Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2025)
sNok signflz JANUARY 1, 2025 13 Firefi ghters honor longtime supporter by running for Gaston By Nicole Montesano Smoke Signals staff writer For months, 55-year-old Tribal member Veronica Gaston had been dreaming about completing the Ho- nolulu Marathon on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Gaston had a habit of dreaming big and this was no exception. A broken spine had left her in a wheelchair for several years and although she had recovered enough to be able to walk, she was still using a walker. Nonetheless, she was determined to become strong enough to walk 26.2 miles to com- plete the marathon. Despite training most of 2024, Gaston was unable to achieve that one last dream: She walked on unexpectedly on Wednesday, Dec. 4, just days before she was to race. So, the Grand Ronde Emergency Services Department decided to fi nish what she had started. Gaston had long been a supporter of the department and loved talking to the fi refi ghters. She suffered a sudden emergency on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Emergency Medical Technician/Firefighter Jennifer Colton was one the fi rst people on the scene. “I was one of the responders that was there the morning she went to the hospital,” Colton said. “I asked about her training and she was able to answer that she still had been. My hope was that she was going to pull through and make it to the event.” Colton also has a long-standing dream of competing in the Honolulu Marathon. “She had told me that she was going to do it this year and jokingly said we should do it together for 2024,” she said. “I honestly didn’t Photo courtesy of Jennifer Colton Grand Ronde Emergency Services Emergency Medical Technician/Firefi ghter Jennifer Colton, right, and fellow Emergency Services crew ran the equivalent of a marathon to honor Tribal Elder Veronica Gaston. Gaston unexpectedly walked on days before she was set to participate in the Honolulu Marathon in December 2024. think she was serious until I saw her on the news about a month ago. Then I was super excited for her.” KGW8 television in Portland aired a story about Gaston’s plan to walk in the marathon in early November. “I was not able to get registered for this year’s event as life took me in other directions for a few months prior to the race,” Colton said. “But I was still excited that she was going to do it. I know that most marathons can be live streamed for others to view or give spectators a way to check the status of partici- pants, so that was my plan to see how she was doing and cheer from the mainland.” Colton said it saddened her that Gaston was unable to achieve her cherished dream. “She trained so hard,” Colton said. While talking with a co-work- er shortly after Gaston’s death, Colton said, she thought, “Some- body should do her miles for her.” The fi re crews couldn’t fl y to Ha- waii, of course, but Colton decided they could run the marathon at home instead. “I spoke to my battalion chief and asked if I could organize a group workout with our crews for that afternoon,” she said. “He was all for it. I did not tell the crew what we were doing but they all know my passion for running so I think they were a bit nervous, as some of them don’t like to run.” Colton said she was both amused and touched by the reactions of her colleagues. “When I returned to the station at 1400 hours, I placed all our names on a white board in the workout room,” she said. “At the bottom it said 26.2. Above all our names was this: VGMM. As the crew came in, you could see the sheer terror on some faces. It was priceless. But when I told them how this was go- ing to work and the reason behind this workout, they all got behind it and took on the challenge with a lighter heart. I explained that this was the Veronica Gaston Memorial Marathon and that between the 13 people present, we would each do 2 miles in honor of her.” Three of the fi refi ghters had to go out on a call, so some people put in extra miles to ensure they complet- ed the marathon, but all 13 people did some portion of it. “Some ran, some jogged, some walked, some did a little of all three,” she said. “I was so proud of our crew for stepping up and com- pleting her dream. We ended up actually running/walking/jogging a total of 28.5 miles for Veronica.” Colton said she hopes to make the challenge an annual event. n TRIBAL COMMITTEE / BOARD & COMMISSION Now accepting applications! Now accepting new applications Native American Habitat Restoration Internships at Elderberry Wisdom Farm – Spring and Summer 2025 • Do you want to be more involved with the Tribe? The Native American nonprofit, Elderberry Wisdom Farm is recruiting interns pursuing conservation career pathways for its 2025 Habitat Restoration Internships. This paid opportunity provides Native Americans and other people of color an opportunity to receive culturally tailored training, experiential service learning, and mentoring. Traditional Ecological Knowledge is integrated with local restoration practices and native plant nursery development in collaboration with mid-Willamette Valley partners. • Do you have a desire to be a part of a group to plan and be involved in Tribal activities and events? A $3,000 stipend will be provided for those completing the nine-week internship. Spring trainings are held three days a week from March 31 to May 30, 2025 and in Summer from June 23 to August 2 2 for a total of 190 hours of indoor classroom education and experiential service-learning activities. • Are you intersted in making positive changes for future generations? A highlight of the internship is the emphasis upon Native American habitat restoration practices that integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge principles, climate adaptation practices, and mentoring. The service learning will help you learn to strengthen the biodiversity and sustainability of mid-Willamette Valley ecosystems at our work sites, including wetlands, oak prairie, and organic farmland, plus Elderberry Wisdom Farm’s four-acre native plant nursery and greenhouse south of Salem, OR. • Visit https://qrco.de/bf49Bl or scan the QR code for a complete list of committees/boards and apply today. There are opportunities for interns who are motivated to continue their training to become part-time employees or become emerging owners and operators of the habitat restoration or native plant nursery businesses EWF formed. Promising urban forestry and agroforestry opportunities even includes transitioning to organic farming, dry farming, and other practices that help to strengthen Native American food sovereignty as well as social and economic resilience of Native families. Current vacancies: To apply: Please complete the application form. Visit our website at www.elderberrywisdom.org or if you have questions, feel free to leave a message at contact us. • Ceremonial Hunting Board (2) • Culture Committee (1) • Enrollment Committee (1) • Fish & Wildlife Committee (2) • Housing Grievance Board (2)• Powwow Special Event Board (1) • Election Board alternates (2) For questions email: shannon.ham-texeira@grandronde.org Applications available online at: www.grandronde.org/government/tribal-council/committees/ Applications also available in the Tribal Governance building: Located at the Tribal Council office near the security desk. Paid ad Ad by Samuel Briggs III
