Smoke signals., February 01, 1989, Image 2

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111
CHAIRMAN'S
REPORT
On December 19&20,
1988, Ken Smith, our
tribal consultant, and I
were in Washington D.C
The purpose of the trip was to meet with the Assistant
Secretary of the Interior on Indian Affairs in an attmept
to secure funding to implement the Tribe's forestry
program.
While in Washington D.C, we had the opportunity and
honor, along with many other tribal leaders, to meet
with U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye from Hawaii. .
The meeting was scheduled to be thirty minutes long,
but ended up being over 2 12 hours. .
Mr. Inouye is the chairman of the Senate Select Com
mittee on Indian Affairs.. This committee has jurisdic
tion over any legislation introduced into the Senate
pertaining to Indian Affairs.
This committee cleared the Grand Ronde Reservation
Bill in August 1988.
Besides, being the chair of the Senate Select Committee,
Mr. Inouye holds the chairmanship of the Defense Ar
propriations sub-Committee. '
Mr. Inouye encouraged Tribes to actively pursue
securing contracts with the Department of Defense, or
corporations who may contract with the Department.
"If you want to see me, the key to my door is you are
going to show me you will be willing to contract with .
Indian Tribes," Inouye said he has emphasized with
corporations who contract with the Defense department.
As Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Indian
Affairs, Mr. Inouye said he was the only chairman to
actually visit Indian reservations and communities
throughout the country.
Mr. Inouye also stessed the importance of voting! "If
the democratic system is to work perfectly, it is our duty
to vote," Inouye said, "not only in tribal elections, but in
state and national elections as well," the Senator told the
group.
"Now is the time to start organizing a meeting with
Tribal leaders and the new U.S. President. If all Tribes
get together and speak with one voice, it will surely have
a positive impact on the new Administration," said
; Inouye. "If all the Tribes start working now, it is
possible to meet with the President much sooner than
his term ends," he said.
All Indian people throughout the Unites States should
be very thankful to have such powerful elected officials
who are supportive of the Tribes. It is very important
for Tribal leaders to maintain contact with these elected
officials. Without our contact and support, it would be
very difficult for Indian Tribes to govern their destiny,
now or in the future.
On other business, the Tribe wishes to thank Bob
Mcrcicr for grading the streets adjacent to the Tribal
Office. On January 8th, Bob brought a grader out, and
graveled the road, eliminating the many pot-holes and
making the streets smoother.
Sincerely,
Mark Mercier
TRIBE HOSTS OPEN HOUSE FOR YOUTH
TREATMENT CENTER IN KEIZER
On Saturday, January 21, 1989, the Confederated Tribes
of Grand Ronde hosted an open house at the newly
named Nanitch Sahalie facility in Keizer, Oregon. :
Treatment Center for American Indian vouth in the .
Pacific Northwest needing alcohol and substance abuse
care. - t " ': '
Nanitch Sahalie, chinook for "look to the sky", is "
something our ancestors, must have done many times, ,
looking for answers to problems, and questions they may
have had, said Tribal Chairman Mark Mercier in
opening comments.
"Our tribal leaders have long been aware and concerned
of alcohol and drug abuse, not only in our local
community...but throughout the Pacific Northwest," said
Mercier.: v . . - . ,:
"It was always a struggle to find ways to address a
problem such as this, especially when resources were so
. few and limited " Mercier said. ' '
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' In early April 1988, the first opportunity to establish a
treatment center was available, when the Tribe learned
Mercier.' .
108
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' States Naval Academy m Annapolis, Maryland.' '"'-'
"Thus, the Tribe set out on a major effort to build a ,
team, representing many agencies from the federal, state
and tribal governments." said Mercier.
The Tribe worked with the Indian Health Service,
Bureau of Indian Affairs, State of Oregon AlcoholDrug
Department, Congressman Les AuCoin, Senator
Hatfield, the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health
Board, Oregon's Indian Tribes, and many others to put
together a plan to set-up the Treatment Center.
Wasco Chief, Nelson Wallulutum, from Warm Springs,
sang Grand RondeSiletz tribal songs and emphasized
the importance of such a facility in combating alcohol
and substance abuse problems. '-.
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Leno was among ten Oregonians nominated for entry
into the prestigious Naval Academy which provides four .
years of education and training to those who gain entry.
Chris is really excited about it, said his mother, Janelle
Stuckey of Willamina. His father is Robert M. Leno.
Chris is a freshman at Oregon State University where he
was awarded a Minority Tuition Scholarship due to his
high academic standing in high school. His major is
Business.
In October 1988, the Grand Ronde Tribal Council
passed a resolution supporting Chris's appointment to
; the Naval Academy.
"It's (substance abuse) something that don't pick certain . . . , . ....
. i i u AuCom is expected, in March or April, to notify Chris
and if it can't be controlled, we fall down," said Wallula'
turn.
and let him know if he has been selected to attend the
Academy.
Nelson Wallulatum
About one hundred guests and visitors attended the
open house. Nanitch Sahalie is scheduled to open in
early March and at full capacity will care for 44 youth.
A director for the program should be hired within the
next few weeks. There are six candidates that will be
interviewed for the position. ,
Following the hiring of a director, other job openings at
the center will be advertised.' At full capacity the Center ,
will employ 25, including administrative, and mainte
nance staff, cooks, counselors, and teachers.
The Grand Ronde Tribe currently leases the facility, but
plan to purchase it at a later date.
SINCERE THANKS
The family of Lester Holmes would like to take this
opportunity to thank Tribal Council, family and friends
for the cards, flowers, and food. The support shown on
January 11th is greatly appreciated.
Special thanks to Val Grout, Ivanetta Cook, and Patty
Hoopingarner for handling the food preparation and
clean-up.
Sincerely,
The families of Merle Holmes, Arnold Holmes, Elmer
Holmes and Clarice Ellison