Smoke Signals September 1 989
PageS
Erica Merrier
HI My name is Erica Mercier and I'm 9 years
old.- Iam the 1988-89 Jr. Miss Grand Ronde. I
was very happy and proud when they said my
name at last years Pow- Wow. I really liked
going to all of the Pow-Wows and Parades and
was very honored to be able to represent my
Tribe. Vve learned a lot about being an Indian
and I'm glad I got picked for Jr. Miss Grand
Ronde, it meant a lot to me.
I 'm really excited about our Pow- Wow this
year, I'm glad that it is three days long because
that means more people will come, maybe. I
hope I see all of my friends and family at the
Pow- Wow and everybody has a good time!
. I 'm looking forward to the time when I can run
for Sr. Miss Grand Ronde. Everyone has helped
me with whatever I needed and I just wanted to
say "Thank-You" to a few special people: Aunt
Marion, Bonnie and Cindy, JoAnn, Michael,
Val, my Grandma and especially my Mom and
Dad, they 've helped me the most of all and I
love them very much.
Thank-You,
Erica Mercier
1 988-89 Jr. Miss Grand Ronde
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Last Year's Junior Miss Grand Ronde Erica
Mercier was an attentive observer at this year's
Royalty Pageant that was held on Friday night
Ao oy u iie "Miss Lakota", but Cindy Martin
"Miss Lakota"
With her brilliant strawberry hair dancing
about her shoulders, 21 year old "Miss Lakota",
Cindy Martin moved through the circle of
dancers with passion and pride.
Native American cultural activities such as
taking part in Pow-Wows are very important to
Cindy. "Participating in the Pow-Wows is
important to me because I get an opportunity to
make good friends that I would not normally
have and because I've learned a lot about the
differences in Tribes and their heritage. "
Cindy was previously the 1987-88 "Miss Grand
Ronde" and enjoyed it so well that she wanted
to continue to be a representative of the Native
American Culture. "I consider it an honor and
a privilege to represent the Lakota Club at this
time. I would hope to continue working to
establish better communication between the
general public and club members. "
There are many people who are very proud of
Cindy, including her mother, Bonnie Martin,
who says, "I have attended various meetings
and Pow-Wows with Cindy at the OSP, and I
am so proud of her because of her willingness to
learn about her culture and heritage and that of
other tribes. We have benefited from her experi
ence as "Miss Lakota" because we have met
other Native Americans."
Cindy is currently employed at the Confeder
ated Tribes of Grand Ronde as the Tribal recep
tionist. Her employer, Dean Azule is also very
proud of her. "I'm purely impressed with her
enthusiasm. She is a noticeably exceptional
finds the time to be a receptionist for the Tribe.
worker and very well liked by her co-workers,
and to me, that's most important in a person.
I'm certain she has taken her title as "Miss
Lakota" seriously. If she continues to coax and
encourage young children, Indian dancing will
never die out."
On behalf of the Confederated Tribes of
Grand Ronde, we are all very proud of you,
Cindy, for all your hard work and effort you put
inforyour people. CONGRATULATIONS!!!