July 1994
Page 6
The candidates speak!
Smoke Signals
My name is Robert Haller.
;i
Robert Haller
I am a member of the Grand
Ronde Tribe and have lived in the
Willamette Valley for most of my
life. I am a retired member of the
construction trade. During my
career in the construction trade, I
have worked overseas and in the
United States as a supervisor. I
have been married to Leveta Sell
Haller for thirty years. I have four
sons.
I am running for Council because
I believe I can represent the Tribe
with fairness.
I have deep concerns about the
past ventures put forth by the current
council and staff of Grand Ronde.
I feel that tribal members outside
of the reservation community have
not received the same opportunities
and advantages as those who live
on the reservation. I view all
members as equally important. In
the interest of fairness, I would
support per capita payments.
Tribal resources and monies
should be put in tribal programs
that affect our members, especially
elders. There is no reason why a
tribal member should have to
endure waiting lists or years to
receive hearing aids, glasses, or
necessary dental work.
I would appreciate your vote. I
would recommend Ed Pearsall and
Eugene LaBonte as councilmen in
this upcoming election as they
express the same concerns. Thank
you.
I, Merle Holmes, would like to
share with the tribal members,
especially first time voters, some of
my experience and involvement
with tribal government.
Merle Holmes
My affiliation began from the day
tribal governement started in Grand
Ronde with the organization of the
n T' H
of the Restoration Effort. I served
as co-chairman of the first re
organized government, holding
positions of Chairman and
Councilman from the mid-70s to
the present. Now, I work on
numerous tribal assignments
including jurisdiction, legislative
development, tribal laws and
ordinances, and cultural
preservation. In addition, I am the
current Education Liaison and
Delegate to the Affiliated Tribes of
Northwest Indians.
My family, rich in tribal history,
has been on the Grand Ronde
reservation since 1856. My great
grandfather, Joseph Shangretta, a
Santiam Calapooia Chief signed
the 1855 treaty with Oregon
territorial government. A great
leader and medicine man, he was
also the first tribal judge appointed
by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. I
am very proud of my grandfather,
and likewise, the rest of my family.
My parents were allotted and
successfully raised a family of nine
on the banks of the Agency River.
As for the future, I see prosperity
as well as problems for our tribe.
Our gaming facility, while
increasing our revenue, also
proposes new difficulties to
overcome: 500-600 new employees,
traffic, increased housing
shortages, and the need for water
and sewer upgrading. I welcome
these challenges for I know my
years of experience will help the
Tribe overcome these obstacles. Let
me help in solving these problems
and continue the tradition of serving
our people , the way my family has
donefornearly UOyears. So, I call
on all of you, for what will probably
be the last time, for your votes,
support, and prayers.
My name is Tim Holmes,
grandson of Abe and Mildred
Holmes, and son of Lemer Holmes.
g 1
Tim Holmes
My family and I currently reside in
Salem. We are independent owners
managers of a full-service cafeteria
in the Oregon Department of
Transportation Building. If elected
to Council we plan to relocate to
Grand Ronde.
After graduating from high
school, I broadened my education
through attendance of the Oregon
Commission for the Blind
Orientation and Career Center in
Portland. My courses covered a
broad spectrum, from Grade II
Braile and Independent Living
Skills to woodworkeing and
computers. This education and
training provided the skills needed
to function in an office setting and
perform duties such as those of a
Council member. Because of this
training, I was given the opportunity
to travel throughout the Portland
School District, giving
presentations on blindness as part
of a public awareness campaign.
In 1993, Governor Barbara
Roberts appointed me to serve on
the Oregon State Independent
Living Council, and I am noew thie
vice-chairperson. This position
requires working withfederaL state,
and local agencies to enxure
compliance with federal regulations
and maintenance of federal funding.
Furthermore, the council reviews
and advises the governor on
proposed federal regulations
affecting local agencies.
Tribal programs of particular
interest to me, which I feel are
crucial to the continued success
and future exi stance to the Tribe
are: education, economic
development, natural resources, and
housing. These areas work together
to ensure a stable, successful, long
term existence fcr the Tribe. I
believe it is crucial that we reach a
point of financial independance. If
elected to be your representative, I
would listen to your concerns and
carefully consider them, before
making any deccisions. If you want
your voice to be heard, vote for me
on election day.
"Nika Tillikam", my name is
Joyce Kirk, daughter of Fremond
Bean, Great Granddaughter of
Margaret Menard, and Great-great
grandaughter of Joseph Sangretta.
I grew up in Grand Ronde and
Siletz.
I have always felt an inner pride
inbeing an Indian, and stand by my
beliefs and convictions that we can
totally regain control of our destiny
as a soveirgn nation.
I believe that the number one
priority is the establishment of a
self-sustaining economic base,
through the development of diverse
business enterprises. Exploration
and expansion of existing
enterprises, maximize useof present
resouces.
Experience and Qulifications:
I have spent many years working
with the Indian community seeking
opportunities for the betterment of
our people. In 1983 1 served on the
original Health Board. I was
responsible for compiling the first
Health Needs Assessment for the
Tribe. In 1984 I entered Lane
Community College to pursue a
degree for Medical Office Assistant,
which I completed in 1986. I then
went to work at Chemawa Indian
School. While employed at
Chemawa I worked in the Intensive
Residential Guidance programs.
This is a program for chemically
dependent students. In 1988 I
moved to Klamath Falls and am
currently employed as the Executive
Secretary to the director of the
Health Program for the Klamath
Tribe.
Joyce Kirk
At the present time I reside in
Klamath Falls, but my husband
and I have ties in the Salem area
and will be returning to live in this
area very soon.
Previously to this I had been
employed by Weyerhauser timber
Co. I was the committee
chairperson for the International
Woodworkers of America. I believe
that I have the concerns of all the
people in my heart, as I am not
running for Council because of any
self-promotion. I would incorporate
my skills and work ethic with our
traditional values in an effort to
effectively serve our people. Please
support me in the upcoming
election. Icanbecontactedat(503)
884-5695 or P.O. Box 100,
Chiloquin, Oregon 97624to answer
any questions or concerns you may
have.
My name is Matthew Kirkland, I
am the son of Vivian (Joey) and
Bob Phillips, and the grandson of
Laree JohnsonLegachinski. This
is my second year as a Tribal
Council candidate and I want to
begin by thanking everyone who
supported me in the last election.
I am going to get directly to the
point and explain why I am running
for Tribal Council. I am a candidate
because I believe it is more
important than ever for our Tribal
Council members to have both the
education and the experience
necessary to operate an effective
tribal government. Our Tribe is
changing and we need
representatives that understand the
changes that are occurring. We
need a Council who can effectively
manage our Tribe.
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si it'
i 1 1 lvvil i
Matt Kirkland
As everyone knows by now our
Tribe's economic base is shifting to
include gaming. As we enter this
period of change and opportunity,
we need to ask ourselves who we
want representing our Tribe. I
want Tribal Council members who
have demonstrated experience and
knowledge in business and in
government. I want council
members who will sincerely listen
to the needs and issues of the General
Council. I want Tribal Council
members who will serve honorably
and provide leadership for our
community. ...
As our tribal organization
becomes more professional, so too
must our representatives. My
education background includes a
Bachelor of Science degree in
Public Policy and Administration
from Western OregonState College.
I will be attending Willamette
University this fall where I will be
working on my Master's degree in
Management. As a graduate
student of management I will have
the opportunity to bring new ideas
intoourTribe. I will also be able to
apply new skills directly to our
tribal organization. I sincerely
believe our tribe can benefit from
educated leadership.
My government work experience
has primarily been in the field of
Personnel and Human resource
Management. I began working in
government in 1981, and have had
the opportunity to work for the
following organizations:
The ConfederatedTribes of Grand
Ronde
Oregon State Legislature
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Highway Admiiiistration
Oregon State Employment
Division
U.S. Army
Polk County Education Services
District
There are many issues facing the
Tribe today. I do not have the
opportunity to go over the issues in
this letter, however, I do invite you
to attend the candidate's forum and
listen to my views on a variety of
issues.