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Tribal Advisory Committee

Tribal Advisory Committee

House Bill (HB) 2055 (passed in 2021) establishes a Tribal Early Learning Hub that will deliver early learning services to the tribal communities of Oregon. The Early Learning Division is seeking nominees for the Tribal Advisory Committee.

The Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) responds to the needs of American Indian/Alaskan Native children and their families. TAC efforts will also connect with Raise Up Oregon goals:

  • Children arrive ready for kindergarten.
  • Children are raised in healthy, stable, and attached families.
  • Families have access to high-quality (culturally responsive, inclusive, developmentally appropriate) early care and education opportunities.

COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES:

  • 18 members of the nine (9) federally recognized tribal nations of this state,
  • One member of the Early Learning Council, and
  • One member of the Early Learning Division, and
  • One member of the Legislative Commission on Indian Services.

Contact: Valeria Atanacio at 971-375-5049, or by email Valeria.Atanacio@ode.oregon.gov.

Note: In the February 2022 short legislative session, changes were made to the Tribal Advisory Council, and HB 2055 was replaced by HB 4033.

Committee Members

Valerie Switzler, Chair, Warm Springs Tribes Rep.

Valeria Atanacio, ELD Rep., Tribal Affairs Manager

Angela Blackwell, Early Learning Council Rep.

Ali Holsclaw, Grand Ronde Tribe Rep.

Ally Van Norman, Cow Creek Tribe Rep.

Alyssa Severson, Coquille Tribe Rep.

Alissa Lane-Keene, Siletz Tribe Rep.

Deanie Smith, Warm Springs Tribe Rep.

Deann Brown, Siletz Tribe Rep.

Diane Teeman, Burns-Paiute Tribe Rep.

Jennifer Jackson, Klamath Tribe Rep.

Josh Davies, Coos, Lower Umpqua Siuslaw Tribe Rep.

Julie Siestreem, Coos, Lower Umpqua Siuslaw Tribe Rep., Legislative Commission on Indian Services Rep.

Kristina Simpson, Coquille Tribe Rep.

Lloyd Commander, Umatilla Tribe Rep.

Michael Cherry, Grand Ronde Tribe Rep.

Modesta Minthorn, Umatilla Tribe Rep.

Sandy Henry, Cow Creek Tribe Rep.

Vanessa Bahe, Burns-Paiute Tribe Rep.

There is 1 Open Klamath Tribes Rep. Position

Early Learning Division Staff

Valeria Atanacio, Tribal Affairs Manager

Alyssa Chatterjee, Early Learning System Director

TAC Meeting Agenda | June 8, 2022 | 3 to 4:30 p.m.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MEETING STREAM  |  DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE AGENDA HERE

Due to COVID-19, this will be a virtual meeting. Access the live stream here. Please allow up to five minutes past meeting start time for streaming to begin. Only written testimony will be accepted. Please submit written comment formatted as a Word or PDF document to Valeria.Atanacio@ode.oregon.gov by Tuesday, June 7, at 12 p.m.

Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) Welcome – 5 mins

Valerie Switzler, Chair | Warm Springs Tribe Representative

Roll Call – 5 mins

Jonas Moses, Tribal Advisory Committee | Cayuse Program Management

Public Testimony – 1 min

Valeria Atanacio, Tribal Affairs Manager | ELD

TAC “Get-To-Know-You” Exercise – 10 mins

Jonas Moses, Tribal Advisory Committee | Cayuse Program Management

TAC Breakout Session & Recap – 20 mins

Nicole Willis, Tribal Advisory Committee | Cayuse Program Management

TAC – Tribal Early Learning Facilitator – Deliverables Review – 10 Mins

  • TAC Monthly Status Report Format;
  • Tribal Early Learning HUB Facilitator Workplan;
  • Tribal Early Learning HUB Working Group Approach Memorandum
    Nicole Willis, Jonas Moses, Randy Willis * Docs to be shared on 6/7

Tribal Early Learning HUB Working Group Discussion – 20 mins

Nicole Willis, Tribal Advisory Committee | Cayuse Program Management

Tribal Hub – General Updates – 10 mins

Valeria Atanacio, Tribal Affairs Manager | ELD

Closing and Adjournment – 5 mins

Lorraine Brave, Tribal Advisory Committee Facilitator | ELD
Valerie Switzler, Chair | Warm Springs Tribes Representative

ELD STAFF PRESENT

Lorraine Brave, Tribal Advisory Committee Facilitator
Valeria Atanacio, Tribal Affairs Manager
Alyssa Chatterjee, Early Learning System Director
Dr. Nasreen Khan, Chief of Staff
Melinda Avila, Equity Strategy Director
Cassandra Ferder, Parent Engagement Coordinator
Karina Guzman-Ortiz, Partner Engagement
Remy Watts, Rule Coordinator

UPCOMING MEETINGS

DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE SCHEDULE HERE

JUNE 8, 2022 | 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Tribal Early Learning Hub: Implementation Guide and Communications Plan

*Times are approximate; items may be taken out of order, meetings may conclude early, and breaks may be added as needed. All meetings are open to the public and will conform to Oregon public meetings laws. The upcoming meeting schedule and materials from past meetings are posted online.

For individuals with disabilities, individuals who speak a language other than English, or individuals who need technical assistance, ELD can provide assistance. Contact Valeria Atanacio for support: 971-375-5049 or Valeria.Atanacio@ode.state.or.us. Requests for accommodation should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

​​​​​​​Passed HB 4033: Tribal Advisory Committee Composition 
This legislation addressed the Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) that was established by HB 2055 (2021) to better reflect the government-to-government relationship fostered by the state and the nine federally recognized tribes within Oregon’s borders. HB 4033 makes the representative from the Commission on Indian Services a nonvoting member and removes the four ELD-appointed parents from the committee—who are not selected by the individual tribes—to respect tribal sovereignty and consultative relationship with the state. Tribes will continue to lift up parent voices in the TAC. 
HB 4033 OLIS page

Download Copy of the final bill.

Valeria Atanacio

Tribal Affairs Director
O: 971-375-5049