Tribal Council OKs applying for three grants

Tribal Council approved applying for grants during its March 19 meeting that would increase Tribal police coverage, help fund the Youth Program and assist the Grand Ronde Community Garden.

The U.S. Department of Justice COPS grant request is for more than $700,000 and would fund another police officer in the community for three years. A second officer and vehicle request were included to provide more coverage for the Tribe's forest Reservation lands. The Justice Department requires the Tribe to keep each officer on for at least 12 more months after their 36 months paid by the grant.

Planning and Grants Development Manager Kim Rogers said during the March 18 Legislative Action Committee meeting that this is the fifth time the Tribe has applied for the COPS grant.

The Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation grant application also includes an application for the Tribal Youth Program at near the maximum $500,000 amount spread out over three years. 

The First Nations Native Agriculture & Food Systems Initiative AARP grant would possibly bring $20,000 to the community garden effort. The Tribe would provide an $11,251 cash match if the grant is received.

In other action, Tribal Council approved the enrollment of four new Tribal members - one infant and three non-infants.

Tribal Council also approved the 2014 Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority annual performance report, which will now be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Also included in the March 19 Tribal Council packet was an authorization to proceed on the construction of the longhouse entry exhibit at the Chachalu Cultural Center and Museum with a cost not to exceed $57,000.

Tribal Council also approved naming the new Women's Transition House Chxi-san, Chinuk Wawa for "new day."