Yesteryears - Sept. 15, 2024

2019 – The Tribe blessed Willamette Falls, former home of the Blue Heron Paper Mill, in an emotional ceremony celebrating the return of land last held in Tribal hands in 1855. It is now in the process of environmental remediation, which includes clearing away the industrial development and cleaning the site.

2014 – The state Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the Tribe’s fish and wildlife management plan along with a new administrative rule giving the Tribe control over fish and wildlife on the Reservation.

2009 – The Tribe co-hosted the 2009 Self-Governance Tribal Strategy Session, with the Department of Interior’s Office of Self-Governance, to develop a list of priorities to present to the Obama administration.

2004 – The Tribe was advising a group that had hoped to get a regional library and community center established to serve Sheridan, Willamina and Grand Ronde.

1994 – The Tribe was starting its third phase of a strategic planning process. Tribal members had the opportunity to participate in the process by completing a survey or attending community meetings. Phase one began with an identification of key issues that could affect the Tribe’s future plans. Phase two directly involved Tribal members through participation in the survey and community meetings. Phase three was a time to further refine issues and strategies, leading to the final plan.

1989- Tribal Accounting Supervisor and Tribal member Shelley Hanson was featured for her dedication to both job and family. Hanson decided she wanted to work for the Tribe due to its expanding growth. Her duties included overseeing the fiscal operations and producing payroll checks. “Shelley is one of the most dedicated people I know,” co-worker Pat Mercier said. “She works very hard for her Tribe and for her new family. She really deserves this honor.”

1984 – Tribal staff were looking into the possibility of pursuing a Johnson O’Malley contract. The program was for youth in kindergarten through 12^th grade and funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It provided tutoring, cultural activities, special education activities and parenting classes.

Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year increments through the pages of Smoke Signals.