The deadline for applications will be 6/28/13

• Exhibits style and influence to motivate those with whom they interact.
• Performs work tasks in an exemplary manner that inspire others to excel.
• Consistently demonstrates outstanding conduct and performance of duties.
• Demonstrated dedication, superior reliability and cooperation in achieving the mission, goals, and
• objectives of the nonprofit organization of which they are employed or volunteer.

To download the 2012 nomination form, please click here.

“It is important for me because I’m from El Salvador, of Mayan descent, and the money comes from an indigenous Tribe here,” he said.

CAUSA Oregon will use the money to provide classes in leadership for indigenous peoples from Central American immigrant families now living in the group’s 10-county area.

“This is very significant for us,” he said.

For the fourth quarter this year, Spirit Mountain Community Fund on Dec. 7 issued 28 grants totalling $388,200. The event marked the Tribe surpassing $55 million in giving in less than 15 years. The event, held in the Tribal gym, also was the first funding round for the Community Fund’s new director, Tribal member Kathleen George.

“It’s a proud day for the Tribe and Spirit Mountain Community Fund,” George said. “In less than 15 years, the Grand Ronde Tribe has invested more than $55 million to help with community health issues, improve education, increase public safety and protect our environment. It has always been a Tribal value to share our good fortune. And the Grand Ronde Tribe has been true to that tradition.”

George was recently honored with the Columbia River Hero Award for 2011 by the Columbia River Toxics Reduction Work Group, an interagency group working to improve water quality in the Columbia Basin. The award was for work done before joining the Community Fund when she worked with the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

This quarter’s Community Fund awards went predominantly to education projects. Public safety and health projects received the second and third highest funding in this round of grants.

Twelve education projects received $162,000 while $104,000 went to five public safety projects and $90,000 went to eight health projects. Also, $20,000 went to one Arts and Culture project and the last $12,000 went to two environmental preservation projects.

Among those funded was a $25,000 grant to the Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis for a teen drop-in center helping with college readiness for low-income youth.

“This will help us continue to expand our high school teen program,” said club Chief Executive Officer Helen Higgins, “and keep working on (improved) graduation rates and getting kids into community colleges and universities.”

With 35 currently in the program, Higgins said she hopes the grant will bring the number served up to more than a 100.

“There are so many people who need help in our communities right now because of the slow economic recovery,” said George. “It is good for our Tribe to be able to help our neighbors by partnering with non-profit groups that provide such needed services to families.”

A $5,000 grant will help Eugene-based Downtown Languages, a GED readiness program, reach as many as 45 students through June 2012, more than double the 20 it has been reaching. This is the 8-year-old group’s first grant from Spirit Mountain Community Fund.

Tribal members Travis Mercier and Marcus Gibbons led the kindergarten Chinuk Wawa immersion class in a welcome song with drumming. Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. gave the invocation and Tribal Council member Toby McClary welcomed the group.

Following are the rest of the grantees:

• Beaverton Rotary Foundation Inc., $10,000;
• Centro Cultural of Washington County, $10,000;
• Chelsea Hicks Foundation, $5,000;
• Children First for Oregon, $25,000;
• Children’s Vision Foundation, $5,000;
• Dallas Booster Club Inc., $5,000;
• Dinner and a Movie, $4,700;
• Ecotrust, $10,000;
• Friends of Opal Creek/Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center, $10,000;
• Head Start in Lincoln County, $10,000;
• Lane County Legal Aid & Advocacy Center, $30,000;
• Loaves and Fishes, $25,000;
• National Indian Child Welfare Association, $10,000;
• Native Wellness Institute, $25,000;
• Neighborhood House, Inc., $25,000;
• Open Door Counseling Center, $7,500;
• Operation Nightwatch – Portland, $5,000;
• Oregon Progress Forum, $25,000;
• Playworks Education Energized, $10,000;
• Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, $20,000;
• Portland State University Foundation, $9,000;
• Raphael House of Portland, $10,000;
• Salem Folklore Community, $5,000;
• St. Andrew Legal Clinic, $35,000;
• And the Friends of the Straub Environmental Learning Center, $2,000.

In 1997, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde created their charitable foundation – The Spirit Mountain Community Fund.  Since then, Spirit Mountain Community Fund has been quietly helping their neighbors and friends by supporting communities in an 11-county area.  Investing more than $55 million since 1997 is a proud accomplishment for the Tribe.

The Spirit Mountain Community Fund is constantly striving to recognize those unsung heroes in the community that never ask for recognition. They just ask for a smile in return.  It is with this spirit that the Community Fund created the Ye?lan Lima (Helping Hands) Awards in 2010.  In this second year, Spirit Mountain Community Fund is proud to honor two individuals that truly epitomize “helping hands”.

On December 19, 2011, Spirit Mountain Community Fund Executive Director Kathleen George presented the prestigious Ye?lan Lima Awards to two individuals – Tyrone Spellman and Larry Bardell who exemplify community service and inspire their colleagues through their personal dedication.  As nominated by their peers and selected by Spirit Mountain Community Fund’s Board of Trustees, both Mr. Spellman and Mr. Bardell were selected for their outstanding dedication and inspirational efforts in their respective non-profit organizations.

The first award was presented to Mr. Tyrone Spellman, a volunteer at HIV Alliance, Eugene, Oregon.  Mr. Spellman was selected from among two dozen deserving nominees to honor the dedication of nonprofit volunteers.  The mission of the HIV Alliance, where Mr. Spellman dedicates countless hours educating about HIV, AIDS and prevention is to support individuals living with HIV/AIDS and prevent new HIV infections.  He is treasured as a spokesman-educator for his powerful ability to encourage diverse audiences to take courageous actions toward safe sexual practices, self awareness and understanding.

The second award winner for the paid non-management category is Mr. Larry Bardell, employed by Albany InReach Services.  In Albany, Oregon, Mr. Bardell was selected from among a long list of highly deserving nominees who dedicate their work to serving the community through non-profit organizations.  Albany InReach Services is a safety-net clinic that connects adults and children without health insurance with health care providers and needed services.  After retiring from the VA hospital as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Mr. Bardell has provided nearly 400 mental health appointments in just six months.  He treats those with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and suicidal feelings who would otherwise not have access to mental health services.  Being bilingual, Mr. Bardell will also be teaching the postpartum depression education class for Albany InReach in 2012 for Spanish speaking mothers.

“The dedication and service of people like Mr. Spellman and Mr. Bardell is what keeps the work of our non-profit services alive in our communities.  In these hard economic times, many people would not receive health care, counseling or outreach if it weren’t for the tireless efforts of passionate people like these gentlemen,” observed George.  “They are the heroes of our non-profit agencies.”

Spellman says of his work with the HIV Alliance, “Our time for detours grows ever so short; abdicating our birthright to be of service to our entire global family is no longer an option.”

Our search for this year’s Ye? lan Lima Award winners require your assistance by identifying someone who’s courageous, innovative, and unprecedented efforts as well as their sustained excellence of performance demand recognition.  It may be a co-worker, peer, or someone you know that is affiliated with a partner nonprofit organization. We hope you will assist us in finding that one special “helping hand” person in your organization or community by sending us your nomination.

Accordingly, SMCF announces that nomination letters for the this year’s  Ye? lan Lima Award are being solicited and due by November 30, 2011. There are two separate award categories: The first is for a paid non-management staff person and the second is for a non-paid volunteer person.

The criteria for a nominee include one or more of the following qualities:

• Exhibits style and influence to motivate those with whom they interact.
• Performs work tasks in an exemplary manner that inspire others to excel.
• Consistently demonstrates outstanding conduct and performance of duties.
• Demonstrated dedication, superior reliability and cooperation in achieving the mission, goals, and objectives of the nonprofit organization of which they are employed or volunteer.  

Award Rules:

1. The nomination letter is limited to one page (typed, 12 pt. min.) and not exceed 250 words.
2. The nomination letter must be received (not post marked) by 5:00 p.m., November 30, 2011. Nomination letters may be emailed (preferred), faxed, or mailed.
3. Nomination letters must include a recent color photo of the nominee(.jpeg format preferred).
4. Nomination letter must specify whether the nominee is either;
   1. A paid non-management staff person, or
   2. A non-paid volunteer person.
5. Nominee must be currently working in the nonprofit sector & serving within SMCF’s 11 county service area.
6. All materials submitted will become the property of SMCF and will not be returned.
7. Persons may not nominate themselves or their family members.
8. Previous Helping Hand award winners are ineligible to be nominated.

Each of the two award recipients will receive a distinctive recognition award, a complimentary dinner for two and one night stay at Spirit Mountain Lodge & Casino, located in Grand Ronde, Oregon, plus a $500 cash gift.  

If you have questions, please contact Louis King (503) 879-1462 or email: Louis.King@thecommunityfund.com

In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 "National American Indian Heritage Month." Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including "Native American Heritage Month" and "National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month") have been issued each year since 1994.

The 103d Congress, 1st Session, passed H. J. RES. 271, signed by the President of the United States designated the month of November in each calendar years 1993 and 1994 as “Nation American Indian Heritage Month.” To date since 1994 each subsequent President of the United States has continued to issue like proclamations.

The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (CTGR) will be participating in the following activities and events during the month of November in celebration of Native American Heritage Month:

October 30th – November 4^th– National Congress of American Indians Conference, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon

November 22^nd – 27^th - Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Restoration Celebration, CTGR Headquarters, Grand Ronde, Oregon

To learn more about these events or other planned activities, please visit CTGR’s website: www.grandronde.org or give them a call at 503-879-5211 or 800-422-0232

Smoke Signals editor

With the distribution of 41 grants totaling $659,350 on Wednesday, Sept. 14, Spirit Mountain Community Fund approached the $55 million mark in giving since it was formed in 1997.

The Community Fund, which distributes 6 percent of Spirit Mountain Casino profits to charitable organizations in 11 western Oregon counties, is less than $5,000 away and will surpass the $55 million mark with its next quarterly check distribution in December.

At the Sept. 14 quarterly check distribution held in the Tribal gym, the Community Fund continued its tradition of helping a wide variety of worthwhile efforts, from AIDS testing to encouraging chess programs in schools to supporting healthy meals for senior citizens to funding a stage production of Yiddish stories.

And much of this quarter’s grant money will have a direct effect on local residents and children.

The Grand Ronde Community Resource Center received $25,000 to help the local food bank on Hebo Road and provide supplemental foods and senior meals, teach nutrition, operate a community garden and teach food preservation techniques to local residents.

The Willamina School District, which educates many Tribal and descendant children, received $50,000 to help pay for the construction of a new six-classroom complex and multi-purpose building at the Oaken Hills campus in Willamina.

The new buildings were required after the cash-strapped district closed the middle school building in Grand Ronde and consolidated its high school, middle school and elementary school operations at the Oaken Hills site.

District Superintendent Gus Forster and Elementary School Principal Carrie Zimbrick picked up the check for the district.

And the Oregon Native American Business & Entrepreneurship Network received $20,750 to revise and update its Indianpreneurship curriculum, which is designed to help Native Americans start and succeed in starting a business.

“We are proud of what we have accomplished over the 28 years since Restoration,” Tribal Council Vice Chair Reyn Leno told organization representatives before the check distribution. Leno also sits on the Community Fund’s Board of Trustees.

Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy briefly recited the history of the Grand Ronde Tribes, from being herded together at the Table Rocks site near current-day Medford to signing seven treaties that ceded most of western Oregon to the federal government to the Trail of Tears march to Grand Ronde.

“You see the survivors of a great tragedy,” Kennedy said. “We welcome you to our homeland. It pulls on the heart strings to see the good work being done. Your work is very much appreciated.”

Tribal Council Secretary Kathleen Tom gave the invocation for the event and attendees watched the 25^th Restoration commemorative video so they could learn more about the history of the Grand Ronde Tribe.

After the video, Community Fund Programs Coordinator Louis King read the list of recipients, who then posed with Leno and Community Fund Board of Trustee Ron Reibach, a Tribal member who works as Facilities Director at the casino, for a photo taken by Tribal photographer Michelle Alaimo.

In addition to the previously mentioned grants, recipients were:

• African American Health Coalition, $25,000;
• Arts Action Alliance Foundation, $20,000;
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Portland, $10,000;
• Boys and Girls Club of Lebanon, $35,000;
• Brooklyn Bay, $4,000;
• Campbell Institute, $40,000;
• Cascade Aids Project, $15,000;
• Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence, $30,000;
• Center for Diversity & the Environment, $25,000;
• Chess for Success, $25,000;
• Children’s Course, $10,000;
• Colton Helping Hands, $12,100;
• Compassion in Dying Federation, $4,000;
• Educate Ya, $4,000;
• Elders in Action, $5,000;
• Friends of Polk County Casa, $5,000;
• Friends of the Children Portland, $10,000;
• Friends of @NCRD, $4,000;
• Hacienda Community Development Corp., $30,000;
• Japanese Garden Society of Oregon, $10,000;
• Jewish Theatre Collaborative, $2,000;
• Linn County Child Victim Assessment Center, $12,500;
• Meals for Seniors, $4,000;
• Microenterprise Resources Initiatives & Training, $15,000;
• Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, $15,000;
• Neighbors for Kids, $14,000;
• Oregon Coast Aquarium, $10,000;
• Oregon Mentors, $30,000;
• Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, $25,000;
• Oregon Tradeswomen, $20,000;
• Pendulum Aerial Arts, $4,000;
• Portland Taiko, $10,000;
• Store to Door, $10,000;
• Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, $15,000;
• Trauma Healing Project, $25,000;
• Triangle Productions, $4,000;
• Understanding Racism Foundation, $5,000;
• and Western States Center, $20,000.

Observed since 1987, Library Card Sign-Up Month is a time when the American Library Association and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all. Reading yields great benefits! It's a fact which cannot be questioned by anyone. Reading improves a person's vocabulary, command of the language, and communication skills. Trends show that children who read are able to concentrate on their lessons more properly than those who don't. More importantly, good reading skills are directly related to good writing skills. A person who doesn't read will always experience a dearth of words when it comes to writing. In this world of competitiveness, it's always advantageous to amass vast knowledge, and there is no better way to do so, other than reading. Spirit Mountain Community Fund’s Board of Trustees have a great appreciation for the important work and benefit libraries provide to our communities as demonstrated by grant support to several non-profit organizations such as The Library Foundation in Multnomah County.

“Our vision is that every child will develop a relationship with reading and libraries that lasts a lifetime,” says Merris Sumrall, Chief Executive Officer. “Spirit Mountain Community Fund helps us realize that vision. Most recently, their support helped us launch and build the Raising A Reader program, now reaching over 36,000 at-risk children and adults each year.”

“In 2005, Spirit Mountain Community Fund made a grant to a new early literacy program called Raising A Reader. Today, it’s the largest early literacy program in the state of Oregon, thanks in part to grants from Spirit Mountain grants over the past six years.  Raising A Reader transforms at-risk parents into confident first teachers for their children. The program reaches 36,450 parents and children each year. More than 36,000 children’s books go into at-risk homes every week. This year, it nearly doubled the number of at-risk parents who read frequently with their young children in the home. After participating, 9 in 10 at-risk parents were reading three or more times a week. Less than half did before. Evaluation shows the program works, even for parents who doubt their own ability to read.”

The Library Foundationis collecting tens of thousands of smiling faces, through its Cardholder Pride campaign. Come see them at http://libraryfoundation.org/ or give them a call.

The Library Foundation
620 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 1025
Portland, OR 97204
TEL: (503) 223.4008
FAX: (503) 223.4386