Dear friends and neighbors,
As Native American Heritage Month, November provides an opportunity to celebrate the diverse Indigenous peoples in our county, and to be honest about the injustices Indigenous communities have faced in our county and nation. Being honest about our past is critical if we are to forge a just, sustainable society in which every person has a real opportunity to thrive.
On November 5th, the Board of County Commissioners adopted a proclamation recognizing Native American Heritage Month. Here is an excerpt from the proclamation:
Today, more than 380 Tribal Nations are represented throughout Multnomah County, shaping our region with their invaluable contributions, passing down strong cultural practices, knowledge and values rooted in tradition and community. Many of whom work throughout the County’s departments and programs, furthering our organization's mission daily.
Recognizing that we were not the first caretakers of this land and that generations of Native American people called, and continue to call, this place home, is essential to where we need to begin as a County and community. If we are intentional about equity and inclusion, being sincere in our words and actions will consistently result in respect for Native American people coming first.
This month brings an opportunity to educate the public about our shared history of how attempted erasure devastated Indian Country and those deliberate acts can still be felt today through oppressive policies and practices woven throughout our governmental systems, including Multnomah County.
I encourage you to read the entire proclamation, reflect on our nation’s history, and take what steps you can each day to advocate for justice. Please be assured that my team and I will continue advocating for accountability and equity in our county.
Thank you,
Jennifer
Commemorating International Fraud Awareness Week
November 16-22 was International Fraud Awareness Week, and the Auditor’s Office was a sponsoring organization. This week provided an opportunity to discuss fraud in the workplace, and how county employees can help prevent fraud, waste, and abuse of position at work.
This past summer, our College to Count intern, Gigi Bareilles, helped us better connect with employees and community members about the hotline. Gigi developed new outreach strategies for us, and helped organize presentations about the hotline to staff meetings throughout the county. Below is a zine Gigi designed for community awareness about the hotline.
Gigi’s contributions to promoting the hotline build upon work we have been doing in the Auditor’s Office for nearly 20 years. Since 2007, the Good Government Hotline has provided employees and community members with a way to report tips about fraud, waste, and abuse of position in county government. The hotline promotes fairness and honesty in government, and safeguards county resources.
Sharing tips to the hotline is the most common method of detection for misconduct in government. Every tip is handled confidentially and thoroughly investigated to determine the appropriate course of action. The identity of anyone submitting a tip will remain confidential, and anyone submitting a tip can remain anonymous if they choose.
You can submit tips online or call 888-289-6839. You may also submit a tip directly to the hotline director, Marc Rose, by dialing 503-988-3359, or by email at marc.b.rose@multco.us. Whatever the method of reporting, the identities of reporters will remain confidential, and reporters can remain anonymous if they choose.
Community Engagement
One of the ways I recognized Native American Heritage Month was by attending the 2025 Frybread Fast in downtown Portland on November 8. I was grateful to learn more about the important work of the MMIW Search and Hope Alliance, talk with and buy from Portland Indigenous Marketplace vendors, and see the beauty of people coming together not just for delicious frybread, but also to honor the rich history and continuing story of Indigenous people who have lived in the place we call home since time immemorial.
Invite Auditor McGuirk to attend an event or meeting
If you’d like me and or staff to attend or speak at a meeting with your community group, simply fill out this form.