Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2022)
4 JUNE 1, 2022 Food Bank news The Grand Ronde Food Bank – iskam mfkhmfk haws – is operated by Marion-Polk Food Share, which has been leading the fight to end hunger since 1987 because no one should be hungry. Recipients of SNAP, TANF, SSI or LIHEAP assistance automat- ically qualify for assistance at the Grand Ronde Food Bank, 9675 Grand Ronde Road. No one will be turned away in need of a food box. “We believe that everyone deserves to have enough to eat,” Food Bank Coordinator Francene Ambrose says. “You are welcome to get a food box at each of our regular weekly distributions. No one will be turned away in need of a food box.” The Food Bank will hold June food box distributions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays. In addition, there is a light food box (mostly bread and produce) distribution from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays. People must check in 15 minutes before closing to receive a food box on both days. If you need immediate assistance, call 211 or visit 211info.org. Those who are unable to pick up a food box can fill out an authorized representative form and that designated person can pick up a food box on your behalf. The authorization is good for one year. The Food Bank continues to seek volunteers to help with repacking food, putting food on the shelves, handing out food boxes, end-of- month inventory and picking up food donations at area stores. Call to ensure someone is available to assist. People also can sign up for a monthly e-mail for the Food Bank calendar and events, as well as follow the Food Bank on Facebook. The Food Bank is an equal opportunity provider. Call Ambrose at 503-879-3663 or contact her at fambrose@mari- onpolkfoodshare.org for more information or to volunteer. LIHEAP program is open The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps pay heating bills, is currently open. The program is available to Tribal members who have not received regular LIHEAP assistance as of Oct. 1, 2021, through Feb. 1, 2022, and/or have not received LIHEAP assistance through other agencies. LIHEAP is a first-come, first-served program and income criteria applies. Eligible Tribal members must reside in the six-county service area or Clackamas County. For more information, contact Emergency Assistance Pro- grams Coordinator Tammy Garrison at 503-879-2077 or tammy. garrison@grandronde.org. Committee & Special Event Board meeting days and times • Ceremonial Hunting Board meets as needed. Chair: Marline Groshong. • Culture Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the Grand Ronde Food Bank/iskam mfkhmfk haws, 9675 Grand Ronde Road. Chair: Francene Ambrose. • Editorial Board meets monthly. The next meeting will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, June 16, via the Zoom teleconferencing application. Chair: Mia Prickett. Contact: Editorial. Board@grandronde.org. • Education Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month in the Smoke Signals yesteryears a look back... 2017 – Tribal children took center stage at the State Capitol during the Legislative Commission on Indian Services/Nine Tribes Spring Celebration. Tribal children in the K-3 and Lilu programs in Grand Ronde performed two dances and 2017 File photo a song, and five members of the Grand Ronde Youth Council accompanied Tribal Council Vice Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy when she spoke to approximately 200 people gathered under the Capitol’s Rotunda. The theme of the Spring Celebration was “Sharing Our Traditions: Teaching Our Children to Build Strong Tribal Nations.” 2012 – The annual Grand Ronde Memorial Day ceremony focused on Vietnam-era veterans with Tribal Council Vice Chair Reyn Leno and Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. serving as the primary speakers during the event. Both served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. Jim Willis, director of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, read a national proclamation that honored the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War. 2007 – Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribes all endorsed Sen. Gordon Smith, a Republican from Pendleton, for re-election at a news conference held outside the World Trade Center in downtown Portland. “Senator Smith has always promoted Tribal sovereignty, has promoted economic development and has always expressed a willingness to sit down with Tribes and hear their concerns,” Grand Ronde Tribal Council Chairman Chris Mercier said. 2002 – Grand Ronde Tribal youth put on a strong show of force at the state track and field finals in Monmouth representing Willamina High School. At the state meet, Tribal member Matt Zimbrick won second place in the triple jump while Tribal member Caitlin Zimbrick took first place in the long jump. 1997 – Grand Ronde Tribal representatives met with Oregon congressional representatives and aides in Washington, D.C. The meeting’s purpose was to educate the senators and representatives on federal Indian law and Tribal issues. Oregon Rep. Elizabeth Furse led the briefing with an overview of Northwest Tribal history. Tribal Council Chairwoman Kathryn Harrison testified about Tribal history from the Trail of Tears to Restoration and current times. 1992 – The Tribal Health Department was planning a wellness and spirituality conference at the Red Lion Inn in Portland. The theme was “Walk in Balance: Wellness & Spirituality,” and would include workshops, speakers, recreational activities and a powwow. Grand Ronde Tribal member Cecile Kneeland was planning to present a seminar called “Traditions and the Cradleboard.” 1987 – Tribal Council was meeting with local residents from Sher- idan, Willamina and Grand Ronde who had concerns and questions regarding the Grand Ronde Reservation Plan. “Although we can’t give a specific date for introduction of congressional legislation yet, we hope it will be quite soon,” Tribal Council Chairman Mark Mer- cier said. Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year in- crements through the pages of Smoke Signals. Adult Education building. Chair: Tammy Cook. • Elders Committee meets at 10 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month in the Elders Activity Center. Chair: Daniel Ham. • Enrollment Committee meets quarterly in Room 204 of the Governance Center. Chair: Debi Anderson. • Fish & Wildlife Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the Natural Resources building off Hebo Road. Chair: Harold Lyon. • Health Committee meets at 10 a.m. the second Tuesday of the month in the Molalla Room of the Health & Wellness Center. Chair: Bernadine Shriver. • Housing Grievance Board meets at 4 p.m. the third Thursday of the month in the Housing Department conference room. Chair: Simone Auger. • Powwow Special Event Board meets monthly at noon at the Community Center. Dates vary. Contact Dana Ainam at 503-879-2037. Chair: Dana Ainam. • TERO Commission meets at 10 a.m. the first Tuesday of the month in the Employment Services building. Chair: Russell Wilkinson. • Timber Committee meets at 5 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the Natural Resources building off Hebo Road. Interim Chair: Jon R. George. • Veterans Special Event Board meets at 5:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month in the old Elders Craft House. Chair: Rich VanAtta. To update information on this list, contact Publications Coordinator Dean Rhodes at 503-879-1463 or dean.rhodes@grandronde.org. Clinic offering second COVID-19 booster doses Tribal Health Services Executive Director Kelly Rowe announced that the Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center is offering a second COVID-19 booster dose of the Moderna vaccine for people 50 and older who are at least four months beyond their previous booster dose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that people with compromised immune systems age 12 and older also receive boosters. However, Rowe added, Tribal health care staff are recommending people consult with their providers to make that decision. Rowe said that immunity tends to wane after three months and that people who had received a booster dose of the vaccine were 21 times less likely to die and seven times less likely to be hospitalized during the recent omicron variant surge of COVID-19. To schedule an appointment for a second booster shot, contact the Tribal clinic at 503-879-2032.
