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June 1994
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Youth gang activity in
Grand Ronde? Page 5.
Tribal graduates, page 6
Tribal election information,
page 2
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THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE GRAND RONDE COMMUNITY OF ORECON JUNE 1994
Gaming waits green light from D.C.
- . J'
Jim Willis, Mark Mercier and Bruce Thomas discuss the plans for the gaming facility
site behind the Natural Resources offices.
By Tracy Olson
Editor
If all goes well, construction of
the Tribe's multi-million dollar
gaming facility is scheduled to
begi n in late spring or early summer.
Last summer, Governor Roberts
signed the compact agreement with
the state, but final approval was
delayed in Washington D.C. The
Tribe is currently awaiting for an
amendment to the Grand Ronde
Reservation Act to pass, which
would end Interior Department
confusion about gaming on the land
along Highway 18.
The delay is a result of a
technicality in the act.
"Section 20 of IGRA (Indian
GamingRegulatoryAct)statesthat
the tribes cannot conduct Class II
or Class III gaming on land that
wasn't held in trust before October
17, 1988," said Michael Mason,
tribal attorney. "The exception to
this rule is land that has been part
of land restored to a restored tribe. "
However, in 1989, after IGRA
was passed, Congress appropriated
funds for the Tribe to buy the
property that is currently the Natural
Resources site and the future site
of the gaming facility. The Tribe
then sent a team of people back to
Washington D.C. to meet with John
Duffy, counsel to Secretary of the
Interior, Bruce Babbitt. The Tribe
hopes to hear of the passage of the
amendment within a few days, and
announce a definite construction
time. Look for more information in
future newsletter articles.
The gaming facility is expected
togencratean economic shot in the
arm for the people of Polk and
Yamhill counties, as well as provide
revenue for the Tribe that will lead
toother economic opportunities and
funding for tribal programs.
Survey answers will assist in future planning
This month, Grand Ronde tribal
members were mailed a special
survey asking them to voice their
opinions regarding the services
and programs they would like the
Tribe to maintain, establish, or
expand. During the month of
June, there will be a series of
community meetings held in
various Oregon towns. The topic
of the meetings will be: What do
tribal members think of the
strategies and policiesas described :
in the mailout and what modifica
tions should be made based on the
survey respopnses?
The times and dates of the
meetings are as follows:
City: Eugene
Monday, June 13, 6-10 p.m.
Willamette High School
City: Salem
Wednesday, June 15, 6-10 p.m.
Chemcketa Community College
South Campus: Builing 50
Rooms 111, 112
City: Portland
Monday, June 27, 6-10 p.m.
Benson High School
City: Grand Ronde
Wednesday, June 29, 6-10 p.m.
Tribal Community Center
Also, feel free to write or call
with questions. There will be
more information on strategic
planning in future newsletters.
University of Oreg
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Chairman attends tribal summit
President Clinton
discusses Indian issues
with tribal leaders.
Bv Tracv Olson
Tribal Council Chairman Mark
Mercier attended a day-long
conference with President Clinton
on April 29.
More than 300 Indian and tribal
leaders gathered together on the
White House South Lawn to discuss
Native American issues with the
president. Hillary Rodham Clinton
was also present, as was Vice
President Al Gore, Tipper Gore
and the full cabinet.
Clinton assured the tribes that
Native American concerns were
important to the administration,
and promised to "dramatically
improve the federal government's
relationship with the tribes" and to
support Native American religious
freedom.
Other topics of discussion
included natural resources,
economic development, federal
monies for health care, and
education.
The meeting resulted from
repeated requests from tribal
officials all over the United States
to have an opportunity to express
their concerns. Duringthe meeting,
Budget Director Leon E. Panctta
told tribal leaders a budget amend-
President Clinton
mcnt had been sent to Congress
calling for $125 million to be
restored to the Indian Health
Scrviccbudget. The money was cut
out of Clinton's Fiscal Year 1995
budget.
"We heard you," Panetta told
tribal leaders at the D.C. Sheraton
Hotel. "We listened to your
concerns."
Clinton acknowledged the fact
that although leaders from every
federally recognized tribe were
invited to the gathering, some
couldn't attend because their tribes
don't have the financial resources.
"I know many of you come here
at great personal sacrifice to
yourselves and your tribes," he said
The last time a group of tribal
leaders were invited to the White
House was in 1822, by President
James Monroe.
Tribal Council nominees
During the May general meeting, nominations were held for the
three open Tribal Council positions. Elections will take place
September 10, 1994 andthe results will be posted at the September
1 1 general meeting. Tribal members wishing to register to vote in
this election may do so in the Enrollment Department. Eligible
tribal members may vote in person or by absentee ballot. (See
related story, page 2.) The candidates will be profiled in next
month's newsletter. The nominees are:
Robert Haller
Merle Holmes
Tim Holmes
Joyce Kirk
Matthew Kirkland
Earl "Butch" Labonte
Eugene LaBonte
Merle Lcno
Ren Lcno
Bob Mercier
Dean Mercier
June Olson
Ed Pcarsall
Margaret Provost
Candy Robertson
Wilbur West