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1 week ago | 
smokesignals.org | Nicole Montesano
By Nicole MontesanoSmoke Signals staff writerThe Army Corps of Engineers has released its long-awaited environmental impact statement on how it plans to manage the Willamette Valley system of dams, a report it began in 2019. It is the first comprehensive review of the dam management system in two decades, the Corps said. Tribal Council member Kathleen George said it fell short. “We need bold and swift action before we lose Willamette salmon forever,” George said in a media statement.
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1 week ago | 
smokesignals.org | Danielle Harrison |Nicole Montesano |Katherine Warren
By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals editorTribal Council approved the establishment of an Elder Board and its bylaws at its Wednesday, April 16, meeting. Tribal Council member Denise Harvey cast a “no” vote. The board will replace the Elders Committee, which has been on pause since mid-December 2024 so that council and staff could develop ordinance amendments and revised bylaws and policies.
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1 week ago | 
smokesignals.org | Nicole Montesano
By Nicole MontesanoSmoke Signals staff writer Tribal Council has decided to suspend the use of herbicides and pesticides on Tribal housing and campus grounds following a campaign by Tribal members. The suspension does not extend to lands managed by the Natural Resources Department. Tribal Council member Matthew Haller said the issue has been brought to council numerous times over the last several years.
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2 weeks ago | 
smokesignals.org | Danielle Harrison |Nicole Montesano
By Danielle HarrisonSmoke Signals editorEUGENE -- Tribal Engineering & Community Development Department Manager Ryan Webb briefed the membership on various capital improvement projects on and off the reservation during a Sunday, April 6, General Council meeting held via Zoom and at the Lane Community College Longhouse in Eugene. “This was another busy year for my department,” Webb said.
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2 weeks ago | 
smokesignals.org | Nicole Montesano
At approximately 11:30 p.m. Monday, March 31, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Emergency Services crews were gathered at Spirit Mountain Casino, along with Grand Ronde Tribal Police and SMC staff to take part in an active shooter training at the casino. Just before midnight, Emergency Services crews were dispatched to a fire in the 200 block of First Street in Willamina, interrupting the training. Upon arrival, crews found a fully involved vehicle fire with fire extending to a nearby structure.
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2 weeks ago | 
smokesignals.org | Katherine Warren |Nicole Montesano |Danielle Harrison
By Katherine Warren and Nicole Montesano Smoke Signals staff Cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture funding by the Trump Administration have thus far resulted in a cancellation of a grant that the Tribe uses for its monthly Healthy Food Box distribution. Tribal Communications Director Sara Thompson said the Tribe is continuing to distribute the boxes using the remainder of its 2024 funding from the USDA.
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4 weeks ago | 
smokesignals.org | Nicole Montesano |Danielle Harrison
By Nicole MontesanoSmoke Signals staff writerGeneral Manager Angie Blackwell announced Thursday, March 27, that she was leaving her position. “I want you all to know that I have appreciated the work we’ve done together over the past year,” Blackwell wrote in an email to employees. “Thank you for welcoming me into your departments and programs. I’ve enjoyed learning about your work and I admire your dedication to this community.
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1 month ago | 
smokesignals.org | Danielle Harrison |Nicole Montesano |Katherine Warren
By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals editorTribal Council approved a first reading of proposed Enrollment Ordinance amendments at its Wednesday, March 19, meeting. The Enrollment Ordinance is being amended to align with the lineal descent constitutional amendment, which was certified by the Bureau of Indian Affairs on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Currently, enrollment for those older than six months and all non-emergency enrollments is on pause until Tuesday, June 3.
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1 month ago | 
smokesignals.org | Nicole Montesano |Danielle Harrison
By Nicole MontesanoSmoke Signals staff writerTribal Court Chief Judge Patrick Melendy acquitted former Spirit Mountain Casino Marketing Manager Chris Cherry of violating a Tribal ordinance prohibiting use of Tribal resources to solicit or distribute election campaign materials after a 1.5-hour trial Wednesday, March 19. “The court’s finding is that the Tribe hasn’t met its burden on this,” Melendy said in his ruling.
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1 month ago | 
smokesignals.org | Nicole Montesano |Katherine Warren
By Nicole Montesano Smoke Signals staff writer Construction is continuing on a new child development center, and Tribal Engineering & Community Development Department Manager Ryan Webb said he hopes it will be completed by the end of March. Systems were being started up in late February, Webb said, and would take around three or four weeks to complete. Tribal Council approved a contract for construction of the building in late 2023 and had originally hoped to open it by last December.
