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JANUARY 1, 2025
9
Tribe receives $20 million grant for rec center
Oregon Rep. Andrea Salinas and
U.S. senators Ron Wyden and Jeff
Merkley announced a federal grant
of $20 million through the Infl ation
Reduction Act for the Tribe’s new
resident recreation center, now
under design.
Engineering and Planning Man-
ager Ryan Webb noted that the
money is part of a total of $22.5
million in grants the Tribe has
secured for the center.
“This grant is a new program
from EPA as part of the Infl ation
Reduction Act, this level of fund-
ing is part of the historic levels of
funding we have been seeing from
the current administration and is
the kind of funding that can enact
real change and growth within the
Grand Ronde community,” he said
in an email. “Our grants manage-
ment team (has) been working dil-
igently throughout 2024 to secure
Contributed graphic
This is the proposed design for the Tribe’s resident and recreation center. The
design is for a 47,000-square-foot building and surrounding amenities.
historic levels of funding for the
Tribe and this award is a refl ection
of their hard work and dedication.”
The center is intended to double
as a community shelter during
inclement weather and power
Stickin’ it!
outages, including not only arctic
storms but the deadly heat waves
that have swept the region in recent
years. Solar panels with a battery
backup are intended to ensure elec-
trical systems will stay on during
power outages. They are also ex-
pected to lower electricity bills.
Earlier this year, Salinas secured
$500,000 in community project
funding for the same project.
The $20 million federal invest-
ment is through the Environmental
Protection Agency’s Environmental
and Climate Justice Block Grant
Program.
The center, which will include
gym and fi tness equipment, a walk-
ing track, classroom space and a
community kitchen, will serve as
a center for health, community,
education and wellness, the repre-
sentatives said.
“I am excited to announce new
federal funding for the Confeder-
ated Tribes of Grand Ronde in my
district,” Salinas said in a joint
press release. “All Oregonians
are feeling the effects of climate
change, particularly those living
in rural and Tribal communities
with limited access to housing and
services. This resilience center will
provide a safe, warm place to shel-
ter during extreme weather and
ensure continued access to health,
education, and other key services
for the Grand Ronde community.
I will continue working with my
colleagues to secure critical invest-
ments like this one for Oregon’s 6th
District.”
“The problems created by the
ongoing climate crisis overlap with
many issues already threatening
Oregonians such as housing and ac-
cess to essential medical services,”
Wyden said. “This investment for
The Confederated Tribes of Grand
Ronde in both community services
and housing for Tribal members is
a great example of what I fought for
in the Infl ation Reduction Act. We
need more comprehensive solutions
like this, and I will continue to fi ght
for more resources to advance sim-
ilar projects in Oregon and across
the nation.”
Merkley added that the funding
is based on years of work to address
the need for a local gathering space
in the Grand Ronde community.
“The Grand Ronde’s new resi-
dent and recreation center will be
transformative, serving as a place
where they can connect, celebrate
their culture, and access resources
that strengthen their resilience and
well-being for generations to come,”
he said.
“We are grateful that EPA rec-
ognizes the importance of this
project and what it means to our
Tribal members and the Grand
Ronde community,” Tribal Council
Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy
said. “This investment ensures that
as stewards of the land, the Grand
Ronde Tribe will have a safe place
to gather and care for our people in
the face of increasingly hazardous
climate events.” n
Photos by Kamiah Koch
Agency Anderson, 11, surprises himself and others with the marked
piece he was hiding during the Youth Stick Game gathering hosted by
Youth Empowerment & Prevention in the Youth Education building
on Tuesday, Dec. 17. This was the second stick game event hosted in
December as YEP plans to do more indoor activities for Tribal youth
during the winter months. Youth who participated in the game were
entered into a raffl e for prizes after the game concluded.
Baker Technical Institute
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
Heavy Equipment Operator Training
This course is for participants who want to train on Dozers, Wheel Loaders, Excavators,
and more. Students will learn both in our high-tech CAT Simulator mobile classroom and
in the field, running equipment side by side with our experienced instructors. This training
will prepare you for a great career!
Tribal member Fabian Quenelle hands
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point sticks to the opposing team during
the Youth Stick Game gathering hosted
@SmokeSignalsCTGR
by Youth Empowerment & Prevention in
the Youth Education building on Tuesday, Dec. 17. The traditional game
uses sticks as a point system and players guess which hand a marked
piece is hiding in. Stick game rules can be found in the Smoke Signals
video: https://youtu.be/vQ-jk2x4M68?si=xSYzuPNtcLYa08yz.
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3-week course - some type of construction experience is preferred
Must by 18 years of age and enrolled in the TERO skills pool
Must sign a contractual agreement that you will complete the course
A valid driver’s license is required
Simulated Training - Tribal Campus: February 24 - March 7, 2025
Land Lab Training - Albany: March 10-14, 2025
Register for training by calling 503-879-2146 or
email tero@grandronde.org