowship are being accepted
through May 16 by Spirit Mountain Community Fund, the philanthropic
arm of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
The Community Fund annually sponsors a Native American to serve as
the Hatfield Fellow and intern in a congressional office. Placement of the
Fellow rotates through the Oregon congressional delegation to enhance
the mutual understanding between leadership in Washington, D.C., and
Indian Country.
The Hatfield Fellow begins his or her Capitol Hill experience in No-
vember with a month-long orientation at the American Political Science
Association. It is then followed by an eight-month term in an Oregon
congressional office. The fellowship includes a monthly stipend, as well
as relocation and travel expenses.
Tribal members from the nine federally recognized Tribes of Oregon are
eligible to apply, as well as members of Tribes in the Pacific Northwest.
However, preference will be given to members of Oregon Tribes. Appli-
cants must have a bachelor’s degree or be graduating in June, and be at
least 21 years of age.
The Hatfield Fellowship was created in 1998 to honor Sen. Mark
Hatfield’s public service to Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. For more
information or to apply, go to thecommunityfund.com/grants-programs/
hatfield-fellowship/ or visit youtu.be/7T0nNoFgUYS to watch an infor-
mational video. 
\
Saturday, May, 7th
10AM-2PM
There will be activities for
the whole family!
✓ Cooking demonstrations
Tribal Gym
✓ Educational workshops
(THERE WILL BE SIGNS)
✓ Informational booths
FREE & OPEN TO ALL
✓ Pree eommunity-:-me.GI-
COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Organized by Grand Ronde's Food Access and Community Team,
sponsored by Marion-Polk Food Share & the Confederated Tribes of Grand
Ronde.
•
Marion-Polk
FOOD
SHARE
LOOKING FOR WORK?
SIGN UP FOR THE TERO
SKILLS BANK!
Carpenters, General laborers,
ConCrete Masons & laborers,
asphalt laborers, and More!
HOW? Contact the TERO Office at 503-879-2188 or email tero@grandronde.org
WHO CAN SIGN UP? Grand Ronde Tribal members and members of other
federally recognized Tribes. Must be 18 years or older.
WHAT IS NEEDED? TERO Skills Bank application and Tribal ID
TRIBAL EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OFFICE
Ad by Samuel Briggs III