Tribe stops using pesticide glyphosate

Tribe stops using pesticide glyphosate

By Nicole Montesano

Smoke Signals staff writer

The Tribe responded to advocacy from Tribal members regarding use of the herbicide glyphosate by discontinuing its use, General Manager Angie Blackwell said in March.

The widely used but sometimes controversial herbicide is more broadly known by the brand name Roundup, although it is also sold under other names.

Activist and Tribal Member Amber Eastman, who had been a leader in advocating for ending use of glyphosate, initially said she was grateful for the decision.

“The land can finally begin to heal and that is restoration we deserve, the restoration we have always deserved,” Eastman said. “Hayu masi, Creator, for hearing our prayers and guiding hearts toward this decision. The facts were there and could no longer be ignored…Years of advocacy from so many community members are rejoicing and relieved with this decision, a section made on behalf of the membership and community it affected. … I know there was other chemicals used along with the glyphosate and I hope they made the decision to cease all of those…We cannot ignore what we are putting into the ground as a whole is bad for the environment and contradiction to our values and connection to the lands as good stewardship.”

However, Eastman later said she was upset that a different herbicide had been substituted. Eastman wrote to the Tribal Council, saying that she had “deep concern regarding the continued use of herbicides on our lands, particularly the recent replacement of Glyphosate (Glystar) with Surflan, which contains the active ingredient oryzalin. While this change may have been made with good intentions, oryzalin carries its own set of health and environmental risks that must not be overlooked. As stewards of our land, we have a responsibility to ensure that our practices align with the health and well-being of our people, our future generations, and the natural world we are entrusted to protect.”

Eastman said that she is now advocating for an end to the use of herbicides in general around the Tribal campus and housing.

“Spraying herbicides disrupts the balance of our ecosystems, affecting soil health, water sources, and the plants and animals that are vital to our traditional practices,” she said. “The long-term consequences of these chemicals in our environment are still not fully understood, yet the risks are evident.”

She continued, “Our ancestors thrived for generations by working in harmony with the land, not against it. There are alternative, culturally-aligned land management practices that prioritize soil regeneration, controlled burning, manual removal and native plant restoration—methods that not only protect our people but also enhance the resilience of our lands.”

Eastman urged the Tribal Council to conduct an independent review of herbicides used and also to develop alternative land use practices.

Last year, the Tribe obtained a five-year, $1.9 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a policy on the use of herbicides and other chemicals. In December, the Tribe conducted a member survey to gather information about members’ views with the hope of having a program ready to implement by the end of September 2026.

The grant for the program, however, may be threatened by the Trump administration’s actions involving federal grant freezing and suspension.

The Facilities Department policy on herbicides authorizes uses of specific products, but states that housing tenants who want to opt out of having their yards sprayed may do so if they submit a formal written request to the Grand Ronde Housing Department and keep the area weeded within the bounds of signs that will be placed by the Housing Department.

 Periodic inspections will be conducted, it notes, and once the no-spray signs have been placed, they are not allowed to be moved and must be kept clean and clear.