Tribal Council appoints Community Fund trustees

Effects of the Sept. 9 Tribal election that saw longtime Tribal Council member Reyn Leno retire from office continued during the Wednesday, Oct. 11, Tribal Council meeting as trustees to the Spirit Mountain Community Fund Board were appointed.

Tribal Council members Denise Harvey and Jack Giffen Jr. were re-appointed and Kathleen George, who was director of the Tribe’s philanthropic entity for five years, was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Leno, who did not seek re-election after 21 years on Tribal Council.

Three of the positions on the Board of Trustees are reserved for Tribal Council members.

In other action, Tribal Council:

• Approved the 2018 Indian Housing Plan required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The plan includes all eligible activities, planned outputs, intended outcomes and identifies who will be helped by the assistance;

• Approved the 2018 self-governance funding agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior that will bring the Tribe $2.778 million in funding;

• And approved the enrollment of one infant and one non-infant into the Tribe because they meet the requirements outlined in the Enrollment Ordinance and Tribal Constitution.

Also included in the Oct. 11 Tribal Council packet were authorizations to proceed that approved a $5,000 agreement with Native Networks to develop a preliminary report on the Tribe’s current telecom capabilities and existing network, as well as authorizations appointing Tribal Council member Michael Langley to the Chemawa Station and Spirit Mountain Gaming Inc. boards and Tribal Council member Lisa Leno to the Native American Youth Association Board of Directors.

Cultural Resources Cultural Adviser Bobby Mercier gave the cultural presentation to open the meeting, discussing the Chinookan-style burl bowl carving created by himself and Cultural Education Specialist Brian Krehbiel that was unveiled during the Friday, Oct. 6, 20^th anniversary celebration of the Health & Wellness Center.

The entire meeting can be viewed on the Tribal website at www.grandronde.org by clicking on the News tab and then Video.