TERO holds annual appreciation lunch

By Danielle Harrison

Smoke Signals editor

The annual Tribal Employment Rights Office Appreciation Lunch was held Saturday, Nov. 2, at Spirit Mountain Casino to honor and highlight employees and projects in 2024.

TERO Director Harris Reibach served as master of ceremonies, introducing speakers, presenting awards and announcing raffle winners while more than 200 attendees enjoyed lunch and desserts.

“We’re here to celebrate all of the good things we do at TERO and each one of you who contributes to that success,” Reibach said. “It’s fun to be able to connect with people whose names I’ve only seen on emails and whatnot. I’ve already heard some cool stories where people have met others here that they’ve only talked to on the phone in the past. That’s what it’s about, just getting together and connecting.”  

Then, a moment of silence was held for past TERO worker and Tribal Elder Marcus Gibbons, who walked on Thursday, Oct. 31.  

Tribal member Anthony Quenelle gave the invocation, then he and Reibach performed a drum and rattle song.

Reibach took a moment to acknowledge all who had come out for the event, and noted it was the first time they had invited primary contractors for various Oregon Department of Transportation projects that employ TERO workers. 

“We’re really excited to have them here,” he said.

Reibach introduced employees in the TERO program, which include Compliance Officer Duke Kimsey, Training and Development Coordinator Jacob Boekhoff, Senior Administrative Assistant Caden Leno, Administrative Assistant Kristy Summers and Khofi Haws Lead Barista Ariel Hunt. Past TERO staff member Lori Sterling was also in attendance.

Lunch and dessert were followed by raffle prize drawings, an explanation of the various services TERO provides and project statistics, among other presentations. 

Tribal Council member Denise Harvey spoke about her personal history with the program before it was known as TERO.

“TERO is very near and dear to my heart,” she said. “Working in the Human Resources department, we had all of these construction projects going on and I was like, ‘How are we tapping into our people and how are we getting jobs for our people?’ At that time, the HR director said she wanted me to oversee all of our construction projects and that’s all it took. I got involved with ODOT, with the union trades, and started looking at every opportunity pushing forward TERO.”

That work resulted in the creation of the Tribe’s workforce development program, a predecessor to TERO.

“Our whole goal was to empower our people and to get them living wage jobs, allowing them to realize they could do this whether they were male or female, they could do this and get paid really well for it…It’s amazing to me today to see what Harris has done, what the team has done and where our TERO program is today.”

Tribal member Ferrell DeGarmo talks about his experience with the Tribe’s Tribal Employment Rights Office during the TERO Appreciation Dinner at the Spirit Mountain Casino Event Center on Saturday, Nov. 2. (Photo by Michelle Alaimo)

TERO Commission members and Tribal Elders Perri McDaniel and Tracie Meyer spoke on behalf of the commission. They said that Grand Ronde TERO has the best program that they have seen in Indian Country.

Reibach then introduced ODOT Assistant Director Serena Stoudamire Wesley and ODOT Office of Equity and Civil Rights Manager Angela Crane.

Reibach noted that Grand Ronde is one of only seven Tribes in the nation with a TERO that includes an agreement with the state department of transportation.

“We have a long relationship (with Grand Ronde) and we want to keep that relationship and just be ever present in that work and be there and accessible to everyone,” Wesley said.

“Thank you to Tribal Council, TERO commissioners, and Harris and your team for bringing us together to celebrate TERO workers and their support network, and know we are here to celebrate all of you today,” Crane said. “I want to share just how much this event has grown. I remember the first TERO celebration was down the road at the Elders Activity Center and it was a full house, maybe 25 people or so then and that was amazing…Looking around the room here today, just be proud of how much you’ve grown over the years.”  

Toward the end of the event after open mic opportunities, the TERO Worker of the Year award was presented. Warm Springs Tribal member Don Wabaunsee received the honor for 2024. He works as a traffic control supervisor.

“A lot goes into making this decision,” Reibach said.

He told the audience that Wabaunsee has worked for TERO for the past six years.

“We have never received any complaints about Don’s performance,” Reibach said. “He is a key employee with every company he has worked for and always finishes the projects for the full duration…For that, we are proud to name him as the Worker of the Year for 2024.”

Wabaunsee said he was grateful to receive the honor.

“Thanks to my wife, to the TERO program and to everyone for being here today,” he said. “Thank you.”

He received a plaque, Tribal Pendleton blanket, $200 gift card, a one-night stay at Spirit Mountain Casino with a meal and a $50 gift card to the casino giftshop.

The event concluded with a final raffle and photos.