Page 2
Editorial and Opinion
Smoke Signals October 1994
Letters from our readers...
Tribe helps Grand Ronde community, youth
Strategic Planning Update
General Council Meeting
Sunday, October 9, 11:30 a.m.
AH Tribal Members Welcome
Road work planned
continued from page 1
Highway 18 will be widened in
the area near the Strawberry Patch
and the access road to the gaming
center.
"Included are a deceleration lane
and a jug-handle loop that will
carry traffic into the gaming center.
The loop will runnel traffic
through an underpass.
"The design greatly improves
traffic safety, and it will be much
safer for people entering and leaving
the Strawberry Patch," he said.
Thomas said that is very unusual
for such a highway project to be
approved in so short a time.
"Normally it takes from two to
three years to get such a
comprehensive highway project
through the state approval process,"
Thomas said.
Paul Pink Architects of
Editorial Policy
Utters From Our Reader
Smoke Signals Is a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the
Grand Ronde Community of Oregon. We have recently adopted an Editorial
Policy that encourages input from readers about stories printed in Smoke
Signals as well as other tribal Issues. However, all letters from readers must
be received at the Newsletter Office no later than the 20th of each month, with
the author's signature, address, and phone number m orderto be considered
for publication.
Letters must be printed or typed, and cannot exceed 300 words.
Smoke Signals reserves the right to edit any letter for clarity and length, and
to refuse publication of any letter or any part of a letter that may contain
libelous statements or personal attacks. Not all letters are guaranteed
publication upon submission. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the
opinions of Smoke Signals, tribal employees, or Tribal Council. Mail letters
to: SMOKE SIGNALS, 9616 Grand Ronde Rd., Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347
ATTN: Tracy Olson
MOVING?
NEW
Name:
Address
Cut out and mail to:
Smoke Signals
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347
near gaming site
Minneapolis, Minn, is designing
the project.
"He is in the final stages of
adjusting construction to fit within
the budget," Thomas said
The gaming facility will be built
by a joint venture of Kraus
Anderson of Minneapolis, Minn,
and Donald M. Drake Company of
Portland.
Kraus-Anderson built the huge
Mystic Lake gaming center at Prior
Lake, Minn. The Drake Company
constructed the new Portland
Convention Center.
Thomas said that the
Confederated Tribes of Grand
Ronde will be operating the new
gaming center, and Little Six will
be the consultants.
Little Six is a developer and
operator of the Mystic Lake gaming
complex.
Let us know!
OLD
Dear Council members and
staff:
I'd like to take this opportunity,
as a long-time Grand Ronde
resident, to thank the Confederated
Tribes of Grand Ronde for the
constructive interest you have taken
in our families and our community.
First, in my opinion, the Youth
Program the Tribe has set up is
without a doubt one of the most
important programs you have
implemented to date. For some
time now I have watched the work
that Vernon Kennedy and Duane
Manyhides have been doing with
the Tribal youth and they have
gone way above and beyond the call
Council candidates
Tribal members:
This letter is to thank the people
who supported and voted for me in
the recent elections for Tribal
Council. Almoughlfinishedfourth
and did not make Council, with all
the local support I received, I will
definitely be a candidate for Tribal
Council next September. I am
hoping to receive enough local and
outside support to be elected to
Council next year. I feel I can do a
good job for the people.
I would like to congratulate the
new Council members on the
organization of their voters, they
did a good job. Maybe we can all
learn from their example.
There is a lot of talk about per
capita for our tribal members. If
this was a reality, I would support
that Other tribes that never suffered
termination and have more revenue
and land base can do this, but our
tribe is too young and we would
lose a lot like our trust fund dollars
and a lot of other programs with un
Thanks for concern
Tribal members, staff, and friends:
I would like to take a moment to
express my sincere gratitude and
appreciationforall the cards, letters,
books, videos, visits, calls, and
support that I have received in these
last few months.
I have been touched by your love
and concern.
However...let's not lose sight of
our main goal.
And that is, all of us working
together, and developing a strong,
effective, productive Tribe.
Thanks again,
JoannMercier
of duty to work with young people
and their families. Vernon and
Duane are great role models for our
young people. I personally thank
them for their assistance during the
time my grandson lived with me. I
aralookingforwardtothetimeyou
might expand the Youth Program
to include more summer jobs and
more supervised recreation
throughout the year.
Secondly, I commend you for the
financial help the Tribe has given
to make our community a safer
place to live. It seemed like over
the last few years the Grand Ronde
area was getting to be a great target
forburglariesanddrug sales. Now,
express thanks for
met needs would suffer. I do not
believe any member would turn
down a monthly check and in some
way support per-capita, because it
is probably the only real fair way for
all members to receive their "piece
of the pie" so to speak. Also I dont 1
feel the government is going to
allow that for us.
It will be interesting to see if the
newly elected Council members still
support the advisory votes taken
last spring. The recommended
hourly wage, no wage increases for
Council without being brought
before the general membership first,
no more local travel for Tribal
Council members.
It should prove to be a real
interesting year. I hope this will
move inapositive way for the Tribe
and people will be able to work
together.
Thanks again for the support, I
will be counting on you next year!
Thanks,
Reynold Leno
Good feelings from
pow-wow carry on
Dear friends:
Many thanks to the Pow-wow
Committee and everyone who
helped make our pow-wow so
successful.
It took a lot of hard work and
coordination.
I think the pow-wow has grown
into a big yearly event
We all need to let the good
feelings we share during pow-wow
time cany on throughout the rest of
the year. Thanks again for all of
your efforts.
Michael J. Larsen
having law enforcement in our area,
I feel much safer on the streets and
in my home. The interest you have
taken in assisting the water and
sewer utilities both financially and
administratively has been
invaluable and has added to making
Grand Ronde a safer and better
place to live.
Being the parent and grandparent
of tribal members I have felt the
difference tribal programs can make
in our families and the community.
Thankyousomuchforallyoufolks
have done, you havebrightened our
corner of tie world!
Fondly,
Eleanor Kimsey
support
"NikaTillikum"
I would like to take this time to
say thank you to all of my fellow
tribal members who supported me
in the tribal election. I would
especially like to thank my family
and friends for the time and effort
that they put into helping me with
my campaign.
Although I did not succeed at
being elected, I would like all of us
to stay involved and be supportive
of tribal government Weare going
tobeveiyactrvemupwmtagyears
and we need to be aware and stay
knowledgeable about all aspects of
tribal activities. We do need to
keep in mind that there will be
elections again next year and we
cantry again then. With my sincere
appreciation, thanks again.
Joyce Bean Kirk
Tribal Members:
I would like to express my thanks
to friends and family who supported
me in my effort to run for Tribal
Council. Ireallyappreciatedallthe
votes I received, and wish Tribal
Council and successful year.
Thanks,
Bob Merrier
Help appreciated
during luncheons
I would like to thank everyone
who helped work in the kitchen to
prepare the luncheons during the
memorial services for the Kneeland
family and the Leslie Houck family.
Your assistance was much
appreciated.
Thanks you all again,
Wilmadene Butler