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OCTOBER 15, 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 October 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. 
Lewis to discuss Kalapuyan
Tribes of central valley
David Lewis, Grand Ronde Tribal member and Oregon State University
assistant professor, will be the featured speaker during the Luckiamute
Watershed Council’s first Sips ‘n’ Science talk of the fall/winter series at 6:30
p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18.
Lewis will discuss Kalapuyan Tribes and bands of the central Willamette
Valley and talk about their culture, how they cared for the land and adjusted
when white settlers arrived. He’ll also talk about the removal process, trea-
ties, encampments and work by Indian agents to remove Native peoples to
the Grand Ronde Reservation.
The free virtual presentation will be held on Zoom and people can register
by visiting www.luckiamutelwc.org/kalapuya-history.html. 
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
Smoke Signals
yesteryears
a look
back...
2017 – The Health & Well-
ness Center feted 20 years of
healing with an anniversary
celebration. Approximate-
ly 100 people attended the
event. Grand Ronde Health
Services Executive Director
Kelly Rowe said it was an
honor to serve her Tribe and
that the last two decades
2017
File photo
had been an amazing time
of growth and opportunity.
Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy, the former Health
& Human Services director for the Tribe, gave the keynote address.
2012 – Tribal Elder Kathryn Harrison was named “History Maker”
and “Woman of the Year” in the same week. “Nobody has shown more
grit,” Oregon Historical Society Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk
said at the History Maker event. The next night, at the Governor
Hotel in Portland, Harrison accepted the 2012 Betty Roberts Woman
in Leadership Award from Emerge Oregon, a Portland-based training
program for Democratic women.
2007 – A recent shooting at Tribal housing was believed to be gang
related, which increased concern among Prostar Security personnel
and Tribal Housing authorities. Two bullet holes were found in a stop
sign on Tyee Road after unidentified men in a vehicle fired two shots
and sped off. No one was injured, but the spike in criminal activity
was cause for concern during a housing meeting.
2002 – Employees at Spirit Mountain Casino celebrated seven
years of operations with Interim Chief Executive Officer Bill Pierce. A
plaque honoring the 1,480 employees recognized them for “exemplary
service, commitment to quality and dedication to duty.” A separate
plaque was presented to Organizational Development and Training
Manager Laurie Roe.
1997 – Members of Tribal Council honored health staff and other
guests at the dedication ceremony for the new Health & Wellness
Center. Royalty and the Grand Ronde Honor Guard were also there
to post flags and participate in drumming and dancing. Molly Rimer
performed “The Lord’s Prayer” in sign language and Nora Kimsey
said the blessing. Tribal Council Chairwoman Kathryn Harrison
spoke about the importance of health care for Tribal people and how
proud she was that the dream of a health center had been realized.
1992 – Newly elected Tribal Council members Kathryn Harrison,
Ed Larsen and Andrew Jenness were sworn in at the Tribal offices
by Judge Les Marston. Twenty percent of the eligible Tribal voters
cast ballots in the election.
1987 – Samson Simmons, a member of the original “Trail of Tears”
families, passed away in September and was buried at the Grand
Ronde Cemetery. During the memorial services, Karen Harrison sang
“Amazing Grace,” the Rev. James Crunican gave a blessing and a
eulogy written by Eula Petite was read aloud by Tribal Chairman
Mark Mercier.
Ronde Food Bank/iskam mfkhmfk haws, 9675 Grand Ronde Road. Chair: Francene
Ambrose.
• Editorial Board meets monthly. The next meeting will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct.
26, using the Zoom teleconference application. Chair: Mia Prickett. Contact: Editorial.
Board@grandronde.org.
• Education Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. on the last Tuesday of the month in the
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.
Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year in-
crements through the pages of Smoke Signals.