Smoke Signals
February 1991
page 12
... A
Tribal Elders'
Feature -
Marion Forster
When the Grand Ronde Tribal Elders get together,
one of the brightest smiles and clearest minds belongs to
Marion Forster. Marion's memory for detail is legend
in the Tribal community, and when you want to find
what someone was like when they were younger, just ask
Marion.
Since she is usually a source of information about other
Tribal members, being the subject of a feature story is a
different experience for her.
The first thing you notice about Marion when you meet
her is her beauty and the way she carries herself with
pride. "I am proud to be an Indian," explained Marion.
"I think that's because of our parents. They doted on us
girls when we were growing up. So I guess they kind of
made us feel special."
Things weren't always that way as Marion remembers.
"You know when we were growing up we had that
feeling that we didn't want to be Indian." She said the
feeling came from her surroundings but, eventually got
better. "I guess the reason we didn't want to be Indian
back then was because we didn't receive any benefit
from it and we were looked down upon because of it. I
got a different outlook though after we moved and now
I'm proud." Marion gives credit to her family and
friends for changing her outlook. "When my friends
found out I was Native American they respected that
and looked up to it. That helped."
Marion's parents were Gertrude (Hudson) and Julius
Mcrcier, and she grew up as one of the family's five
daughters. She was born on December 5th, 1917 in her
parent's house in Grand Ronde. Her father delivered
the mail by horse and wagon. She lived in Grand Ronde
until she married Frank Forester in 1937. Marion's
marriage lasted 51 years and two months before her
husband's passing in 1988. Frank and Marion have two
granddaughters, Rhonda and Shelley Hanson. Shelley's
daughter Kayla Leno is her only great granddaughter.
Marion likes what she sees happening around the Tribe
and hopes that the youth will benefit from everything
that is taking place. "I want the young folks to make
progress in their lives and make something of them
selves," she said. Advances in health care, education
programs and senior services pleases her. "Everything
that is being done for our people, I like because that was
never done before." She also said that she looks
forward to the day the Tribe can provide housing for the
Elders. "That would be nice but, we are happy with all
that is being done for us now."
Talking with Marion renews your appreciation of the
events that have transpired since the restoration effort
began. Her wit is sharp and her outlook is bright.
Elders like Marion Forster make you proud to be a
Native American.
Beautiful Baby
Honored
One of the Tribes' newest members is also one of its
most beautiful. According to judges at the 1990 Port
land Area Baby Pageant, Tribal member Chantae'
Marie Fechtner was made of the right stuff.
Chantae' was among the royalty age group winners in
the 3 to 5 months category. Chantae's proud parents are
Margie (Lafferty) and Robert Fechtner. The little
queen's grandparents are Kenneth and Darlene Lafferty.
She was born May 16, 1990.
The event was sponsored by Starbound U.SA. Con
gratulations Chantae' and good luck in your new career!
v..
:3k 5'
Margie Fechtner holds her baby Chantae' Chaela.
(I "
VISITS GRAND RONDE - Corbin Harney, a spiritual leader of the Western Shoshone Nation recently visited
Grand Ronde and he also toured the Tribal reservation lands. Harney was in Oregon speaking to different Tribes
about the nuclear testing that is going on on his people's land in Nevada. Harney believes that the testing is
destroying sacred land and should be stopped. While touring the Tribal reservation lands Harney said that he got a
"good feeling" from the land. He said that it is a "strong" land and the people of Grand Ronde should be proud