Home Government Tribal Council Council Members Tonya Gleason-Shepek
Tonya Gleason-Shepek

Tonya Gleason-Shepek

Council

Tonya LaRae Gleason-Shepek was born in Salem, Ore., in November 1970 to Dennis and Laura Gleason. She is the granddaughter of Phyllis Cureton and great-granddaughter of Adeline Haller, who is descended from Joseph Shangaretta (Sangretta).

She was raised in the Salem area until 1984 when her family moved to Kansas. Upon returning to Oregon, she and her husband, Mike Shepek, made Eagle Creek their home. Their daughter, Kryshanne, lives nearby with her son, Reece.   

She has been employed in the human/health field her entire adult life. She started her job with Fresenius Health Care in January 2000 where she worked as a certified clinical hemodialysis technician until her election to serve on Tribal Council. 

“It is with sincere gratitude that I thank everyone who participated in the 2014 Tribal election,” she said. “Thank you to those who believed in me. I will always be grateful for your support and efforts. I look forward to working with Tribal members, Tribal Council and staff to build on our common hopes for our future. I will work hard to represent the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde with honor.

“As your Tribal Council representative, your Tribal interests and business affairs will be my No. 1 priority and will receive my full attention.

“Being raised in 1970 by a Native mother and a U.S. Marine father, when neither of these were popular or appreciated, and growing up during Termination, I learned to be independent while struggling to remain connected. After I moved to Kansas as a young adult, the gap between me and my Tribal family only widened. As a result, I acquired a firsthand understanding of the problems that distance can make for families living outside of Oregon. I believe improving communication and services for all members living near and far is absolutely necessary to the health of our Tribal community.

“I was raised to believe that everything I do should be rooted in love for people. This, along with my extended Tribal families’ strong history of service to our community, is what inspired my desire to serve on Tribal Council. I am dedicated to strengthening our Tribe My focus on the membership is what will guide all my decisions.

“I give thanks to God, The Creator, for all things and pray for a future rich in blessings.”