Local Kids Benefit from Free Golf Clinic Hosted by Coquille Indian Tribe & Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

Nearly 100 local kids benefited this month from a free Youth Golf Clinic held at at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, one of the region’s premiere golf courses on July 15. The Coquille Indian Tribe and Bandon Dunes teamed up to host the event with the intention of giving back to the community and engage children in the sport.

Mill Casino representative Mike Black was on hand and says each kid received an opportunity to improve their skills by coaching from resort professionals. In addition, they played the par 3 course at Bandon Dunes Practice Center- an opportunity of lifetime for any golf lover!

The Colquille Indian Tribe also hosted their annual Adult Golf Fundraiser Tournament at Watson Ranch Golf Course in Coos Bay. Proceeds from the tournament will help send kids to a golf camp next week at Watson Ranch Golf.

Thanks to KCBY-11 for reporting this story!  Watch the video here:

Preparations are underway for the seventh annual Mill-Luck Salmon Celebration, which will take place on a new date: Sept. 4-5!  This free Labor Day weekend event is an entertaining educational experience that the whole family will enjoy!  It features canoe races, a traditional salmon bake dinner, cultural exhibits and demonstrations, a Native American market place, children’s activities and an evening concert with Joanne Shenandoah.

Linked to the traditional observance marking the return of the salmon, The Mill-Luck Salmon Celebration began as a means of sharing the heritage, culture and traditions of the Coquille Indian Tribe and other Pacific Northwest Tribes with residents and visitors to Oregon’s Bay Area. Now in its seventh year, the event attracts Native American artisans and musicians from throughout the Western United States and Canada.

Known for its traditional salmon bake dinner where fresh salmon is prepared in the time-honored Coquille open-pit manner, the Mill-Luck Salmon Celebration offers visitors the opportunity to experience Native American culture, art, food and music. The celebration, which runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, features daily performances by Native American storytellers, drummers, flutists and dancers; a marketplace offering traditional wares and foods; a bay-front canoe exhibit and races; traditional games and activities for children, plus a variety of cultural demonstrations and educational exhibits. New to the event this year will be Canoe exhibition rides on Sunday from 1-4 p.m.

In addition to the free daytime events, which will take place at the South-end of the casino’s hotel, this year’s celebration will feature a Saturday evening performance with Joanne Shenandoah, a Grammy award winning and 12-time Native American Music Award winning artist. She is a Wolf Clan member of the Iroquois Confederacy-Oneida Nation. Shenandoah has 15 recordings and her music is on over 40 compilations.

Her original compositions, combined with a striking voice enable her to embellish the ancient songs of the Iroquois using a blend of traditional and contemporary instrumentation.  Ms. Shenandoah’s music reflects the indigenous philosophy and culture, which continues to have a profound effect on the world today. From traditional chants to contemporary ballads about Native ways, her music has been described as an emotional experience, a “Native American Trance”. Ms. Shenandoah will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the casino’s Salmon Room.

Tickets for Ms. Shenandoah’s Saturday night concert and the popular Salmon Bake dinner, which will be served from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday are now on sale at Ko-Kwel Gifts inside The Mill Casino • Hotel. Tickets for the concert are $18 per person with an $8 discount for Millionaire$ Club members, while tickets for the Salmon Bake dinner, including a commemorative tee shirt, are just $17 for children 11 under and $25 for adults with a $5 discount for Millionaire$ Club members.

February 2010 Recipients. Photo taken at The Mill Casino and Hotel

The Coquille Indian Tribe established the community fund in 2001 as a way to
share profits from The Mill Casino with community organizations. Since its
inception, the fund has distributed close to $3.5 million to support
charitable efforts throughout the region.

The following organizations received funds this year.

* Bandon Community Youth Center – $2,500 for job skills development program.
* Bay Area Senior Activity Center – $5,000 for senior lunch program.
* CASA of Lane County – $5,000 for volunteer screening, training and supervision.
* Christian Help Food Bank – $5,000 for snack pack program and food purchases.
* Community Emergency Resources & Vital Services – $5,000 for food bank and children’s school supplies.
* Community Sharing Program – $2,500 for holiday meal boxes.
* Coos Art Museum – $2,000 for 2010 Biennial Student Art Exhibit.
* Coos Bay Police Dept. – $2,500 for crime prevention program.
* Coos Bay Seventh Day Adventist Food Pantry – $6,000 for food purchases.
* Coos County Friends of Public Health – $2,500 for women’s health service vouchers.
* Coos County Historical Society – $70,000 for waterfront museum and plaza.
* Coos County Public Health – $2,500 for exam vouchers for teens.
* Coos County RSVP – $3,500 for mileage reimbursement for volunteers.
* Coquille Valley Art Association – $3,000 for replacement kiln and improvements.
* Ecumenical Emergency Food Cupboard – $5,000 for food purchases.
* Egyptian Theatre Preservation Assoc. – $6,500 for stage lighting.
* Ellensburg Theater Company – $3,600 for ADA compliance for new theater.
* Florence Food Share – $2,500 for food purchases.
* Friends of South Slough Reserve – $11,100 for the Aquaria project.
* Lower Umpqua Community Center – $5,000 for new kitchen flooring.
* Mental Health Assoc. of SW Oregon – $6,000 for Living Well with Chronic Conditions program.
* Music on the Bay – $10,000 for stage roof and handicap access.
* Myrtle Point Senior Center – $1,000 for window replacement.
* ORCCA-CASA – $5,000 for training and support of volunteers.
* ORCCA-Emergency Housing – $3,000 for emergency housing program.
* ORCCA-Share Bear Snack Pack program – $5,000 for supplemental weekend food.
* ORCCA-South Coast Food Share – $5,000 for transportation costs.
* Over the Rainbow, Inc. – $2,000 for horse feed.
* Parent Partnership, Ltd. – $5,500 for McKinney Homeless Youth program.
* Planned Parenthood of SW Oregon – $5,000 for educational programs.
* Powers Action Team – $3,750 for projector and screen for Saturday Nite Movies in the Park.
* Powers Food Pantry – $6,000 for food purchases.
* Powers School District – $2,500 for equipment for Native Species Center.
* Rogue Gallery & Art Center – $2,000 for Drop in & Draw program.
* Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity – $2,500 for drywall and insulation for new home.
* Shelter Care – $5,000 for prescription drug program for the homeless.
* SMART – $5,000 to provide program to 34 children.
* South Coast Business Employment Corp. – $12,000 for senior meals.
* South Coast Community Garden Assoc. – $3,475 for a shed.
* Southern Oregon Adolescent Study & Treatment Center – $6,000 for pre-vocational work-study program.
* Star of Hope Activity Center – $3,000 for new equipment for Oregon Connection.
* Triangle Food Box – $5,000 for food purchases.
* University of Oregon Museum of Natural History – $6,575 for a compact storage system.
* Walter Graham Food Pantry – $10,000 for food purchases.
* Women’s Safety and Resource Center – $18,000 for a sexual assault advocate.
* Zonta (Coos Bay area) – $5,000 for the Little Red Schoolhouse Project.

The Coquille Tribal Community Fund will provide $294,000 in grants this year to projects at 46 area non-profit organizations and public agencies.

At its annual meeting, the Fund’s Board of Trustees placed added emphasis on programs directed toward individuals and families who were adversely affected by the regional and national economic downturn.

“Our trustees are acutely aware of the need for basic services throughout the region,” said Julia Willis, Fund administrator. “Programs providing food, emergency housing and health services were given a high priority in this year’s funding decisions.”

In its continuing emphasis on feeding the hungry, the Fund provided $82,475 to 14 organizations operating food pantries, senior meals programs, community gardens and children’s nutrition. Board members provided an additional $27,000 for housing and health care programs. In addition, the Fund continued its support for the Coos County Historical Society’s Waterfront Museum with a grant for $70,000. Grants totaling more than $30,000 were provided for the arts and art education programs.

The Coquille Indian Tribe established the community fund in 2001 as a way to share profits from The Mill Casino with community organizations. Since its inception, the fund has distributed close to $3.5 million to support charitable efforts throughout the region.

The Coquille Tribal Community Fund supports non-profit and governmental organizations with projects in the areas of education, health, public safety, problem gaming, environmental issues, arts and culture and historic preservation. Funds, derived from a percentage of revenues from The Mill Casino, are managed and distributed by a board of trustees comprised of community leaders, a gubernatorial appointee and representatives of the Coquille Indian Tribe and the Coquille Economic Development Corporation.

The fund reflects the commitment of the Coquille Indian Tribe to take a proactive, positive role in the well-being of the community. The Tribe is among the largest employers in Coos County, and, through the Coquille Economic Development Corporation, manages The Mill Casino * Hotel & RV Park along with business ventures in assisted living, organic cranberry farming and high-speed telecommunications.

For organizations wishing to be considered for the next round of funding, the deadline for applications is Aug. 31. For more information, visit the Fund Web site at www.coquilletribalfund.org.

The following organizations received funds this year.

*       Bandon Community Youth Center – $2,500 for job skills development program.
*       Bay Area Senior Activity Center – $5,000 for senior lunch program.
*       CASA of Lane County – $5,000 for volunteer screening, training and supervision.
*       Christian Help Food Bank – $5,000 for snack pack program and food purchases.
*       Community Emergency Resources & Vital Services – $5,000 for food bank and children’s school supplies.
*       Community Sharing Program – $2,500 for holiday meal boxes.
*       Coos Art Museum – $2,000 for 2010 Biennial Student Art Exhibit.
*       Coos Bay Police Dept. – $2,500 for crime prevention program.
*       Coos Bay Seventh Day Adventist Food Pantry – $6,000 for food purchases.
*       Coos County Friends of Public Health – $2,500 for women’s health service vouchers.
*       Coos County Historical Society – $70,000 for waterfront museum and plaza.
*       Coos County Public Health – $2,500 for exam vouchers for teens.
*       Coos County RSVP – $3,500 for mileage reimbursement for volunteers.
*       Coquille Valley Art Association – $3,000 for replacement kiln and improvements.
*       Ecumenical Emergency Food Cupboard – $5,000 for food purchases.
*       Egyptian Theatre Preservation Assoc. – $6,500 for stage lighting.
*       Ellensburg Theater Company – $3,600 for ADA compliance for new theater.
*       Florence Food Share – $2,500 for food purchases.
*       Friends of South Slough Reserve – $11,100 for the Aquaria project.
*       Lower Umpqua Community Center – $5,000 for new kitchen flooring.
*       Mental Health Assoc. of SW Oregon – $6,000 for Living Well with Chronic Conditions program.
*       Music on the Bay – $10,000 for stage roof and handicap access.
*       Myrtle Point Senior Center – $1,000 for window replacement.
*       ORCCA-CASA – $5,000 for training and support of volunteers.
*       ORCCA-Emergency Housing – $3,000 for emergency housing program.
*       ORCCA-Share Bear Snack Pack program – $5,000 for supplemental weekend food.
*       ORCCA-South Coast Food Share – $5,000 for transportation costs.
*       Over the Rainbow, Inc. – $2,000 for horse feed.
*       Parent Partnership, Ltd. – $5,500 for McKinney Homeless Youth program.
*       Planned Parenthood of SW Oregon – $5,000 for educational programs.
*       Powers Action Team – $3,750 for projector and screen for Saturday Nite Movies in the Park.
*       Powers Food Pantry – $6,000 for food purchases.
*       Powers School District – $2,500 for equipment for Native Species Center.
*       Rogue Gallery & Art Center – $2,000 for Drop in & Draw program.
*       Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity – $2,500 for drywall and insulation for new home.
*       Shelter Care – $5,000 for prescription drug program for the homeless.
*       SMART – $5,000 to provide program to 34 children.
*       South Coast Business Employment Corp. – $12,000 for senior meals.
*       South Coast Community Garden Assoc. – $3,475 for a shed.
*       Southern Oregon Adolescent Study & Treatment Center – $6,000 for pre-vocational work-study program.
*       Star of Hope Activity Center – $3,000 for new equipment for Oregon Connection.
*       Triangle Food Box – $5,000 for food purchases.
*       University of Oregon Museum of Natural History – $6,575 for a compact storage system.
*       Walter Graham Food Pantry – $10,000 for food purchases.
*       Women’s Safety and Resource Center – $18,000 for a sexual assault advocate.
*       Zonta (Coos Bay area) – $5,000 for the Little Red Schoolhouse Project.