Tribe hosting Spring Gathering on May 21-22

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde will host the Spring Gathering sponsored by the Legislative Commission on Indian Services on Wednesday and Thursday, May 21-22.

The gathering, titled "Tradition & Innovation: Learning From Our Past to Build Strong Communities," is open to Oregon government agency employees and key Tribal leaders, as well as Tribal staff and state legislators. It is not open to the public.

"It is a day for Tribal governments, legislators and state agencies to come together for discussion, training and networking," said Grand Ronde Public Affairs Director Siobhan Taylor, whose staff is helping to coordinate the event. "It is a chance to reflect and discuss what is unique about working with Tribal governments."

A pre-Spring Gathering event will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, in the Tribal plankhouse - Achaf-hammi -- off Hebo Road. Attendees will be treated to cultural performances by Native drums and canoe dancers and hear the story of the plankhouse from Cultural Outreach Specialist Bobby Mercier. They also will be served a salmon dinner provided by the Grand Ronde Tribe and catered by Tribal Nutrition Program Manager Kristy DeLoe and her staff.

On Thursday, May 22, the Spring Gathering will start with a continental breakfast and self-tour of the Tribal Governance Center beginning at 7:30 a.m.

The opening ceremony, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. in the Tribal gymnasium, will feature the Grand Ronde Color Guard, a procession of flags from the nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon and a welcome from Grand Ronde Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno.

Starting at 9:15 a.m. in the Tribal gym, a panel discussion on Oregon legislative partnerships with Tribal governments will be held. Moderated by Legislative Commission on Indian Services Executive Director Karen Quigley, it will feature Republican State Sen. Ted Ferrioli of John Day and Democratic Sen. Arnie Roblan of Coos Bay.

At 11 a.m., a panel discussion on Tribal Sovereignty called "Tribal Leaders Express Their Views on Sovereignty, the Status of Tribes and Their Tribal Governments' Priorities for 2014 and Beyond," will be held. It will be moderated by Umatilla Board of Trustees Vice Chair Leo Stewart and feature Grand Ronde Tribal Council member Cheryle A. Kennedy, the Tribe's longtime representative on the Legislative Commission on Indian Services.

Afternoon sessions will focus on how Tribal governments can learn what state agencies are doing and state-Tribal cluster/workgroups will give briefings and report on annual highlights.

Other panelists and moderators during the day will include Tribal leaders and two other legislators who serve on the Legislative Commission on Indian Services, Reps. Greg Smith and Caddy McKeown.

The Spring Gathering is scheduled to close at 3 p.m.