Smoke Signals podcasts: Recent Episodes
Dean Rhodes
The Smoke Signals podcast is an independent publication of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in Grand Ronde, OR.
Spirit Mountain Casino CEO Camille Mercier and Marketing Director Eric Larsen discuss the casino's partnership with Portland's debut WNBA team on the latest Smoke Signals podcast.
Smoke Signals met with Great Circle Recovery Operations Director Jennifer Worth to discuss the latest updates on their new locations, mobile clinics and expanding services.
Contact info:
Salem Clinic: 503-983-9900
Behavoiral Health: 503-983-9934
Main Street Recovery: 503-879-1501
Portland Clinic: 971-339-9240
Smoke Signals Social Media/Digital Journalist Kamiah Koch interviews Smoke Signals Editor Danielle Harrison and Smoke Signals Photojournalist/Assistant Editor Michelle Alaimo about the most popular stories from 2025. Together, they discuss the five most popular online stories, going viral on Reddit and their favorite photos from 2025.
Tribal members Tammy Cook, Bruce Thomas and Chris Leno were some of the many names found in the early Smoke Signals coverage of Spirit Mountain Casino. Thirty years later, Smoke Signals interviews them to reflect on what it took to open Spirit Mountain Casino on Oct. 17, 1995.
Smoke Signals spoke with Finance Officer Chris Leno and Audit Manager Michael Langely to better understand the General Welfare Assistance payments.
This podcast interviews 2025 Tribal Council candidate Valeria Atanacio.
As we do every year, Smoke Signals invited the Tribal Council candidates to speak on the Smoke Signals podcast. Looking for an answer to a specific question? Click through the “Chapters” tab on the Spreaker.com platform to find the answer. We ask the candidates about their work-life balance, special interests and their thoughts on the recent constitutional amendment vote.
New to this year’s interview, three questions were dedicated to discussing their feelings about the Independent Tribal Press Ordinance (ITPO) and how they would vote if a proposal to repeal the ITPO was presented to the Tribal Council.
*Disclaimer: Two candidates chose to direct their campaign efforts elsewhere and did not do an interview with Smoke Signals.
This podcast interviews 2025 Tribal Council candidate Peter Grout
As we do every year, Smoke Signals invited the Tribal Council candidates to speak on the Smoke Signals podcast. Looking for an answer to a specific question? Click through the “Chapters” tab on the Spreaker.com platform to find your answer. We ask the candidates about their work-life balance, special interests and their thoughts on the recent constitutional amendment vote.
New to this year’s interview, three questions were dedicated to discussing their feelings about the Independent Tribal Press Ordinance (ITPO) and how they would vote if a proposal to repeal the ITPO was presented to the Tribal Council.
*Disclaimer: Two candidates chose to direct their campaign efforts elsewhere and did not do an interview with Smoke Signals.
This podcast interviews 2025 Tribal Council candidate Toby McClary.
As we do every year, Smoke Signals invited the Tribal Council candidates to speak on the Smoke Signals podcast. Looking for an answer to a specific question? Click through the “Chapters” tab on the Spreaker.com platform to find your answer. We ask the candidates about their work-life balance, special interests and their thoughts on the recent constitutional amendment vote.
New to this year’s interview, three questions were dedicated to discussing their feelings about the Independent Tribal Press Ordinance (ITPO) and how they would vote if a proposal to repeal the ITPO was presented to the Tribal Council.
*Disclaimer: Two candidates chose to direct their campaign efforts elsewhere and did not do an interview with Smoke Signals.
This podcast interviews 2025 Tribal Council candidate Pamala Warren-Chase.
As we do every year, Smoke Signals invited the Tribal Council candidates to speak on the Smoke Signals podcast. Looking for an answer to a specific question? Click through the “Chapters” tab on the Spreaker.com platform to find your answer. We ask the candidates about their work-life balance, special interests and their thoughts on the recent constitutional amendment vote.
New to this year’s interview, three questions were dedicated to discussing their feelings about the Independent Tribal Press Ordinance (ITPO) and how they would vote if a proposal to repeal the ITPO was presented to the Tribal Council.
*Disclaimer: Two candidates chose to direct their campaign efforts elsewhere and did not do an interview with Smoke Signals.
This podcast interviews 2025 Tribal Council candidate Denis Harvey.
As we do every year, Smoke Signals invited the Tribal Council candidates to speak on the Smoke Signals podcast. Looking for an answer to a specific question? Click through the “Chapters” tab on the Spreaker.com platform to find your answer. We ask the candidates about their work-life balance, special interests and their thoughts on the recent constitutional amendment vote.
New to this year’s interview, three questions were dedicated to discussing their feelings about the Independent Tribal Press Ordinance (ITPO) and how they would vote if a proposal to repeal the ITPO was presented to the Tribal Council.
*Disclaimer: Two candidates chose to direct their campaign efforts elsewhere and did not do an interview with Smoke Signals.
This podcast interviews 2025 Tribal Council candidate Pete Wakeland.
As we do every year, Smoke Signals invited the Tribal Council candidates to speak on the Smoke Signals podcast. Looking for an answer to a specific question? Click through the “Chapters” tab on the Spreaker.com platform to find your answer. We ask the candidates about their work-life balance, special interests and their thoughts on the recent constitutional amendment vote.
New to this year’s interview, three questions were dedicated to discussing their feelings about the Independent Tribal Press Ordinance (ITPO) and how they would vote if a proposal to repeal the ITPO was presented to the Tribal Council.
*Disclaimer: Two candidates chose to direct their campaign efforts elsewhere and did not do an interview with Smoke Signals.
Podcast 108
Cultural Advisor Bobby Mercier joined the Smoke Signals podcast to reflect on the creation of the Grand Ronde Tribe's achaf-hammi Plankhouse fifteen years later. Mercier goes down memory lane with photos from the Smoke Signals archive documenting the process of milling and building the plankhouse back in 2008.
The achaf-hammi Plankhouse's 15th birthday celebration will be held in at the plankhouse on Saturday, Oct. 19 with doors opening at 4 p.m.
Grand Ronde Tribal Council Secretary Micheal Cherry recently attended the Tribal Elected Official Training at the ilani Casino Resort in Washington. Cherry sat down with the Smoke Signals podcast to share her take-aways from the three-day training.
Smoke Signals Editior Danielle Harrison and Social Media/Digital Journalist Kamiah Koch sat down with Tribal Council member and Indian Gaming Association Tribal delegate Denise Harvey to discuss her recent trip to London for the International Casino Exhibition.
Visitors to the Spirit Mountain Casino have long been able to purchase Tribal memorabilia from the gift shop. Jewlery and beaded items made by Grand Ronde Tribal members sits in a display box next to the cashier for interested buyers. On another wall in the gift shop offers a rotating display of visual artwork and drawings from regional artists for interested buyers. Although there are several Tribal artists from the Grand Ronde Tribe, none of thier visual artwork was available in their own Tribal gift shop. That was until the casino noticed TwahnaCreation.
The Grand Ronde Tribe hosted its first Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Dinner on Friday, Dec. 1. Smoke Signals was permitted to record the full panel discussion as a part of our Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness series, following MMIP Resource Coordinator Amanda Freeman and Great Circle Recovery Operations Director Jennifer Worth's awareness efforts.
Upcoming MMIP awareness events:
Jan. 13, 2024: Self-defense class
June 1, 2024: MMIP Awareness Walk at Salem Riverfront Park
More details on these events to be released soon and can be found on the Smoke Signals calendar.
Tribal member Amanda Freeman has been working on a photography project for several years, with the goal of raising awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous people. In the last few months it has reached new heights with the help of the Tribe’s Great Circle Recovery Operations Director Jennifer Worth. Together, along with collaboration from Spirit Mountain Casino, they installed a new billboard along Highway 18 with the words, “How many must go missing before you start to listen?” Smoke Signals talks with Freeman about the story behind this billboard and what she hopes to achieve.
Upcoming MMIP awareness events:
Jan. 13, 2024: Self-defense class
June 1, 2024: MMIP Awareness Walk at Salem Riverfront Park
More details on these events to be released soon and can be found on the Smoke Signals calendar.
Podcast #101
During the 2023 election, Smoke Signals asked all six Tribal Council candidates to elaborate on their vision for economic development for the Tribe, solutions for enrollment issues, their qualifications for the job and more. You can find all six podcast interviews with the candidates on our Spreaker page, or wherever you listen to podcasts, to help you decide on who to vote for.
Ballots were mailed to voters with verified signatures on Wednesday, July 26. Tribal members can submit a verified signature card at any time up to and including Election Day on Saturday, Sept. 9. The Grand Ronde post office is no longer open to accept ballots on Saturday, Sept. 9. For Tribal members’ convenience, there will be a ballot box in the Governance Center during the election season and also on Election Day there will be a box in the Community Center where ballots can be dropped off. Ballots will be available, as they have been in the past, for Tribal members who want to vote in person. It is the voter’s responsibility to ensure their ballot is received by the Election Board on Election Day and allow for adequate time for the ballot to reach the Election Board by Sept. 9. If you have questions regarding your vote, contact the Tribe’s Election Board office located in the Tribal Community Center, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, and the phone number is 503-879-2271.
Podcast #100
During the 2023 election, Smoke Signals asked all six Tribal Council candidates to elaborate on their vision for economic development for the Tribe, solutions for enrollment issues, their qualifications for the job and more. You can find all six podcast interviews with the candidates on our Spreaker page, or wherever you listen to podcasts, to help you decide on who to vote for.
Ballots were mailed to voters with verified signatures on Wednesday, July 26. Tribal members can submit a verified signature card at any time up to and including Election Day on Saturday, Sept. 9. The Grand Ronde post office is no longer open to accept ballots on Saturday, Sept. 9. For Tribal members’ convenience, there will be a ballot box in the Governance Center during the election season and also on Election Day there will be a box in the Community Center where ballots can be dropped off. Ballots will be available, as they have been in the past, for Tribal members who want to vote in person. It is the voter’s responsibility to ensure their ballot is received by the Election Board on Election Day and allow for adequate time for the ballot to reach the Election Board by Sept. 9. If you have questions regarding your vote, contact the Tribe’s Election Board office located in the Tribal Community Center, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, and the phone number is 503-879-2271.
Podcast #99
During the 2023 election, Smoke Signals asked all six Tribal Council candidates to elaborate on their vision on economic development for the Tribe, solutions for enrollment issues, their qualifications for the job and more. You can find all six podcast interviews with the candidates on our Spreaker page, or wherever you listen to podcasts, to help you decide on who to vote for.
Ballots were mailed to voters with verified signatures on Wednesday, July 26. Tribal members can submit a verified signature card at any time up to and including Election Day on Saturday, Sept. 9. The Grand Ronde post office is no longer open to accept ballots on Saturday, Sept. 9. For Tribal members’ convenience, there will be a ballot box in the Governance Center during the election season and also on Election Day there will be a box in the Community Center where ballots can be dropped off. Ballots will be available, as they have been in the past, for Tribal members who want to vote in person. It is the voter’s responsibility to ensure their ballot is received by the Election Board on Election Day and allow for adequate time for the ballot to reach the Election Board by Sept. 9. If you have questions regarding your vote, contact the Tribe’s Election Board office located in the Tribal Community Center, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, and the phone number is 503-879-2271.
Podcast #98
During the 2023 election, Smoke Signals asked all six Tribal Council candidates to elaborate on their vision on economic development for the Tribe, solutions for enrollment issues, their qualifications for the job and more. You can find all six podcast interviews with the candidates on our Spreaker page, or wherever you listen to podcasts, to help you decide on who to vote for.
Ballots were mailed to voters with verified signatures on Wednesday, July 26. Tribal members can submit a verified signature card at any time up to and including Election Day on Saturday, Sept. 9. The Grand Ronde post office is no longer open to accept ballots on Saturday, Sept. 9. For Tribal members’ convenience, there will be a ballot box in the Governance Center during the election season and also on Election Day there will be a box in the Community Center where ballots can be dropped off. Ballots will be available, as they have been in the past, for Tribal members who want to vote in person. It is the voter’s responsibility to ensure their ballot is received by the Election Board on Election Day and allow for adequate time for the ballot to reach the Election Board by Sept. 9. If you have questions regarding your vote, contact the Tribe’s Election Board office located in the Tribal Community Center, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, and the phone number is 503-879-2271.
Podcast #97
During the 2023 election, Smoke Signals asked all six Tribal Council candidates to elaborate on their vision on economic development for the Tribe, solutions for enrollment issues, their qualifications for the job and more. You can find all six podcast interviews with the candidates on our Spreaker page, or wherever you listen to podcasts, to help you decide on who to vote for.
Ballots were mailed to voters with verified signatures on Wednesday, July 26. Tribal members can submit a verified signature card at any time up to and including Election Day on Saturday, Sept. 9. The Grand Ronde post office is no longer open to accept ballots on Saturday, Sept. 9. For Tribal members’ convenience, there will be a ballot box in the Governance Center during the election season and also on Election Day there will be a box in the Community Center where ballots can be dropped off. Ballots will be available, as they have been in the past, for Tribal members who want to vote in person. It is the voter’s responsibility to ensure their ballot is received by the Election Board on Election Day and allow for adequate time for the ballot to reach the Election Board by Sept. 9. If you have questions regarding your vote, contact the Tribe’s Election Board office located in the Tribal Community Center, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, and the phone number is 503-879-2271.
Podcast #96
During the 2023 election, Smoke Signals asked all six Tribal Council candidates to elaborate on their vision on economic development for the Tribe, solutions for enrollment issues, their qualifications for the job and more. You can find all six podcast interviews with the candidates on our Spreaker page, or wherever you listen to podcasts, to help you decide on who to vote for.
Ballots were mailed to voters with verified signatures on Wednesday, July 26. Tribal members can submit a verified signature card at any time up to and including Election Day on Saturday, Sept. 9. The Grand Ronde post office is no longer open to accept ballots on Saturday, Sept. 9. For Tribal members’ convenience, there will be a ballot box in the Governance Center during the election season and also on Election Day there will be a box in the Community Center where ballots can be dropped off. Ballots will be available, as they have been in the past, for Tribal members who want to vote in person. It is the voter’s responsibility to ensure their ballot is received by the Election Board on Election Day and allow for adequate time for the ballot to reach the Election Board by Sept. 9. If you have questions regarding your vote, contact the Tribe’s Election Board office located in the Tribal Community Center, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, and the phone number is 503-879-2271.
In the spring of 2022, Smoke Signals assistant editor/staff writer Danielle Harrison found four Grand Ronde Tribal members who all share two similar experiences:
All four are mothers and all four have served time at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. These are their stories of parenting from prison.
Smoke Signals' Parenting from prison continues with written stories online: https://www.smokesignals.org/articles/?tag=Parenting+from+prison
After 18 years on Grand Ronde’s Tribal Council, Jack Giffen Jr. has decided to direct his attention from being a Tribal leader to spending more time with his family. He talks with the Smoke Signals podcast about his time on council and his advice for Tribal members thinking of running for council.
Tribal Council member Michael Cherry recently attended her first National Congress of American Indians meeting held in Anchorage, Alaska. Cherry talks with Smoke Signals Social Media/Digital Journalist Kamiah Koch about the experience, which included attending briefings on murdered and missing Indigenous people, cultural presentations by Alaskan Natives and seeing the sun in the sky at midnight.
Link for the Native Teachings Toolkit for survivors of domestic violence: https://www.niwrc.org/resources/toolkit/reconnecting-native-teachings-and-creating-healing-spaces-and-2slgbtq-victim
Full story and video:
https://www.smokesignals.org/articles/2022/05/05/corvallis-school-district-renames-elementary-school-after-kathryn-harrison/
Looking to understand how Grand Ronde's Tribal government works? Listen our "crash course" podcast explaining what guides Tribal government and how members can better engage with it. You can also watch the video version on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/oSDGh0t6KQQ
More "crash course" videos on Tribal government coming soon. If you have a topic you would like to learn more about, send your ideas to kamiah.koch@grandronde.org.
Documents used in this podcast can be found at: https://www.grandronde.org/
You can read all these stories in the PDF version of the paper: https://www.smokesignals.org/media/2462/02-01-2022-web.pdf
Ruse Brewing introduced a new collaboration beer called “Native Land” to its taproom at 4784 S.E. 17th Ave. in Portland on Thursday, Dec. 23. With gold lettering that matches the color of its hazy IPA, the beer’s label reads “brewed on the ancestral homelands of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.”
You can read the story at https://www.smokesignals.org/articles/2022/01/12/beer-recognizes-grand-ronde-s-ancestral-homelands/
Preview what stories are in the Dec. 15, 2021, edition of the Smoke Signals newspaper by listening to our synopsis. The entire paper is now as a PDF at smokesignals.org.
Nov. 1, 2021, edition of Smoke Signals: https://weblink.grandronde.org/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=118749&dbid=0&repo=Grand-Ronde
This Smoke Signals synopsis provides a short summary of the stories found in the Oct 15, 2021 edition of the Smoke Signals newspaper. To read the entire paper as a PDF version go to: https://www.smokesignals.org/media/2406/10-15-2021web.pdf
Indigenous artist and Grand Ronde Tribal member Steph Littlebird was selected to design the label artwork for the 34th release of Deschutes Brewery’s seasonal beer, the Jubelale.
Smoke Signals discusses the 2021 election results with Tribal Council member Denise Harvey.
Smoke Signals posts a synopsis with every paper we publish. This podcast episode previews what stories are in the September 15, 2021, edition of the Smoke Signals newspaper.
You can also watch this in video format at https://youtu.be/2viEDHKutRU
In this episode we talk with one of the five 2021 Tribal Council candidates, Michael Cherry. To hear more from the candidates, see episodes 79-83 of the Smoke Signals podcast.
To jump to specific questions, see the "Chapters" tab below.
Music: Jan Michael Looking Wolf - Wind Jammer
In this episode we talk with one of the five 2021 Tribal Council candidates, Perri McDaniel. To hear more from the candidates, see episodes 79-83 of the Smoke Signals podcast.
To jump to specific questions, see the "Chapters" tab below.
Music: Jan Michael Looking Wolf - Wind Jammer
In this episode we talk with one of the five 2021 Tribal Council candidates, Jon A. George. To hear more from the candidates, see episodes 79-83 of the Smoke Signals podcast.
To jump to specific questions, see the "Chapters" tab below.
Music: Jan Michael Looking Wolf - Wind Jammer
In this episode we talk with one of the five 2021 Tribal Council candidates, Steve Bobb Sr.. To hear more from the candidates, see episodes 79-83 of the Smoke Signals podcast.
To jump to specific questions, see the "Chapters" tab below.
Music: Jan Michael Looking Wolf - Wind Jammer
In this episode we talk with one of the five 2021 Tribal Council candidates, Cheryle A. Kennedy. To hear more from the candidates, see episodes 79-83 of the Smoke Signals podcast.
To jump to specific questions, see the "Chapters" tab below.
Music: Jan Michael Looking Wolf - Wind Jammer
The Smoke Signals podcast invited Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy and contracted attorney Robert Lyttle to recap the four enrollment and membership meetings. The meetings intended to provide uniform information to Tribal members about Grand Ronde's enrollment issues. In this podcast they discuss how they think the meetings went and what the next steps are for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
Audio source: Jamendo
"Motivation"
This audio is a portion of an original multimedia story produced as part of a collaboration between NPR's Next Generation Radio and the Native American Journalist Association. This "postcard" style podcast shares Zoey Holsclaw's experience as Grand Ronde's Chinuk Wawa language teacher and outreach coordinator. The full story is available at https://naja-nextgen2021.nextgenradio.org/grand-ronde-woman-revitalizing-native-language-chinuk-wawa/ or https://indiancountrytoday.com/news/youth-carrying-the-language-through-a-pandemic?fbclid=IwAR0GdECPVFgY59qiKFRhDVObkAGUsey2or7w4zE8XPOfxSc1LZOS8mfrjEg. The full story will also be published in the March 1, 2021, edition of Smoke Signals.
Every month the Tribal Employment Rights Office picks an individual from the Skills Bank Pool as their Worker of the Month. According to TERO's Director, Harris Reibach the Worker of the Month exemplifies hard work, commitment and a positive attitude on their worksite. January's Worker of the Month, Anthony Quenelle and Harris Reibach join the podcast to explain how it feels to receive Worker of the Month and why he was chosen.
Music by Jan Michael Looking Wolf - "Gentlewolf"
Smoke Signals called up Grand Ronde Tribal members Marta Clifford and Tracie Meyer to ask them about the illioo Native Theatre group. Clifford and others recently launched the Native Theatre with a virtual show where she read Meyer's spoken word piece to an audience of around 150 people. If you are interested in getting involved with illioo, you can email mclifford@gcap.org and like them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/illiooNativeTheatre)
Music by Jan Michael Looking Wolf - "Wind Jammer"
https://www.facebook.com/SmokeSignalsCTGR/
https://twitter.com/CTGRSmokeSignal
Grand Ronde Finance Officer Chris Leno addresses some of the commonly asked COVID-19 relief payment questions we saw on Facebook.
https://www.grandronde.org/covid-19-information/
Integrating Tribal culture with the legal court system is no easy task. However, Lorena Rivera and Shane Thomas are doing just that with the Tribal court programs. Of the many programs, the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program sets up children of youth (or Wards of the Court) with an "extra set of eyes" to ensure the child's needs are met. Thomas and Rivera join the Smoke Signals podcast to encourage more Tribal members volunteer as CASAs to "support healthy relationships between the child and the Tribe.”
https://www.grandronde.org/government/tribal-court/tribal-court-programs/
Grand Ronde hired Sam Thornsberry and Stephanie King as the new COVID-19 Relief Community Health Representatives (COVID-19 CHRs). They are responsible for a wide variety of tasks, including safely assisting the other CHRs with Tribal Elders' needs, disseminating up-to-date information to Grand Ronde about COVID-19, connecting members to the appropriate medical resources and planning safe community events. In their unprecedented positions, King and Thornsberry told the Smoke Signals podcast they are "here and ready to help." You can contact King at 503-879-2016 and Thornsberry at 503-879-1693.
In this episode of the Smoke Signals podcast, Tribal Council member Kathleen George discusses the 2020 Tribal election results.
The Smoke Signals podcast met with Grand Ronde's Correct Count Committee member and Tribal member Michael Herrin to examine the bad reputation the United States Census has received and the hidden ways the census data impacts Tribal country.
Correction: The census raffle drawing will be Sept. 8, 2020. The final raffle will be held the first week of October.
Music contributed by Jan Michael Looking Wolf:
"Wind Jammer", "Gentlewolf" and "Falling Star"
Additional music: "Angel Band" by The Stanley Brothers and The Clinch Mountain Boys
Smoke Signals podcast met with Tribal Police Chief Jake McKnight to discuss how demands for police policy changes seen across the country have been addressed in Grand Ronde.
Note: This podcast audio taken is from a Smoke Signals video - https://youtu.be/OzvY4yupR_4
"Hurry up and wait" is a common saying within the Grand Ronde Natural Resources Department's Fire Program. This second episode in the three-part series follows the firefighters on their first day of training. Smoke Signals is following the Grand Ronde Wildland Fire crews throughout 2020 to answer who can become a firefighter (episode one), the wildland firefighters' training experience (episode two) and what it is like out on the line of fire (episode three).
Smoke Signals called Grand Ronde Tribal member and Native history researcher David G. Lewis, Ph.D. to talk about the shared experiences between African-Americans and Native Americans . During the Black Lives Matter protests Native people have joined the marches to support African-Americans. Lewis discusses the parallels of the two minorities seeking social justice.
Grand Ronde Tribal employee Ramona Quenelle is one of the seven names added to the West Valley Veterans Memorial on May 15, 2020. As a Navy veteran, she spoke with the Smoke Signals podcast about her military service and what being a part of this memorial means to her. This year's Memorial Day ceremony usually held on Memorial Day was canceled due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Smoke Signals Podcast calls the Elders Committee Chairwoman Penny Deloe and Nutrition Program Manager Kristy Criss-Lawson to see how Elders are doing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Smoke Signals asks how the Tribe is still supporting them from their homes, how they are staying healthy and how they feel about the coronavirus.
Smoke Signals Podcast talks with Kelly Rowe, the Executive Director of Health Services, to find out if the Health and Wellness Center was prepared for a pandemic like COVID-19 and how health services are safely handling it now.
"Hurry up and wait" is a common saying within the Grand Ronde Natural Resource Department's Fire Program. Silviculture and Fire Protection Manager Colby Drake talks with Smoke Signals on the first episode of a three-part series following the Fire Program throughout the upcoming fire season. In this podcast/video series we'll answer who can be a fire technician for the Fire Program, the next episode will answer how the fire technicians set and control fires and we will conclude the series with what it's like out in the field managing fires firsthand. All our podcast and videos for this series can be found in the "Hurry up and wait" Playlist on the Smoke Signals' YouTube Channel.
The Smoke Signals' podcast sits down with Harris Reibach, the newly appointed TERO director, to learn more about his new position and resources TERO provides.
In this episode we meet with Patti LeClaire, the garden caretaker on the Grand Ronde reservation. She tells us the history of the garden, the year of labor it took to repair it and the what this garden means to her now. This will be the second year community members have the opportunity to grow their own produce in the available garden beds. If you are interested in a garden bed you can call LeClaire's office at 503-879-2145 or her cell at 503-851-2999.
The Years of Service Awards on Thursday, Dec. 19, is Grand Ronde's way of appreciating its long-time employees. Tresa Mercier is not only an award recipient, she is also Grand Ronde's longest-serving employee. She came on the Smoke Signals podcast to talk about her time here and the changes she has seen since her first day in 1984.
Linda Gehrke, the new medication-assisted treatment supervisor at the Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center, provides Smoke Signals podcast with more details on the MAT program from the perspective of a patient.
Music by Jan Michael Looking Wolf -- " Wind Jammer"
Early in the morning on Monday, May 20, Grand Ronde Police Officer James (JJ) Flynn responded to a call regarding a hostage situation in Sheridan, Ore. Safely removing the victim from the scene required an act of bravery, which Flynn didn't hesitate to demonstrate. His action is now being recognized by the Oregon Peace Officers Association with the Medal of Valor Award. However, this award is recognizing more than just Flynn. Listen to the podcast to hear more.
Tribal Council Vice Chair Chris Mercier and Smoke Signals Editor Dean Rhodes discuss the results from the 2019 Tribal Council election.
In this episode, Social Media/Digital Journalist Jennifer Clark interviews Shaun Cameron and Tribal member Cindy Larson about missing person Heather Cameron (Haller), a Grand Ronde Tribal member who has been missing under suspicious circumstances for seven years in northern California. This interview contains mild profanity and might not be suitable for a younger audience. If you have any information about the disappearance of Heather Cameron (Haller), contact Nor-Cal Alliance for the Missing at 530-378-4491 or visit their website at http://www.nor-calallianceforthemissing.org/
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and Girls has been an epidemic for a while and most cases never receive national or international media. In this episode of the Smoke Signals Podcast, Social Media/Digital Journalist Jennifer Clark and Domestic Violence Coordinator Danielle Murrell discuss Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and Girls.
For more information and resources for Domestic Violence or MMIWG visit:
Urban Indian Health Institute at http://www.uihi.org/
NamUs at https://www.namus.gov/
Still seeking answers: Tribal member Heather Cameron has been missing for five years https://www.smokesignals.org/articles/2017/10/30/still-seeking-answers-tribal-member-heather-cameron-has-been-missing-for-five-years/
or contact,
Danielle Murrell 503-879-1660 or Danielle.Murrell@GrandRonde.org
Social Media/Digital Journalist Jennifer Clark sits down with Spirit Mountain Community Fund Director Michael Cherry to discuss her work with Spirit Mountain Community Fund. For more information about the Community Fund, visit its website at www.thecommunityfund.com or call 503-879-1400.
With the beginning of construction season soon arriving in Oregon, Social Media/Digital Journalist Jennifer Clark interviews Duke Kimsey about the Tribal Employment Rights Office at the Grand Ronde Tribe. They discuss what TERO is along with what programs TERO offers to help Tribal members gain employment. For more information, visit www.grandronde.org/departments/TERO or call the TERO Department directly at 503-879-2188.
Jennifer Clark interviews Tribal Council member Jack Giffen Jr. and Dr. Timothy Hullar about the cochlear implants. Dr. Hullar discusses the difference between a traditional hearing aid vs the cochlear implants. Jack walks us though the trials he faced before the cochlear implant and how he believes that certain life choices could have played a part in his hearing loss.
Cochlear Implant Program
https://www.ohsu.edu/xd/health/services/ent/services/hearing-cochlear/index.cfm
Phone: 503-494-5171
Email: enthns@ohsu.edu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OHSUEarCenter/
Jennifer Clark sits down with Jan Michael Looking Wolf to discuss his new album “Beautiful.” Not only is Jan Michael Looking Wolf an award-winning Native American flutist, he is also the Tribal Lands Department manager. Jan discusses the different types of flutes used on the album and he also talks about how he came up with the different song titles. For more information about his new album, check out his website at www.lookingwolf.com.
Jennifer Clark discusses Higher Education Programs with Bryan Langley and Tracy Biery. Bryan and Tracy discusses the GED program, Part-time and the Full-time college programs. They also talk about funding and what all each program funds. For more information about the Higher Education Programs call 1-800-422-0232 or 503-879-2275 or visit http://www.grandronde.org/departments/education/higher-education/.
Jennifer Clark interviews Smoke Signals Editor Dean Rhodes. Dean, talks about the newly launched Smoke Signals website and the importance of free press. He also goes over why he believes Smoke Signals needed a new website. For more information about Smoke Signals, visit the website at https://www.smokesignals.org or call Dean at 503-879-1463.
Jennifer Clark interviews Cultural Resources Department Manager David Herrelson about the “Sharing our Stories” learning sessions. He talks about the importance of the culture of storytelling. David also talks about the research room and the different Tribal cultural classes offered. For more information, contact the Chachalu Tribal Museum & Cultural Center
503-879-2226 or http://www.grandronde.org/departments/cultural-resources/chachalu-museum-and-cultural-center/.
This episode examines the proposed Tribal Constitutional Amendment Election that was originally scheduled to occur on Feb. 25, 2019. The amendment addressed the 1999 amendment that created the split siblings. Tribal Council members Kathleen George and Lisa Leno talk about the proposed amendment.
Social Media/Digital Journalist Jennifer Clark interviews Behavioral Health Support Counselor Joe Martineau. He discusses chemical dependency and the different treatment options the Tribe has to offer, including Native American aspect to recovery. For more information, contact the Behavioral Health receptionist at 503-879-2026 or you can visit the website http://www.grandronde.org/departments/health-and-wellness/behavioral-health/.
Listen to audio excerpts of the 35th Restoration Celebration held Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, at Spirit Mountain Casino.
Tribal member Shelly Nichols, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, discusses her military sexual trauma experience that led to her co-writing "Warrior Wings," a song that will appear on "Warrior Songs Vol. 2: Women at War." The compact disc will be released by the nonprofit organization Warrior Songs on Nov. 10.
"Warrior Wings"
Living life as an adult before 10 years old
Living a life that she never asked for
and the tears she's pouring covering up stories she was told not to tell
When she found her voice it was 10 years later
She said no more I will take this
No after another was two too many
So she picked up and joined the military
Looking for a purpose, looking for a new
trying to find hope in a world she'd come to lose
More of the same is all she found
Her warrior wings being torn and brought down
And she knows .... that she was meant for more than this
being tired of being dismissed
and she won't say .. what has happened before
It hurts too much she's on the floor, she's a wounded warrior
She's a warrior (x6)
A life without trust and no one to lean on
One warrior's enemy that couldn't be defeated
or so she thought without guidance from a friend
Young warrior, life has a different plan
So she picked up the pieces and she found a new home
finally safe, she could finally grow
be the warrior that she's always had inside
and never forget that she fought and survived
And she knows .. that she was meant for more than this
She will not be dismissed
She's not afraid ... of what the future brings
This warrior still sings
She's a warrior (x6)
Living life as an adult before 10 years old
Now living the life she's always deserved
One about freedom, one about pride
telling her story to heal the wounds inside
Lyrics by Garrett Stahl and Shelly Nichols
Music by Garrett Stahl and Anna Wang
Lead vocals: Anna Wang
Backing vocals: Shelly Nichols
Tribal Elder Greg Archuleta and Natural Resources staff member Jeremy Ojua discuss the upcoming new event Champoeg Celebration scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 13, at Champoeg State Park.
Margaret Provost and Jackie Many Hides remember the Restoration effort in this 2008 interview conducted for the 25th Restoration video
Tribal Council candidate Brent Merrill discusses why he should be elected in an interview conducted by Smoke Signals Editor Dean Rhodes.
Tribal Council candidate Jonathan R. George discusses why he should be elected in an interview conducted by Smoke Signals Editor Dean Rhodes.
Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy discusses why she should be re-elected in an interview conducted by Smoke Signals Editor Dean Rhodes.
Tribal Council candidate Victor Cureton discusses why he should be elected in an interview conducted by Smoke Signals Editor Dean Rhodes.
Tribal Council candidate Kristina "Tina" Helfrich discusses why she should be elected in an interview conducted by Smoke Signals Editor Dean Rhodes.
Former Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. discusses why he should be re-elected in an interview conducted by Smoke Signals Editor Dean Rhodes.
Tribal Council member Jon A. George discusses why he should be elected in an interview conducted by Smoke Signals Editor Dean Rhodes.
Tribal Council candidate Brenda Tuomi discusses why she should be re-elected in an interview conducted with Smoke Signals Editor Dean Rhodes.
Tribal Council Chief of Staff Stacia Hernandez discusses the advisory vote topics that will appear on the 2018 Tribal Council ballot in September.
New Deputy Press Secretary Sara Thompson discusses her new job and re-engaging with the Tribal community in Grand Ronde.
Brook Colley, Southern Oregon University Assistant Professor of Native American Studies, discusses her new book, "Power in the Telling: Grand Ronde, Warm Springs and Intertribal Relations in the Casino Era."
Excerpts from the Friday, June 1, open house celebrating the Phase II opening of Chachalu Museum & Cultural Center. Featuring David Harrelson, Travis Stewart, John Mercier, Francene Ambrose and June Olson.
Listen to Restoration figure Dean Mercier, who walked on in 2011, recall entertaining stories about the Tribe's Restoration efforts. Excerpts of a September 2008 interview conducted by former Smoke Signals reporter Ron Karten. CAUTION: Contains some salty language, but that was the way Mercier expressed himself.
Dr. Randy Blome of the Health & Wellness Center discusses Tribal efforts to eradicate Hepatitis C within the Grand Ronde Tribe, as well as a big educational event being held on Friday, May 18.
Listen to excerpts from a September 2008 interview with longtime Tribal Council Chairwoman Kathryn Harrison as she discusses the Tribe's Restoration effort. The Tribe will celebrate its 35th anniversary of Restoration in November. Smoke Signals will publish excerpts of other 2008 interviews as the year progresses toward the anniversary celebration.
Tribal Emergency Management staff members Steve Warden and Brandy Bishop discuss the Wednesday, May 23, Health, Safety and Preparedness Fair, as well as emergency preparedness in general.
Tribal Planning Director Rick George discusses the current process for updating the Tribe's Strategic Plan, which will plan the Tribe's future for the next 10 years and beyond.
Coordinator Francene Ambrose discusses the Grand Ronde Food Bank, as well as being a Hatfield Fellow in 2008. Hear "Wind-Jammer" by Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach.
Tribal lobbyist Justin Martin discusses his baseball career playing in the California Angels' farm system. Hear "It's All in the Journey" by Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach.
Tribal member Braden Ebensteiner discusses his experiences in New York City as part of the American Museum of Natural History internship that the Tribe sponsors. Also learn a little history about Tamanowas (the Willamette Meteorite). Hear Jan Looking Wolf Reibach perform "Tamanawas."
Tribal historian Dr. David Lewis returns to the podcast to discuss the Trail of Tears, which started Feb. 23, 1856, and ended March 25, 1856, and force marched Native Americans from Table Rocks north of Medford to the Grand Ronde Reservation. Hear "Hope (For Tomorrow)" by Jan Looking Wolf Reibach.
Tribal Cultural Advisor Bobby Mercier discusses the upcoming 16th annual Agency Creek Round Dance scheduled for March 9-10 in the Tribal gym in Grand Ronde. Hear "Ancestor's Hope" by Jan Looking Wolf Reibach.
Grand Ronde Police Chief Jake McKnight discusses his law enforcement career, the upcoming Chat With the Chief event and attending the Oregon Pot Summit. Hear "Breath Giver" by Jan Looking Wolf Reibach.
Tribal Council member Kathleen George discusses the recent statement against inappropriate personal attacks, as well as serving on Tribal Council, the Spirit Mountain Gaming Board of Directors and on the state Environmental Quality Commission. Hear "Into the Night" by Jan Looking Wolf Reibach.
Tribal Lands Manager and multiple Native American Music Awards recipient Jan Michael Looking Wolf discusses his new compact disc "Flute Medicine," which was recorded in 432 Hz. Also hear "Verdi's Harmony," an homage to Italian composer Guiseppe Verdi who placed A exactly at 432 Hz because it was the ideal tuning for opera voices.
Dr. David Lewis discusses the 163rd anniversary of the signing of the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855. "The Journey" by Jan Looking Wolf Reibach.
Tribal Fish and Wildlife Manager Kelly Dirksen discusses Grand Ronde efforts to monitor and aid Pacific lamprey recovery in the Willamette Basin. "Dancing Raven" by Jan Looking Wolf Reibach.
Tribal Council members Michael Langley and Lisa Leno discuss the quick transition from being a Tribal employee to being a Tribal leader. "One Love" by Jan Looking Wolf Reibach.
Tribal Council Vice Chair Chris Mercier discusses podcasting and expanding Tribal media and Editorial Board Chair Siobhan Taylor talks about the board's activities since June.