Tribal students take advantage of new state grant program

Continued from Page 14A are right out of high school limits how many families can actually afford to send their children to college.

Why should the State of Oregon keep offering this grant?

The State of Oregon made a huge impact and hopefully set the tone for other states to implement something similar to help and encourage students to continue their education.

Megan Van Pelt

Junior at University of Oregon

Major: Native American & Indigenous Studies

Occupation: Full-time student, Co-director of UO Native American Student Union

How did this grant encourage you or help you pursue going back to school?

The Oregon Tribal Student Grant has been instrumental in alleviating the financial burden of attending a four-year institution for me. This grant has not only enabled me to pursue my academic goals, but it has also encouraged me to fully immerse myself in the college experience. Thanks to this grant, I have been able to focus on my studies and participate in extracurricular activities without the constant worry of financial constraints. I am truly grateful for the opportunities that this grant has provided me.

What has it meant for your education goals?

If this grant continues, it will not only enable me to graduate next year as one of the first cohort of Native American & Indigenous Studies (NAIS) majors at the University of

Oregon (UO), but also provide me with the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree. This grant would make my dream of becoming a graduate student a reality, rather than just a distant possibility.

What do you want the State of Oregon to know about this grant? What does it mean to you?

It is imperative that the State of Oregon recognize the significance of this grant as an obligation to the tribal students and nations of Oregon. The contributions made by the nine tribes towards education, wildlife programs, non-profits, local businesses, sponsoring athletic teams, and the overall economic stability of the state through tribal revenue are substantial. This grant is an investment in the future of the tribes and the state as a whole, and should be viewed as such.

Kotek about the need for this grant for future students?

I strongly urge Governor Kotek to continue funding the Oregon Tribal Student Grant, as it is crucial for ensuring financial stability and offsetting the exorbitant fees of attending a four-year institution. This grant is an absolute obligation for tribal students, who have historically faced systemic barriers to accessing higher education. In the short span of a year, I have witnessed an unprecedented influx of students and non-traditional learners returning to education, and this grant has played a significant role in encouraging tribal members to pursue their educational aspirations. It is imperative that the state continues to invest in the futures of its tribal students by supporting this grant.

Trinity Treloar

Junior at Portland State University

Bachelor of Science, Accounting and Finance

Occupation: Full-time student

How did this grant encourage you or help you pursue going back to school?

This grant helped me to continue attending school, due to the cost of living going up over the past few years, more funding is needed for students to continue to pursue their education. The funding that this grant provides is important to my financial wellness while attending school.

My education goals are to graduate with a major in accounting. With this funding, it makes it easier to achieve this goal. The less financial stress, the better I can focus on my education. Doing well in school is an important factor in a successful academic career.

Having a strong support group available for people thinking of pursuing their higher education helped. Funding plays a big part in the availability of school, however, being supported by friends and family is also important.

This grant has made pursuing a higher education for an indigenous woman more obtainable, This grant helps lessen the financial burden of pursuing a higher education.

The future is in our children. Having obtainable higher education will overall have a positive impact on our community. Please keep the funding going for our future generation of students.

Chairwoman Gobin said that it is better to work together as tribes, and “it is amazing how much you can learn” from other tribes and tribal leaders who will share information and ideas. She said, “It is important to make notes, make friends and have respect for one

What would you tell Governor another.”

Jamestown S’Klallam chair Ron Allen said this training was an opportunity for elected tribal leaders to step back from their busy schedules and look at the big picture of how and why their roles are important to their tribal nations.

“Becoming a tribal leader in the 21st century,” Allen said, “has become a much more complicated and challenging duty for tribal council members today. Even though Tribes have become more successful in the last twenty to thirty years, finding balance for all the programs, services, and duties to represent our tribal nations requires focused dedication, commitment, and sensitivity to our communities’ countless needs.”

The state of Oregon should keep offering this grant for the future of our people, the people of the state. Northwest.

Mel Tonasket, former chair of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville, who is also a former National Congress of American Indians president, urged tribal leaders to hold onto their Tribe’s sovereignty with all their knowledge and strength.

Kotek nominates George to EOU Board, Miller to Gorge Commission

Senate Rules Committee to consider appointments May 9

Salem, OR — Governor Tina Kotek has nominated Gary George, among others, to the Eastern Oregon University Board of Trustees.

The state board and commission appointments have been sent to the Oregon Senate for confirmation. The Senate Committee on Rules is scheduled to consider the nominations on May 9.

George, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, is the Chief Executive Officer at Wildhorse Resort & Casino.

Kotek also nominated Carina Miller of Warm Springs to the Columbia Gorge Commission.

Another Pendleton woman, Sasha McKeon, has been nominated to Oregon Fair Appeals Board.

“The individuals I am nominating today bring robust and diverse backgrounds, and a commitment to our state,” Governor Kotek said. “I am grateful for their willingness to serve.”

Thank you letter

The Pendleton Early Learning Center would like to thank the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Fisheries Department for facilitating a wonderful field trip experience for our kindergarteners.

We enjoyed learning about salmon and lamprey at the Pendleton Accumulation Site.

We would like to thank the following CTUIR Fisheries staff: Shaun Montgomery, Aaron Jackson, Ty Minthorn, Jerrid Weaskus, Kanim Moses-Conner, Paul Sheoships and Easton Powaukee.