Smoke Signals September 1994
Page?
Tribal Life
Tribal
Announcements
New Arrival
Congratulations to Kenney and
Debbie Martin on the birthof their
son, Rylan Jacob Martin on July
26, 1994. He weighed 8 pounds,
12 ounces, and was 20 inches
long. Rylan joins his two sisters
Stacia, 9 and Kylea, 2. We love
and miss you all Grandpa,
Auntie Sue, Auntie Cindy, Uncle
Lee, Halona Rae, and Lee Jr.
Sangretta Reunion
Saturday, September 10 the
Sangretta family reunion will be
held at the Grand Ronde
Community Center from 1 1 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
There will be a raffle, door
prizes, games, t-shirt orders, and
a potluck barbecue. Please bring
a dish to share. Also bring any
family photos or storiesyou would
like to share. Itwillbe held outside
so bring appropriate clothing. If
you would like more information
or to volunteer to help, please call
Shawn or Linda at 879-5608.
Salmon Distribution -
The Fish and Wildlife
Department will be holding a
second salmon distribution only
for those people who did not pick
it up the first time. In order to pick
up fish for a family member, you
must have their I.D. card. No
exceptions. Salmon will be
distributed the following days:
Friday, September 16
9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m. -4 p.m.
Saturday, September 17
10 a.m. -4 p.m.
Salmon distribution is located
at the Tribal Forestry offices along
Highway 18.
Tribe helps
The Grand Ronde Trib: has been
working closely with the Bureau of
Indian Affairs and U.S. Fish and
Wildlife experts to preserve and
enhance a population of a threatened
species of plants growing within the
construction site of the Tribe's
gaming facility.
The plants, known as Nelson's
checker-iriaDow, are one of a number
of native checker-mallow species
found in western Oregon. They are
listed on federal and state threatened
species lists. More than 500 plants
growing on-site and nearby are
covered under the agreement
between the Tribe and the U.S. Fish
and Wildiife Service.
"We cant say enough about the
Youth van
A tribal-owned van used to transport the Youth
Crew around the reservation was set on fire early
last month.
The vehicle, now nothing more than a metal
shell, was discovered on a Monday morning at the
Natural Resources offices, along Highway 18.
Connie Holmes, administrative assistant for the
department, called the police, who are currently
investigating the incident.
There were many beer bottles near the vehicle's
remains. Apparently someone was attempting to
siphon the gas from the van's tank, and got careless
with a cigarette or a match.
In any event, the attempt to siphon the gas
backfired, and the entire van went up in flames.
Willamina Fire Department was called to the scene.
Grand Ronde firefighters
honored for battling blazes
The Yakama Nation recently
recognized the Grand Ronde Fire
Crew for their diligent assistance
in helping contain several forest
fires on and near the reservation in
Washington.
This summer, wildfires in eastern
Washington have been the priority
fires in the nation, threatening
homes, neighborhoods, and
businesses. 4 The state of
Grand Ronde firefighting
save threatened plant
Service's responsiveness and
willingness to find a good
solution," said Bruce Thomas,
General Manager of Spirit
Mountain Development
Corporation. "Working in tandem
with federal scientists and
administrators, we were able to
move rapidly, but with full
consideration. It was a very
positive experience."
Spirit Mountain Development
Corporation is an entity of the
Tribe.
The Nelson's checker-mallow
population on the site was first
identified by the Tribe in June,
and confirmed in several joint field
visits with federal wildlife
destroyed in
fl it OIF
L L1 1
Karen Larsen
Washington has received help from
the U.S. Army National Guard,
and various firefighters across the
nation.
Grand Ronde fire crew members
Michael Reibach, Frank Hostler,
Butch LaBonte, Ralph Jim, Bryan
Mercier, and Randy Butler, Jr.
battled flames of ISO feet and at
times worked 15-21 hour shifts.
No injuries were sustained.
p
crew.
specialists.
Working closely with federal
administrators, the Tribe created a
plan that enhances the area's
checker-mallow population in
several areas. At the resort site,
existing plants are being
incorporated into a nature walk
and educational experience on the
area's native prairie grasslands.
Across the South Yamhill River,
the Tribe is encouraging natural
expansion of another checker
mallow population by controlling
brush and noxious weeds. Also,
plants from the resort site are being
moved toestablishanew population
along the Rogue River on the Grand
Ronde reservation.
early morning fire
inspects the ruined Youth Crew van.
Rob Greene:
Virginian named staffer to
Tribe's legal department
Rob Greene is the newest staff
member to the Tribe. He is an
attorney who will be working
closely with program managers
and Tribal Council.
Currently a candidate for an
LL.M. (Masters of Law) in
environmental and natural
resources at Lewis and Clark
College, Rob's educational
background also includes a B.A.
in Economics from Old Dominion
and an M.A. from Columbia
University. He received his law
degree from the University of
Rob Greene
1 N
Players enjoyed softball tournament
The Third Annual Grand Ronde
Pow-wow Softball Tournament
was another exciting day of
competition this year.
First place went to the Bombers,
coached by "Carolina" (Jim
Holmes). Second place went to the
Mariners, coached by Maria
Halverson. Third place went to
Doug's Team, coached by Doug
Colton. And fourth place was
Virginia.
Rob practiced law for four years
with a firm in North Carolina, where
he was sent to Saudi Arabia as a
corporate and natural resources
liaison for clients in that country.
"That was an interesting and
memorable experience," he said.
"Especially since I was there during
the war in the Persian Gulf."
Rob will be using his experience
with natural resources in helping
the Tribe's Public Works Division
confront water and sewer legal
issues.
Currently he is worki ng with tribal
attorney Michael Mason, and
familiarizing himself with the Tribal
Constitution, laws, and ordinances.
"The fascinating thing about
Indian law is the Tribe's relationship
with the state and its economic self
sufficiency," he said.
Rob will also assist the Tribal
Family Action Program with some
of its Indian Child Welfare cases
and do some general contract work.
"Basically, I'm here to work where
I am needed," he said.
Rob and his wife currently live in
Portland, but they plan to relocate as
soon as he graduates from Lewis
and Clark.
taken by thf MARA staff.
First and second place was decided
in the bottom of the seventh inning
with the score tied and each team
losing a game apiece, making this a
true double elimination softball
tournament.
There were some terrific and
talented players, and everyone
showed a great deal of
sportsmanship throughout the day.
(See photos on pages 6&7.)