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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1994)
Tribal Life Announcements Please complete your Housing Survey today Housing surveys were mailed to all tribal households in October. If you have not completed your survey, please do so before November 10. The Housing Department needs your input in order to have the best information possible inplanningforthe Tribe's future housing needs. Remember, there will be a drawing for four fifty dollar prizes. If you have returned your survey, thank you for your cooperation! Cemetery safer now The access road to the Holmes Family Cemetery has recently been graveled, gated, and locked. The road improvements may also be a minor inconvenience for some visitors, and they will need to obtain a key for entrance. The locked gate is to ensure the protection of our loved one's grave sites. To obtain access to the cemetery you may contact Connie Holmes at 843-5 182 or Merle Holmes at 585- 4568. Birthday wishes, love Grandma: Hope you have a special birthday! We send love, hugs and kisses your way Love, Stacia, Kylea, Halona, Lee Jr., and Rylan. USD workers thanked To: Mary, Barbara, Lydia, Vivian, Peggy, Denise, Sarah, am, Kathy, Jackie, Yvonne, and Kerrie, too, Human Services Support staff. Thank you so much for the lunch, the flowers and gifts, you really surprised me! I also want to thank all of you for all the support you give the programs and clients in the Human Services Division. Sometimes we dont acknowledge it, but without the support you give the Division, we wouldn't be able to provide services to the membership. Again, thanks for everything. I am looking forward to another year, Teri ' I . Mtf 1 Restoration Reflections : Tribal members recall what it was like, what happened, and what it's like now When November comes each year, the people whowere involved in the Grand Ronde Tribe's restoration vividly recall the trials, disappointments, and successes of the last 1 1 years. Many people worked hard, travelled back to Washington D.C. to testify before Congress, and waited for word to come on restoration. Some of those involved included: Marvin Kimsey, Kathryn Harrison, Margaret Provost, Merle Holmes, Karen Harrison, and Jackie Whisler. Here are some of their recollections: Jackie Whisler: "My Dad, Dean Mercier, told me in 1983 that you are an Indian. You should be involved." Jackie was in her early 20s when she became part of the effort in getting the Tribe restored. "In the early days, we bought a trailer for $50 from Russ Leno that was converted into offices," she said. "We moved the trailer to the cemetery. Back then we were all volunteers who did all of the work. Gradually we began to get grants--one here and one there-and we began doing things. "We had a lot of help from the Congressional people, but the one who was most helpful was ElizabethFurse. She was working for NAPOLS, and was a good advisor. She told us exactly what we had to do." The next step after harrowing winters in the old Leno trailer was to build a garage. The offices moved into the garage. "I can remember the cold in the trailerand the garage building. In the winter if you left a half full bottle of pop open on your desk, the next morning you would find three inches of ice sticking out of the top," Jackie said. "Back then, it would have been hard to imagine that we could have accomplished so many things as we have." Jackie also served on Tribal Council for several years. "I became involved mostly because of my family. I wanted in insure that my grandmother had good medical care, and that my kids would get an education. It was older and younger people I Smoke Signals .s:- . ' ? u h iv AT I 1 : fci Jackie Whisler was concerned about, not me," she said. "I would never have conceived that we (the Tribe) could have come so far." Kathryn and Karen Harrison: Kathryn Harrison said that a good team of people kept the vision of restoration alive. "We want- ed some "The termination of the thing Grand Ronde Tribe's status was the ultimate insult of their tribal sovereignty.., " Congresswoman for genera tions of Elizabeth Furse tribal mem bers," she said. She remembers that there have been disagreements in the last 1 1 years, but "there has also been cooperation. We certainly got folks' attention. Wekeptourvision alive, and never lost sight of our main goal which was restoration." The people who worked diligently for restoration have a special relationship, a similar closeness to that combat veterans who have fought together. "I kind of feel sorry for the people who weren't involved," Kathryn said. "They missed a lot." She said that life was primitive, and rough in the early 80s for Tribal Council. "We had to carry water, outdoor his and her toilets. Each of the seven desks in one room had a heater under the desk. I can remember how cold it was," she said. November 1994 Elizabeth Furse Karen Harrison, Kathryn's daughter, was a 17-year old junior at Willamina High School when she testified and recommended tribal restoration before a Congressional committee. "Oh, I was nervous. I felt ner vous, but proud," she said. Karen wrote out her presentation, then Elizabeth Furse edited sit for her. Karen "All my life I had heard a- bout termin ation and what it had done to us," Karen said. "Recognition meant that at least I'm an Indian. We were elated and joyful when we were finally recognized as a Tribe." Mabel Gaston,Martha Mercier, DaDowd, andShirley Flansberg: The four seniors agree that the Grand Ronde Tribe's Community Center has become a focal point in their lives, that the center would never have been built if it hadnt been for Tribal Restoration in 1983. "It was the younger people who were really involved in restoration. I just decided to go along. At that time I didn't think I would live long enough to see it. I guess I fooled myself," Ila Dowd said. "A lot has happened and we are happy with all the changes." Nread her piece to the Page 3 7 i' ', 1 r Martha Mercier, Ila Dowd, Mabel Gaston, and Shirley Flansberg. Martha Mercier said that the seniors like to visit and that the Community Center provides a good environment for that. "Otherwise, I would be eating home alone," she said. The four women are regulars at the center where meals are served at noon on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The 5,400 square foot community center was completed in 1992. The center housed administrative offices, the dental center, and a multi purpose meeting room. It has become the focal point for tribal activities. Ila Dowd said that the health and other services provided by the Tribe are very important to elders. A bus and van are available to transport seniors to the Community Center for meals. Outing, tours, parties, games, and recreational activities are also offered We have a lot of benefits, and a lot to be grateful for," Ila said. Shirley Flansberg, another elder who is present at most tribal events and activities echoed the thoughts of other interviewed for this article: "WeVe become Indians again." Growth of a community, Growth of a people: When the Grand Ronde Reservation Act was signed on November 22, 1983, the lives of many people were changed for the better. It is appropriate the restoration holiday falls on the same week as Thanksgiving: We should all be thankful to the people who worked hard to restore our Tribe, and those peoplewhokeepon giving throughout the years.
