sNok signflz AUGUST 1, 2023 3 ODFW Commission to consider Grand Ronde MOU on Aug. 4 By Danielle Harrison If you go Smoke Signals editor stuxtkin-mun (August) • Wednesday, Aug. 9 – Tribal Council meeting, 4 p.m., in-person attendance in Tribal Council Chambers and via Zoom. 503-879-2304. • Friday-Sunday, Aug. 18-20 – Grand Ronde Contest Powwow, Uyxat Pow- wow Grounds. 9600 S.W. Hebo Road. Grand entries at 7 p.m. Friday, 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. • Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 17-19 – Annual Fish Distribution, 9 a.m., Natural Resources Department Fish Lab, 47010 S.W. Hebo Road. 503-879-2424. • Monday, Aug. 21 – Family Night Out, 4:30 to 8 p.m., old powwow grounds, 9615 Grand Ronde Road. To volunteer, contact destiny.osborn@gran- dronde.org. • Wednesday, Aug. 23 – Tribal Council meeting, 4 p.m., in-person attendance in Tribal Council Chambers and via Zoom. 503-879-2304. • Wednesday, Aug. 23 – Annual Fish Distribution, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Portland Area Office, 4445 S.W. Barbur Blvd., Portland. 503-879-1881. • Friday, Aug. 25 – Grand Ronde Education Summit, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Spirit Mountain Casino, 26820 S.W. Salmon River Highway. ' kwayts-mun (September) • Monday, Sept. 4 – Tribal offices closed in observance of the Labor Day holiday. • Wednesday, Sept. 6 – Tribal Council meeting, 4 p.m., in-person attendance in Tribal Council Chambers and via Zoom. 503-879-2304. • Saturday, Sept. 9 – Tribal Election Day. Ballots due by 6 p.m. 503-879-2271. • Sunday, Sept. 10 – General Council meeting, 11 a.m., in-person attendance in Tribal Council Chambers and via Zoom. 503-879-2304. • Wednesday, Sept. 13 – Tribal Council swearing in-ceremony, 11 a.m., Tribal Governance Center, 9615 Grand Ronde Road. 503-879-2304. • Wednesday, Sept. 20 – Tribal Council meeting, 4 p.m., in-person attendance in Tribal Council Chambers and via Zoom. 503-879-2304. • Friday, Sept. 22 – Tribal offices closed in observance of National Native American Day. To stay abreast of future Tribal events, visit www.smokesignals.org/calendar. After it was abruptly pulled from the agenda at a June meeting in Newport, the Tribe’s memorandum of understanding to expand its cer- emonial hunting and fishing areas is up for consideration once again. The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Commission will meet at its Salem headquarters Friday, Aug. 4, to decide whether to ap- prove the agreement with Grand Ronde. It will be discussed at 1:30 p.m. as per the meeting agenda. The Tribe’s proposed memoran- dum of understanding, which was up for consideration at ODFW’s June meeting, was postponed after two other Tribes – Warm Springs and Umatilla – voiced concerns that it would interfere with their treaty rights. Grand Ronde has been working for years to have its hunting and fishing rights restored after being forced into a consent decree with the state to get its Reservation ap- proved in 1988. During the Tribe’s efforts to secure Reservation lands, the only path forward at the time was to sign the decree. Various Tribal Council members have encouraged Tribal members who would like to give input to at- tend the meeting, either virtually or in-person. The topic was discussed at length during the Legislative Action Com- mittee meeting on Tuesday, July ODFW Commission meeting When: 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4. Grand Ronde’s agreement will be considered at 1:30 p.m. Where: ODFW headquarters, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive Southeast, Salem. More information: Call 503- 947-6044 or visit dfw.state. or.us/agency/commission/min- utes/23/08_Aug/index.asp 25, after the council had met with members of the Warm Springs Tribal Council in an effort to resolve differences prior to the hearing. “It was civil, cordial and pro- fessional, but we didn’t resolve our differences,” Vice Chair Chris Mercier said. “As far as I know, we’re still moving forward (with the agreement) so please come and show your support.” “Our people are already hunting and fishing in our ceded lands,” Tribal Council member Kathleen George said. “This agreement will allow us to manage that in partner- ship with the state. We would love to see you there in Salem.” Those who want to give virtual testimony must register at least 48 hours in advance. In-person registration will be done at the meeting. LISTEN OFFICIAL TRIBAL FACEBOOK PAGES TO SMOKE SIGNALS 101 PODCASTS Still having a hard time deciding? Smoke Signals: facebook.com/SmokeSignalsCTGR The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde: facebook.com/CTGRgov Grand Ronde Health & Wellness: facebook.com/GRHWC Grand Ronde Children & Family Services: facebook.com/CTGRCFS Grand Ronde Royalty: Chris Mercier Veronica Montano Lisa Leno Matthew Haller Michael Langley Chris Bailey facebook.com/CTGRRoyalty Grand Ronde Education Programs: facebook.com/CTGREducation Grand Ronde Youth Council: facebook.com/CTGRYouthCouncil Grand Ronde Station: facebook.com/GrandRondeStation Grand Ronde Social Services Department: facebook.com/CTGRSocialservices Grand Ronde Food Bank: facebook.com/GrandRondeFoodBank Smoke Signals Spirit Mountain Community Fund: facebook.com/SpiritMountainCommunityFund has interviewed all six candidates and put their interviews on spreaker.com beginning Friday, July 28. Grand Ronde Cultural Education: facebook.com/Grand-Ronde-Cultural-Education Grand Ronde Community Garden: facebook.com/GrandRondeCommunityGarden Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department: facebook.com/Grand-Ronde-Tribal-Police-Department For more information, contact Kamiah Koch at 503-879-1461 or kamiah.koch@grandronde.org Grand Ronde Employment Services Facebook.com/EmploymentServices Visit smokesignals.org and click on podcast Ad by Samuel Briggs III Ad by Samuel Briggs III