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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2025)
8 SMOKE SIGNALS APRIL 1, 2025 Tribe honors 83 employees for 1,070 years of service By Nicole Montesano Smoke Signals staff writer The Tribe took time Thursday, March 20, to honor 83 employees for a cumulative 1,070 years of service with breakfast and games at the Tribal gym. Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy welcomed employees. She praised employees and Tribal members for “taking care of all of our lands. Taking care of all of our rights and fi ghting for things yet to come. And all of the work,” noting that her own background was in health care. “I especially look toward all the services that deliver our sovereign- ty,” Kennedy said. “Whether you’re a member or not, we value you. We appreciate you. … I’m thankful we seek input from our members and our employees.” She reminded em- ployees of the dedica- tion of Tribal members Margaret Provost, Merle Holmes and Marvin Kimsey in get- ting the Tribe’s federal recognition restored. A bronze statue of the trio is located in front of the Governance Center on campus. “Those three had an idea and we couldn’t be stopped and we’re not stopping today,” Kennedy said. She noted that the actions of the Trump administration have sown chaos and uncertainty, noting “they have an idea about what it means for Tribes,” but said, “rest assured” that the Tribal Council is watching closely, trying to forecast the effects of the administration’s actions and come up with responses. “Even through the pandemic, our Photos by Michelle Alaimo Tribal Staff Accountant Shereena Bates, right, hugs Tribal Council member Denise Harvey as she is recognized during the fi rst quarter Years of Service awards in the Tribal gym Thursday, March 20. Bates has worked for the Tribe for nine years. Tribal Early Head Start Family Educator Shawn Bobb, right, shakes hands with Tribal Council member Brenda Tuomi as she is recognized during the fi rst quarter Years of Service awards in the Tribal gym Thursday, March 20. Bobb has worked for the Tribe for 21 years. focus was on trying to keep our em- ployees employed,” Kennedy said. Tribal Council member Matthew Haller gave the invocation and performed a fl ute song. When he fi nished, he said, “Thank you guys; I really appreciate you.” In addition to Kennedy and Haller, Tribal Council Vice Chair Chris Mercier and council members Denise Harvey, Brenda Tuomi and Tonya Gleason-Shepek attended. 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Instead Appointments 503-879-2078 Appo ointments t required, d to schedule, e call Community C m Co mm munity t Health H alth He t at 503-879 7 -2078 7 Assistant General Manager Bry- an Langley presided over the event and called out ticket numbers for attendees to participate in games. After presenting the service awards, Langley drew employee names to raffl e off gifts of cash and administrative leave time. Employees were served a break- fast of scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage and fruit. The following employees were recognized: 35 years: Procurement Specialist Kelly Leno. 30 years: Records Administrator Kimberly Mueller. 29 years: Licensing Program Manager Julia Papen. 27 years: Billing Supervisor Sunni Ulestad. 26 years: Clinic Business Offi ce Manager Melody Baker. 25 years: Employee Relations Manager David DeHart and Com- pensation/HRIS Specialist Becky Mode. 24 years: Spirit Mountain Com- munity Fund Director Angela Sears. 23 years: Web Administrator William Mercier, Tribal Police Chief Jake McKnight and Office Manager/Paralegal Kerrina Mish- ler. 22 years: Post-secondary Educa- tion Coordinator Joshua Clift. 21 years: Early Head Start Fam- ily Educator Shawn Bobb and Tribal Services Representative Lisa Archuleta. 19 years: Employment Specialist Toni Mercier and Staff Accountant Debra Nolen. 18 years: Employment Specialist Jessy Powley. 17 years: Construction Super- visor Bart Bryant, Housekeeper Rosie Saldivas, Health Information Supervisor Desiree Allen, Fish and Wildlife Administrator (in training) Michele Volz, Enrollment Offi cer Nick Labonte, Senior Dental Assis- tant Rachel Clark and Compliance Analyst Tyrell Soderberg. 16 years: Health Care Pay- ment Specialist Kayla Leno, Groundskeeper Joseph Grammer and Hydrosystem Compliance Spe- cialist Lawrence Schwabe. 15 years: Lead Shipping Receiv- ing Clerk Seth Mercier and Rental Housing Program Manager Leon Ramos. 14 years: Chinuk Wawa Pre- school Teacher Halona Butler, Employment Program Manager Mi- chael Herrin, Employee Relations Specialist Sean Barton and Dental Hygienist Erin Muchmore. 13 years: Gaming Inspector Dalten Robertson, Historic Pres- ervation Manager Briece Edwards and Family Support Specialist Al- exandria Warren-Masters. 12 years: Groundskeeper Sean Sell, Risk Analyst Patricia Mercier, Child Family Services Investigator Shauna Hastings, Employment Caseworker Angella Schultz and Employment Caseworker Tiny Gibbons. 11 years: Groundskeeper Joseph Kelley, Tribal Police Detective Ty- ler Brown, Patient Insurance and Eligibility Specialist Whitney Va- narsdel, Chinuk Wawa K-5 Teacher Jade Colton and AV Technician/ Web Specialist Jordan Smith. 10 years: Housing Services Co- ordinator Lacy Leno, Tribal Police Sgt. Rod McAllister, Elder Justice Coordinator Stephanie King and Chinuk Wawa Outreach Teacher Zoey Holsclaw. Nine years: Staff Accountant Shereena Bates, Senior Help Desk Technician Mark Donahoo, Lead Licensed Practical Nurse Jeannette Cavan, Assistant Teacher Washie Squetimkin-Anquoe and Emer- gency Preparedness Coordinator Brandy Bishop. Eight years: Preschool Teacher Joshua Biery, Physician Randall Blome, Training Specialist Jeri St. Onge, Teacher Aide/Bus Mon- itor Shawna Freeman, Human Resources Specialist Jessie Storm and Firefi ghter Anthony Simmons. Seven years: Senior Mental Health Counselor Denise Fellows, Member Benefits Administrator Kalene Contreras, Tribal Police Offi cer James Flynn, Early Head Start Family Educator Tracy Haas, Compensation/HRIS Analyst Jon- athan R. George, Lab Manager Teresa Larson and Tribal Realty Specialist Amanda Wilson. Six years: Staff Accountant Benito Rodriguez. Five years: Victims Assistant Advocate Anne Falla, Cultural Protection Specialist Jesse Norton, Vocational Rehabilitation Train- ee Trinity Sherwood, Secretary Bethany McKnight, Enrichment Coordinator Jerald Harris, Teacher Aide/Bus Monitor Maria Ramirez, Maintenance Technician Lisa M. Leno, Rental Housing Assistant Alisa Mull, Tribal Police Officer Brian Hamlin, Health & Physical Education Coach Shane A. Thomas, Academic Advisor Devon Mercier, Applications Administrator Dina Sayers and Behavioral Health Pro- gram Care Coordinator Dorothy De la Rosa. n
