Smoke Signals podcasts

Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy discusses why she should be re-elected in an interview conducted by Smoke Signals Editor Dean Rhodes.

Tribal Council candidate Victor Cureton discusses why he should be elected in an interview conducted by Smoke Signals Editor Dean Rhodes.

Tribal Council candidate Kristina "Tina" Helfrich discusses why she should be elected in an interview conducted by Smoke Signals Editor Dean Rhodes.

Former Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. discusses why he should be re-elected in an interview conducted by Smoke Signals Editor Dean Rhodes.

Tribal Council member Jon A. George discusses why he should be elected in an interview conducted by Smoke Signals Editor Dean Rhodes.

Tribal Council candidate Brenda Tuomi discusses why she should be re-elected in an interview conducted with Smoke Signals Editor Dean Rhodes.

Tribal Council Chief of Staff Stacia Hernandez discusses the advisory vote topics that will appear on the 2018 Tribal Council ballot in September.

New Deputy Press Secretary Sara Thompson discusses her new job and re-engaging with the Tribal community in Grand Ronde.

Brook Colley, Southern Oregon University Assistant Professor of Native American Studies, discusses her new book, "Power in the Telling: Grand Ronde, Warm Springs and Intertribal Relations in the Casino Era."

Excerpts from the Friday, June 1, open house celebrating the Phase II opening of Chachalu Museum & Cultural Center. Featuring David Harrelson, Travis Stewart, John Mercier, Francene Ambrose and June Olson.

Listen to Restoration figure Dean Mercier, who walked on in 2011, recall entertaining stories about the Tribe's Restoration efforts. Excerpts of a September 2008 interview conducted by former Smoke Signals reporter Ron Karten. CAUTION: Contains some salty language, but that was the way Mercier expressed himself.

Dr. Randy Blome of the Health & Wellness Center discusses Tribal efforts to eradicate Hepatitis C within the Grand Ronde Tribe, as well as a big educational event being held on Friday, May 18.

Listen to excerpts from a September 2008 interview with longtime Tribal Council Chairwoman Kathryn Harrison as she discusses the Tribe's Restoration effort. The Tribe will celebrate its 35th anniversary of Restoration in November. Smoke Signals will publish excerpts of other 2008 interviews as the year progresses toward the anniversary celebration.

Tribal Emergency Management staff members Steve Warden and Brandy Bishop discuss the Wednesday, May 23, Health, Safety and Preparedness Fair, as well as emergency preparedness in general.

Tribal Planning Director Rick George discusses the current process for updating the Tribe's Strategic Plan, which will plan the Tribe's future for the next 10 years and beyond.

Coordinator Francene Ambrose discusses the Grand Ronde Food Bank, as well as being a Hatfield Fellow in 2008. Hear "Wind-Jammer" by Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach.

Tribal lobbyist Justin Martin discusses his baseball career playing in the California Angels' farm system. Hear "It's All in the Journey" by Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach.

Tribal member Braden Ebensteiner discusses his experiences in New York City as part of the American Museum of Natural History internship that the Tribe sponsors. Also learn a little history about Tamanowas (the Willamette Meteorite). Hear Jan Looking Wolf Reibach perform "Tamanawas."

Tribal historian Dr. David Lewis returns to the podcast to discuss the Trail of Tears, which started Feb. 23, 1856, and ended March 25, 1856, and force marched Native Americans from Table Rocks north of Medford to the Grand Ronde Reservation. Hear "Hope (For Tomorrow)" by Jan Looking Wolf Reibach.

Tribal Cultural Advisor Bobby Mercier discusses the upcoming 16th annual Agency Creek Round Dance scheduled for March 9-10 in the Tribal gym in Grand Ronde. Hear "Ancestor's Hope" by Jan Looking Wolf Reibach.

Grand Ronde Police Chief Jake McKnight discusses his law enforcement career, the upcoming Chat With the Chief event and attending the Oregon Pot Summit. Hear "Breath Giver" by Jan Looking Wolf Reibach.

Tribal Council member Kathleen George discusses the recent statement against inappropriate personal attacks, as well as serving on Tribal Council, the Spirit Mountain Gaming Board of Directors and on the state Environmental Quality Commission. Hear "Into the Night" by Jan Looking Wolf Reibach.

Tribal Lands Manager and multiple Native American Music Awards recipient Jan Michael Looking Wolf discusses his new compact disc "Flute Medicine," which was recorded in 432 Hz. Also hear "Verdi's Harmony," an homage to Italian composer Guiseppe Verdi who placed A exactly at 432 Hz because it was the ideal tuning for opera voices.

Dr. David Lewis discusses the 163rd anniversary of the signing of the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855. "The Journey" by Jan Looking Wolf Reibach.

Tribal Fish and Wildlife Manager Kelly Dirksen discusses Grand Ronde efforts to monitor and aid Pacific lamprey recovery in the Willamette Basin. "Dancing Raven" by Jan Looking Wolf Reibach.