Smoke signals., May 01, 1992, Image 1

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May 92
Changes made to
Election Policy
P.2
Reserve Powwow 1992
vendor sites
P. 6-7
Miss Grand Ronde
entry form
P. 7
THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE GRAND RONDE COMMUNITY OF OREGON ft May 1992
Grand opening of Tribal Community
Center hailed as a new beginning
The Tribal Community Center opened
its doors officially on April 15, 1992.
This is a great day for the Confeder
ated Tribes of the Grand Ronde and for
the Grand Ronde community," Oregon
Congressman Les AuCoin wrote in a
letter read by his wife Susan AuCoin
because he could not be present.
"The dedication of this great facility
. marks the opening of a new chapter in
the history of the Grand Ronde Tribe.
There were many dark days on the trail
of tears, but this is a bright day indeed
and, with your fine work, there will be
many more bright days ahead," the letter
continued.
Senator Mark Hatfield commends the
tribe on successfully organizing an
efficient tribal government, establishing
a reservation and responsibly planning
for the future of all tribal members.
"This Community Center stands as a
fine example of leadership," he wrote.
A show of support was a heartfelt one,
not only from Congressman AuCoin and
United States Senator Mark Hatfield,
but also from the other 150 people who
came to celebrate and bless the
opening of a building which represents
years of hard work.
Warm Springs' Tribal Council
member and Chief, Nelson Wallulutum
performed the blessing ceremony by
singing a welcoming song and a
Huckleberry Mountain song in Chinook
jargon.
He also presented Tribal Chairman
Mark Mercier with an 11 foot strand of
Dentalium beads in dedication of the
Tribal Community Center.
Since its opening, the Tribal Commu
nity Center has been booked for
classes, tribal and public meetings,
church services and exercise classes.
Tracy Hubbell, the Community
Center Coordinator, said she is looking
forward to working with more tribal
members who come to the Community
Center to either socialize as a tribe or
work as an employee. "The Community
Center means that we are working on
bonding our tribe together."
Education Open House inspires students
The Education Programs held its
annual Open House on April 23, 1992 at
the Community Center.
Dean Azule, the Education Director
for the tribe, thought the Open House
would be a great opportunity to inform
tribal members, as well as other
dignataries involved in Native American
education on how each educational
program is progressing.
Representatives from all of the area
schools and Oregon's colleges and
universities were present to listen to the
outstanding achievements of the
Education Department.
Of those achievments, the most
important one is that the drop out rate
of tribal high school students dropped
continued on page 4
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ABOVE: Warm Springs' Council member and Tribal Chief Nelson Wallulutum
performed the Blessing Ceremony for the Tribal Community Center. (Photo
Courtesy of The Sheridan Sun)
LEFT: Darlene Aaron, Education Committee Chairperson, presents keynote
speaker Kelly Nelson with a blanket