Smoke signals., September 01, 1993, Image 1

THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE CRAND RONDE COMMUNITY OF ORECON September, 1993 I
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Governor Roberts Signs Compact Dental Clinic Changes
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Council Chairman Mark Mercier greets Governor Barbara Roberts at the Pow-wow.
Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts attended the Grand Ronde Pow-wow Saturday, August 21 to meet with tribal
officials and sign the gaming compact. The compact, which is a written agreement with the State of Oregon regarding the
Tribe's plan for a gaming facility, signifies and end to the negotiations with the state.
It is the Tribe's hope that the new gaming facility will be in operation sometime next year, will employ 600 people,
and offer a badly-needed economic boost to this area. The gaming facility is an effort to move the Tribe's economic revenue
away from the timber industry. Money generated from the gaming facility may be used to build a Tribal Human Services
Clinic and offices, and well as housing. The gaming facility will consist of a 1,000 seat bingo hall, video machines and
Keno, and a buffet-style restaurant.
Future plans include a hotel, golf course, retail space, and other recreational facilities.
Roberts stated that although she's opposed to gaming, she's "very much in favor of economic development", and
that the results of the compact negotiations would have a positive affect on the people living in this area. The Tribe's gaming
facility will not serve alcohol and will not include casino-type gaming tables like poker, roulette, and blackjack.
Roberts, who spent part of her childhood in Sheridan, once had tribal member Eula Petite as a teacher. Of the Pow
wow Roberts said, "I can see this is a very special day for the Grand Ronde Tribe. This part of Oregon is special to me,
too."
Chairman Mark Mercier, Spirit Mountain General Manager Bruce Thomas, Tribal Attorney Mike Mason, and
Vice-Chair Kathryn Harrison all made brief statements regarding the signing of the compact. All made it clear that the end
of these negotiations marked a milestone in Grand Ronde Tribal history. The agreement signed by tribal officials and the
Governor still needs to be approved by Interior Secretary Bruce Babbit.
In her statement at the Pow-wow, Kathryn Harrison said, "I only have one regret. That I'm not forty years younger
so I will be able to see the fruits of our labor."
The Human Services Division would like to inform
the tribal membership that Dr. Tammy McClung, who works
as the tribal Dentist, has accepted a position in a private
practice in Albany, Oregon. Her last day at the Tribe is
tentatively scheduled for October, 1, 1993. Everyone here
wishes her the best.
During the month of September, clinic days will be
limited. If you are in need of an appointment, please call in
advance for scheduling. Effective September 1, there will no
longerbe an 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. Emergency Clinic. The
clinic will continueto seeemergency patients by appointment
only. If you have a dental emergency, please call early in the
day, so the clinic staff can work you into the schedule as early
as possible. This changes will not affect the Hygicnist's
services.
The Tribal Clinic staff would like to invite everyone
to an "Appreciation Get Together" of recognition to Dr.
McClung for her contribution in helping establishing the
Tribal Dental Clinic. It will be September 10, beginning at
12:00 and ending at 1:00 P.M.
Employee Has Seen
Tribal Growth
Darlcne Aaron, who works in the Tribal Health
Clinic as a Nurse's Assistant, was recognized last month for
five years of work for the Tribe.
That may not seem like a particularly long time, but
some of the Tribe's most significant changes have occurred
during this time, and Darlene helped make those changes
happen.
"When I first began working for the Tribe," she
began, "everyone worked in the Manor. There were only
about 25 employees, and the Health Clinic was only open one
day per week."
In addition, the clinic could only make appointment
for about 10 people per week.
Darlene also is the
Chairperson for the
Education Committee, and
has had the opportunity to
witness the growth of that
department as well.
"There is a lot more
opportunity for students to
go to college now, and there
is a lot more community
awareness about health education," she said.
"This job isn't easy, but when I see a tribal member
living a healthy life, that makes it worth it."
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