Harvey reappointed to HUD Tribal advisory committee

By Danielle Harrison

Smoke Signals editor

Grand Ronde Tribal Council member Denise Harvey has been appointed to serve a second, two-year term on the Housing and Urban Development Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee.

She will join 12 other Tribal leaders throughout Indian Country to serve on the board. She is one of two delegates selected from West Coast Tribes. The other is Makah Tribal Council Treasurer Glenn Ellis, Jr., of Neah Bay, Washington.

“I’m honored to be selected for my second term,” Harvey said. “I will do as I’ve done in the past to advocate for the federal trust responsibility not only for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Oregon Tribes, but all of Indian Country.”

Office of Public and Indian Housing Assistant Secretary Richard J. Monocchio sent Harvey a letter on Monday, Nov. 18, congratulating her on the reappointment.

“During your tenure, the (committee) developed eight white papers addressing key policy issues and offering formal recommendations to HUD leadership,” he said. “These papers focused on topics including the impact of inflation on the Indian Housing Block Grant program, culturally specific housing counseling requirements, interagency challenges, the Build America, Buy America Act, Indian Community Development Block Grant rulemaking, equity in Native American housing funding, and construction and procurement costs in Indian Country. Your efforts have contributed to streamlining HUD programs, reducing barriers for Tribes and improving interdepartmental coordination to better support Tribal communities in accessing funding opportunities.”

In addition to the HUD board, Harvey also serves as the Indian Gaming Association Northwest Delegate and as the finance committee chair on the organization’s executive board.

Closer to home, Harvey serves on the Spirit Mountain Community Fund Board of Trustees as a secretary/treasurer, Newberg-Dundee Bypass Parkway Committee, Polk County Sheriff’s Advisory Team, Liberty House Board of Directors, Chemawa Station LLC Board of Directors, Head Start liaison and the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Gaming Committee Co-Chair.

Harvey’s past board service includes the Oregon Tribal Gaming Association, Willamette Falls Legacy Project Tribal Advisory Board, City of Portland Office of Equity and Human Rights Advisory Committee and U.S. Department of Justice VAWA/ MMIP Tribal Testimony Liaison.

Harvey has served on the Grand Ronde Tribal Council since 2013.