Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1993)
.COLL THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE GRAND RONDE COMMUNITY OF OREGON MAY 1993 Bingo Facility Proposed The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon has announced the initiation of action required to open a public gaming facility on tribal land. Officials of the Tribe have contacted Governor Barbara Roberts, requesting a contract be drawn up between the Tribe and the state of Oregon, as required by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. (P.L. 100-497). "We are very concerned about sustaining financial support for our programs," said Mark Mercier, Tribal Chairman. "Opening a facility that taps Oregon's growing tourism industry makes us less susceptible to the uncertain future of the timber industry, and anticipated federal budget cuts." Highway 18, a favorite route from the Willamette Valley to Oregon's coast, has traffic counts of up to 12,000 vehicles per day. Preliminary discussions with management companies indicate this level of public exposure would easily sustain a viable operation. At start-up, an estimated 100 new jobs would be created. Since the project is in its initial stages, specific plans for the proposed operation are few. The project site would occupy approximately 5.5 acres of land fronting Highway 1 8, on land held in trust by the Tribe. A consulting engineer has been retained to examine the property for potential construction. Some Grand Ronde members point to the Canyonville, Oregon facility operated by the Cow Creek Band of Umpquas as an example of the type of business Grand Ronde is planning. The Grand Ronde Tribe has no plans to construct a casino-type facility. The Tribal reservation covers approximately 10,000 acres of land in western Yamhill County, is primarily used for timber production. About six miilion board feet of saw timber per year is sold from tribal land managed on a sustained yield basis. The revenue from this timber enables continued on page 2 1 . f 1 - lr' . ....... p. . . v .: .rWj, . .. .... ....... ! If I - ' ' K ' ML lk. : l. ; ; v . - p" '' ? iVL Kif - -I "". ' lHl. Tribal Chairman Attends Forest Conference Mark Mercier, Tribal Council Chairman was invited and attended the Forest Conference held in Portland on April 2. President Clinton and Vice-President Gore were in Oregon to discuss both sides of the timber crisis with various political figures, business owners, tribal officials, and environmentalists. The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde has 9,8 1 1 acres of land held in trust by the United States, most of which is timber land. A certain amount of this land has been set aside as spotted owl habitat. Between 50,000 and 75,000 people rallied and listened to music at Portland's Waterfront Park the night before the conference. The Ancient Forest Celebration, a free concert, was held there to demonstrate support for old growth forests. Earth First! mai .lied in downtown Portland as well. At the same time, hundreds of timber workers, many of them fourth, fifth, and sixth generation workers, rallied and expressed their concern for their future and their jobs. During the day-long conference, the president listened to both sides of the issue, and ended by emphasizing the importance of not letting the issue drop. He didn't intend to solve any problems in one day, but rather wanted to get both sides in the same arena and educate each other and the public. Clinton's cabinet is going to bring him a plan to end the gridlock within sixty days of the conference. President Clinton and Vice-President Gore listen to all the speakers at the Forest Conference in Portland on April 2. (nolo: Courtay chuck imams) General Council Meeting Sunday, May 2, 1993 Tribal Community Center, 11:30 a.m. Meal Provided Tribal Council Nominations Guest Speaker: Lew Merz Everyone Come!!! .1