August 1991
page 9
TRIBAL COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Smoke Signals
Lcno. I am married and my wife's name is Liz. We have
three children, my daughter Angela will be a sophomore at
Western Oregon State College. I have two sons, Shonn who
will be a junior, and Dustin who will be a freshman at
Willamina High School.
I have lived in the Grand Ronde, Willamina area all my life
except two years I served in the Marine Corp. I am a
veteran of the Vietnam war and currently trying to help
establish our V.F.W. for tribal members. I am a member
of our Timber Committee and have attended as many
council meetings in the past year as I could to find out about
our Tribe and how it is being run.
I have been employed for Zimbrick Logging Company for
the past 18 years. Being a working person I believe it gives
me the advantage of knowing some of the problems of
tribal members in the current economical crisis.
I would like to serve on the Tribal Council because I care
about my Tribe and my people. I would like to be a part of
the decisions that are made that affect the Tribe now and
in the future. If I were elected on Council I feel I could give
input from a wide prospective because my parents are
elders and my children are youth. I would appreciate your
vote in the upcoming election.
like to continue and this is why I am asking for your support
and vote in the upcoming election.
Sincerely yours,
Ray L. McKnight
Rick McKnight
Ray McKnight
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Hi, for those of you who don't know me, I am Ray
McKnight. I have been a member of the Tribal Council for
five years now, and am up for re-election this year. I was
on Council during the period we got the reservation
restored, and was a volunteer on several committees in
years past.
During the time I have been on Council, the Tribe has
gone through many changes. We have expanded from six
to twenty-one programs which benefit our people, and
from four active committees to twelve. We have gotten
back almost 10,000 acres of our original reservation, and
are continuing to expand our land base. We now have an
active economic development department which will even
tually be providing employment for all who want a job. I
want to continue expanding our services to the elders and
provide a chance at a good education for all our children.
There willbe a community center by theend of this year and
we are planning for a health clinic, administrative center,
pow-wow grounds and many other improvements on our
homelands.
I feel that the Council is leading the Tribe in a direction
which will be good for the future of all, and will insure that
we will be self-sufficient and able to take care of our owi.
I have been a part of this for the past five years and would
Since August, 1989, 1 have enjoyed the privilege of serving
on the Grand Ronde Tribal Council. During my tenure of
service, I noticed the Tribe embarking on some very
complex ventures.
We have established endowment funds for the health,
housing and education programs which the Tribe currently .
operates. These funds were established by the Council as
"rainy da' funds, since the uncertainty of the federal
governments provision of funds has always been a concern
of the Council. Every year, the Tribal Council budgets a set
amount from the timber revenues earned from the reser
vation. We have targeted the total amount for all of these
endowments to seven and one half million dollars, by the
year 1995. Once this goal is reached, these funds will be
self-sustaining, from interest earned. Therefore, these
important programs will take time. However, I feel this is
a most sound investment for the Tribe on a long term basis,
to get these funds established.
Another important venture for the Council is the Tribe's
master plan. The Tribe is now located on sixty four acres
of land, situated between state routes 18 and 22, in the
Grand Ronde community. Already, we are beginning to
see the construction of the Tribe's community services
center. Next, I hope to see construction of our health and
human services building, and our permanent administra
tive building. Besides these public buildings, it is my hope
to establish some much needed housing for our people
here. On the west end of this property, will be the Tribes
A' 0RN0 RCN06 HOMELANDS
permanent pow-wow site.
There is an enormous potential for the Tribe nowadays.
All these things I have listed are possible. Here is a map the
Council has drafted showing how we hope for this tract of
land to look within 15 to 20 years from now. But, this will
require careful planning and careful utilization of revenues
earned from the reservation. The Council has a great deal
of work to perform to see this map become a reality. I am
willing to continue my service to the Tribe, so that some day
all folks within this community may point with pride, to the
work the Tribe has done, and hopes to continue.
Your vote will be appreciated in September.
Rick McKnight
Candy Robertson
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Dear Tribal Members:
My name is Candy Robertson and I'm asking you to vote
for me in the September Tribal Council Elections.
I am a former council member. Having had the honor of
serving on the Tribal Council from 1983 through 1990.
During these seven years I have gained experience and
knowledge as a council member and from holding the
positions of Tribal Council Secretary and Tribal Council
Vice-Chair.
I have also served on various committees (Pow-Wow,
Education and Fish and Wildlife). I remain serving on the
Fish and Wildlife Committee. As a former council liaison
for the Education Committee I am proud to say I was
involved in establishing the specific scholarship awards and
their guidelines that are now in effect.
Although all aspects of the Tribe are important to me. I
have to say I believe health issues have to stand as a priority.
Without good health it is difficult to face and accomplish
your goals in life, for instance furthering a persons educa
tion, or putting your best efforts forward to your job.
Another issue is housing and our "tribal homelands", that
are growing and will continue to grow. It would be an honor
if elected to be a part of the tribes growth and accomplish
ments. I can't make you any promises because I believe promises
are based on something a person is sure can be done. And
I won't know what needs to be done until I hear from you,
and what concerns you have. From there I can assure you
that I will do my very best to bring your concerns forward
for a solution.
Please keep in mind that I have never resigned from any
term or position that I have been elected to. Please, cast
your vote for me.
I wish you all good health!
Sincerely,
Candy Robertson