Letters to the Editor -- Jan. 1, 2017

Dear Smoke Signals:

The Tribal Court held its annual volunteer appreciation event on Dec. 13. Current volunteers for the court have served a combined 67 years.

The Tribal Court would like to publicly acknowledge and extend our appreciation to all volunteers. Darlene Aaron, Angela Schlappie, Sharon Hanson and Patti Tom-Martin have served the Tribal Member Review Board (TMRB) since 2004. The TMRB assists in dependency cases by reviewing cases of child abuse and neglect and suggesting recommendations for the Tribal Court. The accomplishments of this group include developing life binders for children aging out of the foster care system and providing unique suggestions to involve youth in Tribal culture.

The Tribal Court Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers Todd Mulrooney and Greg Oldham work closely with vulnerable youth. CASAs are assigned one or two abused or neglected Tribal youth, working as an advocate for them in court and fostering a positive relationship with the Tribe. For many youth in dependency cases, their only experience with the Tribe is through this court process, which increases the importance and necessity of this role.

Peacemakers Lisa Archuleta and Lew Younger have been mediating conflicts within the Tribe for a combined 16 years. The Tribal Court Peacemaker Program aims to reflect the Tribe’s tradition of using respected members of the community to heal disputes among its members. This free, voluntary program allows parties to discuss their conflict or dispute in a safe, non-threatening environment. The mission of Peacemaker volunteers is to reestablish communication between the two parties and facilitate an amicable and agreeable solution.

The Tribal Court wishes to extend gratitude to all those who commit their time to improving the lives of Tribal children and families. The efforts made, no matter the size or commitment, help to create a better environment and future. You can receive more information on getting involved in Tribal Court Programs through contacting Annie Schmidt (annie.schmidt@grandronde.org) or by calling 503-879-4623.

Annie Schmidt

Tribal Court Programs Specialist